Balance, beginning of period, at current discount rate at balance sheet date Balance, end of period, at current discount rate at balance sheet date Discounted - Expected future benefit payments (at current discount rate at balance sheet date) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance, after Discount Rate Change Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions Net change in payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions. Structured Products Structured Securities [Member] Structured Securities. Investments Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items] Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items] Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for-Sale by Sector Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table Text Block] Realized gains (losses) on investments sold or disposed Net investment gains (losses) Realized Investment Gains (Losses) OLPI (excluding changes in estimated fair value) (1) Gains Losses On Sales Of Other Limited Partnerships The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of other limited partnership interests. Effects of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Effects of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Effects of Derivatives on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Cash collateral on derivative assets Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset Against Derivative Asset Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net Translation Adjustment Functional to Reporting Currency, Increase (Decrease), Gross of Tax Entity File Number Entity File Number Credit Credit Risk Contract [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Purchases of short-term investments Payments to Acquire Short-Term Investments 1.00x - 1.20x Debt Service Coverage Ratio Between One Point Zero Times To One Point Two Times [Member] Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio of 1.00x - 1.20x. Schedule of Related Party Transactions Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Carried at Other Than Fair Value Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Cumulative maximum indemnities and guarantees contractual limitation Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted Fixed Maturity Securities Fixed Maturity Securities Debt Securities [Member] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Cash collateral on deposit from counterparties Transfers Accounted for as Secured Borrowings, Associated Liabilities, Carrying Amount Financing Receivable Portfolio Segment [Domain] Financing Receivable Portfolio Segment [Domain] Cash collateral on derivative liabilities Derivative Liability, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash Offset Policyholder Account Balance [Roll Forward] Policyholder Account Balance [Roll Forward] Interest accrual Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Interest Income Interest rate caps Interest Rate Cap [Member] Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Greater than 0% but less than 0.50% above GMCR Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate, Range from 0001 to 0050 [Member] Consolidation of Subsidiaries Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Employee Stock Option Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Debt and Equity Securities, Realized Gain (Loss) Debt and Equity Securities, Realized Gain (Loss) Total mortgage loans held-for-investment Financing Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss Other investments Investment Funds Fair value of investments in fund assets. Dividends to MetLife, Inc. Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Total Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity Equity, Attributable to Parent Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table] Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Principal Transaction Revenue [Line Items] Principal Transaction Revenue [Line Items] Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Other real estate Hotel and other real estate investments [Member] Hotel and other real estate investments [Member] Assets Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Recurring Fair Value, Recurring [Member] Variable Annuity Variable Annuity [Member] Policyholder account balances - withdrawals Repayments of Annuities and Investment Certificates Reclassification, Type [Domain] Reclassification, Type [Domain] Fixed & Immediate Annuities for Deferred Profit Liabilities Fixed & Immediate Annuities for Deferred Profit Liabilities [Member] Fixed & immediate annuities consists of a mix of pension risk transfers, structured, and institutional income annuities Liabilities and Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Funds Held under Reinsurance Agreements, Asset Funds Held under Reinsurance Agreements, Asset Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Domain] Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Domain] Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, before Tax Fair Value, Option, Aggregate Differences, Long-Term Debt Instruments Fair Value, Option, Aggregate Differences, Long-Term Debt Instruments Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Amortized Cost, Due after ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 10 Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Debt Service Coverage Ratio by Range [Domain] Debt Service Coverage Ratio by Range [Domain] Debt Service Coverage Ratio By Range Domain. Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Table] Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Table] Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Assets Transferred From Affiliates Estimated Fair Value Assets Transferred From Affiliates Estimated Fair Value Assets Transferred From Affiliates Estimated Fair Value Other assets Other Assets [Member] Mortgage loans Fair Value Mortgage Loans Net Not On Recurring Basis Total amount of mortgage loans not valued on a recurring basis as of the balance sheet date. Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Deferred Profit Liability Offset to Actual Versus Expected Deferred Profit Liability Offset to Actual Versus Expected The corresponding impact in Deferred Profit Liability that offset actual variances from expected experience. Income (loss) before provision for income tax Income (loss) before provision for income tax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Percentage Of mortgage total recorded investment To Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Mortgage Loans Held For Investment To Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage of Mortgage Loans Held For Investment to total Mortgage Loans on Real Estate. Measurement Input, Utilization Rate Measurement Input, Utilization Rate [Member] Net liability for FPBs, net of reinsurance Liability for Future Policy Benefit, after Reinsurance Adjusted balance Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Partnership [Member] Partnership [Member] Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Notes Issued by Collateralized Financing Entities Notes Issued by Collateralized Financing Entities Notes Issued by Collateralized Financing Entities Financing Receivable, Modified in Period, to Total Financing Receivables, Percentage Financing Receivable, Modified in Period, to Total Financing Receivables, Percentage Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract] Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge Hedging exposure to variability in future cash flows for specific length of time Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge Fixed maturity securities AFS Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss) Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] Award Type Award Type [Axis] Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Caa Caa [Member] Caa Future policy benefits [Member] Future policy benefits [Member] Future policy benefits [Member] Interest accrual Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Interest Income (Expense) Mortality rates: Ages 0 - 40 Mortality Rates Range One [Member] Mortality Rates Range One General Account and Other Securities General Account and Other Securities [Member] General Account and Other Securities Lapse rates: Durations 1 - 10 Lapse Rates Duration Range One [Member] Lapse Rates Duration Range One Metlife Inc Metlife Inc [Member] MetLife, Inc. Sales, maturities and repayments of short-term investments Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Short-Term Investments Market risk benefits, at estimated fair value Liability Market Risk Benefit, Liability, Amount Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued Credit default swaps — written Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member] Credit Default Swap, Selling Protection [Member] Net change in policy loans Payments for (Proceeds from) Policy Loans Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Change in allowance for credit loss recognized in earnings Change in allowance for credit loss recognized in earnings Change in allowance for credit loss recognized in earnings Income Statement Location [Domain] Statement of Income Location, Balance [Domain] Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Axis] Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Axis] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company 336000000 Derivative Liability, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash Not Offset Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year [Member] MRBs Instrument-Specific Credit Risk Remeasurement Gains (Losses) AOCI, Market Risk Benefit, Instrument-Specific Credit Risk, Parent [Member] Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Dividends paid to MetLife, Inc. Payments of Distributions to Affiliates Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets Insurance [Abstract] Insurance [Abstract] Mortgage loans Gain (Loss) on Sales of Loans, Net Interest rate options Interest Rate Swaption [Member] Debt Service Coverage Ratio by Range [Axis] Debt Service Coverage Ratio by Range [Axis] Debt Service Coverage Ratio By Range Axis. Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Undiscounted - Expected future benefit payments Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Undiscounted, before Reinsurance Short-Duration Insurance, Other Short-Duration Insurance, Other [Member] Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Liabilities for indemnities, guarantees and commitments Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Originated Three Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Originated Three Years Before Latest Fiscal Year [Member] Originated Three Years Before Latest Fiscal Year 76% to 80% Mortgage Loans By Credit Quality Indicator With Loan-To-Value Ratio Between Seventy Six Percent To Eighty Percent [Member] Mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio of 76% to 80%. Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Restatement Determination Date Restatement Determination Date Provision for income tax expense (benefit) Income tax (expense) benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Balance, beginning of period, before AOCI adjustment Balance, end of period, before AOCI adjustment Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Balance, before AOCI adjustment Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Balance, before AOCI adjustment Other Invested Assets - Leveraged and Direct Financing Leases Net Investment in Lease, after Allowance for Credit Loss Other assets Other Assets Other revenues: Component of Operating Income [Abstract] Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value Interest credited to policyholder account balances Interest Credited to PABs Net interest credited to PABs Policyholder Account Balance, Interest Expense Equal to or greater than 2% but less than 4% Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate, Range from 0200 to 0399 [Member] Range of guaranteed minimum crediting rate on policyholder account balance from 2.00 percent to 3.99 percent. Statement of Financial Position Location, Activity, Capitalization [Axis] Statement of Financial Position Location, Activity, Capitalization [Axis] Greater than 80% Debt-to-Value Ratio, 80 to 100 Percent [Member] Pension Adjustments Service Cost Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Effect of changes in risk margin Market Risk Benefit Increase (Decrease) From Risk Margin Market Risk Benefit Increase (Decrease) From Risk Margin Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate Range [Axis] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate Range [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Axis] Hedging Relationship [Axis] Incurred related to: Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims [Abstract] Separate Account Asset Category [Axis] Separate Account Asset Category [Axis] Leased real estate Leased real estate investments [Member] Leased real estate investments Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Ba Ba [Member] Ba Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] FVO Securities [Member] FVO Securities [Member] FVO securities Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts [Table] Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts [Table] Other policy-related balances Other policy-related balances Other Policy-Related Balances Liability as of the balance sheet date to the policyholders for funds held that are returnable under the terms of insurance contracts that were not separately reported. Also includes unearned premiums. Funds withheld on unaffiliated reinsurance Funds withheld on unaffiliated reinsurance [Member] Funds withheld on unaffiliated reinsurance Lapse rates: Durations 21 - 116 Lapse Rates Duration Range Three [Member] Lapse Rates Duration Range Three Subtotal Gains Losses On Assets And Liabilities Held By Consolidated Securitizations Entities Under Fair Value Option And All Other Gains Losses The net gain or loss incurred on assets and liabilities held by consolidated securitizations entities and all other gains and losses. All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Balance, beginning of period, at original discount rate Ending balance at original discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Reinsurance Disclosure [Line Items] Reinsurance Disclosure [Line Items] -- None. No documentation exists for this element. -- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Other limited partnership interests Other Limited Partnership Interests The book value of investments in other limited partnership interests. Fair Value Disclosure, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Fair Value Disclosure, off-Balance-Sheet Risks, Face Amount, Liability Proceeds Proceeds from Sale of Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Fair Value, Concentration of Risk, Investments Fair Value, Concentration of Risk, Investments Sales Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales Interest rate futures Futures [Member] Futures. Real Estate [Line Items] Real Estate [Line Items] Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] PEO Total Compensation Amount PEO Total Compensation Amount Depreciation Depreciation Separate Account Asset Category [Domain] Separate Account Asset Category [Domain] Separate Account Liabilities Separate Account Liabilities [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of Separate Account Liabilities on Balance Sheet. Estimated Fair Value Liabilities Derivative liabilities (1) Derivative Liability, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, before Offset Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Premiums: Premiums Earned [Abstract] Premiums Earned [Abstract] Market Risk Benefit, Activity Market Risk Benefit, Activity [Table Text Block] Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Net amount at risk Policyholder Account Balance, Net Amount at Risk Number of segments Number of Reportable Segments Separate Account, Liability Rollforward Separate Account, Liability [Table Text Block] Policyholder benefits and claims Net policyholder benefits and claims Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Financial Asset, Period Past Due [Domain] Financial Asset, Aging [Domain] Percentage of Mortgage Loans Classified as Performing Percentage of Mortgage Loans Classified as Performing The percentage of all mortgage loans that are classified as performing. Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items] Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table] Effect of change in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents balances Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Discontinued Operation Interest credited Interest Credited to Policy Owner Account Individual: Individual [Axis] Separate Account Asset Separate account assets (4) Separate Account Asset Originated Four Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Originated Four Years Before Latest Fiscal Year [Member] Originated Four Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Metropolitan General Insurance Company Metropolitan General Insurance Company [Member] Metropolitan General Insurance Company Policyholder Account Balances Market Risk Benefits Insurance Disclosure [Text Block] Amortized Cost, Structured Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, without Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Participating Life Insurance Contract Participating Life Insurance Contract [Member] Financing Receivable, Year Four, Originated, Three Years before Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Year Four, Originated, Three Years before Current Fiscal Year Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Prepaid legal plans Prepaid legal plans and administrative-only contracts [Member] Revenue related to prepaid legal plans and administrative-only contracts Measurement Input, Offered Price Measurement Input, Offered Price [Member] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Funds withheld on affiliated reinsurance Funds withheld on affiliated reinsurance [Member] Funds withheld on affiliated reinsurance Total mutual funds Mutual Fund [Member] Recordkeeping and administrative services (1) Distribution Service [Member] ASU 2017-12 Accounting Pronouncement [Axis] ASU 2017-12 Accounting Pronouncement [Axis] ASU 2017-12 Accounting Pronouncement [Axis] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Table] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Table] Capitalizations Capitalization of DAC Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Period Increase (Decrease) Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] 65% to 75% Mortgage Loans By Credit Quality Indicator With Loan-To-Value Ratio Between Sixty Five Percent To Seventy Five Percent [Member] Mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio of 65% to 75%. Payment Deferral Payment Deferral [Member] Fixed Annuity Fixed Annuity [Member] Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Revolving Financing Receivable, Revolving Effect of changes in interest rates Market Risk Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Interest Rate Change Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps Credit Derivative, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted PEO Name PEO Name Total revenues Total Revenues Revenues Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Foreign currency swaps Currency Swap [Member] Currency Swap [Member] Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block] Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Total incurred Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims Other Expenses Schedule of Other Operating Cost and Expense, by Component [Table Text Block] Equity Market Risk [Member] Equity Market Risk [Member] The primary underlying risk exposure of the derivative is equity market risk. Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Hedged Asset, Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) Hedged Asset, Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) Fair Value Option, Disclosures [Table] Fair Value Option, Disclosures [Table] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Statement of Financial Position Location, Balance [Axis] Mortgage Loans, Gross Mortgage Loans, Gross Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Total bonds Bonds [Member] Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member] Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member] Debt-to-Value [Domain] Debt-to-Value [Domain] Non-redeemable preferred stock Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Amounts reclassified from AOCI Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Amortized Cost, net of ACL Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, after Allowance for Credit Loss Total expenses Benefits, Losses and Expenses Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Internal Credit Assessment [Axis] Internal Credit Assessment [Axis] Capital Markets Investment Products and Stable Value GICs Capital Markets Investment Products and Stable Value GICs [Member] Capital Markets Investment Products and Stable Value GICs Benefit payments Separate Account, Liability, Benefit Payment Internal Credit Assessment [Domain] Internal Credit Assessment [Domain] Derivatives Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Amortization of prior service (costs) credit Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Industry Sector [Axis] Industry Sector [Axis] Increase in notes issued by collateralized financing entities Noncash increase in notes issued by collateralized financing entities Noncash increase in notes issued by collateralized financing entities Other Liabilities [Member] Other liabilities Other Liabilities [Member] Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Equity Securities, FV-NI, Cost Equity Securities, FV-NI, Cost Increase in fair value option securities Noncash increase in fair value option securities Noncash increase in fair value option securities Derivative Instrument Detail [Abstract] Derivative Instrument Detail [Abstract] Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit costs Employee Benefits and Share-Based Compensation Weighted-average current discount rate at balance sheet date Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Current Weighted-Average Discount Rate Separate Account, Liability [Line Items] Separate Account, Liability [Line Items] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Table Text Block] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Market Risk Benefit [Line Items] Market Risk Benefit [Line Items] Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Less than 12 months Estimated Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months Reinsurance [Member] Reinsurance [Member] Affiliated reinsurance. Long-term debt Long-Term Debt, Fair Value Fair Value Inputs, Quantitative Information Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block] Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] Schedule of Past Due and Non Accrual Mortgage Loans Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual [Table Text Block] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Other Income Other Income [Member] Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] Accrued investment income Accrued Investment Income Receivable Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Other mutual funds Other Mutual Funds [Member] Other Mutual Funds Total investments Investments Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Interest expense on debt Interest and Debt Expense Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (1) Premiums and Other Receivables, Net Measurement Input, Nonperformance risk spread Measurement Input, Counterparty Credit Risk [Member] Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Amortized cost of fixed maturity securities valuation allowances Allowance for Credit Loss for Debt Securities Allowance, beginning of period Allowance, end of period Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss Total liabilities Reinsurance Liabilities Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all reinsurance liabilities. Policyholder Liability, Change in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Policyholder Liability, Change in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Policyholder Liability, Change in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Open (1) Maturity Overnight [Member] Gross Unrealized Gains Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Offsetting Assets [Table Text Block] Offsetting Assets [Table Text Block] Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member] Allowance for Credit Loss Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss All Award Types Award Type [Domain] Embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (2) Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability Cash Surrender Value Separate Account, Liability, Cash Surrender Value, Amount Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Ceded Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Ceded Amount ceded, after accumulated amortization, of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits from insurance contract acquired in business combination. Noncontrolling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Other revenues Other Income Other Income Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Liabilities for Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block] Foreign currency exchange rate Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Estimated Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Offsetting Assets [Table] Offsetting Assets [Table] Equity Total Return Swaps [Member] Equity Total Return Swaps [Member] Contracts where a set of future cash flows are agreed to be exchanged at set dates in the future and are broken down as floating and equity legs. The floating leg is tied to LIBOR and the equity leg is based on performance of a stock or stock market index. Adjusted balance Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Performing Performing Financial Instruments [Member] MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Amortized Cost, Due after one year through five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items] Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items] Average attained age of policyholders Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age Cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments Liability for Future Policy Benefits - Cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments Liability for Future Policy Benefits - Cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments Financing Receivable, Purchase Financing Receivable, Purchase Revenues Revenues [Abstract] Equal to or greater than 0.50% but less than 1.50% above GMCR Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate, Range from 0051 to 0150 [Member] Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Benefit [Axis] Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Benefit [Axis] Funds withheld and guarantees on reinsurance (including affiliated) Funds withheld and guarantees on reinsurance (including affiliated) [Member] Funds withheld and guarantees on reinsurance (including affiliated) Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits) Deposit Assets Amortized Cost, Due after five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 5 Through 10 Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Activity [Table Text Block] Gross estimated fair value of derivative liabilities Derivative Liability, Not Offset, Policy Election Deduction Derivative Liability, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Deduction of Financial Instrument Not Offset Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position equal or greater than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Number of Positions Invested Assets on Deposit and Pledged as Collateral Schedule of Financial Instruments Owned and Pledged as Collateral [Table Text Block] Mortgage Loan Commitments Loan Origination Commitments [Member] Mortality rates: Ages 61 - 115 Mortality Rates Range Three [Member] Mortality Rates Range Three Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Commissions and other variable expenses Selling and Marketing Expense Measurement Input, Long-Term Equity Volatility Measurement Input, Long-Term Equity Volatility [Member] Measurement Input, Long-Term Equity Volatility Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Loss Contingencies Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract] Purchases Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Line Items] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Line Items] Net Investment Income [Line Items] Net Investment Income [Line Items] Statement of Financial Position Location, Activity, Capitalization [Domain] Statement of Financial Position Location, Activity, Capitalization [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Other limited partnership interests Partnership Interest [Member] Real estate joint ventures, Carrying Value Real Estate Investments, Joint Ventures Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Adjusted balance Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Original Discount Rate, before Reinsurance, after Cash Flow Change Company Selected Measure Name Company Selected Measure Name Actual policyholder behavior different from expected behavior Market Risk Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Actual Policyholder Behavior Different from Expected Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Other gains (losses) Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Effect of actual variances from expected experience (1) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) of Actual Variance from Expected Experience Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Assets Transferred To Affiliates, Estimated Fair Value Assets Transferred To Affiliates, Estimated Fair Value Estimated fair value of assets transferred to affiliates. FPBs Discount Rate Remeasurement Gains (Losses) AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Parent [Member] Greater than 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Interest Financing Receivable, 90 Days or More Past Due, Still Accruing Separate Account, Debt Security Separate Account, Debt Security [Member] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit [Roll Forward] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit [Roll Forward] Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Other invested assets received in connection with the sale of other limited partnership interests Noncash other invested assets received in connection with the sale of other limited partnership interests Noncash other invested assets received in connection with the sale of other limited partnership interests Weighted Average Years to Maturity Derivative, Average Remaining Maturity Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] Estimated Fair Value, Due after one year through five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts [Line Items] Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts [Line Items] Surrenders and withdrawals Separate Account, Liability, Surrender and Withdrawal Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Long-term debt repaid Repayments of Other Long-Term Debt OCI before reclassifications Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax Gross investment gains Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Realized Gain Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net Policyholder Account Balances Effect of foreign currency translation and other - net Policyholder Account Balances Effect of foreign currency translation and other - net Income Tax Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Interest accrual Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Interest Expense Premiums and deposits Separate Account, Liability, Premium and Deposit Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] Estimated Fair Value of Derivatives in Net Liability Position Derivative, Net Liability Position, Aggregate Fair Value Net amount of derivative assets after application of master netting agreements and cash collateral Derivative Asset, Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, after Offset and Deduction Policy loans Policy Loans [Member] Total equity Beginning Balance Ending Balance Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Derivatives Not Subject To Credit-Contingent Provisions Derivatives Not Subject To Credit-Contingent Provisions [Member] Derivatives Not Subject To Credit Contingent Provisions Member. Mortgage loans (net of allowance for credit loss of $711 and $701, respectively; includes $180 and $180, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) Total mortgage loans Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net Document Type Document Type Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Name Outstanding Recovery, Individual Name Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Product and Service [Axis] Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Policy loans Policy loans Loans, Gross, Insurance Policy Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Reinsurance assumed Assumed Premiums Earned Investment Income [Table] Investment Income [Table] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Accrued Liabilities [Member] Accrued Liabilities [Member] Asbestos-Related Claims Loss Contingency, New Claims Filed, Number Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Benefit payments Market Risk Benefit, Benefit Payment Subtotal - investment portfolio gains (losses) Investment Portfolio Gains Losses This item represents the subtotal of gains (losses)on the investment portfolio. Market Risk Benefit Market Risk Benefit [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of Market Risk Benefit Asset and Liability on Balance Sheet. Debt-to-Value [Axis] Debt-to-Value [Axis] Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Net income (loss) attributable to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Interest rate floors Interest Rate Floor [Member] Cumulative effect of changes in the instrument-specific credit risk AOCI, Market Risk Benefit, Instrument-Specific Credit Risk, before Tax Other expenses: Other Expenses [Abstract] Universal and Variable Universal Life Universal And Variable Life Contracts [Member] Contracts resulting in claim amounts that the Company would incur if death claims were filed on all contracts on the balance sheet date. Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure The Effects of Derivatives on the Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Purchases of other limited partnership interests Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests Other expenses Total other expenses (2) Net other expenses Net other expenses Operating Expenses Invested assets pledged as collateral (1) Securities Held as Collateral, at Fair Value Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party Transaction [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Axis] Residential mortgage loans — FVO Residential Loans Held For Investment [Member] Residential mortgage loans held for investment, for which the FVO was elected. Non-cash transactions: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Estimated Fair Value, Due after five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 5 Through 10 Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss) Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Credit default swaps referencing indices Credit Index Product [Member] Fixed maturity securities without an allowance for credit loss Fixed maturity securities without an allowance for credit loss [Member] Fixed maturity securities without an allowance for credit loss [Member] Financing Receivable, Held-for-Sale Financing Receivable, Held-for-Sale Policyholder Account Balance [Table] Policyholder Account Balance [Table] Mortgage loans valuation allowances Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the effective portion of derivatives designated in cash flow hedges. Assessments accrual Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Assessment Accrual Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Assessment Accrual Securities Financing Transaction [Table] Security Financing Transaction [Table] Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member] Less: Reinsurance recoverables Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Reinsurance Recoverable, after Allowance Extended Maturity Extended Maturity [Member] ACL not previously recorded Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Not Previously Recorded Less: Reinsurance recoverables Add: Reinsurance recoverables Reinsurance Recoverables, Including Reinsurance Premium Paid Financing Receivable Portfolio Segment [Axis] Financing Receivable Portfolio Segment [Axis] Reinsurance assumed Assumed Operating Expenses Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services assumed from other insurers as a result of reinsurance arrangements. Issuances Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Issuance Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items] Gain (Loss) on Securities [Line Items] Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings Schedule of estimated fair value, maximum amount of future payments and weighted average years to maturity of written credit default swaps Disclosure of Credit Derivatives [Table Text Block] Sales, maturities and repayments of equity securities Proceeds from Sale of Equity Securities, FV-NI Undiscounted - Expected future gross premiums Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Gross Premium, Undiscounted, before Reinsurance Net cash paid (received) for Income tax Income Taxes Paid, Net Over the Counter [Member] Over-the-Counter [Member] Commitments to Extend Credit [Member] Commitments to Fund Partnership Investments, Bank Credit Facilities, Bridge Loans and Private Corporate Bond Investments Commitments to Extend Credit [Member] Corporate bonds Corporate Bond Securities [Member] Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses Market Risk Benefit, Change in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Insurance, Other Insurance, Other [Member] Policyholder benefits and claims: Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed and Ceded [Abstract] Percentage of total mortgage loans held-for-investments Percentage of total mortgage loans held-for-investments Percentage of total mortgage loans held-for-investments Schedule of Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks [Table] Fair Value, off-Balance-Sheet Risk [Table] Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase Net derivative gains (losses) Net derivative gains (losses) Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block] Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date Equity Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Foreign government Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] Other Investments Other Investments Other Investments [Member] Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Excluding Accruals Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset Excluding Accruals Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and accruals. Total investments Investments [Member] Benefit payments Policyholder Account Balance, Benefit Payment Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Real Estate Held-for-sale Real Estate, Held-for-Sale Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Amortized Cost, Due in one year or less Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Loans Receivable Residential Mortgage Percentage Loans And Leases Receivable Consumer Mortgage Percentage Reflects the percentage of the gross carrying amount of unpaid loans and leases issued to consumers to the total for all consumer loans and leases. Transaction [Domain] Transaction [Domain] Transaction [Domain] Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Expenses Benefits, Losses and Expenses [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] Foreign currency forwards Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Equal to or Greater than 12 Months Gross Unrealized Loss Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract] Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract] -- None. No documentation exists for this element. -- Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward] Valuation Technique, Market Approach Valuation, Market Approach [Member] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Less than 12 months Gross Unrealized Loss Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss Disclosure of Mortgage Loans Net of Valuation Allowance Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] Federal Home Loan Bank Stock Federal Home Loan Bank Stock Other net investment gains (losses): Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract] Prior periods Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years Securities Lending and Repurchase Agreements Schedule of Securities Financing Transactions [Table Text Block] Financing Receivable, Year Five, Originated, Four Years before Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Year Five, Originated, Four Years before Current Fiscal Year Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Domain] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Domain] Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in the Compensation Table [Member] Schedule of Liability for Future Policy Benefits, by Product Segment Schedule of Liability for Future Policy Benefits, by Product Segment [Table Text Block] Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI, Cost Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI, Cost Loan Restructuring Modification [Axis] Loan Restructuring Modification [Axis] Interest rate contracts Interest rate Interest Rate Contract [Member] Annuities and Risk Solutions Annuities and Risk Solutions [Member] Annuities and Risk Solutions Schedule Of Effect Of Reinsurance On Income Statement [Table] Schedule Of Effect Of Reinsurance On Income Statement [Table] Schedule Of Effect Of Reinsurance On Income Statement. Reinsurance ceded Ceded Operating Expenses Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services ceded to other insurers as a result of reinsurance arrangements. B B [Member] B Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss Recurring Fair Value Measurements Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Estimated fair value Securities Financing Transaction, Fair Value [Member] Changes for securities with previously recorded ACL Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Not to Sell before Recovery, Credit Loss, Previously Recorded, Expense (Reversal) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Investment Grade External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] Measure: Measure [Axis] Valuation Approach and Technique [Axis] Valuation Approach and Technique [Axis] Reinsurance assumed Assumed Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances Interest credited to policyholder account balances that have been assumed from other insurers as a result of reinsurance agreements. Cash surrender value Policyholder Account Balance, Cash Surrender Value Securities collateral on derivative liabilities Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities, Offset Amount of right to receive securities collateral under master netting arrangements offset against derivative liabilities. Securities Financing Transaction [Axis] Securities Financing Transaction [Axis] Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees [Abstract] Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees [Abstract] Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees [Abstract] Net investment Income Investment Income [Member] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Purchases of real estate and real estate joint ventures Payments to Acquire Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures Equity index options Equity Option [Member] Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Less: Investment expenses Investment Income, Investment Expense Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments Equity Method Investment, Amount Sold Equity Method Investment, Amount Sold OriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear OriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear [Member] OriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear Estimated Fair Value, Structured Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, without Single Maturity Date, Fair Value Schedule of Variable Interest Entities Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block] Derivative [Member] Derivative [Member] Notes Notes [Member] Notes Member Equity futures Equity Futures [Member] Equity Futures Member. Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Assumed Reinsurance [Member] Assumed Reinsurance [Member] All or part of a ceding company's insurance or reinsurance on a risk or exposure that is accepted. Reinsurance assumed Assumed Insurance Commissions And Fees Universal life and investment-type product policy fees assumed from other insurers as a result of reinsurance arrangements. CMBS CMBS Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] Less: Reinsurance recoverables Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Reinsurance Recoverable, after Allowance Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount Operating Lease, Lease Income Operating Lease, Lease Income Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Fair Value, Option, Aggregate Differences, Loans and Long-Term Receivables Fair Value, Option, Aggregate Differences, Loans and Long-Term Receivables Separate Accounts Disclosure [Abstract] Equal to or greater than 4% Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate, Range from 0400 and Greater [Member] Effect of actual variances from expected experience (1) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) of Actual Variance from Expected Experience Other Policyholder Account Balance, Increase (Decrease) from Other Change Other Investments, FVO Other Investments, FVO [Member] Other Investments for which FVO was elected Percentage of Allowance for Credit Losses for Financing Receivables Percentage of Allowance for Credit Losses for Financing Receivables Percentage Of Allowance for Credit Losses for Financing Receivables Reinsurance ceded Ceded Premiums Earned Origination year [Axis] Origination year Axis [Axis] Origination year Axis Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract] Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract] Lapse rates: Durations 11 - 20 Lapse Rates Duration Range Two [Member] Lapse Rates Duration Range Two Reinsurance ceded Other Income Ceded Fees, commissions and other revenues ceded to other insurers as a result of reinsurance agreements. Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions AOCI, Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Tax Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings Reclassification, Type [Axis] Reclassification, Type [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Securities Financing Transaction [Domain] Securities Financing Transaction [Domain] Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $64 and $0, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) Cash and Cash Equivalents, at carrying Value Cash and Cash Equivalent Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table] Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table] Originated Five Or More Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Originated Five Or More Years Before Latest Fiscal Year [Member] Originated Five Or More Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Unrealized net gains (losses) recognized in earnings Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Balance, beginning of period, at current discount rate at balance sheet date Balance, end of period, at current discount rate at balance sheet date Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, before Reinsurance, after Discount Rate Change Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Policyholder account balances Policyholder Contract Deposits, Fair Value Disclosure Fair value portion of the liability of policyholders for deposits held under the terms of insurance contracts. Underlying Asset Class [Axis] Underlying Asset Class [Axis] Prior periods (1) Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense U.S. corporate Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Related Party Transaction [Axis] Equity and Trading Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gains (Losses) Equity and Trading Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gains (Losses) Equity and Trading Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gains (Losses) Benefit payments Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Benefit Payment Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Axis] Equal to or greater than 1.50% above GMCR Policyholder Account Balance, above Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate, Range from 0151 and Greater [Member] Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain] Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain] Interest rate swaps Interest Rate Swap [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Coinsurance Funds Withheld Basis, Percent Coinsurance Funds Withheld Basis, Percent Percentage of business ceded on a coinsurance funds withheld basis. Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Other Revenues and Other Expenses Disclosure Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Securities loaned Securities Loaned Services Necessary To Conduct The Company's Activities Services Necessary To Conduct The Company's Activities [Member] Services provided necessary to conduct the Company's activities. Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year Ceded Reinsurance [Member] Ceded Reinsurance [Member] Amounts passed on to another insurer (the reinsurer) that are all or part of the financial interests of insurance policies written by an insurer (the ceding insurer) or assumed by an insurer/reinsurer with the object of reducing the cedent's possible liability by sharing with the reinsurer the insurance liability, premiums, and losses from the reinsured business. Transfers into Level 3 Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Transfers into Level 3 Gross Unrealized Losses Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax Long-term Care Long-term Care [Member] Long-term Care Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables Receivables, Fair Value Disclosure Balance, end of period, net of reinsurance Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, after Reinsurance Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual [Table] Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual [Table] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Weighted-average duration of the liability Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Weighted-Average Duration Securities sold or exchanged Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Securities Sold Fair Value, Separate Account Investment Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Table Text Block] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Measurement Input Type [Domain] Policyholder Account Balance [Line Items] Policyholder Account Balance [Line Items] Affiliated Entity Affiliated Entity [Member] Affiliated Entity [Member] Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income (loss) for the instruments still held at end of period Fair Value, Asset, Recurring Basis, Still Held, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block] Asbestos Related Claims Asbestos Issue [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Domain] Derivatives Subject To Credit-Contingent Provisions [Member] Derivatives Subject To Credit-Contingent Provisions [Member] Derivatives Subject To Credit Contingent Provisions Member. Policy charges Policyholder Account Balance, Policy Charge Universal life and investment-type product policy fees Insurance Commissions and Fees Award Timing MNPI Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Balanced funds Balanced Funds [Member] Real Estate Funds Real Estate Funds [Member] Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] Variable interest entities Variable Interest Entity Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table] Accounts and Financing Receivables [Table] Operating joint venture International Joint Venture [Member] International Joint Venture [Member] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Long-Duration Insurance, Other Long-Duration Insurance, Other [Member] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table Text Block] Public utilities Public Utilities [Member] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Total liabilities and equity Liabilities and Equity Mortgage-backed securities Separate Account, Mortgage-Backed Security [Member] Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] DAC, Beginning Balance DAC, Ending Balance Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table] Deposits Policyholder Account Balance, Premium Received Bond funds Bond Funds [Member] Bond Funds Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Stable Value and Risk Solutions Stable Value and Risk Solutions [Member] Stable Value and Risk Solutions Schedule of Credit Derivatives [Table] Credit Derivative [Table] Excess securities collateral received on derivatives Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Collateral, Obligation to Return Security Not Offset Separate Account Separate Account [Text Block] Policyholder account balances Policyholder account balances Policyholder Contract Deposit Net credit loss (provision) release (change in ACL recognized in earnings) Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease) Policyholder dividends payable Policyholder Dividends Payable Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Effects of Reinsurance [Table] Effects of Reinsurance [Table] Cash paid in connection with freestanding derivatives Cash Paid In Connection With Freestanding Derivatives The cash outflow provided by derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as investing activities, including both hedging and non-hedging instruments. Liabilities Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Investment Holdings [Table] Investment Holdings [Table] Securities held by CFEs Securities related to CSEs [Member] Securities related to CSEs Financing Receivable, Sale Financing Receivable, Sale Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired DAC and VOBA Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Net Originated In Fiscal Year Before Latest Fiscal Year Originated In Fiscal Year Before Latest Fiscal Year [Member] Originated In Fiscal Year Before Latest Fiscal Year Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Variable Interest Entity [Table] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Measurement Input Type [Axis] Measurement Input Type [Axis] Name Measure Name Estimated Fair Value, Due in one year or less Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Issuances Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Issuances Sales Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Sales Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual [Line Items] Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual [Line Items] Industry Sector [Domain] Industry Sector [Domain] Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company [Member] Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral Assets On Deposit Held In Trust And Pledged As Collateral The sum of the fair values, as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, of securities that are restricted as collateral for the payment of related debt obligations, primarily secured borrowings and repurchase agreements, and that are reclassified and separately reported in the statement of financial position because the transferee has the right by contract or custom to sell or re-pledge them. Universal life and investment-type product policy fees: Insurance Services Revenue [Abstract] Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract] Available-for-Sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract] Long-term debt Long-Term Debt Measurement Input, Quoted Price Measurement Input, Quoted Price [Member] Total assets Total Assets Assets Real Estate [Table] Real Estate [Table] Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] Financing Receivable, Credit Quality Indicator [Line Items] Balance, beginning of period, before effect of cumulative changes in the instrument-specific credit risk Balance, end of period, before the cumulative effect of changes in the instrument-specific credit risk Market Risk Benefit, before Reinsurance and Cumulative Increase (Decrease) from Instrument-Specific Credit Risk Change Credit Derivatives by Contract Type [Axis] Credit Derivatives Contract Type [Axis] InterestRateStatedPercentageDebtInstrumentExchanged InterestRateStatedPercentageDebtInstrumentExchanged InterestRateStatedPercentageDebtInstrumentExchanged Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps Credit Risk Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value External Credit Rating by Grouping [Domain] External Credit Rating by Grouping [Domain] Loans Receivable Agricultural Mortgage Percentage Loans Receivable Commercial Agricultural Mortgage Percentage Reflects the percentage of the gross carrying amount of unpaid loans issued to agricultural businesses to provide financing on existing land or a building, which, pursuant to terms of the underlying debt instrument, are secured at a minimum but possibly exclusively by that real property to the total for all commercial agricultural mortgage loans. Mortgages represent permanent financing, and are issued to replace previously existing mortgages or pay off acquisition, development and construction loans, or to provide cash to the borrower. Other real estate investments, Carrying Value Real Estate Investments, Other Private Equity Funds Private Equity Funds [Member] Assets [Abstract] Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Reclassification, Segmentation Basis Change Reclassification, Segmentation Basis Change [Member] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Gross estimated fair value of derivative assets Derivative Asset, Not Offset, Policy Election Deduction Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Deduction of Financial Instrument Not Offset Other invested assets (includes $363 and $435, respectively, of leveraged and direct financing leases; $1,712 and $866, respectively, under the fair value option of which $816 and $0, respectively, is relating to variable interest entities; $43 and $45, respectively, relating to variable interest entities not under the fair value option) Other invested assets - VIE Other Investments Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Attributed fees collected Market Risk Benefit, Attributed Fee Collected Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Line Items] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items] Fair Value, off-Balance-Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items] Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] Related Party Related Party [Member] ASU 2017-12 Accounting Guidance [Domain] ASU 2017-12 Accounting Guidance [Domain] [Domain] for ASU 2017-12 Accounting Pronouncement [Axis] Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps Credit Risk Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net PEO PEO [Member] Transfers into Level 3 Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3 Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity date Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Hedged Asset, Discontinued Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) Hedged Asset, Discontinued Fair Value Hedge, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Guarantee [Domain] Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Guarantee [Domain] Insurance Commissions and Fees, Net Impact from Reinsurance Insurance Commissions and Fees, Net Impact from Reinsurance Net impact from agency and brokerage operations (includes sales of annuities and supplemental contracts); service charges, commissions, and fees from the sale of insurance and related services; and management fees from separate accounts, deferred annuities, and universal life products. Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Total paid Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Equal to or Greater than 12 Months Estimated Fair Value Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer Separate Account, Liability [Table] Separate Account, Liability [Table] Weighted-average interest accretion rate Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Weighted-Average Interest Accretion Rate Fair Value, Nonrecurring Fair Value, Nonrecurring [Member] Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Product and Service [Domain] Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Transfers out of Level 3 Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Transfers out of Level 3 Net investment income Net Investment Income Net Investment Income Total Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Stockholder’s Equity Parent [Member] Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] Total liabilities Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Derivative, Notional Amount Derivative, Notional Amount Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Fixed & Immediate Annuities Fixed & Immediate Annuities [Member] Fixed & immediate annuities consists of a mix of pension risk transfers, structured, and institutional income annuities. Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate Range [Domain] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate Range [Domain] Operating Lease, Lease Income Operating Lease, Lease Income, Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] City Area Code City Area Code Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Net Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table Text Block] Award Timing, How MNPI Considered Award Timing, How MNPI Considered [Text Block] Mortgage loans Mortgages [Member] Leased real estate investments, Carrying Value Rental Properties Interest Rate Risk [Member] Interest Rate Risk [Member] Less than 65% Mortgage Loans By Credit Quality Indicator With Loan-To-Value Ratio Of Less Than Sixty Five Percent [Member] Mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio of less than 65%. Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table] Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table] Measurement Input, Withdrawal Rate Measurement Input, Withdrawal Rate [Member] Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance [Roll Forward] Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance [Roll Forward] General and administrative expenses (1) General and Administrative Expense Cash flows from investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Interest Receivable Interest Receivable Fair Value Hedges [Member] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party OtherOperatingIncomeRelatedAndNonrelatedParty Other Operating Income Related And Nonrelated Party Financing Receivable, Modified, Weighted Average Term Increase Financing Receivable, Modified, Weighted Average Term Increase Financing Receivable, Modified, Weighted Average Term Increase Weighted-average duration of the liability Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Weighted-Average Duration Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Impairment (losses) Investments Impairment Investments Impairment Products with either a fixed rate or no GMCR Policyholder Account Balance, Products with either a fixed rate or no guaranteed minimum crediting rate [Member] Policyholder Account Balance, Products with either a fixed rate or no guaranteed minimum crediting rate Change in equity of noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease) Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses) Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Benefit [Domain] Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Benefit [Domain] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Cash Flow Hedging [Member] Equity Securities, FV-NI Equity Securities, FV-NI Other liabilities (includes $30 and $0, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) Other Liabilities Other Liabilities Equity market Equity Contract [Member] Current period Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year Net investment gains (losses) Gain (Loss) on Investments Financing Receivable, Troubled Debt Restructuring, Postmodification Financing Receivable, Modified in Period, Amount Current income tax recoverable Income Taxes Receivable Customer Securities for which Entity has Right to Sell or Repledge, Fair Value of Securities Sold or Repledged Securities collateral received which the company is permitted to sell or repledge, amount that has been sold or repledged Customer Securities for which Entity has Right to Sell or Repledge, Fair Value of Securities Sold or Repledged Transfers out of Level 3 Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3 MRBs and Reinsured MRBs direct, assumed and ceded guaranteed minimum benefits Market Risk Benefit, Measurement Input Real estate and REJVs (excluding changes in estimated fair value) Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate Funds Withheld On Ceded Reinsurance [Member] Funds Withheld On Ceded Reinsurance [Member] Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance. Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] Liabilities for Guarantees on Long-Duration Contracts, Guarantee Type [Axis] Guaranteed Insurance Contract, Type of Guarantee [Axis] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs Amortized Cost Amortized Cost Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount U.S. government and agency U.S. government and agency US Treasury and Government [Member] Sales, maturities and repayments of mortgage loans Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Mortgage Notes Receivable Separate Account, Liability [Roll Forward] Separate Account, Liability [Roll Forward] Related Party [Domain] Related and Nonrelated Parties [Domain] Excess benefits paid Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Benefit Payment Intangible Assets and Liabilities and Unearned Revenue, excluding Goodwill [Text Block] Insurance Contract, Acquisition Cost [Text Block] Total recognized gains (losses) Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings Equity Securities, FV-NI, Gain (Loss) Equity Securities, FV-NI, Gain (Loss) Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Sales, maturities and repayments of other limited partnership interests Proceeds from Limited Partnership Investments Liabilities Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Other revenue related to service contracts from customers Other revenue from service contracts from customers [Member] Other revenue from service contracts from customers [Member] Administrative services-only contracts Administrative Service [Member] Investments: Investments [Abstract] Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Net cash paid for Interest Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures Real Estate Investment [Member] Effects of reinsurance Effects of Reinsurance [Table Text Block] Schedule of Gain (Loss) on Securities [Table] Schedule of Gain (Loss) on Securities [Table] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Table Text Block] Exchange Traded [Member] Exchange Traded [Member] Carrying Value Reported Value Measurement [Member] Mortality rates: Ages 41 - 60 Mortality Rates Range Two [Member] Mortality Rates Range Two Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual Financing Receivable, Nonaccrual Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $303 and $378, respectively, under the fair value option; $130 and $64, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale; $2,495 and $2,435, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $303 and $378, respectively, under the fair value option; $130 and $64, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale; $2,495 and $2,435, respectively, relating to variable interest entities) Real Estate Investments, Net Real Estate Investments, Net Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Domain] Disclosure Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures Real Estate Investment Financial Statements, Disclosure [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Effect Of Reinsurance On Income Statement [Line Items] Schedule Of Effect Of Reinsurance On Income Statement [Line Items] Schedule Of Effect Of Reinsurance On Income Statement [Line Items] Debt and Equity Securities, Gain (Loss) Debt and Equity Securities, Gain (Loss) Derivatives Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Derivatives Not Designated or Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments: Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Effect of actual variances from expected experience Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Cumulative Increase (Decrease) of Actual Variance from Expected Experience Over 1 Month to 6 Months Maturity 30 to 180 Days [Member] Maturity period that is more than 29 days but fewer than 180 days from the reporting date for repurchase agreements and similar transactions, for example, but not limited to, securities lending arrangements. Other Separate Account, Liability, Increase (Decrease) from Other Change Weighted-average annual crediting rate Policyholder Account Balance, Weighted Average Crediting Rate Purchases Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Purchases Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] Government and agency Agency Securities [Member] Weighted Average Weighted Average [Member] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Deferred income tax asset Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Measurement Input Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Measurement Input Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Nonperforming Nonperforming Financial Instruments [Member] Costs and Expenses, Related Party Costs and Expenses, Related Party RMBS Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] Indemnities and guarantees contractual limitation range Indemnities And Guarantees Contractual Limitation Range The range of the contractual limitation for guarantees and indemnities. Separate Accounts Separate account assets [Member] Separate Account Assets Member. Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table Text Block] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Other, net Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Credit Derivatives Contract Type [Domain] Credit Derivatives Contract Type [Domain] Annuities Group annuities Investment Product [Member] Closed Block Liabilities Ceded To MetLife Reinsurance Of Charleston [Member] Closed Block Liabilities Ceded To MetLife Reinsurance Of Charleston [Member] Closed Block Liabilities Ceded To MetLife Reinsurance Of Charleston [Member] 1 Month or Less Maturity Less than 30 Days [Member] Surrenders and withdrawals Policyholder Account Balance, Surrender and Withdrawal Assets Assets [Abstract] Change in Gross Unrealized Temporary Loss OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment, before Tax Underlying Security Market Price Change Underlying Security Market Price Change, Percent Premium taxes, other taxes, and licenses & fees Cost, Direct Tax and License Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions Payables For Collateral Under Securities Loaned And Other Transactions The amount of cash received as security in return for loaning securities to another party and the amount of the obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against net derivative instrument positions. Net Liability (Asset) Beginning balance Transfer Ending balance Market Risk Benefit, after Increase (Decrease) from Instrument-Specific Credit Risk Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Debt and Equity Securities, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Debt and Equity Securities, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Metropolitan Life Insurance Company stockholder’s equity: Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Financing Receivable, Modified Financing Receivable, Modified [Table Text Block] Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance [Table Text Block] Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees [Text Block] Estimated Fair Value Assets Derivative assets (1) Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, before Offset Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Table] Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Table] At annuitization or exercise of other living benefits Annuitization Benefit [Member] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Deferred net gains (losses) expected to be reclassified to earnings Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within 12 Months Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items] Securities Financing Transaction [Line Items] Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Synthetic GICs Synthetic GICs [Member] Synthetic GICs [Member] Synthetic Gics Member. Investment performance Separate Account, Liability, Increase (Decrease) from Invested Performance Policyholder dividends Policyholder Dividends, Expense Securities Lending Reinvestment Portfolio Estimated Fair Value Securities Lending Reinvestment Portfolio Estimated Fair Value This element represents the estimated fair value of the securities lending reinvestment portfolio. Securities collateral on derivative assets Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Securities, Offset Amount of obligation to return securities collateral under master netting arrangements offset against derivative assets. Total assets (5) Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Financial Asset, Past Due Financial Asset, Past Due [Member] In the event of death Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member] Asset, Held-in-Trust Asset, Held-in-Trust Purchases of equity securities Payments to Acquire Equity Securities, FV-NI Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Related and Nonrelated Parties [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption [Axis] Reinsured MRB assets (3) Reinsured MRB Assets Reinsured MRB Assets Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure Of Mortgage Loans Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure Of Mortgage Loans Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure Of Mortgage Loans Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Origination year [Domain] Origination year Axis [Domain] Origination year Axis [Domain] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Fixed annuities with equity indexed returns [Member] Fixed annuities with equity indexed returns [Member] Fixed annuities with equity indexed returns [Member] Other, net Proceeds from (Payment for) Other Financing Activity Effect of changes in capital markets Market Risk Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Equity Market Change Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of income tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Separate account liabilities Balance, beginning of period Separate account liabilities Balance, end of period Separate Account, Liability Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Underlying Asset Class [Domain] Underlying Asset Class [Domain] Previously Reported Previously Reported [Member] Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2) Embedded derivatives within asset host contracts (2) Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring, Net Less than 1.00x Debt Service Coverage Ratio Of Less Than One Point Zero Times [Member] Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio of less than 1.00x. Equity funds Equity Funds [Member] Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items] Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Notes Issued by CFEs Notes Issued by CFEs [Member] Notes Issued by CFEs Cash equivalents Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Invested Assets held by CFEs Invested Assets held by CFEs [Member] Invested Assets held by CFEs Impairment (losses) Impairment Loss, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Impairment Loss, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums Deferred income tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax Repurchase Agreements Repurchase Agreements [Member] Income Statement Location [Axis] Statement of Income Location, Balance [Axis] Assets, Fair Value Adjustment Assets, Fair Value Adjustment Fixed Maturities [Member] Fixed maturity securities AFS Fixed Maturities [Member] Investments Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Percentage Of Mortgage Loans, Gross Percentage Of Financing Receivable, Gross Percentage Of Financing Receivable, Gross Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Statement of Financial Position Location, Balance [Domain] Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Parent [Member] Excess cash collateral received on derivatives Derivative Asset, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash Not Offset Policyholder account balance Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Policyholder account balance Policyholder Account Balance Provision (release) Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Period Increase (Decrease) Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Municipals Municipals US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] Effect of changes in equity index volatility Market Risk Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Volatility Financial Asset, Period Past Due [Axis] Financial Asset, Aging [Axis] All Executive Categories All Executive Categories [Member] Amortization Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Amortization Expense Current period Current Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 494,466,664 shares issued and outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Premiums Net premiums Premiums Earned, Net Short-term investments, at estimated fair value Short-term investments Short-Term Investments Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table] Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 14) Commitments and Contingencies Income Tax Credits And Other Income Tax Benefits Income Tax Credits And Other Income Tax Benefits Income Tax Credits And Other Income Tax Benefits Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Cleared [Member] Exchange Cleared [Member] Exchange Cleared [Member] Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Components of Net Investment Income Investment Income [Table Text Block] Short-term Investments Short-Term Investments [Member] Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount Mortgage Loans in Process of Foreclosure, Amount Reinsurance ceded Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded Charge-offs, net of recoveries Charge-offs, net of recoveries Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff, after Recovery Change In Estimated Fair Value Of Other Limited Partnership Interests And Real Estate Joint Ventures Change In Estimated Fair Value Of Other Limited Partnership Interests And Real Estate Joint Ventures Change In Estimated Fair Value Of Other Limited Partnership Interests And Real Estate Joint Ventures. PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Estimated Fair Value, Due after ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 10 Purchases of mortgage loans Payments to Acquire Mortgage Notes Receivable Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Total assets Reinsurance Assets Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all reinsurance assets. Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Text Block] Net amount of derivative liabilities after application of master netting agreements and cash collateral Derivative Liability, Including Not Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, after Offset and Deduction Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Aaa/Aa/A Aaa Aa [Member] Aaa Aa A Member. Gross investment (losses) Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Realized Loss All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Issuances Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Issues Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name Market risk benefits, at estimated fair value Asset Market Risk Benefit, Asset, Amount Credit default swaps — purchased Credit Default Swap, Buying Protection [Member] Credit Default Swap, Buying Protection [Member] Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Other invested assets Other invested assets [Member] Other invested assets. Foreign Exchange [Member] Foreign Exchange [Member] Financing Receivable, Originated, More than Five Years before Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Originated, More than Five Years before Current Fiscal Year Estimated Fair Value of OTC-bilateral derivatives after considering effect of netting agreements Embedded Derivatives Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block] Liability for Future Policy Benefit Activity [Table] Liability for Future Policy Benefit Activity [Table] Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Policyholder account balances - deposits Proceeds from Annuities and Investment Certificates Fair Value Hedges Schedule of Fair Value Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block] Amortization of DAC and VOBA Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Transfers of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sale, Amortized Cost of Assets Obtained as Proceeds Transfers of Financial Assets Accounted for as Sale, Amortized Cost of Assets Obtained as Proceeds Represents the amortized cost of assets received on transfer of financial assets in a securitization, asset-backed financing arrangement, or a similar transfer which transaction is recognized as a sale of the transferred financial assets. Transaction Type [Axis] Transaction Type [Axis] Transaction Type [Axis] Commercial Mortgage Loans Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Risks Inherent in Servicing Assets and Servicing Liabilities, Type [Domain] Risks Inherent in Servicing Assets and Servicing Liabilities, Type [Domain] Real estate joint ventures Real estate joint ventures [Member] Real estate joint ventures. Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss) [Abstract] Marketable Security, Gain (Loss) [Abstract] Weighted-average interest accretion (original locked-in) rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Weighted-Average Interest Accretion Rate Agricultural Mortgage Loans Agricultural Sector [Member] Other Products Other Products [Member] Financial information pertaining to other products and services. Reinsurance ceded Ceded Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances Interest credited to policyholder account balances that have been ceded to other insurers as a result of reinsurance agreements. Paid related to: Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid [Abstract] Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives Cash received in connection with freestanding derivatives The cash inflow provided by derivative instruments during the period, which are classified as investing activities, including both hedging and non-hedging instruments. Asset-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations (collectively, “ABS & CLO”) Asset-Backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables [Member] Net credit loss (provision) release and impairment (losses) Provision for Other Credit Losses Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Excluding Accruals Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Excluding Accruals Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and accruals. Net Embedded Derivatives Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] Over 6  Months to 1 Year Maturity 180 to 360 Days [Member] [Domain] Maturity period that is more than 179 days but fewer than 360 days from the reporting date for repurchase agreements and similar transactions, for example, but not limited to, securities lending arrangements and FHLB advances. Assumed affiliated reinsurance Assumed affiliated reinsurance [Member] Assumed affiliated reinsurance Foreign corporate Debt Security, Corporate, Non-US [Member] Policyholder Account Balances Policyholder Account Balances [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of Policyholder Account Balances on Balance Sheet. Balance, end of period, net of reinsurance Market Risk Benefit, after Reinsurance and Cumulative Increase (Decrease) from Instrument-Specific Credit Risk Change Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] External Credit Rating by Grouping [Axis] External Credit Rating by Grouping [Axis] Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses) Gain (Loss) on Securities [Table Text Block] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Net balance, beginning of period Net balance, end of period Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net AOCI before reclassifications, net of income tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Equity Equity [Text Block] Other invested assets - VIE Other Investments Fair Value Disclosure Fair value portion of other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Loan Restructuring Modification [Domain] Loan Restructuring Modification [Domain] Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year Real Estate Investment Property, Net Real Estate Investment Property, Net Single name credit default swaps (3) Credit Default Swap [Member] Originated Two Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Originated Two Years Before Latest Fiscal Year [Member] Originated Two Years Before Latest Fiscal Year Equal to or greater than 0% but less than 2% Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate, Range from 0001 to 0199 [Member] Range of guaranteed minimum crediting rate on policyholder account balance from 0.01 percent to 1.99 percent. Net transfers from (to) separate accounts Net transfers from (to) general account Transfer to (from) Policyholder Account Balance (to) from Separate Account Future policy benefits Net liability for FPBs Liability for Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Net premiums collected Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Net Premium Collected Group Life Group Insurance Policy [Member] Net Derivatives NetDerivatives [Member] The derivative assets and liabilities measured with unobservable inputs, including interest rate contracts, foreign currency exchange rate contracts, credit contracts, and equity market contracts. Offsetting Liabilities [Table Text Block] Offsetting Liabilities [Table Text Block] Redeemable preferred stock Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] Reinsurance ceded Ceded Insurance Commissions And Fees Universal life and investment-type product policy fees ceded to other insurers as a result of reinsurance agreements. Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Percentage Of Mortgage Loans On Real Estate To Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Mortgage Loans On Real Estate To Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage of Mortgage Loans On Real Estate to total Mortgage Loans on Real Estate. Net derivatives gains (losses) Embedded derivative gains (losses) Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net Residential Mortgage Loans Residential Portfolio Segment [Member] At GMCR Policyholder Account Balance, at Guaranteed Minimum Crediting Rate [Member] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Market Risk Benefits and Reinsured Market Risk Benefits direct, assumed and ceded guaranteed minimum benefits Market Risk Benefit Financial Instruments [Member] Market Risk Benefit Financial Instruments Reinsurance assumed Commissions Fees And Other Income Assumed Fees, commissions and other revenues assumed from other insurers as a result of reinsurance arrangements. Net change in cash surrender value of investments, net of premiums paid Life Insurance, Corporate or Bank Owned, Change in Value Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position less than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Number of Positions Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Credit Derivatives [Line Items] Credit Derivatives [Line Items] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Tax Equity Investments Amortization Expense Tax Equity Investments Amortization Expense Tax Equity Investments Amortization Expense Cash flows from financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract] Loans Receivable Commercial Mortgage Percentage Loans Receivable Commercial Mortgage Percentage Reflects the percentage of the gross carrying amount of unpaid loans issued to businesses to provide financing on existing land or a building, which, pursuant to terms of the underlying debt instrument, are secured at a minimum but possibly exclusively by that real property to the total for all commercial mortgage loans. Mortgages represent permanent financing, and are issued to replace previously existing mortgages or pay off acquisition, development and construction loans, or to provide cash to the borrower. Securitization or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale, Gain (Loss) on Sale Securitization or Asset-Backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale, Gain (Loss) on Sale Sales, maturities and repayments of real estate and real estate joint ventures Proceeds from Real Estate and Real Estate Joint Ventures Reinsurance assumed Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Interest Expense (2) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Interest Expense Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] Other Comprehensive Income Location [Axis] DAC: Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward] Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period (included in FPBs and other policy-related balances) Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Credit forwards Credit forwards [Member] Contracts negotiated between two parties to purchase and sell a specific quantity of a corporate bond at a price specified at origination of the contract, with delivery and settlement at a specified future date. When the primary purpose of entering into the contract is to hedge against changes in purchase price due to changes in credit spreads, these contracts are classified as credit forwards. Less: AOCI adjustment Add: AOCI adjustment Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Original Discount Rate, AOCI Adjustment before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Additional Liability, Long-Duration Insurance, Original Discount Rate, AOCI Adjustment before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Balance, beginning of period, at original discount rate Ending balance at original discount rate Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Policy Benefit, Original Discount Rate, before Cash Flow and Reinsurance Servicing Assets and Servicing Liabilities Risk [Axis] Servicing Assets and Servicing Liabilities Risk [Axis] Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Variance Swap Variance Swap [Member] Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized Realized Gain (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction, before Tax Less: Reinsurance recoverable Market Risk Benefit, Reinsurance Recoverable, after Allowance Policyholder Account Balances [Member] Policyholder Account Balances [Member] Policyholder Account Balances. Related Party Transaction [Domain] Related Party Transaction [Domain] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Greater than 1.20x Debt Service Coverage Ratio Of More Than One Point Two Times [Member] Mortgage loans with a debt service coverage ratio of more than 1.20x. Deferred income tax benefit (expense) Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax Discounted - Expected future gross premiums (at current discount rate at balance sheet date) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Future Gross Premium, Discounted, before Reinsurance Realized gains (losses) on sales and disposals Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Realized Gain (Loss) Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Line Items] Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Line Items] Range of Guaranteed Minimum Credit Rating Policyholder Account Balance, Guaranteed Minimum Credit Rating Issuances Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Expected Net Premium, Issuance Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Policyholder liability remeasurement (gains) losses Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Remeasurement Gain (Loss) Net policyholder benefits and claims Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed and Ceded Equity securities, Realized gains(losses) on sales and disposals Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss) Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Settlements Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements Below Investment Grade External Credit Rating, Noninvestment Grade [Member] Derivatives with certain financing elements and other derivative-related transactions, net Payments for (Proceeds from) Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities Liability for Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance, Ceded Liability for Future Policy Benefit, before Reinsurance, Ceded Amount, before effect of reinsurance, ceded, of present value of future benefit to be paid to or on behalf of policyholder and related expense less present value of future net premium receivable under insurance contract. Carrying Value of Tax Equity Investments Carrying Value of Tax Equity Investments This caption discloses the carrying value amount of tax equity investments Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Equity securities Equity Securities [Member] Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Net [Abstract] Net amount at risk Market Risk Benefit, Net Amount at Risk Total liabilities Total Liabilities Liabilities Settlements Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Settlements Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost [Member] Sales, maturities and repayments of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Valuation Technique, Matrix Pricing Valuation Technique, Matrix Pricing [Member] Separate Account, Equity Security Separate Account, Equity Security [Member] Offsetting Assets [Line Items] Offsetting Assets [Line Items] Gross Premiums or Assessments (1) Liability for Future Policy Benefit, Gross Premium Income Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities Derivative Liability, Subject to Master Netting Arrangement, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Security Not Offset Notes Issued by Consolidated VIE Notes Issued by Consolidated VIE [Member] Notes Issued by Consolidated VIE Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Table] Fair Value, Separate Account Investment [Table] ABS & CLO Asset-Backed Securities [Member] Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward] Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward] Baa [Member] Baa [Member] Baa. Debt Instruments, Carrying Amount Debt Instruments, Carrying Amount Debt Instruments, Carrying Amount Policyholder Account Balance Rollforward Policyholder Account Balance [Table Text Block] Gross Investment Income, Operating Gross Investment Income, Operating Gross Investment Income, Operating Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in AOCI for the instruments still held at end of period Fair Value, Asset (Liability), Recurring Basis, Still Held, Unrealized Gain (Loss), OCI Policy charges Separate Account, Liability, Policy Charge Market Risk Benefit [Table] Market Risk Benefit [Table] Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (net of allowance for credit loss of $195 and $194, respectively); and amortized cost: $169,626 and $167,384, respectively Estimated Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Securities AFS Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] U.S. corporate and foreign corporate Corporate fixed maturity securities Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Net change in other invested assets Net Change In Other Invested Assets The net cash outflow (inflow) from other investing activities including derivative instruments, leveraged leases and other invested assets. Estimated Fair Value of Collateral Provided Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value