Dispositions - Separation of Brighthouse (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Aug. 04, 2017
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued		1,181,614,288	1,177,680,299
Reduction of long-term debt		$ 0	$ 0	$ 944
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets		$ (243)	$ (195)	$ (350)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Reduction of long-term debt	$ 944
Impact of Separation | Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Issued					96,776,670
BHF Common Stock					80.80%
FVO Common Stock | Brighthouse Financial, Inc
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	$ (327)