INVESTMENTS (Details 12) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Sep. 30, 2012 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Jun. 30, 2012 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Mar. 31, 2012 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Dec. 31, 2011 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Sep. 30, 2011 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Jun. 30, 2011 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Mar. 31, 2011 AIA Group Limited (AIA)	Dec. 31, 2012 AIA Group Limited (AIA) Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2011 AIA Group Limited (AIA) Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2010 AIA Group Limited (AIA) Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2012 Maiden Lane II Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2011 Maiden Lane II Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2010 Maiden Lane II Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2012 Maiden Lane III Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2011 Maiden Lane III Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2010 Maiden Lane III Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2011 MetLife Inc. (MetLife) Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2010 MetLife Inc. (MetLife) Change in fair value of securities	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed maturity securities, including short-term investments	Dec. 31, 2011 Fixed maturity securities, including short-term investments	Dec. 31, 2010 Fixed maturity securities, including short-term investments	Dec. 31, 2012 Equity securities	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity securities	Dec. 31, 2010 Equity securities	Dec. 31, 2012 Interest on mortgage and other loans	Dec. 31, 2011 Interest on mortgage and other loans	Dec. 31, 2010 Interest on mortgage and other loans	Dec. 31, 2012 Alternative investments	Dec. 31, 2011 Alternative investments	Dec. 31, 2010 Alternative investments	Dec. 31, 2012 Real estate	Dec. 31, 2011 Real estate	Dec. 31, 2010 Real estate	Dec. 31, 2012 Other investments	Dec. 31, 2011 Other investments	Dec. 31, 2010 Other investments
COMPONENTS OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Total investment income before policyholder income and trading gains	$ 20,947	$ 15,264	$ 20,539	$ 240	$ 527	$ (493)	$ 1,795	$ 1,021	$ (2,315)	$ 1,521	$ 1,062	$ 2,069	$ 1,289	$ (638)	$ 246	$ 42	$ 513	$ 2,888	$ (646)	$ 1,792	$ (157)	$ 665	$ 12,592	$ 11,814	$ 14,445	$ 162	$ 92	$ 234	$ 1,083	$ 1,065	$ 1,268	$ 1,769	$ 1,622	$ 1,957	$ 127	$ 107	$ 126	$ 11	$ 36	$ 177
Policyholder investment income and trading gains			886
Total investment income	20,947	15,264	21,425
Investment expenses	604	509	491
Net investment income	$ 20,343	$ 14,755	$ 20,934