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
Net income (loss)	$ 1,763
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	8,536	$ 75	$ 17,773	$ (9,128)	$ (199)	$ 8,521	$ 15
Change in noncontrolling interests	(1)					0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company				3,306		3,306	1
Net income (loss)	3,307
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(3,857)				(3,857)	(3,857)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	7,985	75	17,773	(5,822)	(4,056)	7,970	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	8,536	75	17,773	(9,128)	(199)	8,521	15
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	3,660
Net income (loss)	3,661
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	5,596	75	17,773	(5,468)	(6,799)	5,581	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	8,536	75	17,773	(9,128)	(199)	8,521	15
Net income (loss)	3,711
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	6,514	75	17,773	(5,418)	(5,931)	6,499	15
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	7,985	75	17,773	(5,822)	(4,056)	7,970	15
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	354			354		354	0
Net income (loss)	354
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(2,743)				(2,743)	(2,743)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	5,596	75	17,773	(5,468)	(6,799)	5,581	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	6,514	75	17,773	(5,418)	(5,931)	6,499	15
Change in noncontrolling interests	(1)					0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company				(735)		(735)	1
Net income (loss)	(734)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	230				230	230
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2023	6,009	75	17,773	(6,153)	(5,701)	5,994	15
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	6,514	75	17,773	(5,418)	(5,931)	6,499	15
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(209)
Net income (loss)	(208)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2023	5,369	75	17,773	(5,627)	(6,867)	5,354	15
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2023	6,009	75	17,773	(6,153)	(5,701)	5,994	15
Change in noncontrolling interests	0					0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	526			526		526	0
Net income (loss)	526
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(1,166)				(1,166)	(1,166)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 5,369	$ 75	$ 17,773	$ (5,627)	$ (6,867)	$ 5,354	$ 15