Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total	Noncontrolling Interests	Total Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Stockholder's Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 24,720	$ 182	$ 24,538	$ 5	$ 14,506	$ 6,973	$ 3,054
Capital contributions from MetLife, Inc.	3		3		3
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	1		1		1
Dividends on common stock	(1,023)		(1,023)			(1,023)
Dividend of subsidiary	0
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	108	108	0
Net income (loss)	2,683	2	2,681			2,681
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	954		954				954
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	27,446	292	27,154	5	14,510	8,631	4,008
Capital contributions from MetLife, Inc.	3		3		3
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	2		2		2
Dividends on common stock	(1,428)		(1,428)			(1,428)
Dividend of subsidiary	0
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(35)	(35)	0
Net income (loss)	2,142	(7)	2,149			2,149
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(1,850)		(1,850)				(1,850)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	26,280	250	26,030	5	14,515	9,352	2,158
Capital contributions from MetLife, Inc.	4		4		4
Returns of capital	(76)		(76)		(76)
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation	5		5		5
Dividends on common stock	(708)		(708)			(708)
Dividend of subsidiary	(35)		(35)			(35)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	147	147	0
Net income (loss)	3,856	(5)	3,861			3,861
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,876	0	2,876				2,876
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 32,349	$ 392	$ 31,957	$ 5	$ 14,448	$ 12,470	$ 5,034