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
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 18,115	$ 75	$ 18,323	$ (5,719)	$ 5,421	$ 18,100	$ 15
Dividends paid to parent	(250)		(250)			(250)
Change in noncontrolling interests	(1)					0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company				(462)		(462)	1
Net income (loss)	(461)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(1,109)				(1,109)	(1,109)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	16,294	75	18,073	(6,181)	4,312	16,279	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	18,115	75	18,323	(5,719)	5,421	18,100	15
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(70)
Net income (loss)	(69)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	16,408	75	18,073	(5,789)	4,034	16,393	15
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2021	16,294	75	18,073	(6,181)	4,312	16,279	15
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	392			392		392
Net income (loss)	392
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(278)				(278)	(278)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2021	16,408	75	18,073	(5,789)	4,034	16,393	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	16,111	75	17,773	(5,653)	3,901	16,096	15
Change in noncontrolling interests	(1)					0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company				1,671		1,671	1
Net income (loss)	1,672
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(6,910)				(6,910)	(6,910)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	10,872	75	17,773	(3,982)	(3,009)	10,857	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	16,111	75	17,773	(5,653)	3,901	16,096	15
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	949
Net income (loss)	950
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	6,697	75	17,773	(4,704)	(6,462)	6,682	15
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	10,872	75	17,773	(3,982)	(3,009)	10,857	15
Change in noncontrolling interests	0					0
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(722)			(722)		(722)
Net income (loss)	(722)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(3,453)				(3,453)	(3,453)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 6,697	$ 75	$ 17,773	$ (4,704)	$ (6,462)	$ 6,682	$ 15