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Long-term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 30, 2020	Mar. 25, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt maturities, year one	$ 2
Long-term debt maturities, year two	2
Long-term debt maturities, year three	2
Long-term debt maturities, year four	3
Long-term debt maturities, year five	3
Long-term debt maturities, after year five	828
Interest expense on long-term debt	67	$ 68	$ 60
Intercompany Liquidity Facilities \| Brighthouse Life Insurance Company as Lender
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 100
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				2.4996%
Intercompany Liquidity Facilities \| BH Holdings as Lender
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 100
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				2.4996%
BRCD Reinsurance Financing Arrangement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facilities, maximum borrowing capacity	12,000
Credit facilities, outstanding balance	0
Credit facilities, remaining borrowing capacity	11,300
Credit facilities, commitment fee amount	34	30	41
BLIC Repurchase Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facilities, maximum borrowing capacity	2,000
Credit facilities, outstanding balance	0
Affiliated Entity
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense on long-term debt	$ 65	$ 65	$ 58
Surplus Note Due 2059
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 412
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	8.07%	8.07%			8.07%