Organizational Changes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Contribution Transactions [Abstract]

Accounting Changes [Text Block]

3. Organizational Changes

Contribution Transactions

In April 2017, in connection with the Separation, MetLife, Inc. contributed MetLife Reinsurance Company of Delaware, MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina, MetLife Reinsurance Company of Vermont II, all affiliated reinsurance companies, and Brighthouse Life Insurance Company of NY (“BHNY”) to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company (the “Contribution Transactions”). The affiliated reinsurance companies were then merged into Brighthouse Reinsurance Company of Delaware (“BRCD”), and certain reserve financing arrangements were restructured, resulting in a net return of capital to MetLife of $2.7 billion. The return of capital included $3.4 billion in cash, offset by a non-cash capital contribution of $703 million primarily comprised of the $643 million tax impact of a basis adjustment for BRCD in connection with the Contribution Transactions. The affiliated reinsurance companies reinsured risks, including level premium term life and ULSG assumed from the Company and other entities and operations of Brighthouse.

The Contribution Transactions were between entities under common control and have been accounted for in a manner similar to the pooling-of-interests method, which requires that the acquired entities be combined at their historical cost. The Company’s consolidated financial statements and related footnotes are presented as if the transaction occurred at the beginning of the earliest date presented and the prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted.