Equity (Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									$ (308)	$ 317	$ 609
Net investment income									17,363	16,790	16,205
Net derivative gains (losses)									(590)	(690)	629
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	$ 0	$ (968)	$ 58	$ (76)	$ (1,370)	$ (435)	$ (1,361)	$ 432	(986)	(2,734)	1,324
Other expenses									(13,621)	(13,749)	(14,777)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									3,536	4,281	5,651
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)									1,470	(693)	(1,590)
Net income (loss)	$ 2,315	$ (85)	$ 914	$ 876	$ (2,341)	$ 538	$ 325	$ 2,332	4,020	854	5,385
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									747	(293)	(399)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									404	78	263
Net investment income									20	39	35
Net derivative gains (losses)									(49)	(37)	56
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									289	(21)	223
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)									(87)	9	(78)
Net income (loss)									202	(12)	145
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									1,025	(229)	(608)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)									(356)	66	213
Net income (loss)									669	(163)	(395)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Interest rate swaps
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment income									16	12	11
Net derivative gains (losses)									24	56	84
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Interest rate forwards
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment income									2	4	3
Net derivative gains (losses)									(11)	(1)	4
Other expenses									1	1	2
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Foreign currency swaps
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment income									0	(2)	(1)
Net derivative gains (losses)									974	(350)	(720)
Other expenses									2	2	1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Credit forwards
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment income									0	1	0
Net derivative gains (losses)									1	3	1
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of net actuarial gains (losses)									(190)	(199)	(231)
Amortization of prior service (costs) credit									23	6	6
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax									(167)	(193)	(229)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)									43	75	80
Net income (loss)									(124)	(118)	(149)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)									(1,016)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									(986)	(2,734)	1,324
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses), Net of Related Offsets
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									(86)	(101)	(131)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Interest rate swaps
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									2	36	2
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Interest rate forwards
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									3	4	4
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Foreign currency swaps
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									11	5	0
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivatives | Credit forwards
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									0	0	1
Brighthouse Financial, Inc [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax									$ 0	$ 0	$ (4)