Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired				16,038,791	1,445,864
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method				$ 858	$ 70
Secured Debt				4,059		$ 4,071
Other				$ 441	$ 473
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		5,458,993
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		$ 285
Approved dividend, amount per share			$ 0.40
Estimated aggregate dividend payment			$ 432
Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Secured Debt	$ 7,800
Secured Debt [Member] | MetLife Reinsurance Company Of South Carolina [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Secured Debt	2,800
Invested Assets On Deposit Held In Trust And Pledged As Collateral	2,800
Other	37
Committed Credit Facility Seven [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	4,300
Committed Credit Facility Five [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	3,500
Committed Credit Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Amount	$ 257