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Long-term and Short-term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Nov. 16, 2022	Aug. 16, 2022	May 16, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt maturities, year one	$ 2
Long-term debt maturities, year two	2
Long-term debt maturities, year three	3
Long-term debt maturities, year four	3
Long-term debt maturities, year five	3
Long-term debt maturities, after year five	825
Interest expense on long-term debt	70	$ 67	$ 68
Intercompany Liquidity Facilities \| Brighthouse Life Insurance Company as Lender
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value				$ 125	$ 125	$ 125
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				5.7689%	4.0466%	2.5363%
Intercompany Liquidity Facilities \| BH Holdings as Lender
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face value				$ 125	$ 125	$ 125
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				5.4504%	4.0466%	2.5363%
BRCD Reinsurance Financing Arrangement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facilities, maximum borrowing capacity	15,000	12,000
Credit facilities, outstanding balance	0
Credit facilities, remaining borrowing capacity	15,000
Credit facilities, commitment fee amount	26	34	30
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	$ 68	$ 65	$ 65
Surplus Note Due 2059
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	8.07%	8.07%