Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2025	Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 2,232	$ (124)
Policyholder benefits and claims	619	984
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	554	496
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	136	138
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(96)	(168)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net investment gains (losses)	(81)	(43)
Investment gains (losses) on trading securities	1,269	1,223
Net derivative gains (losses)	318	(1,933)
Change in market risk benefits	(896)	1,438
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(287)	(565)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	751	674
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	94	96
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	272	316
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	146	150
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	2,232	(124)
Adjusted earnings (loss)	238	(133)
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	1,489	(572)
Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings	247	(1,768)
Policyholder benefits and claims	111	147
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	357	302
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	124	124
Interest expense on debt	0	0
Other expenses	271	248
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	72	71
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	307	304
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	225	154
Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings	(10)	(9)
Policyholder benefits and claims	156	164
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	21	21
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	12	14
Interest expense on debt	0	0
Other expenses	40	59
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	1	(21)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	5	(74)
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	368	146
Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings	1	(210)
Policyholder benefits and claims	352	673
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	60	69
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	0	0
Interest expense on debt	0	0
Other expenses	36	46
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(18)	(91)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(63)	(341)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	150	148
Revenues excluded from adjusted earnings	5	(2)
Policyholder benefits and claims	0	0
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	106	109
Amortization of DAC and VOBA	0	0
Interest expense on debt	17	17
Other expenses	46	59
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(13)	(13)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(11)	(22)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest credited to policyholder account balances, excluding market value adjustments	(10)	5
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	138	114
Net investment gains (losses)	(81)	(43)
Investment gains (losses) on trading securities	(6)	0
Net derivative gains (losses)	318	(1,946)
Investment hedge adjustments	0	13
Change in market risk benefits	$ (896)	$ 1,438