Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 173,604	$ 165,371
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	188,911	173,746
Cost of equity securities available-for-sale	1,926	1,813
Actively traded securities	654	662
Trading and fair value option securities relating to variable interest entities	705	723
Mortgage loans valuation allowances	258	272
Mortgage loans, under fair value option	49,059	46,024
Real estate and real estate joint ventures relating to variable interest entities	7,874	7,798
Real estate held-for-sale	78	40
Other limited partnership interests relating to variable interest entities	4,926	4,716
Other invested assets relating to variable interest entities	14,209	10,589
Cash and cash equivalents relating to variable interest entities	1,993	1,098
Accrued investment income relating to variable interest entities	2,293	2,249
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables relating to variable interest entities	23,439	23,637
Other assets relating to variable interest entities	4,469	4,716
Liabilities
Long-term debt, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities	2,027	2,828
Deferred income tax liability relating to variable interest entities	3,835	1,785
Other liabilities relating to variable interest entities	33,447	32,180
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	494,466,664	494,466,664
Common stock, shares outstanding	494,466,664	494,466,664
Residential mortgage loans — FVO
Assets
Mortgage loans, under fair value option	308	338
Variable interest entities [Member]
Assets
Fixed maturity securities relating to variable interest entities	160	157
Trading and fair value option securities relating to variable interest entities	15	23
Real estate and real estate joint ventures relating to variable interest entities	8	1,141
Other limited partnership interests relating to variable interest entities	34	53
Other invested assets relating to variable interest entities	56	78
Cash and cash equivalents relating to variable interest entities	2	21
Accrued investment income relating to variable interest entities	3	2
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables relating to variable interest entities	2	7
Other assets relating to variable interest entities	4	24
Liabilities
Long-term debt, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities	91	520
Deferred income tax liability relating to variable interest entities	0	1
Other liabilities relating to variable interest entities	$ 17	$ 31