Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company) (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, estimated fair value	$ 86,527	$ 81,299
Equity Securities, FV-NI	95	133
Mortgage loans, net	19,787	15,722
Policy loans	869	884
Limited partnerships and limited liability companies	4,271	2,809
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	662	1,885
Other invested assets, at estimated fair value	3,324	3,757
Total investments	115,535	106,489
Cash and cash equivalents	3,904	3,684
Accrued Investment Income Receivable	706	656
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $10 and $10, respectively)	15,649	15,721
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Net	4,851	4,357	$ 4,809
Other Assets	385	395
Separate account assets	106,225	103,986
Total assets	247,255	235,288
Liabilities
Policyholder account balances	66,195	53,946
Other policy-related balances	3,153	3,114
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	6,253	5,237
Long-term debt	841	843
Current income tax payable	57	110
Other liabilities	3,850	4,210
Separate account liabilities	106,225	103,986
Total liabilities	231,144	217,173
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s stockholder’s 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	17,773	18,323
Retained earnings (deficit)	(5,653)	(5,719)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,901	5,421	3,215	$ 718
Total Brighthouse Life Insurance Company's stockholder's equity	16,096	18,100	$ 18,479	$ 16,791
Total liabilities and equity	247,255	235,288
Parent Company
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, estimated fair value	73,232	69,350
Equity Securities, FV-NI	85	112
Mortgage loans, net	18,977	15,079
Policy loans	869	884
Limited partnerships and limited liability companies	4,271	2,809
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	649	1,670
Investment in subsidiaries	5,127	6,303
Other invested assets, at estimated fair value	2,855	3,360
Total investments	106,065	99,567
Cash and cash equivalents	3,309	3,384
Accrued Investment Income Receivable	588	573
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $10 and $10, respectively)	15,080	15,172
Due from Affiliates	11,422	10,884
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Net	4,405	3,934
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net	1,385	1,103
Other Assets	354	361
Separate account assets	101,076	99,021
Total assets	243,684	233,999
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	42,081	43,074
Policyholder account balances	62,187	51,272
Other policy-related balances	3,764	3,658
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	5,922	5,101
Long-term debt	812	812
Current income tax payable	11	96
Other liabilities	11,735	12,865
Separate account liabilities	101,076	99,021
Total liabilities	227,588	215,899
Brighthouse Life Insurance Company’s stockholder’s 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	17,773	18,323
Retained earnings (deficit)	(5,653)	(5,719)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,901	5,421
Total Brighthouse Life Insurance Company's stockholder's equity	16,096	18,100
Total liabilities and equity	$ 243,684	$ 233,999