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 of change in accounting principle, net of income tax	Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax 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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 18,479	$ 75	$ 19,073	$ (3,899)	$ 3,215	$ 18,464	$ 15	$ (11)	$ (14)	$ 3	$ (11)
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	(300)		(300)			(300)
Net income (loss)	4,839			4,839		4,839
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(773)				(773)	(773)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	22,234	75	18,773	926	2,445	22,219	15					$ 18,468	$ 75	$ 19,073	$ (3,913)	$ 3,218	$ 18,453	$ 15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	18,115	75	18,323	(5,719)	5,421	18,100	15
Net income (loss)	(453)			(453)		(453)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(2,236)				(2,236)	(2,236)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 15,426	$ 75	$ 18,323	$ (6,172)	$ 3,185	$ 15,411	$ 15