Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	$ (271)	$ (4)	$ (1,738)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(208)	(71)	(433)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(63)	67	(1,305)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(240)	(63)	279
Net derivative gains (losses)	402	(2,359)	(132)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	403	334	302
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(64)	66	(1,306)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	2,254	2,207	1,811
Interest expense	0	0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	380	618	403
Interest expense	0	0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	1,166	1,910	1,269
Interest expense	0	0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	335	101	62
Interest expense	70	67	68
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	531	2,163	(618)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(40)	382	(198)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	571	1,781	(420)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings	570	1,780	(421)
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	1,093	1,762	1,383
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	202	340	257
Post-tax adjusted earnings	891	1,422	1,126
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	891	1,422	1,126
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(101)	442	23
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(23)	93	3
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(78)	349	20
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	(78)	349	20
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(367)	243	(1,655)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(78)	53	(356)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(289)	190	(1,299)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	(289)	190	(1,299)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(94)	(284)	(369)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(141)	(104)	(102)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	47	(180)	(267)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings	46	(181)	(268)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	168	453	235
Net investment gains (losses)	(240)	(63)	279
Net derivative gains (losses)	402	(2,359)	(132)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	$ (964)	$ 255	$ (1,267)