Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	$ (733)	$ (692)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(168)	(167)
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(565)	(525)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net investment gains (losses)	(43)	(96)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	(1,223)	(1,035)
Change in market risk benefits	1,438	(198)
Market value adjustments	496	416
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(565)	(525)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	674	592
Interest expense	0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	96	89
Interest expense	0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	316	254
Interest expense	0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	150	139
Interest expense	17	18
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(187)	237
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(54)	29
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(133)	208
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(133)	208
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	375	362
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	71	68
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	304	294
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	304	294
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(95)	26
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(21)	5
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(74)	21
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(74)	21
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(432)	(133)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(91)	(28)
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(341)	(105)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(341)	(105)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(35)	(18)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(13)	(16)
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(22)	(2)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(22)	(2)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	114	196
Net investment gains (losses)	(43)	(96)
Net derivative gains (losses), excluding investment hedge adjustments	(1,946)	(627)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	(13)	(39)
Change in market risk benefits	1,438	(198)
Market value adjustments	$ 5	$ (8)