Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	$ (282)		$ 2,152		$ (974)	$ 4,138
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(73)		419		(240)	831
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(209)	$ (525)	1,733	$ 1,574	(734)	3,307	$ 3,711	$ 1,763
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(65)		(64)		(161)	(131)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	22		9		61	15
Change in market risk benefits	1,299		63		1,101	1,643	$ (4,105)	$ (4,142)
Market value adjustments	110		104		197	218
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(210)		1,732		(735)	3,306
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	630		544		1,222	1,097
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	107		103		196	249
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	317		350		571	751
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	140		56		279	97
Interest expense	18		16		36	33
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	328		151		565	653
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	54		(2)		83	99
Post-tax adjusted earnings	274		153		482	554
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Adjusted earnings	273		152		481	553
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	338		386		700	814
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	63		73		131	155
Post-tax adjusted earnings	275		313		569	659
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings	275		313		569	659
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	33		23		59	112
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	7		5		12	23
Post-tax adjusted earnings	26		18		47	89
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings	26		18		47	89
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(22)		(199)		(155)	(169)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(5)		(42)		(33)	(36)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(17)		(157)		(122)	(133)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings	(17)		(157)		(122)	(133)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(21)		(59)		(39)	(104)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(11)		(38)		(27)	(43)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(10)		(21)		(12)	(61)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Adjusted earnings	(11)		(22)		(13)	(62)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	127		(421)		323	(732)
Net investment gains (losses)	(65)		(64)		(161)	(131)
Net derivative gains (losses), excluding investment hedge adjustments	(1,847)		1,971		(2,474)	1,904
Change in market risk benefits	1,299		63		1,101	1,643
Market value adjustments	$ 3		$ 31		$ (5)	$ 69