Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity	Noncontrolling Interests	Cumulative Effect, Adjustment	Cumulative Effect, Adjustment Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Cumulative Effect, Adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Cumulative Effect, Adjustment Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance Common Stock	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance Additional Paid-in Capital	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s Stockholder’s Equity	Cumulative Effect, Adjusted Balance Noncontrolling Interests
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 16,791						$ 15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 75	$ 19,073	$ (3,090)	$ 718	$ 16,776
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company				(754)		(754)
Net income (loss)	(754)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	940				940	940
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2019		75	19,073	(3,844)	1,658	16,962
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018		75	19,073	(3,090)	718	16,776
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(392)
Net income (loss)	(391)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2019		75	19,073	(3,482)	2,674	18,340
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	16,977						15
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2019		75	19,073	(3,844)	1,658	16,962
Change in noncontrolling interests	(1)					0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	362			362		362	1
Net income (loss)	363
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	1,016				1,016	1,016
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2019		75	19,073	(3,482)	2,674	18,340
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	18,355						15
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	18,479						15	$ (11)				$ 18,468						$ 15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	18,464	75	19,073	(3,899)	3,215	18,464			$ (14)	$ 3	$ (11)		$ 75	$ 19,073	$ (3,913)	$ 3,218	$ 18,453
Dividends paid to parent	(300)		(300)			(300)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company				4,839		4,839
Net income (loss)	4,839
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(773)				(773)	(773)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020		75	18,773	926	2,445	22,219
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	18,464	75	19,073	(3,899)	3,215	18,464			$ (14)	$ 3	$ (11)		$ 75	$ 19,073	$ (3,913)	$ 3,218	$ 18,453
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	2,841
Net income (loss)	2,842
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	21,886	75	18,773	(1,572)	4,610	21,886
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	22,234						15
Beginning Balance at Mar. 31, 2020		75	18,773	926	2,445	22,219
Dividends paid to parent	(500)			(500)		(500)
Change in noncontrolling interests	(1)					0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(1,998)			(1,998)		(1,998)	1
Net income (loss)	(1,997)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,165				2,165	2,165
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	21,886	$ 75	$ 18,773	$ (1,572)	$ 4,610	$ 21,886
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 21,901						$ 15