| Cover | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | DEF 14A |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Entity Information [Line Items] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Brighthouse Financial, Inc. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001685040 |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
| Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] | Pay versus Performance The following table sets forth pay versus performance (“ PVP ”) information for 2020, 2021, and 2022: Pay Versus Performance Year (1) Summary Compensation (2) Average Non-PEO NEOs Average Non-PEO NEOs (2) Value of Initial Fixed $100 Net Income (in millions) (4) Net Cash (in millions) (5) Total Peer Group (3) 2022 $9,750,186 $ 6,721,609 $3,245,624 $2,735,369 $130.69 $136.53 $ (99) $ 38 2021 $7,914,025 $12,615,385 $2,851,864 $3,881,547 $132.04 $123.73 $ (197) $ 594 2020 $8,133,344 $ 7,940,202 $2,931,662 $2,895,532 $ 92.29 $ 90.52 $(1,105) $1,309 (1) The principal executive officer (“ PEO ”) for all years shown was Eric Steigerwalt. The non-PEO (2) Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards was determined follows closing year-end year-end year-end For Compensation Actually Paid (“ CAP ”) calculations that are based on year-end The following tables set forth the deductions from and additions to Summary Compensation Table (“ SCT ”) total compensation to calculate CAP to our PEO and non-PEO PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2022 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 9,750,186 $3,245,624 Less, value of Equity Awards reported in SCT (5,999,954 ) (1,434,952) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 3,533,169 1,052,152 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 (114,658 ) (23,125) Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year (447,134 ) (104,329) Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 2,971,377 924,697 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2022 $ 6,721,609 $2,735,369 PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2021 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 7,914,025 $ 2,851,864 Less, value of Stock Awards reported in SCT (4,902,429 ) (1,228,712 ) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 5,508,515 1,403,728 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 3,578,668 756,543 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year 516,606 98,124 Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 9,603,789 2,258,394 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2021 $ 12,615,385 $ 3,881,547 PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2020 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 8,133,344 $ 2,931,662 Less, value of Stock Awards reported in SCT (4,902,445 ) (1,153,707 ) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 5,403,762 1,256,522 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 (538,831 ) (98,413 ) Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year (155,629 ) (40,533 ) Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 4,709,303 1,117,576 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2020 $ 7,940,202 $ 2,895,532 (3) Peer group Total Shareholder Return (“ TSR ”) reflects the S&P 500 Life & Health Insurance Index, which is the published industry index used in our 2022 Form 10-K. (4) Net income (loss) as reported in our 2022 Form 10-K. 10-K, Non-GAAP and Other Financial Disclosures – Other Financial Disclosures ” for additional information. (5) Represents net capital distributions from Brighthouse Financial’s operating companies. | ||
| Company Selected Measure Name | Net Cash Flow to the Holding Company | ||
| Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] | The principal executive officer (“ PEO ”) for all years shown was Eric Steigerwalt. The non-PEO | ||
| Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] | Peer group Total Shareholder Return (“ TSR ”) reflects the S&P 500 Life & Health Insurance Index, which is the published industry index used in our 2022 Form 10-K. | ||
| PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 9,750,186 | $ 7,914,025 | $ 8,133,344 |
| PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | $ 6,721,609 | 12,615,385 | 7,940,202 |
| Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] | (2) Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards was determined follows closing year-end year-end year-end For Compensation Actually Paid (“ CAP ”) calculations that are based on year-end The following tables set forth the deductions from and additions to Summary Compensation Table (“ SCT ”) total compensation to calculate CAP to our PEO and non-PEO PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2022 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 9,750,186 $3,245,624 Less, value of Equity Awards reported in SCT (5,999,954 ) (1,434,952) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 3,533,169 1,052,152 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 (114,658 ) (23,125) Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year (447,134 ) (104,329) Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 2,971,377 924,697 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2022 $ 6,721,609 $2,735,369 PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2021 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 7,914,025 $ 2,851,864 Less, value of Stock Awards reported in SCT (4,902,429 ) (1,228,712 ) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 5,508,515 1,403,728 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 3,578,668 756,543 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year 516,606 98,124 Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 9,603,789 2,258,394 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2021 $ 12,615,385 $ 3,881,547 PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2020 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 8,133,344 $ 2,931,662 Less, value of Stock Awards reported in SCT (4,902,445 ) (1,153,707 ) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 5,403,762 1,256,522 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 (538,831 ) (98,413 ) Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year (155,629 ) (40,533 ) Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 4,709,303 1,117,576 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2020 $ 7,940,202 $ 2,895,532 | ||
| Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 3,245,624 | 2,851,864 | 2,931,662 |
| Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 2,735,369 | 3,881,547 | 2,895,532 |
| Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] | (2) Fair value or change in fair value, as applicable, of equity awards was determined follows closing year-end year-end year-end For Compensation Actually Paid (“ CAP ”) calculations that are based on year-end The following tables set forth the deductions from and additions to Summary Compensation Table (“ SCT ”) total compensation to calculate CAP to our PEO and non-PEO PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2022 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 9,750,186 $3,245,624 Less, value of Equity Awards reported in SCT (5,999,954 ) (1,434,952) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 3,533,169 1,052,152 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 (114,658 ) (23,125) Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year (447,134 ) (104,329) Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 2,971,377 924,697 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2022 $ 6,721,609 $2,735,369 PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2021 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 7,914,025 $ 2,851,864 Less, value of Stock Awards reported in SCT (4,902,429 ) (1,228,712 ) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 5,508,515 1,403,728 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 3,578,668 756,543 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year 516,606 98,124 Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 9,603,789 2,258,394 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2021 $ 12,615,385 $ 3,881,547 PEO Average Non-PEO Total Reported in 2020 Summary Compensation Table (SCT) $ 8,133,344 $ 2,931,662 Less, value of Stock Awards reported in SCT (4,902,445 ) (1,153,707 ) Plus, Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards at 12/31 5,403,762 1,256,522 Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested as of 12/31 (538,831 ) (98,413 ) Plus, Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards that Vested this Year (155,629 ) (40,533 ) Equity Award Valuation Adjustments 4,709,303 1,117,576 Compensation Actually Paid for Fiscal Year 2020 $ 7,940,202 $ 2,895,532 | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] | CAP vs. Company TSR and Peer Group (S&P 500 Life & Health Insurance Index) TSR There is general alignment of CAP with Company TSR, as a significant portion of our PEO’s and non-PEO | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] | CAP vs. Net Income (Loss) The Company’s strategy is focused primarily on statutory results, and incentive compensation metrics do not include this GAAP metric. GAAP net income (loss) therefore will not necessarily align with CAP on a year-by-year | ||
| Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] | CAP vs. Net Cash Flow to the Holding Company Net Cash Flow to the Holding Company, which is one of the PSU metrics in our LTI program, is measured cumulatively over three years and therefore may not consistently align with CAP, which is measured on an annual basis. | ||
| Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] | CAP vs. Company TSR and Peer Group (S&P 500 Life & Health Insurance Index) TSR There is general alignment of CAP with Company TSR, as a significant portion of our PEO’s and non-PEO | ||
| Tabular List [Table Text Block] | Compensation Measures The following performance measures reflect the Company’s most important performance measures Compensation Discussion and Analysis . Most Important Performance Measures for 2022 Net Cash Flow to the Holding Company Life Sales Corporate Expenses Normalized Statutory Earnings Annuity Sales Statutory Expense Ratio | ||
| Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 130.69 | 132.04 | 92.29 |
| Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 136.53 | 123.73 | 90.52 |
| Net Income (Loss) | $ (99,000,000) | $ (197,000,000) | $ (1,105,000,000) |
| Company Selected Measure Amount | 38,000,000 | 594,000,000 | 1,309,000,000 |
| PEO Name | Eric Steigerwalt | ||
| Closing Price | $ 51.27 | $ 51.8 | $ 36.21 |
| Measure [Axis]: 1 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Net Cash Flow to the Holding Company | ||
| Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] | Represents net capital distributions from Brighthouse Financial’s operating companies. | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 2 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Life Sales | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 3 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Corporate Expenses | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 4 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Normalized Statutory Earnings | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 5 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Annuity Sales | ||
| Measure [Axis]: 6 | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Measure Name | Statutory Expense Ratio | ||
| PEO [Member] | Value of Equity Awards Reported in SCT [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ (5,999,954) | ||
| PEO [Member] | Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 3,533,169 | $ 5,508,515 | $ 5,403,762 |
| PEO [Member] | Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (114,658) | 3,578,668 | (538,831) |
| PEO [Member] | Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards That Vested this year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (447,134) | 516,606 | (155,629) |
| PEO [Member] | Equity Award Valuation Adjustments [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 2,971,377 | 9,603,789 | 4,709,303 |
| PEO [Member] | Value of Stock Awards Reported in SCT [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (4,902,429) | (4,902,445) | |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Value of Equity Awards Reported in SCT [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (1,434,952) | ||
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Fair Value of Current Year Equity Awards [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | 1,052,152 | 1,403,728 | 1,256,522 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards Unvested [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (23,125) | 756,543 | (98,413) |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Change in Value of Prior Year Equity Awards That Vested this year [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | (104,329) | 98,124 | (40,533) |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Equity Award Valuation Adjustments [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ 924,697 | 2,258,394 | 1,117,576 |
| Non-PEO NEO [Member] | Value of Stock Awards Reported in SCT [Member] | |||
| Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] | |||
| Adjustment to Compensation Amount | $ (1,228,712) | $ (1,153,707) | |
