Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	$ (4)	$ (1,738)	$ (1,146)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(71)	(433)	(338)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	67	(1,305)	(808)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(63)	279	92
Net derivative gains (losses)	(2,359)	(132)	(2,046)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	334	302	266
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	66	(1,306)	(809)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	2,207	1,811	1,798
Interest expense	0	0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	618	403	376
Interest expense	0	0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	1,910	1,269	1,265
Interest expense	0	0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	101	62	53
Interest expense	67	68	60
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	2,163	(618)	658
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	382	(198)	41
Post-tax adjusted earnings	1,781	(420)	617
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings	1,780	(421)	616
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	1,762	1,383	1,233
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	340	257	230
Post-tax adjusted earnings	1,422	1,126	1,003
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	1,422	1,126	1,003
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	442	23	239
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	93	3	49
Post-tax adjusted earnings	349	20	190
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	349	20	190
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	243	(1,655)	(580)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	53	(356)	(126)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	190	(1,299)	(454)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	190	(1,299)	(454)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(284)	(369)	(234)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(104)	(102)	(112)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(180)	(267)	(122)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings	(181)	(268)	(123)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	453	235	379
Net investment gains (losses)	(63)	279	92
Net derivative gains (losses)	(2,359)	(132)	(2,046)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	$ 255	$ (1,267)	$ 150