Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	$ (172)	$ (208)	$ (1,419)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(182)	(105)	(363)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	10	(103)	(1,056)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	5	5
Less: Preferred stock dividends	104	89	44
Net investment gains (losses)	(248)	(59)	278
Net derivative gains (losses)	304	(2,469)	(18)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	476	446	413
Net income (loss) available to Brighthouse Financial, Inc.’s common shareholders	(99)	(197)	(1,105)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	2,261	2,217	1,820
Interest expense	0	0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	426	673	460
Interest expense	0	0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	1,166	1,910	1,269
Interest expense	0	0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	356	102	70
Interest expense	153	163	184
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	784	2,055	(372)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	18	368	(143)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	766	1,687	(229)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	5	5
Less: Preferred stock dividends	104	89	44
Adjusted earnings	657	1,593	(278)
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	1,134	1,796	1,433
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	208	347	266
Post-tax adjusted earnings	926	1,449	1,167
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Less: Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	926	1,449	1,167
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	23	362	182
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	1	75	34
Post-tax adjusted earnings	22	287	148
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Less: Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	22	287	148
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(367)	244	(1,655)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(78)	53	(356)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	(289)	191	(1,299)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Less: Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0
Adjusted earnings	(289)	191	(1,299)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings	(6)	(347)	(332)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(113)	(107)	(87)
Post-tax adjusted earnings	107	(240)	(245)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	5	5	5
Less: Preferred stock dividends	104	89	44
Adjusted earnings	(2)	(334)	(294)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	200	473	220
Net investment gains (losses)	(248)	(59)	278
Net derivative gains (losses)	304	(2,469)	(18)
Other adjustments to net income (loss)	$ (1,012)	$ 265	$ (1,307)