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Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Reclassification) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Gains (Losses) On Investments And Sales Of Businesses, Net [Member]    
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment $ (1,161)us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= mlic_GainsLossesOnInvestmentsAndSalesOfBusinessesNetMember		 $ 460us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= mlic_GainsLossesOnInvestmentsAndSalesOfBusinessesNetMember
Other, Net [Member]    
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment 102us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= mlic_OtherNetMember		 101us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= mlic_OtherNetMember
Gains (Losses) On Derivatives, Net [Member]    
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment $ 1,059us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= mlic_GainsLossesOnDerivativesNetMember		 $ (561)us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= mlic_GainsLossesOnDerivativesNetMember