<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.23.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>1088</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>465</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>173</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000001 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000002 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000003 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000004 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000005 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000006 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000007 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000008 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000009 - Disclosure - Financial Services, Insurance, ASU 2018-12 Transition</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FinancialServicesInsuranceASU201812Transition</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Services, Insurance, ASU 2018-12 Transition</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000010 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000011 - Disclosure - Insurance</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Insurance</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000012 - Disclosure - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangibles</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000013 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Investments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000014 - Disclosure - Derivatives</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Derivatives</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000015 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000016 - Disclosure - Long-term and Short-term Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/LongtermandShorttermDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term and Short-term Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000017 - Disclosure - Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Equity</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000018 - Disclosure - Other Revenues and Other Expenses</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpenses</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Revenues and Other Expenses</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000019 - Disclosure - Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ContingenciesCommitmentsandGuarantees</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000020 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0000021 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>995445 - Disclosure - Insider Trading Arrangements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/InsiderTradingArrangements</Role>
      <ShortName>Insider Trading Arrangements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954701 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954702 - Disclosure - Financial Services, Insurance, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FinancialServicesInsuranceASU201812TransitionTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Services, Insurance, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FinancialServicesInsuranceASU201812Transition</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954703 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954704 - Disclosure - Insurance (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Insurance</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954705 - Disclosure - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangibles</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954706 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Investments</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954707 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Derivatives</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954708 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValue</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954709 - Disclosure - Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/Equity</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954710 - Disclosure - Other Revenues and Other Expenses (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Revenues and Other Expenses (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpenses</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954711 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactions</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954712 - Disclosure - Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954713 - Disclosure - Effect of Transition Adjustments on Stockholders??? Equity, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EffectofTransitionAdjustmentsonStockholdersEquityASU201812TransitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Effect of Transition Adjustments on Stockholders??? Equity, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954714 - Disclosure - Changes in LFPBs, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ChangesinLFPBsASU201812TransitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in LFPBs, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954715 - Disclosure - Changes in liabilities classified as MRBs, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ChangesinliabilitiesclassifiedasMRBsASU201812TransitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in liabilities classified as MRBs, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954716 - Disclosure - Changes in DAC and VOBA, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ChangesinDACandVOBAASU201812TransitionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Changes in DAC and VOBA, ASU 2018-12 Transition (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954717 - Disclosure - ASU 2018-12 Transition BS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ASU201812TransitionBSDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASU 2018-12 Transition BS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954718 - Disclosure - ASU 2018-12 Transition IS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ASU201812TransitionISDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ASU 2018-12 Transition IS (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954719 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationOperatingResultsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954720 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Reconciliation of Operating Revenues to Total Revenues) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofOperatingRevenuestoTotalRevenuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Reconciliation of Operating Revenues to Total Revenues) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954721 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954722 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954723 - Disclosure - Insurance (Future Policy Benefits Information by Product) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceFuturePolicyBenefitsInformationbyProductDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Future Policy Benefits Information by Product) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954724 - Disclosure - Insurance (Future Policy Benefits - SOP) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceFuturePolicyBenefitsSOPDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Future Policy Benefits - SOP) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954725 - Disclosure - Insurance (Future Policy Benefits - Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceFuturePolicyBenefitsReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Future Policy Benefits - Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954726 - Disclosure - Insurance (Policyholder Account Balances) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsurancePolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Policyholder Account Balances) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954727 - Disclosure - Insurance (Reconciliation of Policyholder Account Balances) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceReconciliationofPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Reconciliation of Policyholder Account Balances) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954728 - Disclosure - Insurance (Balance of Account Values by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceBalanceofAccountValuesbyrangeofguaranteedminimumcreditingratesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Balance of Account Values by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954729 - Disclosure - Insurance (Market Risk Benefit) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceMarketRiskBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Market Risk Benefit) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954730 - Disclosure - Insurance (Separate Accounts Liability) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceSeparateAccountsLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Separate Accounts Liability) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954731 - Disclosure - Insurance (Reconciliation of Separate Account Liability) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceReconciliationofSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Reconciliation of Separate Account Liability) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954732 - Disclosure - Insurance (Aggregate FV of Assets Supporting Separate Accounts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceAggregateFVofAssetsSupportingSeparateAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Aggregate FV of Assets Supporting Separate Accounts) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954733 - Disclosure - Insurance (Net Amount at Risk and Cash Surrender Values) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceNetAmountatRiskandCashSurrenderValuesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Insurance (Net Amount at Risk and Cash Surrender Values) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954734 - Disclosure - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Information Regarding DAC and VOBA) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDACandVOBADetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Information Regarding DAC and VOBA) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954735 - Disclosure - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Information Regarding DSI) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDSIDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Information Regarding DSI) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954736 - Disclosure - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Unearned Revenue) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesUnearnedRevenueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Intangibles (Unearned Revenue) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954737 - Disclosure - Investments (Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954738 - Disclosure - Investments (Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMaturitiesofFixedMaturitySecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Maturities of Fixed Maturity Securities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954739 - Disclosure - Investments (Continuous Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsContinuousGrossUnrealizedLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Continuous Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturity Securities by Sector) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954740 - Disclosure - Investments (Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954741 - Disclosure - Investments (Rollforward of the Allowance for Credit Losses for Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Rollforward of the Allowance for Credit Losses for Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954742 - Disclosure - Investments (Credit Quality of Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsCreditQualityofMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Credit Quality of Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954743 - Disclosure - Investments (Past Due Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsPastDueMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Past Due Mortgage Loans by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954744 - Disclosure - Investments (Mortgage Loans in Nonaccrual Status by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansinNonaccrualStatusbyPortfolioSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Mortgage Loans in Nonaccrual Status by Portfolio Segment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954745 - Disclosure - Investments (Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954746 - Disclosure - Investments (Changes in Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsChangesinNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Changes in Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954747 - Disclosure - Investments (Securities Lending) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Securities Lending) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954748 - Disclosure - Investments (Securities Lending Remaining Tenor) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingRemainingTenorDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Securities Lending Remaining Tenor) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954749 - Disclosure - Investments (Invested Assets on Deposit, Held In Trust and Pledged as Collateral) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsInvestedAssetsonDepositHeldInTrustandPledgedasCollateralDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Invested Assets on Deposit, Held In Trust and Pledged as Collateral) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954750 - Disclosure - Investments (Variable Interest Entities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Variable Interest Entities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954751 - Disclosure - Investments (Net Investment Income) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Net Investment Income) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954752 - Disclosure - Investments (Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsComponentsofNetInvestmentGainsLossesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954753 - Disclosure - Investments (Sales or Disposals of Fixed Maturity Securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSalesorDisposalsofFixedMaturitySecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Sales or Disposals of Fixed Maturity Securities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954754 - Disclosure - Investments (Fixed Maturity Securities - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Fixed Maturity Securities - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954755 - Disclosure - Investments (Mortgage Loans - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Mortgage Loans - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954756 - Disclosure - Investments (Other Invested Assets - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsOtherInvestedAssetsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Other Invested Assets - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954757 - Disclosure - Investments (Securities Lending - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Securities Lending - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954758 - Disclosure - Investments (Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsInvestedAssetsonDepositHeldinTrustandPledgedasCollateralNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954759 - Disclosure - Investments (Net Investment Income - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Net Investment Income - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954760 - Disclosure - Investments (Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses) - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsComponentsofNetInvestmentGainsLossesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Components of Net Investment Gains (Losses) - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954761 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesPrimaryRisksManagedbyDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Primary Risks Managed by Derivatives) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954762 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Derivatives Pertaining to Hedged Items) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesDerivativesPertainingtoHedgedItemsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Derivatives Pertaining to Hedged Items) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954763 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Credit Derivatives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesCreditDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Credit Derivatives) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954764 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Estimated Fair Value of Derivatives Assets and Liabilities after Master Netting Agreements and Cash Collateral) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesEstimatedFairValueofDerivativesAssetsandLiabilitiesafterMasterNettingAgreementsandCashCollateralDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Estimated Fair Value of Derivatives Assets and Liabilities after Master Netting Agreements and Cash Collateral) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954765 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesCreditRiskonFreestandingDerivativesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Credit Risk on Freestanding Derivatives) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954766 - Disclosure - Derivatives (Derivatives - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesDerivativesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivatives (Derivatives - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954767 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Recurring Fair Value Measurements) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Recurring Fair Value Measurements) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954768 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities Measured - Quantitative Information) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredQuantitativeInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Assets and Liabilities Measured - Quantitative Information) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954769 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Unobservable Input Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Unobservable Input Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954770 - Disclosure - Fair Value (Financial Instruments Carried at Other Than Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueFinancialInstrumentsCarriedatOtherThanFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value (Financial Instruments Carried at Other Than Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954771 - Disclosure - Long-term and Short-term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/LongtermandShorttermDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-term and Short-term Debt (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/LongtermandShorttermDebt</ParentRole>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954772 - Disclosure - Equity (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954773 - Disclosure - Equity (Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityReclassificationsOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954774 - Disclosure - Equity (Capital Transactions - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityCapitalTransactionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Equity (Capital Transactions - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954775 - Disclosure - Other Revenues and Other Expenses (Other Expenses) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesOtherExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Revenues and Other Expenses (Other Expenses) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954776 - Disclosure - Other Revenues and Other Expenses (Other Revenues - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesOtherRevenuesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Revenues and Other Expenses (Other Revenues - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954777 - Disclosure - Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ContingenciesCommitmentsandGuarantees</ParentRole>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954778 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Statements of Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsEffectsofAffiliatedReinsuranceonStatementsofOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Statements of Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954779 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Balance Sheets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsEffectsofAffiliatedReinsuranceonBalanceSheetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Effects of Affiliated Reinsurance on Balance Sheets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954780 - Disclosure - Related Party Transactions (Shared Services, Overhead Allocations and Broker-Dealer Transactions - Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsSharedServicesOverheadAllocationsandBrokerDealerTransactionsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Related Party Transactions (Shared Services, Overhead Allocations and Broker-Dealer Transactions - Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="bhl-20230630.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>9954781 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances has a value of -3000000 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances fact are: Context: c-212, Unit: usd, Rule Element Id: 1365. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:PolicyholderAccountBalanceWeightedAverageCreditingRate has a value of -0.0015 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:PolicyholderAccountBalanceWeightedAverageCreditingRate fact are: Context: c-217, Unit: number, Rule Element Id: 9216. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions has a value of -1000000 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions fact are: Context: c-161, Unit: usd, Rule Element Id: 2699. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions has a value of -3000000 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions fact are: Context: c-204, Unit: usd, Rule Element Id: 2699. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions has a value of -1000000 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions fact are: Context: c-201, Unit: usd, Rule Element Id: 2699. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:MarketRiskBenefitMeasurementInput has a value of -0.0273 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:MarketRiskBenefitMeasurementInput fact are: Context: c-877, Unit: number, Rule Element Id: 9183. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
    <Log type="Warning">[dqc-0015-Negative-Values] Fact us-gaap:OtherLiabilities has a value of -1000000 which is less than zero. This element should not have a negative value. The preparer should consider if the value is input correctly for this assertion and, after considering the appropriateness of the input, if incorrect, input the amount as a positive (i.e., absolute) value and provide a negated label. The properties of this us-gaap:OtherLiabilities fact are: Context: c-1069, Unit: usd, Rule Element Id: 2868. bhl-20230630.htm 4</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="bhl-20230630.htm">bhl-20230630.htm</File>
    <File>bhl-20230630.xsd</File>
    <File>bhl-20230630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bhl-20230630_def.xml</File>
    <File>bhl-20230630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bhl-20230630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>blic06302023-ex311.htm</File>
    <File>blic06302023-ex312.htm</File>
    <File>blic06302023-ex321.htm</File>
    <File>blic06302023-ex322.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles>
    <File>bhl-20230630_g1.jpg</File>
  </SupplementalFiles>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="8">http://fasb.org/srt/2023</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="3551">http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2023</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="26">http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy items="4">http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2023</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
