Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Statements of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Premiums Earned, Net	$ 10,876	$ 9,839	$ 29,421	$ 27,956
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Insurance Commissions and Fees	1,428	1,341	4,152	4,127
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	10,645	9,612	28,923	27,394
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Interest Credited to Policyholders Account Balances	1,338	1,544	4,081	3,819
Other Expenses
Operating Expenses	3,318	3,216	9,904	10,296
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Assumed Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Assumed Premiums Earned	70		70
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Assumed Insurance Commissions And Fees	(1)		(1)
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed	55		55
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Assumed Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances	3		3
Other Expenses
Assumed Operating Expenses	6		6
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Ceded Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Ceded Premiums Earned	(2)		(2)
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Ceded Insurance Commissions And Fees	(22)		(22)
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded	(6)		(6)
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Ceded Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances	(12)		(12)
Other Expenses
Ceded Operating Expenses	(7)		(7)
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Premiums Earned, Net	68		68
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Insurance Commissions and Fees	(23)		(23)
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	49		49
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Interest Credited to Policyholders Account Balances	(9)		(9)
Other Expenses
Operating Expenses	(1)		(1)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc | Assumed Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Assumed Premiums Earned	36	111	248	338
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Assumed Insurance Commissions And Fees	(1)	(2)	(6)	(2)
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Assumed	30	103	196	286
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Assumed Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances	1	4	10	12
Other Expenses
Assumed Operating Expenses	4	18	10	63
Brighthouse Financial, Inc | Ceded Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Ceded Premiums Earned	1	(3)	(7)	(10)
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Ceded Insurance Commissions And Fees	(8)	(30)	(55)	(76)
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded	(3)	(14)	(16)	(9)
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Ceded Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances	(6)	(18)	(42)	(56)
Other Expenses
Ceded Operating Expenses	(3)	(8)	(28)	(24)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc | Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums Earned, Net [Abstract]
Premiums Earned, Net	37	108	241	328
Fees and Commissions [Abstract]
Insurance Commissions and Fees	(9)	(32)	(61)	(78)
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net [Abstract]
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net	27	89	180	277
Interest Credited To Policyholder Account Balances [Abstract]
Interest Credited to Policyholders Account Balances	(5)	(14)	(32)	(44)
Other Expenses
Operating Expenses	$ 1	$ 10	$ (18)	$ 39