Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,973	$ 3,405	$ 6,162
Policyholder benefits and claims	2,139	2,418	2,186
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	2,110	1,801	1,313
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	550	564	568
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(15)	(383)	795
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(298)	(242)	(240)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	(5,100)	(4,560)	(4,064)
Change in market risk benefits	2,669	1,497	4,105
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	256	(1,124)	3,710
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	497	507	505
Interest revenue	2,850	2,558	2,254
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	53	57	63
Interest revenue	420	391	396
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	0	0	0
Interest revenue	1,234	1,141	1,166
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	0	0	0
Interest revenue	626	575	319
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	3,973	3,405	6,162
Adjusted earnings (loss)	1,311	1,073	1,107
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,500	508	5,015
Less: Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings (1)	(3,350)	(3,932)	967
Policyholder benefits and claims	486	508	382
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	1,346	1,048	889
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	497	507	505
Interest expense on debt	0	0	0
Other expenses (2)	1,007	997	981
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	291	257	244
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	1,223	1,123	1,047
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	898	987	959
Less: Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings (1)	(20)	(26)	(29)
Policyholder benefits and claims	548	609	790
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	85	79	57
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	53	57	63
Interest expense on debt	0	0	0
Other expenses (2)	169	182	110
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	12	17	(8)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	51	69	(24)
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	995	1,404	(198)
Less: Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings (1)	(599)	(239)	(1,901)
Policyholder benefits and claims	1,105	1,301	1,013
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	243	274	290
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	0	0	0
Interest expense on debt	0	0	0
Other expenses (2)	165	167	292
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	16	(22)	21
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	65	(77)	87
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	580	506	386
Less: Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings (1)	(47)	(70)	67
Policyholder benefits and claims	0	0	1
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	449	388	163
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	0	0	0
Interest expense on debt	67	70	70
Other expenses (2)	193	209	241
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(55)	(50)	(154)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	1
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(28)	(42)	(3)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	13	(12)	86
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	279	585	(692)
Net investment gains (losses)	(298)	(242)	(240)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	30	105	71
Net derivative gains (losses), excluding investment hedge adjustments	(3,718)	(4,025)	(656)
Change in market risk benefits	$ 2,669	$ 1,497	$ 4,105