Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	$ 1,225		$ (31)		$ 2,068	$ (625)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	224		(23)		396	(164)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	1,001	$ 671	(8)	$ (453)	1,672	(461)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(64)		(33)		(131)	(21)
Net derivative gains (losses)	1,762		(718)		2,317	(2,105)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	105		74		217	170
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	1,000		(9)		1,671	(462)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	544		532		1,097	1,079
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	99		156		239	306
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	350		498		751	961
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	60		15		107	29
Interest expense	16		16		33	33
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	4		544		397	1,100
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(33)		98		45	199
Post-tax adjusted earnings	37		446		352	901
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Adjusted earnings	36		445		351	900
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	242		410		616	806
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	43		78		114	153
Post-tax adjusted earnings	199		332		502	653
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings	199		332		502	653
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	16		84		55	225
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	3		17		11	46
Post-tax adjusted earnings	13		67		44	179
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings	13		67		44	179
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(206)		139		(187)	224
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(44)		18		(40)	27
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(162)		121		(147)	197
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings	(162)		121		(147)	197
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(48)		(89)		(87)	(155)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(35)		(15)		(40)	(27)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(13)		(74)		(47)	(128)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Adjusted earnings	(14)		(75)		(48)	(129)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(257)		121		(351)	363
Net investment gains (losses)	(64)		(33)		(131)	(21)
Net derivative gains (losses)	1,762		(718)		2,317	(2,105)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	$ (477)		$ 176		$ (515)	$ 401