Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $69,483 and $63,083, respectively; allowance for credit losses of $2 and $0, respectively)	$ 81,299	$ 69,977
Equity securities, at estimated fair value	133	147
Mortgage loans (net of allowance for credit losses of $94 and $64, respectively)	15,722	15,664
Policy loans	884	875
Limited partnerships and limited liability companies	2,809	2,379
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	1,885	1,482
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (net of allowance for credit losses of $13 and $0, respectively)	3,757	3,224
Total investments	106,489	93,748
Cash and cash equivalents	3,684	2,493
Accrued investment income	656	663
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $10 and $0, respectively)	15,721	14,287
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	4,357	4,809
Current income tax recoverable	0	21
Other assets	395	464
Separate account assets	103,986	99,668
Total assets	235,288	216,153
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	44,266	39,081
Policyholder account balances	53,946	45,121
Other policy-related balances	3,114	2,801
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	5,237	4,374
Long-term and short-term debt	843	844
Current income tax payable	110	0
Deferred income tax liability	1,461	1,301
Other liabilities	4,210	4,484
Separate account liabilities	103,986	99,668
Total liabilities	217,173	197,674
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 13)
Equity
Common stock, par value $25,000 per share; 4,000 shares authorized; 3,000 shares issued and outstanding	75	75
Additional paid-in capital	18,323	19,073
Retained earnings (deficit)	(5,719)	(3,899)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,421	3,215
Total Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s stockholder’s equity	18,100	18,464
Noncontrolling interests	15	15
Total equity	18,115	18,479
Total liabilities and equity	$ 235,288	$ 216,153