Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $78,425 and $70,529, respectively; allowance for credit losses of $7 and $2, respectively)	$ 87,074	$ 82,495
Equity securities, at estimated fair value	90	138
Mortgage loans (net of allowance for credit losses of $100 and $94, respectively)	18,267	15,808
Policy loans	1,264	1,291
Limited partnerships and limited liability companies	3,959	2,810
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	1,892	3,242
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (net of allowance for credit losses of $13 and $13, respectively)	2,774	3,747
Total investments	115,320	109,531
Cash and cash equivalents	4,108	4,108
Accrued investment income	764	676
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $10 and $10, respectively)	16,298	16,158
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	5,356	4,911
Other assets	484	516
Separate account assets	112,361	111,969
Total assets	254,691	247,869
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	43,795	44,448
Policyholder account balances	63,748	54,508
Other policy-related balances	3,406	3,411
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	5,639	5,252
Long-term debt	3,436	3,436
Current income tax payable	148	126
Deferred income tax liability	1,120	1,620
Other liabilities	4,942	5,011
Separate account liabilities	112,361	111,969
Total liabilities	238,595	229,781
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 10)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; $1,403 aggregate liquidation preference	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 121,495,849 and 121,002,523 shares issued, respectively; 80,952,682 and 88,211,618 shares outstanding, respectively	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	13,830	13,878
Retained earnings (deficit)	(705)	(534)
Treasury stock, at cost; 40,543,167 and 32,790,905 shares, respectively	(1,385)	(1,038)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,290	5,716
Total Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	16,031	18,023
Noncontrolling interests	65	65
Total equity	16,096	18,088
Total liabilities and equity	$ 254,691	$ 247,869