Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $162,167 and $154,397, respectively; allowance for credit loss of $37 and $0, respectively)	$ 184,574	$ 169,564
Mortgage loans (net of allowance for credit loss of $452 and $289, respectively; includes $198 and $210, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; includes $176 and $188, respectively, under the fair value option and $0 and $59, respectively, of mortgage loans held-for-sale)	66,102	65,549
Policy loans	6,018	6,100
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $1,404 and $1,378, respectively, relating to variable interest entities and $147 and $127, respectively, under the fair value option)	7,021	6,659
Other limited partnership interests	5,329	4,954
Short-term investments at estimated fair value	2,352	1,883
Other invested assets (includes $1,013 and $1,085, respectively, of leveraged and direct financing leases and $85 and $94, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	19,410	16,979
Total investments	290,806	271,688
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $25 and $5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	13,284	8,927
Accrued investment income (includes $1 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	1,993	1,987
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $4 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,049	22,435
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,798	3,453
Other assets (includes $2 and $2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,301	4,460
Separate account assets	124,892	117,867
Total assets	461,123	430,817
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	134,293	128,304
Policyholder account balances	96,989	91,708
Other policy-related balances	7,691	7,732
Policyholder dividends payable	421	495
Policyholder dividend obligation	2,944	2,020
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	26,726	20,365
Short-term debt	123	128
Long-term debt (includes $5 and $5, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	1,611	1,548
Current income tax payable	232	388
Deferred income tax liability	2,317	1,568
Other liabilities	27,256	26,082
Separate account liabilities	124,892	117,867
Total liabilities	425,495	398,205
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 12)
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 494,466,664 shares issued and outstanding	5	5
Additional paid-in capital	12,459	12,455
Retained earnings	11,491	9,943
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI")	11,487	10,025
Total Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity	35,442	32,428
Noncontrolling interests	186	184
Total equity	35,628	32,612
Total liabilities and equity	$ 461,123	$ 430,817