Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	$ (1,506)	$ 4,506	$ 2,142
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(383)	795	379
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(1,123)	3,711	1,763
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(242)	(240)	(63)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	4,560	4,064	4,815
Change in market risk benefits	1,497	4,105	4,142
Market value adjustments	1,801	1,313	1,243
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(1,124)	3,710	1,762
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	2,558	2,254	2,207
Interest expense	0	0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	391	396	643
Interest expense	0	0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	1,141	1,166	1,910
Interest expense	0	0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	575	319	76
Interest expense	70	70	67
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	1,276	1,211	2,053
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	202	103	358
Post-tax adjusted earnings	1,074	1,108	1,695
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings	1,073	1,107	1,694
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	1,380	1,291	1,550
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	257	244	296
Post-tax adjusted earnings	1,123	1,047	1,254
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	1,123	1,047	1,254
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	86	(32)	532
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	17	(8)	112
Post-tax adjusted earnings	69	(24)	420
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	69	(24)	420
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(99)	108	264
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(22)	21	58
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(77)	87	206
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	(77)	87	206
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(91)	(156)	(293)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(50)	(154)	(108)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(41)	(2)	(185)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings	(42)	(3)	(186)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	585	(692)	(21)
Net investment gains (losses)	(242)	(240)	(63)
Net derivative gains (losses), excluding investment hedge adjustments	(4,025)	(656)	(4,007)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	(105)	(71)	(21)
Change in market risk benefits	1,497	4,105	4,142
Market value adjustments	$ (12)	$ 86	$ 17