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Investments (Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans    
Past Due $ 150us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue $ 90us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
Nonaccrual Status 265us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest 262us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
Commercial    
Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans    
Past Due 0us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialLoanMember		 0us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialLoanMember
Nonaccrual Status 75us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialLoanMember		 169us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommercialLoanMember
Agricultural    
Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans    
Past Due 1us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= mlic_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember		 44us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= mlic_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember
Nonaccrual Status 41us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= mlic_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember		 47us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= mlic_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember
Residential    
Past Due and Interest Accrual Status of Mortgage Loans    
Past Due 149us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember		 46us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember
Nonaccrual Status $ 149us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember		 $ 46us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedNonperformingNonaccrualOfInterest
/ us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember