<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:01a033ee-eeea-767a-b4b6-14d6336b007c,g:fba377bc-a201-4cde-b8c2-9aa28d37de8c-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DocumentandEntityInformation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityListingsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityListingsTable_01a033ee-f43b-72dc-a085-9c92b875bfde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityListingsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityListingsTable_01a033ee-f43b-72dc-a085-9c92b875bfde" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7841-9716-5e9add13531f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsTable_01a033ee-f43b-72dc-a085-9c92b875bfde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7841-9716-5e9add13531f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7841-9716-5e9add13531f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7841-9716-5e9add13531f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7841-9716-5e9add13531f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7841-9716-5e9add13531f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-a419-2506854f936e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-a419-2506854f936e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-70bc-b03c-b88a284c27b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-70bc-b03c-b88a284c27b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-73a9-9c3b-f6699d9d65a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-73a9-9c3b-f6699d9d65a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7261-9276-e2c1052c75e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7261-9276-e2c1052c75e5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-747d-875d-303571439972" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-747d-875d-303571439972" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedDebtMember_01a033ee-f43b-71fa-832e-8f89f6cc76a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7168-8955-a43d663f7d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_JuniorSubordinatedDebtMember_01a033ee-f43b-71fa-832e-8f89f6cc76a2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_01a033ee-f43b-776c-b69a-2668e1803b97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_01a033ee-f43b-776c-b69a-2668e1803b97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_01a033ee-f43b-7851-8220-0b731cd767d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_01a033ee-f43b-7851-8220-0b731cd767d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_01a033ee-f43b-788f-ae6e-6d833bf7d8a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_01a033ee-f43b-788f-ae6e-6d833bf7d8a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_01a033ee-f43b-743d-92e0-cba6ff9d690d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_01a033ee-f43b-743d-92e0-cba6ff9d690d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_01a033ee-f43b-789f-b99a-b9b752dd8ba8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_01a033ee-f43b-789f-b99a-b9b752dd8ba8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_01a033ee-f43b-7d57-885d-9954f74541a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_01a033ee-f43b-7d57-885d-9954f74541a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_01a033ee-f43b-7c81-8c98-4ce65d61e3b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_01a033ee-f43b-7c81-8c98-4ce65d61e3b6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_01a033ee-f43b-7e80-ba9a-21d4938e6047" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_01a033ee-f43b-7e80-ba9a-21d4938e6047" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_01a033ee-f43b-7ac8-94c7-1e7453adb5d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_01a033ee-f43b-7ac8-94c7-1e7453adb5d3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_01a033ee-f43b-7c96-ab6d-010bd8cd7edd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_01a033ee-f43b-7c96-ab6d-010bd8cd7edd" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_01a033ee-f43b-7eb9-8400-9985cc0711fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_01a033ee-f43b-7eb9-8400-9985cc0711fb" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_01a033ee-f43b-745a-af6f-b63cd6be2f62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_01a033ee-f43b-745a-af6f-b63cd6be2f62" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_01a033ee-f43b-7563-86e5-ff5163cc2fb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_01a033ee-f43b-7563-86e5-ff5163cc2fb5" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_01a033ee-f43b-7039-8a4c-1ef9ad5f590b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_01a033ee-f43b-7039-8a4c-1ef9ad5f590b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_01a033ee-f43b-71c5-8053-d86cdd038976" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_01a033ee-f43b-71c5-8053-d86cdd038976" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_01a033ee-f43b-7e85-b522-e2744c3e4d8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_01a033ee-f43b-7e85-b522-e2744c3e4d8c" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_01a033ee-f43b-7d57-a5fe-c2dcc43e48ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_01a033ee-f43b-7d57-a5fe-c2dcc43e48ef" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_01a033ee-f43b-77f7-b1fc-303597fdc49d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_01a033ee-f43b-77f7-b1fc-303597fdc49d" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_01a033ee-f43b-77d5-a27c-234ff07eafe3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_01a033ee-f43b-77d5-a27c-234ff07eafe3" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_01a033ee-f43b-7904-b65d-05548298f3dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_01a033ee-f43b-7904-b65d-05548298f3dc" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_01a033ee-f43b-75c4-88c3-5d66b30dfafd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_01a033ee-f43b-75c4-88c3-5d66b30dfafd" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_01a033ee-f43b-7f28-95ba-65119e9b7c8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_01a033ee-f43b-7f28-95ba-65119e9b7c8b" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_01a033ee-f43b-760c-a840-e8a012400ad8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_01a033ee-f43b-760c-a840-e8a012400ad8" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_01a033ee-f43b-7a9c-a255-44f45636577f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_01a033ee-f43b-7a9c-a255-44f45636577f" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_01a033ee-f43b-78a7-ad15-44bb4ebc3328" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_01a033ee-f43b-78a7-ad15-44bb4ebc3328" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_01a033ee-f43b-7da8-b276-7cc715b9c02c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_01a033ee-f43b-7da8-b276-7cc715b9c02c" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_01a033ee-f43b-7d2a-a7a3-7e21df5c46bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_01a033ee-f43b-7d2a-a7a3-7e21df5c46bb" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_01a033ee-f43b-749e-8d19-d499ddc574e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_01a033ee-f43b-749e-8d19-d499ddc574e0" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a033ee-f43b-7b09-b042-c05711d9cd05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityListingsLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-78d7-81a1-0737676e0a29" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a033ee-f43b-7b09-b042-c05711d9cd05" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a033ee-f43b-7b93-9954-01f350496330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a033ee-f43b-7b93-9954-01f350496330" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a25-8a15-cee54adab16f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a033ee-f43b-7b93-9954-01f350496330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a25-8a15-cee54adab16f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7a25-8a15-cee54adab16f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a25-8a15-cee54adab16f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7a25-8a15-cee54adab16f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a25-8a15-cee54adab16f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7709-942a-bec6a7a85ae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7709-942a-bec6a7a85ae6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7919-84a1-8918530aa73e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a033ee-f43b-7919-84a1-8918530aa73e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a033ee-f43b-7a8b-9bdc-f5ec924f3c1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a033ee-f43b-7a8b-9bdc-f5ec924f3c1e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a033ee-f43b-72f4-a53b-e00c18a71209" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a033ee-f43b-72f4-a53b-e00c18a71209" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_01a033ee-f43b-7aaf-b952-0eb7d6dea556" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_01a033ee-f43b-7aaf-b952-0eb7d6dea556" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a033ee-f43b-73ad-9d74-a284300fe3db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a033ee-f43b-73ad-9d74-a284300fe3db" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a033ee-f43b-7e72-9b1d-0bf539c1d969" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a033ee-f43b-7e72-9b1d-0bf539c1d969" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_01a033ee-f43b-744b-b0d2-1f820bfd41c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7195-a262-ebef2163b7cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_01a033ee-f43b-744b-b0d2-1f820bfd41c0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f43b-723e-972d-f4abefd43b8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f43b-723e-972d-f4abefd43b8c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a033ee-f43b-78e1-922e-04851aef1b86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a033ee-f43b-78e1-922e-04851aef1b86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_ShareBasedCompensationTransactionsIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43b-7a6f-bf3f-e061f864941c" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_ShareBasedCompensationTransactionsIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_bhf_ShareBasedCompensationTransactionsIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43b-7a6f-bf3f-e061f864941c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDividendsInExcessOfRetainedEarnings_01a033ee-f43b-7bc4-9a8f-3cada820b7ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDividendsInExcessOfRetainedEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalDividendsInExcessOfRetainedEarnings_01a033ee-f43b-7bc4-9a8f-3cada820b7ab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43b-7617-9631-484567b45631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestPeriodIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43b-7617-9631-484567b45631" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a033ee-f43b-7006-8318-de1a0dcdce00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a033ee-f43b-7006-8318-de1a0dcdce00" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01a033ee-f43b-7c74-a80b-f74ec16491bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7b58-911a-930826cd9257" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01a033ee-f43b-7c74-a80b-f74ec16491bd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f43b-7f62-9c2d-ba16747fe8b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/BusinessBasisofPresentationandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7f1c-aef2-b7c6cd441c5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a033ee-f43b-767d-aa35-0b3810cfbbfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7f1c-aef2-b7c6cd441c5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a033ee-f43b-767d-aa35-0b3810cfbbfc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72ea-9ec7-aec88e3d2b3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a033ee-f43b-767d-aa35-0b3810cfbbfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72ea-9ec7-aec88e3d2b3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a033ee-f43b-72ea-9ec7-aec88e3d2b3a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72ea-9ec7-aec88e3d2b3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a033ee-f43b-72ea-9ec7-aec88e3d2b3a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7524-ade0-10fc4e353e7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72ea-9ec7-aec88e3d2b3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7524-ade0-10fc4e353e7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AquarianHoldingsMember_01a033ee-f43b-7e7a-809d-96c7ecf1ed53" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AquarianHoldingsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7524-ade0-10fc4e353e7b" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AquarianHoldingsMember_01a033ee-f43b-7e7a-809d-96c7ecf1ed53" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_BusinessCombinationStockConversionPerShare_01a033ee-f43b-7305-9bbc-23e3a8c8d7fe" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_BusinessCombinationStockConversionPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7f1c-aef2-b7c6cd441c5e" xlink:to="loc_bhf_BusinessCombinationStockConversionPerShare_01a033ee-f43b-7305-9bbc-23e3a8c8d7fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationOperatingResultsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationOperatingResultsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationOperatingResultsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-76f1-b1f6-6bf3b27e70b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-76f1-b1f6-6bf3b27e70b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-78ab-8a73-0c7c664d32e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-76f1-b1f6-6bf3b27e70b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-78ab-8a73-0c7c664d32e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a033ee-f43b-78ab-8a73-0c7c664d32e8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-78ab-8a73-0c7c664d32e8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a033ee-f43b-78ab-8a73-0c7c664d32e8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7663-813d-d79a906dbf95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-78ab-8a73-0c7c664d32e8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7663-813d-d79a906dbf95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a033ee-f43b-7da2-9e6b-2ad492f0aaea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7663-813d-d79a906dbf95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a033ee-f43b-7da2-9e6b-2ad492f0aaea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_01a033ee-f43b-7161-b79b-0d6399c50bbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7663-813d-d79a906dbf95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_01a033ee-f43b-7161-b79b-0d6399c50bbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a7f-a57b-fbfcd0f7e05d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-76f1-b1f6-6bf3b27e70b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a7f-a57b-fbfcd0f7e05d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7a7f-a57b-fbfcd0f7e05d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a7f-a57b-fbfcd0f7e05d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7a7f-a57b-fbfcd0f7e05d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7300-ad3c-eb9e26e895a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7a7f-a57b-fbfcd0f7e05d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7300-ad3c-eb9e26e895a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7983-94f2-420c852a62a7" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AnnuitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7300-ad3c-eb9e26e895a1" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7983-94f2-420c852a62a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LifeMember_01a033ee-f43b-77e4-a61e-62ae2fee1790" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7300-ad3c-eb9e26e895a1" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LifeMember_01a033ee-f43b-77e4-a61e-62ae2fee1790" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RunoffMember_01a033ee-f43b-7146-8881-b00c6503feca" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RunoffMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7300-ad3c-eb9e26e895a1" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RunoffMember_01a033ee-f43b-7146-8881-b00c6503feca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_01a033ee-f43b-7137-b255-a4eee0a1adc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7300-ad3c-eb9e26e895a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_01a033ee-f43b-7137-b255-a4eee0a1adc1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a033ee-f43b-7d11-b244-dd660e7664bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a033ee-f43b-7d11-b244-dd660e7664bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RevenuesExcludedFromAdjustedEarnings_01a033ee-f43b-7885-8f9a-d25fd26cbeb9" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RevenuesExcludedFromAdjustedEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RevenuesExcludedFromAdjustedEarnings_01a033ee-f43b-7885-8f9a-d25fd26cbeb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet_01a033ee-f43b-7e95-b93c-b34f593f266e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet_01a033ee-f43b-7e95-b93c-b34f593f266e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances_01a033ee-f43b-7210-986d-483efbc7f879" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances_01a033ee-f43b-7210-986d-483efbc7f879" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitsAmortization1_01a033ee-f43b-7301-9c53-9de314698fdb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitsAmortization1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitsAmortization1_01a033ee-f43b-7301-9c53-9de314698fdb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_01a033ee-f43b-778a-b06d-c294843c66d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_01a033ee-f43b-778a-b06d-c294843c66d4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_01a033ee-f43b-7451-a68f-a92c0ccad7f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherExpenses_01a033ee-f43b-7451-a68f-a92c0ccad7f3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a033ee-f43b-7dd4-8e3f-fe4f740af6ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a033ee-f43b-7dd4-8e3f-fe4f740af6ac" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f43b-79cb-8e58-35f3a9670b3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f43b-79cb-8e58-35f3a9670b3b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_01a033ee-f43b-75ab-9365-51d87b983127" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_01a033ee-f43b-75ab-9365-51d87b983127" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_01a033ee-f43b-7468-b609-f4ac0f23b8e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_01a033ee-f43b-7468-b609-f4ac0f23b8e0" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_01a033ee-f43b-7a52-a401-3a3ac2c19ff4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_01a033ee-f43b-7a52-a401-3a3ac2c19ff4" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f43b-7504-a21f-c9456e287bf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f43b-7504-a21f-c9456e287bf3" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_01a033ee-f43b-7b4c-9ad1-1eacacd062d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_01a033ee-f43b-7b4c-9ad1-1eacacd062d8" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnOilAndGasHedgingActivity_01a033ee-f43b-7d5a-8219-a8205e28d00c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnOilAndGasHedgingActivity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_01a033ee-f43b-7b4c-9ad1-1eacacd062d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnOilAndGasHedgingActivity_01a033ee-f43b-7d5a-8219-a8205e28d00c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitChangeInFairValueGainLoss_01a033ee-f43b-7e60-b4d2-9364bd306b3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitChangeInFairValueGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitChangeInFairValueGainLoss_01a033ee-f43b-7e60-b4d2-9364bd306b3e" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_01a033ee-f43b-7f85-9bbb-49ece9251251" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_01a033ee-f43b-7f85-9bbb-49ece9251251" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRevenueExpenseNet_01a033ee-f43b-744d-9da8-bb817c729038" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRevenueExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7e93-b932-b5229bcc033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRevenueExpenseNet_01a033ee-f43b-744d-9da8-bb817c729038" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTotalAssetsbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationTotalAssetsbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationTotalAssetsbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7480-8a6e-0e95e2b4f9d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7872-b782-dfef82172ef9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7480-8a6e-0e95e2b4f9d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7872-b782-dfef82172ef9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7e14-a43e-93f34cc60282" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7872-b782-dfef82172ef9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7e14-a43e-93f34cc60282" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7e14-a43e-93f34cc60282_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7e14-a43e-93f34cc60282" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7e14-a43e-93f34cc60282_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-76b7-b618-163e01edc6cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7e14-a43e-93f34cc60282" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-76b7-b618-163e01edc6cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-78bb-b2f1-9fd1b301b4f2" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AnnuitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-76b7-b618-163e01edc6cd" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-78bb-b2f1-9fd1b301b4f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LifeMember_01a033ee-f43b-7198-beb0-3f75d62c7565" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-76b7-b618-163e01edc6cd" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LifeMember_01a033ee-f43b-7198-beb0-3f75d62c7565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RunoffMember_01a033ee-f43b-7199-ae7b-31f4e458c775" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RunoffMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-76b7-b618-163e01edc6cd" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RunoffMember_01a033ee-f43b-7199-ae7b-31f4e458c775" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_01a033ee-f43b-7311-bf2e-2563b613c141" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43b-76b7-b618-163e01edc6cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember_01a033ee-f43b-7311-bf2e-2563b613c141" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a033ee-f43b-7163-abc2-e8b0962979e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7480-8a6e-0e95e2b4f9d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a033ee-f43b-7163-abc2-e8b0962979e0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationPremiumsUniversalLifeandInvestmentTypeProductPolicyFeesandOtherRevenuesbyMajorProductGroupDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SegmentInformationPremiumsUniversalLifeandInvestmentTypeProductPolicyFeesandOtherRevenuesbyMajorProductGroupDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SegmentInformationPremiumsUniversalLifeandInvestmentTypeProductPolicyFeesandOtherRevenuesbyMajorProductGroupDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-75c0-8626-6fc50c2352a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7d30-b0ec-36e5e4b81cbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-75c0-8626-6fc50c2352a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7d30-b0ec-36e5e4b81cbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7fc6-ba08-7930f91ef6d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7d30-b0ec-36e5e4b81cbb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7fc6-ba08-7930f91ef6d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc6-ba08-7930f91ef6d3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7fc6-ba08-7930f91ef6d3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc6-ba08-7930f91ef6d3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7c77-ad23-28be3534927a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7fc6-ba08-7930f91ef6d3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7c77-ad23-28be3534927a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43b-774d-9de3-926a06ee0083" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7c77-ad23-28be3534927a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43b-774d-9de3-926a06ee0083" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43b-7472-af0d-20be0bd2d42b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7c77-ad23-28be3534927a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43b-7472-af0d-20be0bd2d42b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccidentAndHealthInsuranceSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43b-7e90-bfeb-2f1274cfe74c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccidentAndHealthInsuranceSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7c77-ad23-28be3534927a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccidentAndHealthInsuranceSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43b-7e90-bfeb-2f1274cfe74c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceServicesRevenue_01a033ee-f43b-75a3-a9e5-51f923f2c349" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceServicesRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-75c0-8626-6fc50c2352a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceServicesRevenue_01a033ee-f43b-75a3-a9e5-51f923f2c349" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsInformationbyProductDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsInformationbyProductDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsInformationbyProductDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7d79-9756-a0c78c37dc4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7cea-a44e-e36de8e2af42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7d79-9756-a0c78c37dc4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7cea-a44e-e36de8e2af42" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72fc-a655-673967de7807" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-7cea-a44e-e36de8e2af42" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72fc-a655-673967de7807" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-72fc-a655-673967de7807_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72fc-a655-673967de7807" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-72fc-a655-673967de7807_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-bee8-acc669d01d39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-72fc-a655-673967de7807" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-bee8-acc669d01d39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_TermWholeLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43b-7ad0-b139-55f8278cb154" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_TermWholeLifeInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-bee8-acc669d01d39" xlink:to="loc_bhf_TermWholeLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43b-7ad0-b139-55f8278cb154" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImmediateVariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7a70-a649-5d7f36f33d5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ImmediateVariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-bee8-acc669d01d39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImmediateVariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7a70-a649-5d7f36f33d5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_StructuredSettlementAndPensionRiskTransferAnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7d60-87ad-ccab53b607f6" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_StructuredSettlementAndPensionRiskTransferAnnuitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7f7a-bee8-acc669d01d39" xlink:to="loc_bhf_StructuredSettlementAndPensionRiskTransferAnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7d60-87ad-ccab53b607f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7d79-9756-a0c78c37dc4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange_01a033ee-f43b-7a69-af16-74b17929d0ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange_01a033ee-f43b-7a69-af16-74b17929d0ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7566-bcbd-cbca39db7234" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7566-bcbd-cbca39db7234" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromModelRefinements_01a033ee-f43b-75e4-87ca-2958f057229d" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromModelRefinements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromModelRefinements_01a033ee-f43b-75e4-87ca-2958f057229d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange_01a0a0fa-f397-724b-860e-82b77807fae8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange_01a0a0fa-f397-724b-860e-82b77807fae8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience_01a033ee-f43b-7dc5-8929-8ba55c679cb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience_01a033ee-f43b-7dc5-8929-8ba55c679cb8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange_01a033ee-f43b-77b1-8506-bde48b3b7adf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange_01a033ee-f43b-77b1-8506-bde48b3b7adf" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumIssuance_01a033ee-f43b-76be-9cde-f4f46dabbe2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumIssuance_01a033ee-f43b-76be-9cde-f4f46dabbe2c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumInterestIncome_01a033ee-f43b-74b8-b2fe-9e55092cfc32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumInterestIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumInterestIncome_01a033ee-f43b-74b8-b2fe-9e55092cfc32" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumNetPremiumCollected_01a033ee-f43b-78ff-ad87-306da2346f45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumNetPremiumCollected"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumNetPremiumCollected_01a033ee-f43b-78ff-ad87-306da2346f45" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43b-74f5-8f1b-040c95859a5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7172-8ecf-4ee0d2b3fcac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedNetPremiumBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43b-74f5-8f1b-040c95859a5f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7d79-9756-a0c78c37dc4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange_01a033ee-f43b-7637-8d13-27e067702c04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange_01a033ee-f43b-7637-8d13-27e067702c04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-762f-ae6c-d154f251134a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-762f-ae6c-d154f251134a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromModelRefinements_01a033ee-f43b-7db2-a1be-2280738855f6" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromModelRefinements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromModelRefinements_01a033ee-f43b-7db2-a1be-2280738855f6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange_01a0a0fb-3e89-72a8-b80e-50be263e2e32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange_01a0a0fb-3e89-72a8-b80e-50be263e2e32" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience_01a033ee-f43b-745a-a9d7-b03ea53062a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience_01a033ee-f43b-745a-a9d7-b03ea53062a7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureBenefitOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange_01a033ee-f43b-70b9-ba3b-2bf1342e5409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureBenefitOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureBenefitOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange_01a033ee-f43b-70b9-ba3b-2bf1342e5409" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitIssuance_01a033ee-f43b-77be-aefa-96ac11c8ccb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitIssuance_01a033ee-f43b-77be-aefa-96ac11c8ccb6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitInterestExpense_01a033ee-f43b-732e-ac07-a1357e2e7d86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitInterestExpense_01a033ee-f43b-732e-ac07-a1357e2e7d86" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsPaymentForBenefits_01a033ee-f43b-7f25-91b9-d363345e6612" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsPaymentForBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsPaymentForBenefits_01a033ee-f43b-7f25-91b9-d363345e6612" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43b-7c6d-9743-387fa8f5441d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43b-7c6d-9743-387fa8f5441d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits_01a033ee-f43b-7b71-9ca5-fea7ff9040dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits_01a033ee-f43b-7b71-9ca5-fea7ff9040dc" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance_01a033ee-f43b-764a-8b60-0e55416fe501" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance_01a033ee-f43b-764a-8b60-0e55416fe501" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitAfterReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-799a-9c5e-17f7f522f852" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitAfterReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitAfterReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-799a-9c5e-17f7f522f852" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitWeightedAverageDuration_01a033ee-f43b-775a-9d46-0d5be52ff74c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitWeightedAverageDuration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitWeightedAverageDuration_01a033ee-f43b-775a-9d46-0d5be52ff74c" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitWeightedAverageInterestAccretionRate_01a033ee-f43b-7a23-bf1a-0bc8b2228ece" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitWeightedAverageInterestAccretionRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitWeightedAverageInterestAccretionRate_01a033ee-f43b-7a23-bf1a-0bc8b2228ece" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitCurrentWeightedAverageDiscountRate_01a033ee-f43b-7e5c-9fd7-f6199514c23e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitCurrentWeightedAverageDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitCurrentWeightedAverageDiscountRate_01a033ee-f43b-7e5c-9fd7-f6199514c23e" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitGrossPremiumIncome_01a033ee-f43b-7afc-847b-b79933a501e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitGrossPremiumIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitGrossPremiumIncome_01a033ee-f43b-7afc-847b-b79933a501e4" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureGrossPremiumUndiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7582-b0d2-c5113c54ebf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureGrossPremiumUndiscountedBeforeReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureGrossPremiumUndiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7582-b0d2-c5113c54ebf0" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureGrossPremiumDiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-71e2-b273-d2d47f941669" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureGrossPremiumDiscountedBeforeReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFutureGrossPremiumDiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-71e2-b273-d2d47f941669" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitUndiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7164-b1ca-83789782aae5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitUndiscountedBeforeReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitUndiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7164-b1ca-83789782aae5" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitDiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-79fe-a414-ab7c22275566" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitDiscountedBeforeReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43b-7fa8-bdae-f5e51e9dd727" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitExpectedFuturePolicyBenefitDiscountedBeforeReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-79fe-a414-ab7c22275566" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsSOPDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsSOPDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsSOPDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43b-7f9a-8188-b08d7863a683" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43b-7f9a-8188-b08d7863a683" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7d62-aa96-23aecdc6ef5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43b-7f9a-8188-b08d7863a683" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7d62-aa96-23aecdc6ef5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7d62-aa96-23aecdc6ef5b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7d62-aa96-23aecdc6ef5b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7d62-aa96-23aecdc6ef5b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7ecf-a09e-841842e31291" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7d62-aa96-23aecdc6ef5b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7ecf-a09e-841842e31291" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7b47-aa6a-83d5f619df10" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7ecf-a09e-841842e31291" xlink:to="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7b47-aa6a-83d5f619df10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange_01a033ee-f43b-7280-b98d-f26ed6675162" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceBeforeReinsuranceAfterDiscountRateChange_01a033ee-f43b-7280-b98d-f26ed6675162" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7f7e-8d98-3a3b980a025a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceOriginalDiscountRateBeforeCashFlowAndReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7f7e-8d98-3a3b980a025a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange_01a0a0a0-b323-7ff9-b3cc-ddfb20f50834" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromCashFlowChange_01a0a0a0-b323-7ff9-b3cc-ddfb20f50834" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience_01a033ee-f43b-70a7-bc83-118fa684d68f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseOfActualVarianceFromExpectedExperience_01a033ee-f43b-70a7-bc83-118fa684d68f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange_01a033ee-f43b-707c-b13e-74a5f14932d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceOriginalDiscountRateBeforeReinsuranceAfterCashFlowChange_01a033ee-f43b-707c-b13e-74a5f14932d5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceInterestIncomeExpense_01a033ee-f43b-7cc1-be4f-2af9e203fe8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceInterestIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceInterestIncomeExpense_01a033ee-f43b-7cc1-be4f-2af9e203fe8b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceNetPremiumCollected_01a033ee-f43b-7a9b-9b06-cd62dae44cb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceNetPremiumCollected"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceNetPremiumCollected_01a033ee-f43b-7a9b-9b06-cd62dae44cb8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceBenefitPayment_01a033ee-f43b-74fe-99cd-1cd0fba6a93d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceBenefitPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceBenefitPayment_01a033ee-f43b-74fe-99cd-1cd0fba6a93d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43b-71ba-a5fa-8c51cbbc67f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43b-71ba-a5fa-8c51cbbc67f0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance_01a033ee-f43b-73bb-bcc3-42ec1eba7abe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance_01a033ee-f43b-73bb-bcc3-42ec1eba7abe" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceAfterReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7800-b8d2-bb14a3b9de8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceAfterReinsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceAfterReinsurance_01a033ee-f43b-7800-b8d2-bb14a3b9de8e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceWeightedAverageDuration_01a033ee-f43b-76e4-bf2a-b2f464956515" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceWeightedAverageDuration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceWeightedAverageDuration_01a033ee-f43b-76e4-bf2a-b2f464956515" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceWeightedAverageInterestAccretionRate_01a033ee-f43b-724c-939e-f1b62a7fd460" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceWeightedAverageInterestAccretionRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceWeightedAverageInterestAccretionRate_01a033ee-f43b-724c-939e-f1b62a7fd460" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceGrossPremiumIncome_01a033ee-f43b-7a44-b581-24a63ff955d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceGrossPremiumIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-70fc-bf0a-b21990973522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceGrossPremiumIncome_01a033ee-f43b-7a44-b581-24a63ff955d2" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesFuturePolicyBenefitsReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7627-9c5e-a00af1e4c2bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-756f-b22d-7b0b74c50d20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7627-9c5e-a00af1e4c2bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-756f-b22d-7b0b74c50d20" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7461-96a3-d49acd685872" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentTable_01a033ee-f43b-756f-b22d-7b0b74c50d20" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7461-96a3-d49acd685872" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7461-96a3-d49acd685872_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7461-96a3-d49acd685872" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7461-96a3-d49acd685872_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7461-96a3-d49acd685872" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NetLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsForNonparticipatingTraditionalLimitedPaymentContractsAndUniversalLifeTypeContractsWithSecondaryGuaranteesReportedInPrecedingTablesMember_01a033ee-f43b-71fa-a570-c538b69a27ae" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NetLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsForNonparticipatingTraditionalLimitedPaymentContractsAndUniversalLifeTypeContractsWithSecondaryGuaranteesReportedInPrecedingTablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NetLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsForNonparticipatingTraditionalLimitedPaymentContractsAndUniversalLifeTypeContractsWithSecondaryGuaranteesReportedInPrecedingTablesMember_01a033ee-f43b-71fa-a570-c538b69a27ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LongTermCareInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43b-7eae-b78c-edfc3d53c4d6" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LongTermCareInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LongTermCareInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43b-7eae-b78c-edfc3d53c4d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_ULSGLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLossesIncludingTheEffectsOfUnrealizedGainsAndLossesMember_01a033ee-f43b-730f-b27a-a8fd263da034" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_ULSGLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLossesIncludingTheEffectsOfUnrealizedGainsAndLossesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_ULSGLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLossesIncludingTheEffectsOfUnrealizedGainsAndLossesMember_01a033ee-f43b-730f-b27a-a8fd263da034" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingLifeInsurancePolicyMember_01a033ee-f43b-7f62-8db1-515ae1e6b292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParticipatingLifeInsurancePolicyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingLifeInsurancePolicyMember_01a033ee-f43b-7f62-8db1-515ae1e6b292" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DeferredProfitLiabilitiesRelatedToIncomeStructuredSettlementAndPensionTransferRiskAnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-78dd-b6d0-9f3c985a62c4" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DeferredProfitLiabilitiesRelatedToIncomeStructuredSettlementAndPensionTransferRiskAnnuitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DeferredProfitLiabilitiesRelatedToIncomeStructuredSettlementAndPensionTransferRiskAnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43b-78dd-b6d0-9f3c985a62c4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongdurationInsuranceProductLineMember_01a033ee-f43b-7eab-96a9-d2723d673d2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLongdurationInsuranceProductLineMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7fc2-a74d-3001ebc15ef9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongdurationInsuranceProductLineMember_01a033ee-f43b-7eab-96a9-d2723d673d2e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits_01a033ee-f43b-770b-aeb2-e4cac3bf5060" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7627-9c5e-a00af1e4c2bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits_01a033ee-f43b-770b-aeb2-e4cac3bf5060" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable_01a033ee-f43b-7ed9-a340-b0bdb271b934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable_01a033ee-f43b-7ed9-a340-b0bdb271b934" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7806-92f1-ddd7a08b3b52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable_01a033ee-f43b-7ed9-a340-b0bdb271b934" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7806-92f1-ddd7a08b3b52" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7806-92f1-ddd7a08b3b52_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7806-92f1-ddd7a08b3b52" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-7806-92f1-ddd7a08b3b52_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43b-7806-92f1-ddd7a08b3b52" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43b-73ff-8ddc-6d944da62d8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43b-73ff-8ddc-6d944da62d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7293-bd5d-ee7825f8e99a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7293-bd5d-ee7825f8e99a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7f43-b246-a41619945eb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7f43-b246-a41619945eb1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7102-ae74-8f3535a4e2bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43b-7102-ae74-8f3535a4e2bb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7488-a273-7702881ba4e0" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:to="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43b-7488-a273-7702881ba4e0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43b-7015-8fc5-3e49cb9990f1" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43b-741e-93f7-c092cb740f8f" xlink:to="loc_bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43b-7015-8fc5-3e49cb9990f1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43b-7007-88b3-6022f1442e15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43b-7007-88b3-6022f1442e15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalancePremiumReceived_01a033ee-f43b-775e-88a0-9bcbc00c9ff4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalancePremiumReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalancePremiumReceived_01a033ee-f43b-775e-88a0-9bcbc00c9ff4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceSurrenderAndWithdrawal_01a033ee-f43b-7d4f-ad9d-212a1fc42cfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceSurrenderAndWithdrawal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceSurrenderAndWithdrawal_01a033ee-f43b-7d4f-ad9d-212a1fc42cfe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceBenefitPayment_01a033ee-f43b-744d-88f0-f4a232603359" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceBenefitPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceBenefitPayment_01a033ee-f43b-744d-88f0-f4a232603359" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransferToFromPolicyholderAccountBalanceToFromSeparateAccount_01a033ee-f43b-7eaa-a97b-d86420f6eb1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransferToFromPolicyholderAccountBalanceToFromSeparateAccount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransferToFromPolicyholderAccountBalanceToFromSeparateAccount_01a033ee-f43b-7eaa-a97b-d86420f6eb1a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances_01a033ee-f43b-71f1-9db0-46bbc05ca4dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances_01a033ee-f43b-71f1-9db0-46bbc05ca4dc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalancePolicyCharge_01a033ee-f43b-7a18-a249-18bbe6b98638" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalancePolicyCharge"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalancePolicyCharge_01a033ee-f43b-7a18-a249-18bbe6b98638" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherChange_01a033ee-f43b-78c8-a7b3-f2c5039cdcf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherChange_01a033ee-f43b-78c8-a7b3-f2c5039cdcf6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43c-72cd-84a4-edf274c6a91d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceWeightedAverageCreditingRate_01a033ee-f43c-75a3-9aee-05229d10d214" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceWeightedAverageCreditingRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43b-7c25-bb55-491cba595f03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceWeightedAverageCreditingRate_01a033ee-f43c-75a3-9aee-05229d10d214" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesReconciliationofPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesReconciliationofPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesReconciliationofPolicyholderAccountBalancesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-777e-8914-cc0c516e1759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable_01a033ee-f43c-704b-b598-66b54889bc3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-777e-8914-cc0c516e1759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable_01a033ee-f43c-704b-b598-66b54889bc3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7972-9d90-a064686c3210" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceTable_01a033ee-f43c-704b-b598-66b54889bc3b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7972-9d90-a064686c3210" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7972-9d90-a064686c3210_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7972-9d90-a064686c3210" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7972-9d90-a064686c3210_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d57-8b17-9e9dacf27283" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7972-9d90-a064686c3210" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d57-8b17-9e9dacf27283" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RollforwardsTotalMember_01a033ee-f43c-7d5a-b5c9-5998af4ef93d" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RollforwardsTotalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d57-8b17-9e9dacf27283" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RollforwardsTotalMember_01a033ee-f43c-7d5a-b5c9-5998af4ef93d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_InstitutionalSpreadMarginMember_01a033ee-f43c-73f0-8faa-f2a413298fa1" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_InstitutionalSpreadMarginMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d57-8b17-9e9dacf27283" xlink:to="loc_bhf_InstitutionalSpreadMarginMember_01a033ee-f43c-73f0-8faa-f2a413298fa1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_InstitutionalGroupAnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-77e3-b11d-150c67c603e2" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_InstitutionalGroupAnnuitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d57-8b17-9e9dacf27283" xlink:to="loc_bhf_InstitutionalGroupAnnuitiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-77e3-b11d-150c67c603e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-77ea-90e8-c3ce11430ae7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d57-8b17-9e9dacf27283" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-77ea-90e8-c3ce11430ae7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43c-792b-98e4-9c7bbc886f74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-777e-8914-cc0c516e1759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43c-792b-98e4-9c7bbc886f74" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesBalanceofAccountValuesbyrangeofguaranteedminimumcreditingratesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesBalanceofAccountValuesbyrangeofguaranteedminimumcreditingratesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesBalanceofAccountValuesbyrangeofguaranteedminimumcreditingratesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76c8-b28e-6cf75dd865de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable_01a033ee-f43c-7e41-a069-e0a67af572c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76c8-b28e-6cf75dd865de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable_01a033ee-f43c-7e41-a069-e0a67af572c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77f5-be02-93724283aa68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable_01a033ee-f43c-7e41-a069-e0a67af572c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77f5-be02-93724283aa68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-77f5-be02-93724283aa68_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77f5-be02-93724283aa68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-77f5-be02-93724283aa68_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7229-8a24-17a47e418ef4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77f5-be02-93724283aa68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7229-8a24-17a47e418ef4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAtGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a53-bd2e-ccb43c5ed348" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAtGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7229-8a24-17a47e418ef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAtGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a53-bd2e-ccb43c5ed348" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0001To0050Member_01a033ee-f43c-7e48-8f74-95a5ee4e7aa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0001To0050Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7229-8a24-17a47e418ef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0001To0050Member_01a033ee-f43c-7e48-8f74-95a5ee4e7aa1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0051To0150Member_01a033ee-f43c-7e01-b3f7-66ed569b499f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0051To0150Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7229-8a24-17a47e418ef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0051To0150Member_01a033ee-f43c-7e01-b3f7-66ed569b499f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0151AndGreaterMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f9e-834e-c0d4839d4827" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0151AndGreaterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7229-8a24-17a47e418ef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceAboveGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0151AndGreaterMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f9e-834e-c0d4839d4827" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-bb30-2d159cbf8be6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable_01a033ee-f43c-7e41-a069-e0a67af572c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-bb30-2d159cbf8be6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-bb30-2d159cbf8be6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-bb30-2d159cbf8be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-bb30-2d159cbf8be6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-a865-af40ee447ee3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-bb30-2d159cbf8be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-a865-af40ee447ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeLessThan0200Member_01a033ee-f43c-7715-b1c4-b5e26fe8bcd4" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeLessThan0200Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-a865-af40ee447ee3" xlink:to="loc_bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeLessThan0200Member_01a033ee-f43c-7715-b1c4-b5e26fe8bcd4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0200To0399Member_01a033ee-f43c-70be-b1c3-519c604fd80a" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0200To0399Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-a865-af40ee447ee3" xlink:to="loc_bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0200To0399Member_01a033ee-f43c-70be-b1c3-519c604fd80a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0400AndGreaterMember_01a033ee-f43c-78de-9571-ec3827f786af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0400AndGreaterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-a865-af40ee447ee3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateRangeFrom0400AndGreaterMember_01a033ee-f43c-78de-9571-ec3827f786af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7714-a839-809a2843ee7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable_01a033ee-f43c-7e41-a069-e0a67af572c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7714-a839-809a2843ee7f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7714-a839-809a2843ee7f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7714-a839-809a2843ee7f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7714-a839-809a2843ee7f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cb4-973c-be213aa1bcf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7714-a839-809a2843ee7f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cb4-973c-be213aa1bcf7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-74ca-af53-c9285307d1c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cb4-973c-be213aa1bcf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-74ca-af53-c9285307d1c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7fae-b9ec-f115185fbab1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cb4-973c-be213aa1bcf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7fae-b9ec-f115185fbab1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43c-739e-9c5c-ec536afb4506" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cb4-973c-be213aa1bcf7" xlink:to="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43c-739e-9c5c-ec536afb4506" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-a29f-274ee5314ee2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateTable_01a033ee-f43c-7e41-a069-e0a67af572c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-a29f-274ee5314ee2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-a29f-274ee5314ee2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-a29f-274ee5314ee2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-a29f-274ee5314ee2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-70c2-8eab-9ca0c20c05d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-70ea-a29f-274ee5314ee2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-70c2-8eab-9ca0c20c05d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a29-8e9a-6b45aa523e3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-70c2-8eab-9ca0c20c05d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a29-8e9a-6b45aa523e3d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f7f-bb05-8c89d832b4aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-70c2-8eab-9ca0c20c05d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f7f-bb05-8c89d832b4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalancesGrossOfPolicyLoansAndExcludesExcessingInterestReserves_01a033ee-f43c-7569-9203-a7e35a7bb5ad" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalancesGrossOfPolicyLoansAndExcludesExcessingInterestReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76c8-b28e-6cf75dd865de" xlink:to="loc_bhf_PolicyholderAccountBalancesGrossOfPolicyLoansAndExcludesExcessingInterestReserves_01a033ee-f43c-7569-9203-a7e35a7bb5ad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditRating_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-a888-4354df207575" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditRating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditingRateLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76c8-b28e-6cf75dd865de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderAccountBalanceGuaranteedMinimumCreditRating_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-a888-4354df207575" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesLiabilityforFuturePolicyBenefitsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InsuranceLiabilitiesLiabilityforFuturePolicyBenefitsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InsuranceLiabilitiesLiabilityforFuturePolicyBenefitsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7d6b-ad7d-52eda57a23f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7d6b-ad7d-52eda57a23f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7864-a8ee-140ca8066771" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7d6b-ad7d-52eda57a23f3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7864-a8ee-140ca8066771" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7864-a8ee-140ca8066771_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7864-a8ee-140ca8066771" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7864-a8ee-140ca8066771_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b8b-8188-9ffcb888da08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7864-a8ee-140ca8066771" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b8b-8188-9ffcb888da08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_ULSGLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLossesIncludingTheEffectsOfUnrealizedGainsAndLossesMember_01a0a104-789e-7806-94fe-a14b360f5eed" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_ULSGLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLossesIncludingTheEffectsOfUnrealizedGainsAndLossesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b8b-8188-9ffcb888da08" xlink:to="loc_bhf_ULSGLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLossesIncludingTheEffectsOfUnrealizedGainsAndLossesMember_01a0a104-789e-7806-94fe-a14b360f5eed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingLifeInsurancePolicyMember_01a033ee-f43c-7ca4-a59e-7f7cb0a70c39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParticipatingLifeInsurancePolicyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b8b-8188-9ffcb888da08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingLifeInsurancePolicyMember_01a033ee-f43c-7ca4-a59e-7f7cb0a70c39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7bc4-8258-d90f672fa62f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceActivityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7d6b-ad7d-52eda57a23f3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7bc4-8258-d90f672fa62f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7bc4-8258-d90f672fa62f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7bc4-8258-d90f672fa62f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7bc4-8258-d90f672fa62f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7b3c-b32a-88f18cba4a0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7bc4-8258-d90f672fa62f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7b3c-b32a-88f18cba4a0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f36-a2fb-98e302d82089" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7b3c-b32a-88f18cba4a0c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f36-a2fb-98e302d82089" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f43c-78c6-8f59-876bd1b1b8c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7b3c-b32a-88f18cba4a0c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f43c-78c6-8f59-876bd1b1b8c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_MeanReversionRate_01a0a100-206d-73af-a81b-729db473e463" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_MeanReversionRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:to="loc_bhf_MeanReversionRate_01a0a100-206d-73af-a81b-729db473e463" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_EffectOfChangesInAssumptionsForULSGLiabilitiesIncludingTheLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLosses_01a0a104-789e-7b89-80f0-b3b2b568bec4" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_EffectOfChangesInAssumptionsForULSGLiabilitiesIncludingTheLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:to="loc_bhf_EffectOfChangesInAssumptionsForULSGLiabilitiesIncludingTheLiabilityForProfitsFollowedByLosses_01a0a104-789e-7b89-80f0-b3b2b568bec4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsInterestRate_01a033ee-f43c-7ac2-bb02-b1b2e9dc26c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsInterestRate_01a033ee-f43c-7ac2-bb02-b1b2e9dc26c8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingPoliciesAsPercentageOfGrossInsuranceInForce_01a033ee-f43c-7616-9722-d530c594dfec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParticipatingPoliciesAsPercentageOfGrossInsuranceInForce"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingPoliciesAsPercentageOfGrossInsuranceInForce_01a033ee-f43c-7616-9722-d530c594dfec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingPolicyPercentageOfPremiumIncome_01a033ee-f43c-7368-ac50-0408fca97297" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParticipatingPolicyPercentageOfPremiumIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalLiabilityLongDurationInsuranceLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7b94-b2c4-2651a3221bc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParticipatingPolicyPercentageOfPremiumIncome_01a033ee-f43c-7368-ac50-0408fca97297" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/MarketRiskBenefitsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#MarketRiskBenefitsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/MarketRiskBenefitsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76fe-b1d2-a8a3bf21598c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitTable_01a033ee-f43c-7647-af44-1e4f21c504bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76fe-b1d2-a8a3bf21598c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitTable_01a033ee-f43c-7647-af44-1e4f21c504bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7567-848c-cf52071c49fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitTable_01a033ee-f43c-7647-af44-1e4f21c504bb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7567-848c-cf52071c49fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7567-848c-cf52071c49fa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7567-848c-cf52071c49fa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7567-848c-cf52071c49fa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7560-b8b8-cae634b82214" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7567-848c-cf52071c49fa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7560-b8b8-cae634b82214" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7ff4-954f-87a576e75dc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7560-b8b8-cae634b82214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7ff4-954f-87a576e75dc2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7338-a522-6eeab3f45d25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7560-b8b8-cae634b82214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7338-a522-6eeab3f45d25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-76fe-b1d2-a8a3bf21598c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRisk_01a033ee-f43c-7345-894e-5bce278f582c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRisk"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRisk_01a033ee-f43c-7345-894e-5bce278f582c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange_01a033ee-f43c-75da-9ed7-357b2b5b8deb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange_01a033ee-f43c-75da-9ed7-357b2b5b8deb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_MarketRiskBenefitDecrementsIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43c-7951-ab71-4dfc83beb8b8" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_MarketRiskBenefitDecrementsIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_bhf_MarketRiskBenefitDecrementsIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43c-7951-ab71-4dfc83beb8b8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromFutureExpectedPolicyholderBehaviorAssumption_01a0a149-9e98-78c6-bbef-6cec904a2993" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromFutureExpectedPolicyholderBehaviorAssumption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromFutureExpectedPolicyholderBehaviorAssumption_01a0a149-9e98-78c6-bbef-6cec904a2993" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromActualPolicyholderBehaviorDifferentFromExpected_01a033ee-f43c-795f-b0f7-6c0524668b8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromActualPolicyholderBehaviorDifferentFromExpected"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromActualPolicyholderBehaviorDifferentFromExpected_01a033ee-f43c-795f-b0f7-6c0524668b8f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromInterestRateChange_01a033ee-f43c-7842-8486-3526a3a51b74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromInterestRateChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromInterestRateChange_01a033ee-f43c-7842-8486-3526a3a51b74" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromEquityMarketChange_01a033ee-f43c-78db-be30-5671f8dcf53e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromEquityMarketChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromEquityMarketChange_01a033ee-f43c-78db-be30-5671f8dcf53e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromVolatility_01a033ee-f43c-7a8a-987b-0b6612978c8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromVolatility"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromVolatility_01a033ee-f43c-7a8a-987b-0b6612978c8d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIssuance_01a033ee-f43c-7eca-b4c0-b94dd4642d1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIssuance_01a033ee-f43c-7eca-b4c0-b94dd4642d1e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_MarketRiskBenefitEffectOfChangesInRiskMargin_01a033ee-f43c-7a0f-bd1b-d1d8f697684f" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_MarketRiskBenefitEffectOfChangesInRiskMargin"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_bhf_MarketRiskBenefitEffectOfChangesInRiskMargin_01a033ee-f43c-7a0f-bd1b-d1d8f697684f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherAssumption_01a033ee-f43c-7c75-9386-0c100957e20f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherAssumption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherAssumption_01a033ee-f43c-7c75-9386-0c100957e20f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange_01a033ee-f43c-716d-9a5d-d0e4420dae17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitBeforeReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociMarketRiskBenefitInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43c-704f-a724-119d682fb1f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociMarketRiskBenefitInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociMarketRiskBenefitInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43c-704f-a724-119d682fb1f8" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRisk_01a033ee-f43c-7bbb-a3bd-402f1d696693" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRisk"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance_01a033ee-f43c-735e-9784-daeb07e3cde6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitReinsuranceRecoverableAfterAllowance_01a033ee-f43c-735e-9784-daeb07e3cde6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange_01a033ee-f43c-73ad-8eb2-8aa4aa639545" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAfterReinsuranceAndCumulativeIncreaseDecreaseFromInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskChange_01a033ee-f43c-73ad-8eb2-8aa4aa639545" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_MarketRiskBenefitWeightedAverageAttainedAgeOfContractHolder_01a033ee-f43c-7356-9609-3c138ba6bddf" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_MarketRiskBenefitWeightedAverageAttainedAgeOfContractHolder"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-7f34-8e0e-99ad578ae409" xlink:to="loc_bhf_MarketRiskBenefitWeightedAverageAttainedAgeOfContractHolder_01a033ee-f43c-7356-9609-3c138ba6bddf" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SeparateAccountsSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7bf8-8d45-fa38f81c9fb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7bf8-8d45-fa38f81c9fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7b35-ba9a-4cdda8df4c9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7bf8-8d45-fa38f81c9fb7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7b35-ba9a-4cdda8df4c9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b35-ba9a-4cdda8df4c9f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7b35-ba9a-4cdda8df4c9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7b35-ba9a-4cdda8df4c9f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7089-a788-bdf61ac7591b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7b35-ba9a-4cdda8df4c9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7089-a788-bdf61ac7591b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7983-8f1f-e543ec2eca64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7089-a788-bdf61ac7591b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7983-8f1f-e543ec2eca64" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableUniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-a3d4-43d18e637d0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableUniversalLifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7089-a788-bdf61ac7591b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableUniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-a3d4-43d18e637d0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43c-7787-8560-9a1ec4b63cf3" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7089-a788-bdf61ac7591b" xlink:to="loc_bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43c-7787-8560-9a1ec4b63cf3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-7e55-9d11-41292abae2af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-7e55-9d11-41292abae2af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityPremiumAndDeposit_01a033ee-f43c-77c1-92fc-ac91a48adc18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityPremiumAndDeposit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityPremiumAndDeposit_01a033ee-f43c-77c1-92fc-ac91a48adc18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilitySurrenderAndWithdrawal_01a033ee-f43c-771a-ab70-9135dfaf18ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilitySurrenderAndWithdrawal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilitySurrenderAndWithdrawal_01a033ee-f43c-771a-ab70-9135dfaf18ed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityBenefitPayment_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-9272-f0e5e59f63d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityBenefitPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityBenefitPayment_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-9272-f0e5e59f63d7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityIncreaseDecreaseFromInvestedPerformance_01a033ee-f43c-7ee7-bf7c-22f2095f4479" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityIncreaseDecreaseFromInvestedPerformance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityIncreaseDecreaseFromInvestedPerformance_01a033ee-f43c-7ee7-bf7c-22f2095f4479" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityPolicyCharge_01a033ee-f43c-7d43-bba2-c9cfbafea33a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityPolicyCharge"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityPolicyCharge_01a033ee-f43c-7d43-bba2-c9cfbafea33a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransferToFromPolicyholderAccountBalanceToFromSeparateAccount_01a033ee-f43c-70c3-b1fc-feb8d385dbd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransferToFromPolicyholderAccountBalanceToFromSeparateAccount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransferToFromPolicyholderAccountBalanceToFromSeparateAccount_01a033ee-f43c-70c3-b1fc-feb8d385dbd5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherChange_01a033ee-f43c-74e7-b9bc-5b2c26902691" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherChange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d46-b8b0-e53cdbb50605" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityIncreaseDecreaseFromOtherChange_01a033ee-f43c-74e7-b9bc-5b2c26902691" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-7be7-9a87-2e3483f1ac9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsReconciliationofSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SeparateAccountsReconciliationofSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsReconciliationofSeparateAccountLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7026-b714-ee534502629d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7a-8ab7-b64eb4d7cd32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7026-b714-ee534502629d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7a-8ab7-b64eb4d7cd32" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-746b-abcb-3e46597ae2a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7a-8ab7-b64eb4d7cd32" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-746b-abcb-3e46597ae2a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746b-abcb-3e46597ae2a0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-746b-abcb-3e46597ae2a0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746b-abcb-3e46597ae2a0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7c2d-b827-50ec88a79900" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-746b-abcb-3e46597ae2a0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7c2d-b827-50ec88a79900" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RollforwardsTotalMember_01a033ee-f43c-7430-a975-3b6fdeb82655" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RollforwardsTotalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7c2d-b827-50ec88a79900" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RollforwardsTotalMember_01a033ee-f43c-7430-a975-3b6fdeb82655" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-7f2d-abbe-e3e6f23df4ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7026-b714-ee534502629d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-7f2d-abbe-e3e6f23df4ba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_VariableIncomeAnnuities_01a033ee-f43c-7f00-9f02-3362ab519bbb" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_VariableIncomeAnnuities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7026-b714-ee534502629d" xlink:to="loc_bhf_VariableIncomeAnnuities_01a033ee-f43c-7f00-9f02-3362ab519bbb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_PensionRiskTransferAnnuities_01a033ee-f43c-7661-ac4c-0f5c2f39d670" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_PensionRiskTransferAnnuities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7026-b714-ee534502629d" xlink:to="loc_bhf_PensionRiskTransferAnnuities_01a033ee-f43c-7661-ac4c-0f5c2f39d670" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsAggregateFVofAssetsSupportingSeparateAccountsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SeparateAccountsAggregateFVofAssetsSupportingSeparateAccountsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsAggregateFVofAssetsSupportingSeparateAccountsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-752d-96a3-e0497d4d9e99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7ab8-a11f-18ebeba0b810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-752d-96a3-e0497d4d9e99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7ab8-a11f-18ebeba0b810" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7316-bd4d-8240b1180c84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7ab8-a11f-18ebeba0b810" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7316-bd4d-8240b1180c84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7316-bd4d-8240b1180c84_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7316-bd4d-8240b1180c84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7316-bd4d-8240b1180c84_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7bdb-a747-93d928d6948f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7316-bd4d-8240b1180c84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7bdb-a747-93d928d6948f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountEquitySecurityMember_01a033ee-f43c-74aa-8a4d-caa4284d5223" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountEquitySecurityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7bdb-a747-93d928d6948f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountEquitySecurityMember_01a033ee-f43c-74aa-8a4d-caa4284d5223" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountDebtSecurityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7214-b921-52c36d07888b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountDebtSecurityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7bdb-a747-93d928d6948f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountDebtSecurityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7214-b921-52c36d07888b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f7c-a079-18772d839f50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssetCategoryDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7bdb-a747-93d928d6948f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f7c-a079-18772d839f50" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a10d84-edc2-73c5-9fbd-f594f324c72b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityTable_01a033ee-f43c-7ab8-a11f-18ebeba0b810" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a10d84-edc2-73c5-9fbd-f594f324c72b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a10d84-edc2-73c5-9fbd-f594f324c72b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a10d84-edc2-73c5-9fbd-f594f324c72b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a10d84-edc2-73c5-9fbd-f594f324c72b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a10d84-edc2-7a48-aa95-e7c3c986d150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a10d84-edc2-73c5-9fbd-f594f324c72b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a10d84-edc2-7a48-aa95-e7c3c986d150" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember_01a10d84-edc2-7f68-b66a-3d7a06293b80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a10d84-edc2-7a48-aa95-e7c3c986d150" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember_01a10d84-edc2-7f68-b66a-3d7a06293b80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets_01a033ee-f43c-77da-ab5b-1ad4e214c2d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountLiabilityLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-752d-96a3-e0497d4d9e99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets_01a033ee-f43c-77da-ab5b-1ad4e214c2d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsNetAmountatRiskandCashSurrenderValuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#SeparateAccountsNetAmountatRiskandCashSurrenderValuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/SeparateAccountsNetAmountatRiskandCashSurrenderValuesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeTable_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-9949-38e116fbaf80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeTable_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-9949-38e116fbaf80" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7348-ae08-3573398eebe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeTable_01a033ee-f43c-7b4f-9949-38e116fbaf80" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7348-ae08-3573398eebe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7348-ae08-3573398eebe1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7348-ae08-3573398eebe1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7348-ae08-3573398eebe1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7348-ae08-3573398eebe1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c49-a253-81f9cc4197c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c49-a253-81f9cc4197c0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7e4c-97be-f5ccde5f6f7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7e4c-97be-f5ccde5f6f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-709f-ad03-e585665cbf0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-709f-ad03-e585665cbf0e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7541-aaa5-e300adfc202c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7541-aaa5-e300adfc202c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43c-702a-9cd7-49649c6ad7b4" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43c-702a-9cd7-49649c6ad7b4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43c-732b-b755-d23a11606857" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ce7-b6c6-afea227038e9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_CompanyOwnedLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43c-732b-b755-d23a11606857" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43c-732e-9a6c-e332f2da097a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds_01a033ee-f43c-732e-9a6c-e332f2da097a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-70c8-9567-78860cba4468" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f43c-70c8-9567-78860cba4468" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_TotalAccountBalances_01a033ee-f43c-7650-a682-02d81bfc8244" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_TotalAccountBalances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:to="loc_bhf_TotalAccountBalances_01a033ee-f43c-7650-a682-02d81bfc8244" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NetAmountAtRisk_01a033ee-f43c-7bda-a405-036a9f0014a9" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NetAmountAtRisk"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NetAmountAtRisk_01a033ee-f43c-7bda-a405-036a9f0014a9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_CashSurrenderValue_01a033ee-f43c-7d62-a973-ba2754df829e" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_CashSurrenderValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d9b-94ac-d84fdc5840d5" xlink:to="loc_bhf_CashSurrenderValue_01a033ee-f43c-7d62-a973-ba2754df829e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDACandVOBADetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDACandVOBADetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDACandVOBADetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43c-7136-a00e-ccdb92045534" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43c-7136-a00e-ccdb92045534" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-75a6-a140-32749ce5e062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a033ee-f43c-7136-a00e-ccdb92045534" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-75a6-a140-32749ce5e062" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75a6-a140-32749ce5e062_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-75a6-a140-32749ce5e062" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75a6-a140-32749ce5e062_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-75a6-a140-32749ce5e062" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7026-8827-f9e82f152af5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7026-8827-f9e82f152af5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-731d-b071-a321f30dc167" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-731d-b071-a321f30dc167" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-76a0-84d1-667c5907c9f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndexedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-76a0-84d1-667c5907c9f5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_TermWholeLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43c-7301-ba7e-de746f9ff669" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_TermWholeLifeInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:to="loc_bhf_TermWholeLifeInsuranceMember_01a033ee-f43c-7301-ba7e-de746f9ff669" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-751d-864e-9a54a2d375d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75b7-b56d-c24f953750dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-751d-864e-9a54a2d375d0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_01a033ee-f43c-747a-bef9-e9e20a4de512" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_01a033ee-f43c-747a-bef9-e9e20a4de512" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions_01a033ee-f43c-7345-a0db-99fa6dc8998b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions_01a033ee-f43c-7345-a0db-99fa6dc8998b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense_01a033ee-f43c-73ac-b590-36f4e4bf4866" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense_01a033ee-f43c-73ac-b590-36f4e4bf4866" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_01a033ee-f43c-78df-b721-2d4701974151" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValueOfBusinessAcquiredVOBA_01a033ee-f43c-7ac2-b7dc-30e6e1f862f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ValueOfBusinessAcquiredVOBA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValueOfBusinessAcquiredVOBA_01a033ee-f43c-7ac2-b7dc-30e6e1f862f3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpense1_01a033ee-f43c-7556-9900-f03735965138" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpense1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpense1_01a033ee-f43c-7556-9900-f03735965138" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValueOfBusinessAcquiredVOBA_01a033ee-f43c-7267-9e50-20526e8ad4b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ValueOfBusinessAcquiredVOBA"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired_01a033ee-f43c-7a0c-9c8b-3e22ae81b8d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAndPresentValueOfFutureProfitLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e27-807f-41b674be3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired_01a033ee-f43c-7a0c-9c8b-3e22ae81b8d3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDSIDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDSIDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesInformationRegardingDSIDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7330-a5c8-765d6024f738" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostTable_01a033ee-f43c-70c1-b371-b52dd8e3d177" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7330-a5c8-765d6024f738" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostTable_01a033ee-f43c-70c1-b371-b52dd8e3d177" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cca-b822-9d9ffd47ca89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostTable_01a033ee-f43c-70c1-b371-b52dd8e3d177" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cca-b822-9d9ffd47ca89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cca-b822-9d9ffd47ca89_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cca-b822-9d9ffd47ca89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cca-b822-9d9ffd47ca89_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7746-9f9b-ef5475dca972" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cca-b822-9d9ffd47ca89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7746-9f9b-ef5475dca972" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c63-9779-b6cf64a09c95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7746-9f9b-ef5475dca972" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c63-9779-b6cf64a09c95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-736c-bef1-9004aaafefaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7746-9f9b-ef5475dca972" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-736c-bef1-9004aaafefaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet_01a033ee-f43c-7b88-9af9-cd6e9a480c2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7330-a5c8-765d6024f738" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet_01a033ee-f43c-7b88-9af9-cd6e9a480c2f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpense_01a033ee-f43c-78c2-ba41-0020c77da4d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSaleInducementCostLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7330-a5c8-765d6024f738" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpense_01a033ee-f43c-78c2-ba41-0020c77da4d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet_01a033ee-f43c-738f-be13-01e0d100f0db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesUnearnedRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesUnearnedRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsValueofBusinessAcquiredandOtherIntangiblesUnearnedRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e6b-9d0d-543a150c0510" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable_01a033ee-f43c-7655-be17-9f5424c18dd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e6b-9d0d-543a150c0510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable_01a033ee-f43c-7655-be17-9f5424c18dd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77ef-8635-e9dd0d788ea4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementByTypeTable_01a033ee-f43c-7655-be17-9f5424c18dd2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77ef-8635-e9dd0d788ea4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-77ef-8635-e9dd0d788ea4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77ef-8635-e9dd0d788ea4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-77ef-8635-e9dd0d788ea4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72a6-b57d-e6b29b68df8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f43c-77ef-8635-e9dd0d788ea4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72a6-b57d-e6b29b68df8d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7425-9c6d-ed6a2d4fabcd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72a6-b57d-e6b29b68df8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember_01a033ee-f43c-7425-9c6d-ed6a2d4fabcd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43c-74e9-bcac-65918e01553e" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72a6-b57d-e6b29b68df8d" xlink:to="loc_bhf_UniversalLifeInsuranceWithSecondaryGuaranteesMember_01a033ee-f43c-74e9-bcac-65918e01553e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7500-af80-d65e9b5fe68b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72a6-b57d-e6b29b68df8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember_01a033ee-f43c-7500-af80-d65e9b5fe68b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums_01a033ee-f43c-74ca-b5aa-46e8cfc4e9eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e6b-9d0d-543a150c0510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums_01a033ee-f43c-74ca-b5aa-46e8cfc4e9eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DeferredRevenueCapitalization_01a033ee-f43c-7ac8-b3b1-c0599fbf8566" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DeferredRevenueCapitalization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e6b-9d0d-543a150c0510" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DeferredRevenueCapitalization_01a033ee-f43c-7ac8-b3b1-c0599fbf8566" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DeferredRevenueAmortizationExpense_01a033ee-f43c-7327-8a97-a6c0ebef8c1f" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DeferredRevenueAmortizationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueArrangementLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7e6b-9d0d-543a150c0510" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DeferredRevenueAmortizationExpense_01a033ee-f43c-7327-8a97-a6c0ebef8c1f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums_01a033ee-f43c-7153-b7b0-3340a6389371" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-76a7-ac89-6329b6f51339" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-76a7-ac89-6329b6f51339" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-729b-b8c4-d7c7a44fec98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-76a7-ac89-6329b6f51339" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-729b-b8c4-d7c7a44fec98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-729b-b8c4-d7c7a44fec98_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-729b-b8c4-d7c7a44fec98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-729b-b8c4-d7c7a44fec98_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-729b-b8c4-d7c7a44fec98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f79-9806-9f2be1850c6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f79-9806-9f2be1850c6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c33-9134-b10ebd129a86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c33-9134-b10ebd129a86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-73ed-9cc6-c570d539bbd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-73ed-9cc6-c570d539bbd4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-76f3-9b39-253a1b5d0909" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-76f3-9b39-253a1b5d0909" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7d90-b2b3-94dad27c01c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7d90-b2b3-94dad27c01c5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a5f-9b09-64e625ce62c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a5f-9b09-64e625ce62c8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_01a033ee-f43c-737e-97c0-76cf68fa0b85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_01a033ee-f43c-737e-97c0-76cf68fa0b85" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7d5f-8bc0-8389f3148171" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7157-8e0b-c8946db0eaac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7d5f-8bc0-8389f3148171" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_01a033ee-f43c-79bf-85f6-e6516621d485" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_01a033ee-f43c-79bf-85f6-e6516621d485" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f43c-79ab-8991-5e3134d76f16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f43c-79ab-8991-5e3134d76f16" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43c-7dd0-9962-ab8d229aa29c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43c-7dd0-9962-ab8d229aa29c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43c-7d0d-b5f7-1950362b0f26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_01a033ee-f43c-7d0d-b5f7-1950362b0f26" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_01a033ee-f43c-729b-9898-92056cc3879d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7d98-ae55-1047cdd23008" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_01a033ee-f43c-729b-9898-92056cc3879d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsContinuousGrossUnrealizedLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsContinuousGrossUnrealizedLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsContinuousGrossUnrealizedLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-7852-a8d2-ac50449f00e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-7852-a8d2-ac50449f00e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-a287-95bc4b60da88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-7852-a8d2-ac50449f00e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-a287-95bc4b60da88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-a287-95bc4b60da88_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-a287-95bc4b60da88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-a287-95bc4b60da88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-a287-95bc4b60da88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-745c-8593-1a22891708f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-745c-8593-1a22891708f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-73f3-9954-28424114aad3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-73f3-9954-28424114aad3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7313-864c-630412d3476c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7313-864c-630412d3476c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7e39-85d5-fa1288b69743" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7e39-85d5-fa1288b69743" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7461-bfd0-66df7809bf8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7461-bfd0-66df7809bf8e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-789a-bf98-188f4a0683af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-789a-bf98-188f4a0683af" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_01a033ee-f43c-7556-af1b-7cbd3bf73db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_01a033ee-f43c-7556-af1b-7cbd3bf73db2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-78d4-bfd2-f1d8a2ade769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7acd-b887-ef150aa0298a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-78d4-bfd2-f1d8a2ade769" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_01a033ee-f43c-70cb-b338-f6f46e1cd059" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months_01a033ee-f43c-70cb-b338-f6f46e1cd059" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7938-b3bb-10227ff90315" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7938-b3bb-10227ff90315" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_01a033ee-f43c-7edc-a9ac-8c6766f017ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsNumberOfPositions_01a033ee-f43c-7edc-a9ac-8c6766f017ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_01a033ee-f43c-72e1-bda6-bf14f166bb40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_01a033ee-f43c-72e1-bda6-bf14f166bb40" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7282-af7e-47ae25a6368e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7282-af7e-47ae25a6368e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions_01a033ee-f43c-7d5a-a1c8-b0ef07c103e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-79d1-83b9-426f0fbb66af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerNumberOfPositions_01a033ee-f43c-7d5a-a1c8-b0ef07c103e2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforFixedMaturitySecuritiesbySectorDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-711d-808e-2fe0de91670a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-711d-808e-2fe0de91670a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7178-94c9-002c6acc78ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f43c-711d-808e-2fe0de91670a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7178-94c9-002c6acc78ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7178-94c9-002c6acc78ed_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7178-94c9-002c6acc78ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7178-94c9-002c6acc78ed_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7178-94c9-002c6acc78ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-787d-b19b-71deece8c5b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-787d-b19b-71deece8c5b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-70c5-bf3e-0cb73b12ede5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-70c5-bf3e-0cb73b12ede5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7563-ab50-ca1362889432" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7563-ab50-ca1362889432" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7645-87da-8e4660235278" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7645-87da-8e4660235278" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f01-9617-f43d3005da03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f43c-798a-876b-69ea53b34ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f43c-7f01-9617-f43d3005da03" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7483-97b6-576265d7de07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7483-97b6-576265d7de07" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossNotPreviouslyRecorded_01a033ee-f43c-7747-998c-7c2c0989cde1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossNotPreviouslyRecorded"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossNotPreviouslyRecorded_01a033ee-f43c-7747-998c-7c2c0989cde1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossSecuritiesSold_01a033ee-f43c-7fdc-8185-6b38a21d055f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossSecuritiesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossSecuritiesSold_01a033ee-f43c-7fdc-8185-6b38a21d055f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossNotToSellBeforeRecoveryCreditLossPreviouslyRecordedExpenseReversal_01a033ee-f43c-790a-9d2e-7c6e58d5cfd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossNotToSellBeforeRecoveryCreditLossPreviouslyRecordedExpenseReversal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossNotToSellBeforeRecoveryCreditLossPreviouslyRecordedExpenseReversal_01a033ee-f43c-790a-9d2e-7c6e58d5cfd4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoff_01a033ee-f43c-7bb4-8e28-bf3411686623" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoff"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-74ae-99ba-f947688b3162" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoff_01a033ee-f43c-7bb4-8e28-bf3411686623" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f43c-7e3a-a04d-74694cfd392e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-aea7-203ac1e303f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-aea7-203ac1e303f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-777f-bd85-7bf029a17910" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-aea7-203ac1e303f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-777f-bd85-7bf029a17910" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-777f-bd85-7bf029a17910_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-777f-bd85-7bf029a17910" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-777f-bd85-7bf029a17910_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7035-bc13-6d0b5ef9ed59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-777f-bd85-7bf029a17910" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7035-bc13-6d0b5ef9ed59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7604-b887-c199b85e8201" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7035-bc13-6d0b5ef9ed59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7604-b887-c199b85e8201" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73ae-9105-c24c2c3d4c34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f43c-7db0-aea7-203ac1e303f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73ae-9105-c24c2c3d4c34" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-73ae-9105-c24c2c3d4c34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73ae-9105-c24c2c3d4c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-73ae-9105-c24c2c3d4c34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-785e-aea5-cea814d99087" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73ae-9105-c24c2c3d4c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-785e-aea5-cea814d99087" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7839-927b-81bd0bd91b4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-785e-aea5-cea814d99087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7839-927b-81bd0bd91b4f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7940-aba8-5654fa8bdc7b" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-785e-aea5-cea814d99087" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7940-aba8-5654fa8bdc7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7160-9d54-6c7f7575aee5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-785e-aea5-cea814d99087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7160-9d54-6c7f7575aee5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-7ff1-9b28-f4af13524d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-7ff1-9b28-f4af13524d33" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_01a033ee-f43c-7fda-a100-d4d066b7c85e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_01a033ee-f43c-7fda-a100-d4d066b7c85e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-724b-858a-2dcbb158ad1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-724b-858a-2dcbb158ad1f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableGrossAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-7a2c-9fec-4a79e266cb26" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NotesReceivableGrossAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableGrossAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-7a2c-9fec-4a79e266cb26" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-7ba3-a0c2-26b0474c7786" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-7ba3-a0c2-26b0474c7786" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableNetAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-7cc8-9a55-0412152e8bc3" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NotesReceivableNetAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7561-a989-357663747dea" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableNetAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableNet_01a033ee-f43c-7cc8-9a55-0412152e8bc3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsRollforwardoftheAllowanceforCreditLossesforMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7142-a640-345fcd2a1ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7b-b3dd-d2727a3c9ede" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7142-a640-345fcd2a1ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7b-b3dd-d2727a3c9ede" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7c1d-afb5-eaf5c2af3550" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7b-b3dd-d2727a3c9ede" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7c1d-afb5-eaf5c2af3550" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7c1d-afb5-eaf5c2af3550_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7c1d-afb5-eaf5c2af3550" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7c1d-afb5-eaf5c2af3550_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e42-bf4c-40a1f3125659" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7c1d-afb5-eaf5c2af3550" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e42-bf4c-40a1f3125659" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7562-8729-840434372c0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e42-bf4c-40a1f3125659" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7562-8729-840434372c0e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73d6-9399-a96841b7bd74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_01a033ee-f43c-7c7b-b3dd-d2727a3c9ede" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73d6-9399-a96841b7bd74" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-73d6-9399-a96841b7bd74_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73d6-9399-a96841b7bd74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-73d6-9399-a96841b7bd74_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e60-a5f3-6dd5d26dc54c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-73d6-9399-a96841b7bd74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e60-a5f3-6dd5d26dc54c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7385-a8cb-1ee0a33663f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e60-a5f3-6dd5d26dc54c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7385-a8cb-1ee0a33663f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7db5-87a2-ee86229f5a56" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e60-a5f3-6dd5d26dc54c" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7db5-87a2-ee86229f5a56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-76ac-969a-17a4f59b9935" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7e60-a5f3-6dd5d26dc54c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-76ac-969a-17a4f59b9935" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-79b3-993a-97462f3242d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7142-a640-345fcd2a1ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-79b3-993a-97462f3242d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_01a033ee-f43c-7c45-9252-f0fd09d214a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-79b3-993a-97462f3242d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_01a033ee-f43c-7c45-9252-f0fd09d214a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43c-7585-acad-9061136d800c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-79b3-993a-97462f3242d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecrease_01a033ee-f43c-7585-acad-9061136d800c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoffAfterRecovery_01a033ee-f43c-7a57-92e8-e757c5240e2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoffAfterRecovery"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_01a033ee-f43c-79b3-993a-97462f3242d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossWriteoffAfterRecovery_01a033ee-f43c-7a57-92e8-e757c5240e2b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_01a033ee-f43c-7dc9-9922-171f4076b616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsCreditQualityofMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsCreditQualityofMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsCreditQualityofMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f97-9f2c-4ffe1bd421b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f97-9f2c-4ffe1bd421b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f97-9f2c-4ffe1bd421b0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f97-9f2c-4ffe1bd421b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f97-9f2c-4ffe1bd421b0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7621-b1a9-553d538d1e1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f97-9f2c-4ffe1bd421b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7621-b1a9-553d538d1e1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7551-9797-852fd8833fc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7621-b1a9-553d538d1e1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7551-9797-852fd8833fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7a88-896d-814d7f751032" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7a88-896d-814d7f751032" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7a88-896d-814d7f751032_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7a88-896d-814d7f751032" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7a88-896d-814d7f751032_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75c8-b9c0-5c7923a0a650" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7a88-896d-814d7f751032" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75c8-b9c0-5c7923a0a650" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-75ed-b898-d128d5ec54b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75c8-b9c0-5c7923a0a650" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-75ed-b898-d128d5ec54b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-72a8-abb6-20e428dc7c18" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75c8-b9c0-5c7923a0a650" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-72a8-abb6-20e428dc7c18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7881-a21b-b37ab4489b95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-75c8-b9c0-5c7923a0a650" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7881-a21b-b37ab4489b95" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7753-843b-b33d0d430b7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanToValueAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7753-843b-b33d0d430b7a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7753-843b-b33d0d430b7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7753-843b-b33d0d430b7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7753-843b-b33d0d430b7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7472-879e-4eb5cf072532" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7753-843b-b33d0d430b7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7472-879e-4eb5cf072532" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LtvLessThan65PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-aaeb-c4ddb2da8bdd" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LtvLessThan65PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7472-879e-4eb5cf072532" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LtvLessThan65PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-aaeb-c4ddb2da8bdd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_Ltv65To75PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7213-8584-da29993f760e" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_Ltv65To75PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7472-879e-4eb5cf072532" xlink:to="loc_bhf_Ltv65To75PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7213-8584-da29993f760e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_Ltv76To80PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7672-a03f-2b01b3ac75d9" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_Ltv76To80PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7472-879e-4eb5cf072532" xlink:to="loc_bhf_Ltv76To80PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7672-a03f-2b01b3ac75d9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LtvGreaterThan80PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-70d5-8e10-654b00880235" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LtvGreaterThan80PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoanToValueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7472-879e-4eb5cf072532" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LtvGreaterThan80PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-70d5-8e10-654b00880235" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c2-b3e5-d4c928107ec9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c2-b3e5-d4c928107ec9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f43c-76c2-b3e5-d4c928107ec9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c2-b3e5-d4c928107ec9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f43c-76c2-b3e5-d4c928107ec9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72cf-af1a-dc858ad68f56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c2-b3e5-d4c928107ec9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72cf-af1a-dc858ad68f56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_01a033ee-f43c-7051-8ee0-a66b517936d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72cf-af1a-dc858ad68f56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_01a033ee-f43c-7051-8ee0-a66b517936d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_01a033ee-f43c-7470-a7a6-5af1d0fd6203" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f43c-72cf-af1a-dc858ad68f56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember_01a033ee-f43c-7470-a7a6-5af1d0fd6203" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cf7-a85e-ece741fe66d6" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DebtServiceCoverageAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCreditQualityIndicatorTable_01a033ee-f43c-738d-8b00-9bff877bb05f" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cf7-a85e-ece741fe66d6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cf7-a85e-ece741fe66d6_default" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cf7-a85e-ece741fe66d6" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7cf7-a85e-ece741fe66d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7968-8843-eaf360535a63" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7cf7-a85e-ece741fe66d6" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7968-8843-eaf360535a63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DscGreaterThan120PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c31-8ae9-87290fa65c74" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DscGreaterThan120PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7968-8843-eaf360535a63" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DscGreaterThan120PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7c31-8ae9-87290fa65c74" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_Dsc100To120PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7936-a9cc-f4276255328a" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_Dsc100To120PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7968-8843-eaf360535a63" xlink:to="loc_bhf_Dsc100To120PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7936-a9cc-f4276255328a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DscLessThan100PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a54-9968-90ddd4f9ed65" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DscLessThan100PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bhf_DebtServiceCoverageDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7968-8843-eaf360535a63" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DscLessThan100PercentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7a54-9968-90ddd4f9ed65" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-708c-8c58-317d64858e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedInCurrentFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-708c-8c58-317d64858e42" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedInFiscalYearBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7475-a7c2-759e24fdc16d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedInFiscalYearBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedInFiscalYearBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7475-a7c2-759e24fdc16d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7eb4-91e4-7faa47d9fc9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7eb4-91e4-7faa47d9fc9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7330-8368-053d3d6e206c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7330-8368-053d3d6e206c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7539-88fd-8b11270a4a83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7539-88fd-8b11270a4a83" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFiveOrMoreYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7263-9ad7-00423594cdf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFiveOrMoreYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFiveOrMoreYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_01a033ee-f43c-7263-9ad7-00423594cdf4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-7aa2-8b8a-9c7119908693" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-7aa2-8b8a-9c7119908693" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableGrossByDebtServiceCoverageRatioAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-78b7-835e-4a5882d3d426" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NotesReceivableGrossByDebtServiceCoverageRatioAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7be1-9ea5-dbedfb7b42b4" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableGrossByDebtServiceCoverageRatioAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-78b7-835e-4a5882d3d426" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsPastDueMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsPastDueMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsPastDueMortgageLoansbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7826-9a29-092f4a65980c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-be96-6d06e3643191" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7826-9a29-092f4a65980c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-be96-6d06e3643191" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7aad-8d91-6b69e8c190a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-be96-6d06e3643191" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7aad-8d91-6b69e8c190a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7aad-8d91-6b69e8c190a9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7aad-8d91-6b69e8c190a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7aad-8d91-6b69e8c190a9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7534-a938-72d3edfd25c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7aad-8d91-6b69e8c190a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7534-a938-72d3edfd25c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7861-b1d5-cf88775692d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7534-a938-72d3edfd25c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-7861-b1d5-cf88775692d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7468-9ffe-6d13d5040b56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-be96-6d06e3643191" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7468-9ffe-6d13d5040b56" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7468-9ffe-6d13d5040b56_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7468-9ffe-6d13d5040b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7468-9ffe-6d13d5040b56_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746d-932b-030baff5fd5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7468-9ffe-6d13d5040b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746d-932b-030baff5fd5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7fed-99a3-e2bfbe3b10b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746d-932b-030baff5fd5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7fed-99a3-e2bfbe3b10b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7acc-82b9-305fc4026c37" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746d-932b-030baff5fd5f" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7acc-82b9-305fc4026c37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7e63-aa8d-b90097240348" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-746d-932b-030baff5fd5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7e63-aa8d-b90097240348" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c4-851b-e1bc9bc3bc51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueTable_01a033ee-f43c-7fc7-be96-6d06e3643191" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c4-851b-e1bc9bc3bc51" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-76c4-851b-e1bc9bc3bc51_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c4-851b-e1bc9bc3bc51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-76c4-851b-e1bc9bc3bc51_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis_01a033ee-f43c-76c4-851b-e1bc9bc3bc51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-7282-b118-23b113f9267c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-7282-b118-23b113f9267c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-7404-898a-df2f0883ddc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-7404-898a-df2f0883ddc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-7485-b196-0196610e6dcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-7485-b196-0196610e6dcc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FinancingReceivables90To179DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-794f-8a08-8ea93d335d5e" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FinancingReceivables90To179DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FinancingReceivables90To179DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-794f-8a08-8ea93d335d5e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan180DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-701c-b9eb-adc37abf7d54" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan180DaysPastDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f76-beee-b9e1452ff87a" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan180DaysPastDueMember_01a033ee-f43c-701c-b9eb-adc37abf7d54" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-77bf-a80e-0dbed808252c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7826-9a29-092f4a65980c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f43c-77bf-a80e-0dbed808252c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansinNonaccrualStatusbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsMortgageLoansinNonaccrualStatusbyPortfolioSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansinNonaccrualStatusbyPortfolioSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualStatusLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7390-a431-713c95af7e3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualStatusLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualTable_01a033ee-f43c-75e6-9086-0e875fdc91f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualStatusLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7390-a431-713c95af7e3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualTable_01a033ee-f43c-75e6-9086-0e875fdc91f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7ea8-8822-4531ce0f81bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualTable_01a033ee-f43c-75e6-9086-0e875fdc91f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7ea8-8822-4531ce0f81bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ea8-8822-4531ce0f81bc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7ea8-8822-4531ce0f81bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7ea8-8822-4531ce0f81bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7900-822e-a21988cd73cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7ea8-8822-4531ce0f81bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7900-822e-a21988cd73cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-759f-bf6a-eaf8f1f87246" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7900-822e-a21988cd73cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f43c-759f-bf6a-eaf8f1f87246" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f27-9aa9-830221051330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualTable_01a033ee-f43c-75e6-9086-0e875fdc91f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f27-9aa9-830221051330" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f27-9aa9-830221051330_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f27-9aa9-830221051330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7f27-9aa9-830221051330_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d28-9824-54a060a2a611" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f43c-7f27-9aa9-830221051330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d28-9824-54a060a2a611" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-71f1-8766-d12e07be3938" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d28-9824-54a060a2a611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-71f1-8766-d12e07be3938" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7842-872a-7215c3472e25" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d28-9824-54a060a2a611" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AgriculturalPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7842-872a-7215c3472e25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7846-b66b-25ecd6c07fec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f43c-7d28-9824-54a060a2a611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f43c-7846-b66b-25ecd6c07fec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonaccrualStatus_01a033ee-f43c-73a9-9afb-dae80e6c55f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonaccrualStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualStatusLineItems_01a033ee-f43c-7390-a431-713c95af7e3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonaccrualStatus_01a033ee-f43c-73a9-9afb-dae80e6c55f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7140-a931-a9794a457ce1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7363-ab30-d1446d330ad1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7140-a931-a9794a457ce1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7363-ab30-d1446d330ad1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-766f-a9ab-d518c9d4b682" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7363-ab30-d1446d330ad1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-766f-a9ab-d518c9d4b682" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-766f-a9ab-d518c9d4b682_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-766f-a9ab-d518c9d4b682" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-766f-a9ab-d518c9d4b682_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79a4-b7e4-d270b083459f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-766f-a9ab-d518c9d4b682" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79a4-b7e4-d270b083459f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-761f-a365-9379e44c29b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79a4-b7e4-d270b083459f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-761f-a365-9379e44c29b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d41-b278-934aa8486b37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-761f-a365-9379e44c29b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d41-b278-934aa8486b37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7167-9e8b-1b4269e776b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-761f-a365-9379e44c29b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7167-9e8b-1b4269e776b0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesLoaned_01a033ee-f4d6-7867-b83a-581800ce0a45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesLoaned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7140-a931-a9794a457ce1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesLoaned_01a033ee-f4d6-7867-b83a-581800ce0a45" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-7c86-b810-d46adb08cd85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7140-a931-a9794a457ce1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-7c86-b810-d46adb08cd85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_SecuritiesLendingReinvestmentPortfolioEstimatedFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7871-9415-f1183c6377bc" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_SecuritiesLendingReinvestmentPortfolioEstimatedFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7140-a931-a9794a457ce1" xlink:to="loc_bhf_SecuritiesLendingReinvestmentPortfolioEstimatedFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7871-9415-f1183c6377bc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingRemainingTenorDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingRemainingTenorDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsSecuritiesLendingRemainingTenorDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7bd9-8cba-7e0b38d8b215" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7455-9e2c-b27a2a0e338d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7bd9-8cba-7e0b38d8b215" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7455-9e2c-b27a2a0e338d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e7c-85f8-e6dd429bdb05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7455-9e2c-b27a2a0e338d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e7c-85f8-e6dd429bdb05" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e7c-85f8-e6dd429bdb05_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e7c-85f8-e6dd429bdb05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e7c-85f8-e6dd429bdb05_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76d2-9bd4-5086f2dbb58c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e7c-85f8-e6dd429bdb05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76d2-9bd4-5086f2dbb58c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-762e-ae2a-6464263c4f95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76d2-9bd4-5086f2dbb58c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-762e-ae2a-6464263c4f95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-731c-bcd2-75329c4e1209" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76d2-9bd4-5086f2dbb58c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-731c-bcd2-75329c4e1209" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73fd-84f8-c2229f84fe80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76d2-9bd4-5086f2dbb58c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73fd-84f8-c2229f84fe80" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d8-83dd-fd934f346425" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76d2-9bd4-5086f2dbb58c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d8-83dd-fd934f346425" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a99-afbc-5fd504816dff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7455-9e2c-b27a2a0e338d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a99-afbc-5fd504816dff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a99-afbc-5fd504816dff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a99-afbc-5fd504816dff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a99-afbc-5fd504816dff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70ef-be5b-8842b0f1c6e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a99-afbc-5fd504816dff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70ef-be5b-8842b0f1c6e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaturityOvernightMember_01a033ee-f4d6-72fb-a5da-dbc30a509c09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaturityOvernightMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70ef-be5b-8842b0f1c6e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaturityOvernightMember_01a033ee-f4d6-72fb-a5da-dbc30a509c09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaturityUpTo30DaysMember_01a033ee-f4d6-72d4-b3bc-cfb6e6bff6a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaturityUpTo30DaysMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70ef-be5b-8842b0f1c6e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaturityUpTo30DaysMember_01a033ee-f4d6-72d4-b3bc-cfb6e6bff6a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_Maturity30to180DaysMember_01a033ee-f4d6-789e-83e6-708b64a10f32" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_Maturity30to180DaysMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseMaturityPeriodDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70ef-be5b-8842b0f1c6e4" xlink:to="loc_bhf_Maturity30to180DaysMember_01a033ee-f4d6-789e-83e6-708b64a10f32" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-7af7-9ccc-4a6a4cac6343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7bd9-8cba-7e0b38d8b215" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAccountedForAsSecuredBorrowingsAssociatedLiabilitiesCarryingAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-7af7-9ccc-4a6a4cac6343" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7f88-8149-242ab37ec463" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7ae8-b375-fb91746d4b4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7f88-8149-242ab37ec463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7ae8-b375-fb91746d4b4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c6a-89ff-564b97d1ecef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7ae8-b375-fb91746d4b4b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c6a-89ff-564b97d1ecef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c6a-89ff-564b97d1ecef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c6a-89ff-564b97d1ecef" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c6a-89ff-564b97d1ecef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7868-9a59-8c39ff446238" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c6a-89ff-564b97d1ecef" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7868-9a59-8c39ff446238" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7dc0-8736-0f38971b4199" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7868-9a59-8c39ff446238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7dc0-8736-0f38971b4199" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7217-954f-79e33d55b61c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7ae8-b375-fb91746d4b4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7217-954f-79e33d55b61c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7217-954f-79e33d55b61c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7217-954f-79e33d55b61c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7217-954f-79e33d55b61c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-789d-ac84-a140723e7bc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7217-954f-79e33d55b61c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-789d-ac84-a140723e7bc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7309-a41e-221c728be955" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-789d-ac84-a140723e7bc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7309-a41e-221c728be955" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7503-bc67-7831361defa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-789d-ac84-a140723e7bc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7503-bc67-7831361defa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a033ee-f4d6-716f-8c0b-07565d09fd08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7f88-8149-242ab37ec463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a033ee-f4d6-716f-8c0b-07565d09fd08" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-7650-8163-156b12c6cf2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7f88-8149-242ab37ec463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-7650-8163-156b12c6cf2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7285-8a21-72adf208239a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-9eaf-90882e780cf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7285-8a21-72adf208239a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-9eaf-90882e780cf5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76fc-b7c5-b385eab1919f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-9eaf-90882e780cf5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76fc-b7c5-b385eab1919f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76fc-b7c5-b385eab1919f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76fc-b7c5-b385eab1919f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76fc-b7c5-b385eab1919f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76fc-b7c5-b385eab1919f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-744a-a796-e0068b4fa4d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-744a-a796-e0068b4fa4d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77b2-8fbe-df7b33c6348d" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77b2-8fbe-df7b33c6348d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a80-85ef-342b5c6ff055" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a80-85ef-342b5c6ff055" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7f38-8483-da72dcc64661" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7f38-8483-da72dcc64661" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PolicyLoansMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7232-9711-6508cfb1090c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PolicyLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PolicyLoansMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7232-9711-6508cfb1090c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-75a1-a06e-97f5d4c0a306" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-75a1-a06e-97f5d4c0a306" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7ffc-83f6-4f6817f9f8ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7ffc-83f6-4f6817f9f8ed" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7567-ab96-05579e20ce21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7689-8092-333447570706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7567-ab96-05579e20ce21" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating_01a033ee-f4d6-77da-97fb-990a3742ad68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7285-8a21-72adf208239a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossInvestmentIncomeOperating_01a033ee-f4d6-77da-97fb-990a3742ad68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_01a033ee-f4d6-7c60-ad74-478ea53df09b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7285-8a21-72adf208239a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense_01a033ee-f4d6-7c60-ad74-478ea53df09b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-77f4-bbca-3db8ffe0e693" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7285-8a21-72adf208239a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-77f4-bbca-3db8ffe0e693" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsComponentsofNetInvestmentGainsLossesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsComponentsofNetInvestmentGainsLossesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsComponentsofNetInvestmentGainsLossesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7c81-aa12-5c6a3ce5ee85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-706d-831a-4a1fbd9a9a71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7c81-aa12-5c6a3ce5ee85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-706d-831a-4a1fbd9a9a71" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7521-a5d5-25d70cdcf8bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-706d-831a-4a1fbd9a9a71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7521-a5d5-25d70cdcf8bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7521-a5d5-25d70cdcf8bd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7521-a5d5-25d70cdcf8bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7521-a5d5-25d70cdcf8bd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7521-a5d5-25d70cdcf8bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7480-99da-27d759ed98cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7480-99da-27d759ed98cd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73e4-9066-6ae596895517" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73e4-9066-6ae596895517" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7135-a9d1-1b3fbe2896f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7135-a9d1-1b3fbe2896f0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7570-9d74-2e85f6368d67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7570-9d74-2e85f6368d67" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d4c-8581-49a073c26646" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7888-948a-b5c131e755e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLongTermInvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d4c-8581-49a073c26646" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_01a033ee-f4d6-74ae-8ade-d36e1b808023" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7c81-aa12-5c6a3ce5ee85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_01a033ee-f4d6-74ae-8ade-d36e1b808023" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f4d6-747a-97f8-1f096f411f13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f4d6-747a-97f8-1f096f411f13" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-75a9-8608-370f92755339" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f4d6-747a-97f8-1f096f411f13" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-75a9-8608-370f92755339" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-75a9-8608-370f92755339_default" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-75a9-8608-370f92755339" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-75a9-8608-370f92755339_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f9c-8f57-ca0380b5f0ec" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-75a9-8608-370f92755339" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f9c-8f57-ca0380b5f0ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NonIncomeProducingMember_01a033ee-f4d6-70a1-89b2-b7aa90c7294d" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NonIncomeProducingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bhf_FinancialInstrumentIncomeProducingStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f9c-8f57-ca0380b5f0ec" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NonIncomeProducingMember_01a033ee-f4d6-70a1-89b2-b7aa90c7294d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7669-bd77-903e5f551e18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleTable_01a033ee-f4d6-747a-97f8-1f096f411f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7669-bd77-903e5f551e18" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7669-bd77-903e5f551e18_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7669-bd77-903e5f551e18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7669-bd77-903e5f551e18_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743e-9755-78ef3ca26b7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7669-bd77-903e5f551e18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743e-9755-78ef3ca26b7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-75e2-9f5f-ec10d200dd80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743e-9755-78ef3ca26b7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-75e2-9f5f-ec10d200dd80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_01a033ee-f4d6-7959-aeaf-cc57b27e5d8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_01a033ee-f4d6-7959-aeaf-cc57b27e5d8c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestReceivable_01a033ee-f4d6-7c45-aa13-ad370c24c64a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestReceivable_01a033ee-f4d6-7c45-aa13-ad370c24c64a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7c90-b2c3-836350403efb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7c90-b2c3-836350403efb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWithAllowanceForCreditLossNumberOfPositions_01a033ee-f4d6-7707-8b9a-15c0142ae266" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWithAllowanceForCreditLossNumberOfPositions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWithAllowanceForCreditLossNumberOfPositions_01a033ee-f4d6-7707-8b9a-15c0142ae266" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWriteoff_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7b-a017-d2980864d9d8" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWriteoff"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72e3-948e-394a8b36931f" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleWriteoff_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7b-a017-d2980864d9d8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsMortgageLoansNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsMortgageLoansNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f4d6-72c4-9552-4df766a68f1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f4d6-72c4-9552-4df766a68f1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdd-a28f-c99e12b08c0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f4d6-72c4-9552-4df766a68f1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdd-a28f-c99e12b08c0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdd-a28f-c99e12b08c0e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdd-a28f-c99e12b08c0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdd-a28f-c99e12b08c0e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca4-aab4-95cb0cef7db0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentByClassOfFinancingReceivableAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdd-a28f-c99e12b08c0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca4-aab4-95cb0cef7db0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7bf1-b536-536617b91f5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentClassOfFinancingReceivableDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca4-aab4-95cb0cef7db0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLoanMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7bf1-b536-536617b91f5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7054-8335-545edcf4a3b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f4d6-72c4-9552-4df766a68f1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7054-8335-545edcf4a3b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7054-8335-545edcf4a3b1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7054-8335-545edcf4a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7054-8335-545edcf4a3b1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-77e1-945a-8588056787cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7054-8335-545edcf4a3b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-77e1-945a-8588056787cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a9f-990c-8e799adfab89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-77e1-945a-8588056787cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a9f-990c-8e799adfab89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7632-b61c-1c0360f36e94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f4d6-72c4-9552-4df766a68f1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7632-b61c-1c0360f36e94" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7632-b61c-1c0360f36e94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7632-b61c-1c0360f36e94" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7632-b61c-1c0360f36e94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-707a-bdf2-9899aff4cf8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7632-b61c-1c0360f36e94" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-707a-bdf2-9899aff4cf8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d5-b619-8a170d49400d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-707a-bdf2-9899aff4cf8b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d5-b619-8a170d49400d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c52-86aa-43417313f71e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_01a033ee-f4d6-72c4-9552-4df766a68f1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c52-86aa-43417313f71e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c52-86aa-43417313f71e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c52-86aa-43417313f71e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c52-86aa-43417313f71e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e62-8774-5547970a0dac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7c52-86aa-43417313f71e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e62-8774-5547970a0dac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79cb-ba46-250733346fa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentPerformanceStatusDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e62-8774-5547970a0dac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformingFinancingReceivableMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79cb-ba46-250733346fa4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableSignificantPurchases_01a033ee-f4d6-7715-aa61-7aba9067b0a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableSignificantPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableSignificantPurchases_01a033ee-f4d6-7715-aa61-7aba9067b0a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestReceivable_01a033ee-f4d6-7fac-a402-1829616e1a93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestReceivable_01a033ee-f4d6-7fac-a402-1829616e1a93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NumberOfInvestmentPortfolioSegments_01a033ee-f4d6-723f-8678-7bfaa53dea20" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NumberOfInvestmentPortfolioSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NumberOfInvestmentPortfolioSegments_01a033ee-f4d6-723f-8678-7bfaa53dea20" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableGrossByPerformanceStatusAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f4d6-793a-afe8-97f0ad6734f2" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NotesReceivableGrossByPerformanceStatusAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NotesReceivableGrossByPerformanceStatusAsPercentageOfNotesReceivableGross_01a033ee-f4d6-793a-afe8-97f0ad6734f2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualNoAllowance_01a033ee-f4d6-7f18-9fed-d6af0ac3f132" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualNoAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualNoAllowance_01a033ee-f4d6-7f18-9fed-d6af0ac3f132" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualInterestIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-7ee6-9592-f9b8ed2fc46e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualInterestIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-743f-9448-80ed8e683809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableNonaccrualInterestIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-7ee6-9592-f9b8ed2fc46e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsOtherInvestedAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsOtherInvestedAssetsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsOtherInvestedAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7a5a-bb01-a4fe6c7a1312" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7486-a925-613e87d68552" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7a5a-bb01-a4fe6c7a1312" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7486-a925-613e87d68552" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7180-b458-3009ef473def" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7486-a925-613e87d68552" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7180-b458-3009ef473def" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7180-b458-3009ef473def_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7180-b458-3009ef473def" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7180-b458-3009ef473def_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76b5-9bec-12357c5efc99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7180-b458-3009ef473def" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76b5-9bec-12357c5efc99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b5d-8b7f-7ae849f6abb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76b5-9bec-12357c5efc99" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b5d-8b7f-7ae849f6abb2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_PercentageOfOtherInvestedAssetsComprisedOfFreestandingDerivativesWithPositiveEstimatedFairValues_01a033ee-f4d6-7528-a9cd-018706fb54a9" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_PercentageOfOtherInvestedAssetsComprisedOfFreestandingDerivativesWithPositiveEstimatedFairValues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7a5a-bb01-a4fe6c7a1312" xlink:to="loc_bhf_PercentageOfOtherInvestedAssetsComprisedOfFreestandingDerivativesWithPositiveEstimatedFairValues_01a033ee-f4d6-7528-a9cd-018706fb54a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsInvestedAssetsonDepositHeldinTrustandPledgedasCollateralNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsInvestedAssetsonDepositHeldinTrustandPledgedasCollateralNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsInvestedAssetsonDepositHeldinTrustandPledgedasCollateralNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72d8-9d70-2e68d9394087" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7042-886d-47dec51b79a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72d8-9d70-2e68d9394087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7042-886d-47dec51b79a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalents1Axis_01a033ee-f4d6-705c-8539-f883d73fd192" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalents1Axis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7042-886d-47dec51b79a7" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalents1Axis_01a033ee-f4d6-705c-8539-f883d73fd192" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-705c-8539-f883d73fd192_default" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalents1Axis_01a033ee-f4d6-705c-8539-f883d73fd192" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-705c-8539-f883d73fd192_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7394-84e5-010c6026f1d5" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalents1Axis_01a033ee-f4d6-705c-8539-f883d73fd192" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7394-84e5-010c6026f1d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a3f-98ea-a608dbc5ae22" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashandCashEquivalentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7394-84e5-010c6026f1d5" xlink:to="loc_bhf_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a3f-98ea-a608dbc5ae22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepositAssets_01a033ee-f4d6-7dc2-aa0c-a718678cca88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepositAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72d8-9d70-2e68d9394087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepositAssets_01a033ee-f4d6-7dc2-aa0c-a718678cca88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust_01a033ee-f4d6-73d5-b7cd-1c5294dc0e45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72d8-9d70-2e68d9394087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust_01a033ee-f4d6-73d5-b7cd-1c5294dc0e45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FederalHomeLoanBankStock_01a033ee-f4d6-7b0c-9656-5f4e3dad1b93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FederalHomeLoanBankStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-72d8-9d70-2e68d9394087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FederalHomeLoanBankStock_01a033ee-f4d6-7b0c-9656-5f4e3dad1b93" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/InvestmentsNetInvestmentIncomeNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7152-b13c-0368d65cd832" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725f-baf6-3880ff89a646" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7152-b13c-0368d65cd832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725f-baf6-3880ff89a646" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ebe-ac8a-8330ce594f5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725f-baf6-3880ff89a646" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ebe-ac8a-8330ce594f5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7ebe-ac8a-8330ce594f5c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ebe-ac8a-8330ce594f5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7ebe-ac8a-8330ce594f5c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fc5-acaf-92dc5e436b7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ebe-ac8a-8330ce594f5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fc5-acaf-92dc5e436b7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7767-9b8d-3e4a3db5291a" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fc5-acaf-92dc5e436b7d" xlink:to="loc_bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7767-9b8d-3e4a3db5291a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7362-878a-6e82217c819b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fc5-acaf-92dc5e436b7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7362-878a-6e82217c819b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingUnrealizedGainLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7c3d-91e0-034a922ea3ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7152-b13c-0368d65cd832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesTradingUnrealizedGainLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7c3d-91e0-034a922ea3ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-7259-adbf-f91f19e333a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7152-b13c-0368d65cd832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-7259-adbf-f91f19e333a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesPrimaryRisksManagedbyDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DerivativesPrimaryRisksManagedbyDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesPrimaryRisksManagedbyDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-ae1c-343c35432ee6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-74a6-be17-174e903e9bb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-ae1c-343c35432ee6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-74a6-be17-174e903e9bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-77ba-81df-a274ff5641d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-74a6-be17-174e903e9bb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-77ba-81df-a274ff5641d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-77ba-81df-a274ff5641d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-77ba-81df-a274ff5641d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-77ba-81df-a274ff5641d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-77ba-81df-a274ff5641d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b9c-92bb-ea59fa80c90e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b9c-92bb-ea59fa80c90e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateFloorMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a7f-b51b-2f19a3e55371" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateFloorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateFloorMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a7f-b51b-2f19a3e55371" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a8b-ac71-f15636643893" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a8b-ac71-f15636643893" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a35-9c9f-04f3a183e911" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwaptionMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a35-9c9f-04f3a183e911" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_InterestrateforwardMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7872-b612-e04bf58388cd" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_InterestrateforwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_bhf_InterestrateforwardMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7872-b612-e04bf58388cd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-773f-91d7-274007024df9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-773f-91d7-274007024df9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79ec-9d41-36b71fe07ecd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79ec-9d41-36b71fe07ecd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b9f-ba97-5a4c81d7348d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b9f-ba97-5a4c81d7348d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_EquityFuturesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5c-a5db-93e6e79d0c90" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_EquityFuturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_bhf_EquityFuturesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5c-a5db-93e6e79d0c90" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionMember_01a033ee-f4d6-743b-92d9-23492ea3c6d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionMember_01a033ee-f4d6-743b-92d9-23492ea3c6d1" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_EquityTotalReturnSwapsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d64-b989-33e2c691a977" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_EquityTotalReturnSwapsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7125-9816-b55e2f49fac2" xlink:to="loc_bhf_EquityTotalReturnSwapsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d64-b989-33e2c691a977" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e4f-a706-09c86cf5ed98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-74a6-be17-174e903e9bb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e4f-a706-09c86cf5ed98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e4f-a706-09c86cf5ed98_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e4f-a706-09c86cf5ed98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e4f-a706-09c86cf5ed98_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7046-871b-88cbecb5e51f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e4f-a706-09c86cf5ed98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7046-871b-88cbecb5e51f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d6-9db3-e8a0a0e47a4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7046-871b-88cbecb5e51f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d6-9db3-e8a0a0e47a4e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-705a-827d-c192d19eb31a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-74a6-be17-174e903e9bb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-705a-827d-c192d19eb31a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-705a-827d-c192d19eb31a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-705a-827d-c192d19eb31a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-705a-827d-c192d19eb31a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-768c-b695-f46f8810769b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-705a-827d-c192d19eb31a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-768c-b695-f46f8810769b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-776f-bd95-ee7794df5a4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-768c-b695-f46f8810769b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-776f-bd95-ee7794df5a4b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b55-9497-b78518743f36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-768c-b695-f46f8810769b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b55-9497-b78518743f36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-71de-a86b-55093f086dda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-ae1c-343c35432ee6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-71de-a86b-55093f086dda" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a033ee-f4d6-7beb-8cb3-67cd8bc1600c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-ae1c-343c35432ee6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a033ee-f4d6-7beb-8cb3-67cd8bc1600c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7617-9c3b-212ae0222425" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-ae1c-343c35432ee6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7617-9c3b-212ae0222425" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesDerivativesPertainingtoHedgedItemsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DerivativesDerivativesPertainingtoHedgedItemsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesDerivativesPertainingtoHedgedItemsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cab-a730-450356a9033d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cab-a730-450356a9033d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7cab-a730-450356a9033d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cab-a730-450356a9033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7cab-a730-450356a9033d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7cab-a730-450356a9033d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77ed-b65d-ea552a961d22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77ed-b65d-ea552a961d22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b52-b907-62d73ffb0035" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b52-b907-62d73ffb0035" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditRiskContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71a9-8730-2e73e261c54b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditRiskContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditRiskContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71a9-8730-2e73e261c54b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73ac-a3cd-aa497daac14b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73ac-a3cd-aa497daac14b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a2c-aeae-1abd71fab8b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761d-8c39-9c984813e156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a2c-aeae-1abd71fab8b7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca2-9617-8b7da5ff2c34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca2-9617-8b7da5ff2c34" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca2-9617-8b7da5ff2c34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca2-9617-8b7da5ff2c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca2-9617-8b7da5ff2c34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7916-a0fe-6cf4434434e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ca2-9617-8b7da5ff2c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7916-a0fe-6cf4434434e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a033ee-f4d6-738f-9350-b26cc704b840" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7916-a0fe-6cf4434434e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a033ee-f4d6-738f-9350-b26cc704b840" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-70da-aa08-ee7bbedc1cc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-70da-aa08-ee7bbedc1cc1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70da-aa08-ee7bbedc1cc1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-70da-aa08-ee7bbedc1cc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70da-aa08-ee7bbedc1cc1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-72fd-83ac-6740e650b37d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-70da-aa08-ee7bbedc1cc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-72fd-83ac-6740e650b37d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b4a-b541-42987b755d41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-72fd-83ac-6740e650b37d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b4a-b541-42987b755d41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-9581-680e65f5dd33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-9581-680e65f5dd33" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-9581-680e65f5dd33_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-9581-680e65f5dd33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-9581-680e65f5dd33_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-708b-87a1-c578fec599e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-9581-680e65f5dd33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-708b-87a1-c578fec599e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NetDerivativesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79ee-ae41-747e895824aa" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NetDerivativesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_01a033ee-f4d6-708b-87a1-c578fec599e9" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NetDerivativesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79ee-ae41-747e895824aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7442-a940-7da8bfb90498" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7132-acf6-4532e5315bf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7442-a940-7da8bfb90498" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7442-a940-7da8bfb90498_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7442-a940-7da8bfb90498" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7442-a940-7da8bfb90498_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73d4-9779-951f0c28941e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7442-a940-7da8bfb90498" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73d4-9779-951f0c28941e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a6d-b9f7-acf0d8a06fb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73d4-9779-951f0c28941e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a6d-b9f7-acf0d8a06fb6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_01a033ee-f4d6-7d23-930b-d72e7e74c7c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_01a033ee-f4d6-7d23-930b-d72e7e74c7c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1_01a033ee-f4d6-7447-877e-33fb245156eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1_01a033ee-f4d6-7447-877e-33fb245156eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-7675-92c9-c9525109f458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-7675-92c9-c9525109f458" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_01a033ee-f4d6-779d-a10f-866c0f744c51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet_01a033ee-f4d6-779d-a10f-866c0f744c51" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion_01a033ee-f4d6-7b60-b78c-79451814468b" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7fd4-8b8f-582b005b3921" xlink:to="loc_bhf_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion_01a033ee-f4d6-7b60-b78c-79451814468b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesCreditDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DerivativesCreditDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesCreditDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7b1e-954f-7bc46dde5915" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7908-a880-ca210ba11d26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7b1e-954f-7bc46dde5915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7908-a880-ca210ba11d26" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d9f-ae80-90a7e8df53f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7908-a880-ca210ba11d26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d9f-ae80-90a7e8df53f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d9f-ae80-90a7e8df53f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d9f-ae80-90a7e8df53f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d9f-ae80-90a7e8df53f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7471-9bfa-fea76eba6aa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesByContractTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d9f-ae80-90a7e8df53f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7471-9bfa-fea76eba6aa1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d59-aaab-5ddbbf7d6ac9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7471-9bfa-fea76eba6aa1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d59-aaab-5ddbbf7d6ac9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76db-a532-3c969c53a6a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7908-a880-ca210ba11d26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76db-a532-3c969c53a6a9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76db-a532-3c969c53a6a9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76db-a532-3c969c53a6a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76db-a532-3c969c53a6a9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-719a-a3d9-9fe363da65de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-76db-a532-3c969c53a6a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-719a-a3d9-9fe363da65de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AaaAaMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7efe-a2c5-ce9faf4d041a" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AaaAaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-719a-a3d9-9fe363da65de" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AaaAaMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7efe-a2c5-ce9faf4d041a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_BaaMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73d4-9341-75cc7033e5fa" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_BaaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-719a-a3d9-9fe363da65de" xlink:to="loc_bhf_BaaMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73d4-9341-75cc7033e5fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_BaMember_01a033ee-f4d6-747a-9347-b04fb63876b5" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_BaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-719a-a3d9-9fe363da65de" xlink:to="loc_bhf_BaMember_01a033ee-f4d6-747a-9347-b04fb63876b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditRiskDerivativesAtFairValueNet_01a033ee-f4d6-72ca-b6b8-4250f6b9c367" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditRiskDerivativesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7b1e-954f-7bc46dde5915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditRiskDerivativesAtFairValueNet_01a033ee-f4d6-72ca-b6b8-4250f6b9c367" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativeMaximumExposureUndiscounted_01a033ee-f4d6-74d6-9eec-696d427776a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDerivativeMaximumExposureUndiscounted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7b1e-954f-7bc46dde5915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativeMaximumExposureUndiscounted_01a033ee-f4d6-74d6-9eec-696d427776a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAverageRemainingMaturity1_01a033ee-f4d6-7fa6-a3ee-160d3907e677" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAverageRemainingMaturity1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7b1e-954f-7bc46dde5915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAverageRemainingMaturity1_01a033ee-f4d6-7fa6-a3ee-160d3907e677" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesCreditRiskonFreestandingDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#DerivativesCreditRiskonFreestandingDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/DerivativesCreditRiskonFreestandingDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-776e-8e47-464e3cb8df1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-8617-2f96a398d490" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-776e-8e47-464e3cb8df1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-8617-2f96a398d490" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7627-be29-135e290cc507" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfCreditDerivativesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7239-8617-2f96a398d490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7627-be29-135e290cc507" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7627-be29-135e290cc507_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7627-be29-135e290cc507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7627-be29-135e290cc507_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d48-b1a6-564271260295" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7627-be29-135e290cc507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d48-b1a6-564271260295" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_DerivativesSubjectToCreditContingentProvisionsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-74cd-b19e-3dfd05317f2b" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_DerivativesSubjectToCreditContingentProvisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d48-b1a6-564271260295" xlink:to="loc_bhf_DerivativesSubjectToCreditContingentProvisionsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-74cd-b19e-3dfd05317f2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNetLiabilityPositionAggregateFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7f16-92c1-dee0783d75c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNetLiabilityPositionAggregateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-776e-8e47-464e3cb8df1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNetLiabilityPositionAggregateFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7f16-92c1-dee0783d75c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7f4d-9a11-3c2956f4567c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditDerivativesLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-776e-8e47-464e3cb8df1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7f4d-9a11-3c2956f4567c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueRecurringFairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-984d-bdb153ee9bc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7d53-bb31-1dff3eceb3df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-984d-bdb153ee9bc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7d53-bb31-1dff3eceb3df" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7956-932d-d360d7dc937b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7d53-bb31-1dff3eceb3df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7956-932d-d360d7dc937b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7956-932d-d360d7dc937b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7956-932d-d360d7dc937b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7956-932d-d360d7dc937b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c16-8fc2-591f8b3cc374" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7956-932d-d360d7dc937b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c16-8fc2-591f8b3cc374" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7ba1-a8ff-db818a0dc75a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c16-8fc2-591f8b3cc374" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7ba1-a8ff-db818a0dc75a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a033ee-f4d6-719d-8652-4e229b27a60e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c16-8fc2-591f8b3cc374" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a033ee-f4d6-719d-8652-4e229b27a60e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a033ee-f4d6-74f5-94fb-85f698b029d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7c16-8fc2-591f8b3cc374" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a033ee-f4d6-74f5-94fb-85f698b029d9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7f3e-81d6-1fba0007129b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7d53-bb31-1dff3eceb3df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7f3e-81d6-1fba0007129b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f3e-81d6-1fba0007129b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7f3e-81d6-1fba0007129b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f3e-81d6-1fba0007129b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7f3e-81d6-1fba0007129b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdb-87a7-ae8f446a2ffe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7cdb-87a7-ae8f446a2ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7ee4-ac5b-ea69525ff1d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7ee4-ac5b-ea69525ff1d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7754-93e2-f3c3ad764b01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7754-93e2-f3c3ad764b01" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e83-983f-8051ceb6c9cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e83-983f-8051ceb6c9cf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-717f-b776-fd844f5eda4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-717f-b776-fd844f5eda4a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-703c-8812-735b4d171938" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-703c-8812-735b4d171938" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fa1-adcc-c99c2a4f5397" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fa1-adcc-c99c2a4f5397" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b55-8acb-528d511457ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78ab-a74f-7b30fe31d943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b55-8acb-528d511457ef" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a85-9e43-6380d101b1b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7d53-bb31-1dff3eceb3df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a85-9e43-6380d101b1b5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a85-9e43-6380d101b1b5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a85-9e43-6380d101b1b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a85-9e43-6380d101b1b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70f4-8239-0c86dc102beb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7a85-9e43-6380d101b1b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70f4-8239-0c86dc102beb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76f0-80fe-e176b8591fb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70f4-8239-0c86dc102beb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76f0-80fe-e176b8591fb9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-756f-9fe5-28e538760951" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70f4-8239-0c86dc102beb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-756f-9fe5-28e538760951" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditRiskContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b93-b241-e421b35ab9ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditRiskContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70f4-8239-0c86dc102beb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditRiskContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b93-b241-e421b35ab9ac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b23-ac5d-a5b45740eb7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-70f4-8239-0c86dc102beb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityContractMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b23-ac5d-a5b45740eb7e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-984d-bdb153ee9bc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_01a033ee-f4d6-77d2-96fe-ec6ee3eb3931" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_01a033ee-f4d6-77d2-96fe-ec6ee3eb3931" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesDebt_01a033ee-f4d6-761c-a7cb-3ad3d21f6892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradingSecuritiesDebt_01a033ee-f4d6-761c-a7cb-3ad3d21f6892" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_01a033ee-f4d6-70ab-b513-845efee19bf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_01a033ee-f4d6-70ab-b513-845efee19bf5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherShortTermInvestments_01a033ee-f4d6-7df0-a061-ee5548c73712" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherShortTermInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherShortTermInvestments_01a033ee-f4d6-7df0-a061-ee5548c73712" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a033ee-f4d6-77b0-a65d-ce6b62d89dc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_01a033ee-f4d6-77b0-a65d-ce6b62d89dc2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce7-a066-170c76ea6f64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce7-a066-170c76ea6f64" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAssetAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-720d-bdf9-694844ec9d69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAssetAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitAssetAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-720d-bdf9-694844ec9d69" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets_01a033ee-f4d6-75a2-8aab-46efe2cfbee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountAssets_01a033ee-f4d6-75a2-8aab-46efe2cfbee0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7796-aaef-e31937106d62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7c36-aa3f-c20afcb6c69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7796-aaef-e31937106d62" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-afa2-692482681131" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-77eb-984d-bdb153ee9bc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-afa2-692482681131" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLiabilityAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-74e3-b1de-7313f03bf5d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLiabilityAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-afa2-692482681131" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitLiabilityAmount_01a033ee-f4d6-74e3-b1de-7313f03bf5d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7a6c-86c7-ae158fb9880b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-afa2-692482681131" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7a6c-86c7-ae158fb9880b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7a8e-b488-adcddad0b8bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-afa2-692482681131" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7a8e-b488-adcddad0b8bf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-78f4-8dd8-749f02e3fdf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-7111-afa2-692482681131" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-78f4-8dd8-749f02e3fdf9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredQuantitativeInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#FairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredQuantitativeInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredQuantitativeInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-71d7-98dd-df0cb497a9aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-79a0-bc04-1afc5ce7a1a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-71d7-98dd-df0cb497a9aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-79a0-bc04-1afc5ce7a1a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7910-afee-dbbc85f9f03d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-79a0-bc04-1afc5ce7a1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7910-afee-dbbc85f9f03d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7910-afee-dbbc85f9f03d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7910-afee-dbbc85f9f03d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7910-afee-dbbc85f9f03d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7910-afee-dbbc85f9f03d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputMortalityRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-70bf-8a55-df419741aa60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputMortalityRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputMortalityRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-70bf-8a55-df419741aa60" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputLapseRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-78ee-9d73-8d75c51b8c4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputLapseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputLapseRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-78ee-9d73-8d75c51b8c4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputUtilizationRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fe4-9319-ce64eacabf26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputUtilizationRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputUtilizationRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fe4-9319-ce64eacabf26" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputWithdrawalRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71cf-bf27-0547c48c552e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputWithdrawalRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputWithdrawalRateMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71cf-bf27-0547c48c552e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_MeasurementInputLongTermEquityVolatilitiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-78c3-a10f-95ce372363c2" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_MeasurementInputLongTermEquityVolatilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:to="loc_bhf_MeasurementInputLongTermEquityVolatilitiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-78c3-a10f-95ce372363c2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputEntityCreditRiskMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79ac-a232-90d3f03ee11d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputEntityCreditRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-76a9-8ed2-bdfad6045510" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputEntityCreditRiskMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79ac-a232-90d3f03ee11d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7864-966d-4c748b7c74bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-79a0-bc04-1afc5ce7a1a9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7864-966d-4c748b7c74bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7864-966d-4c748b7c74bd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7864-966d-4c748b7c74bd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7864-966d-4c748b7c74bd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71c8-93cb-afeb390c529b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7864-966d-4c748b7c74bd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71c8-93cb-afeb390c529b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7826-a197-ae8b97855db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71c8-93cb-afeb390c529b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7826-a197-ae8b97855db2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7541-9d7a-8b7dd9114eec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71c8-93cb-afeb390c529b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7541-9d7a-8b7dd9114eec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce3-9dc4-26db768f4ffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a033ee-f4d6-79a0-bc04-1afc5ce7a1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce3-9dc4-26db768f4ffa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce3-9dc4-26db768f4ffa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce3-9dc4-26db768f4ffa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce3-9dc4-26db768f4ffa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-74cc-acb5-4b55a4256423" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7ce3-9dc4-26db768f4ffa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-74cc-acb5-4b55a4256423" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5d-85df-fcb44dbb783a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-74cc-acb5-4b55a4256423" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5d-85df-fcb44dbb783a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitMeasurementInput_01a033ee-f4d6-709f-8bec-d4823e6203c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-71d7-98dd-df0cb497a9aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketRiskBenefitMeasurementInput_01a033ee-f4d6-709f-8bec-d4823e6203c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput_01a033ee-f4d6-73e4-81cb-056d8ad33302" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-71d7-98dd-df0cb497a9aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput_01a033ee-f4d6-73e4-81cb-056d8ad33302" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#FairValueUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-79cb-91d8-0bb554e977cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725e-8030-7164a64bf497" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-79cb-91d8-0bb554e977cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725e-8030-7164a64bf497" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-761b-8078-fb29b3f8c34a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725e-8030-7164a64bf497" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-761b-8078-fb29b3f8c34a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761b-8078-fb29b3f8c34a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-761b-8078-fb29b3f8c34a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-761b-8078-fb29b3f8c34a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-761b-8078-fb29b3f8c34a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7187-b48b-0c883fb3de9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7187-b48b-0c883fb3de9c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_StructuredSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-700a-99bc-c08a65903619" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_StructuredSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:to="loc_bhf_StructuredSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-700a-99bc-c08a65903619" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-762a-aeb2-b7ac2057a883" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-762a-aeb2-b7ac2057a883" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79c2-9a95-27e4bf9afc91" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:to="loc_bhf_TradingSecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79c2-9a95-27e4bf9afc91" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7377-b2d2-ef41898dfcfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7377-b2d2-ef41898dfcfd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fea-a01a-19e4121ec111" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-743a-b0c6-b659d3e1cee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fea-a01a-19e4121ec111" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-765c-9d9e-530b9e8192e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_01a033ee-f4d6-725e-8030-7164a64bf497" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-765c-9d9e-530b9e8192e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-765c-9d9e-530b9e8192e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-765c-9d9e-530b9e8192e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-765c-9d9e-530b9e8192e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e86-91fc-e035ff2fab10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-765c-9d9e-530b9e8192e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e86-91fc-e035ff2fab10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NetDerivativesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a29-8c1d-f846b1535017" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NetDerivativesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e86-91fc-e035ff2fab10" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NetDerivativesMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a29-8c1d-f846b1535017" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7333-8c4c-05c854284c97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e86-91fc-e035ff2fab10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7333-8c4c-05c854284c97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-79cb-91d8-0bb554e977cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7505-86cb-53e77c11c5c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7505-86cb-53e77c11c5c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1_01a033ee-f4d6-73e5-a9fb-2efa23d077f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1_01a033ee-f4d6-73e5-a9fb-2efa23d077f5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-796b-baf9-733ab789b63e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-796b-baf9-733ab789b63e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases_01a033ee-f4d6-7f94-b993-c1f72121cf84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases_01a033ee-f4d6-7f94-b993-c1f72121cf84" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales_01a033ee-f4d6-759d-b7df-ef2dcdbf241b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales_01a033ee-f4d6-759d-b7df-ef2dcdbf241b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetIssues_01a033ee-f4d6-77cb-b030-0eb091bcaf98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetIssues_01a033ee-f4d6-77cb-b030-0eb091bcaf98" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements_01a033ee-f4d6-7912-ab98-f986f9241d0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements_01a033ee-f4d6-7912-ab98-f986f9241d0d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-7dfa-a482-9dc1d12a7257" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-7dfa-a482-9dc1d12a7257" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-7dfe-9ff9-3d39a179501a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-7dfe-9ff9-3d39a179501a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7782-85d1-146e2d0d489b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-78fa-a71d-fddeeef175e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-78fa-a71d-fddeeef175e7" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetLiabilityRecurringBasisStillHeldUnrealizedGainLossOci_01a033ee-f4d6-7eab-a456-3113adacbc3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetLiabilityRecurringBasisStillHeldUnrealizedGainLossOci"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-7234-8776-bed5d3082145" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetLiabilityRecurringBasisStillHeldUnrealizedGainLossOci_01a033ee-f4d6-7eab-a456-3113adacbc3d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-79cb-91d8-0bb554e977cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a033ee-f4d6-7d82-b934-a4a0cf73bf0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a033ee-f4d6-7d82-b934-a4a0cf73bf0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_01a033ee-f4d6-70ea-a5ab-e4b6182aecd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInEarnings_01a033ee-f4d6-70ea-a5ab-e4b6182aecd6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-a7af-96c8c24376cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-a7af-96c8c24376cc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_01a033ee-f4d6-70db-b4bd-1e69bf97e47f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationPurchases_01a033ee-f4d6-70db-b4bd-1e69bf97e47f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSales_01a033ee-f4d6-72d2-b010-c1d4e9fbaa7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSales_01a033ee-f4d6-72d2-b010-c1d4e9fbaa7b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationIssues_01a033ee-f4d6-7955-82f8-0d0844bf239a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationIssues_01a033ee-f4d6-7955-82f8-0d0844bf239a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_01a033ee-f4d6-753a-b769-8ad5198acef1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationSettlements_01a033ee-f4d6-753a-b769-8ad5198acef1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationTransfersIntoLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-7631-95be-fa5f588ec981" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationTransfersIntoLevel3"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationTransfersIntoLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-7631-95be-fa5f588ec981" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationTransfersOutOfLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-752c-9590-1fe9acd716e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationTransfersOutOfLevel3"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputsReconciliationTransfersOutOfLevel3_01a033ee-f4d6-752c-9590-1fe9acd716e3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs_01a033ee-f4d6-73b2-81b2-9d443ef5fd51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7c27-80fc-76c7f3663527" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisChangeInUnrealizedGainLoss_01a033ee-f4d6-7c27-80fc-76c7f3663527" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityRecurringBasisStillHeldUnrealizedGainLossOci_01a033ee-f4d6-75d5-a14a-5572aca68982" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityRecurringBasisStillHeldUnrealizedGainLossOci"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_01a033ee-f4d6-79f8-9019-ba8c52e7094b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityRecurringBasisStillHeldUnrealizedGainLossOci_01a033ee-f4d6-75d5-a14a-5572aca68982" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueFinancialInstrumentsCarriedatOtherThanFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#FairValueFinancialInstrumentsCarriedatOtherThanFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/FairValueFinancialInstrumentsCarriedatOtherThanFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-714a-819c-a4dfc9056423" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7437-a01c-6dde54639244" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-714a-819c-a4dfc9056423" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7437-a01c-6dde54639244" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7002-9bd2-3f0bd841b089" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7437-a01c-6dde54639244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7002-9bd2-3f0bd841b089" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7002-9bd2-3f0bd841b089_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7002-9bd2-3f0bd841b089" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7002-9bd2-3f0bd841b089_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-729d-a304-3df0dc368192" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7002-9bd2-3f0bd841b089" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-729d-a304-3df0dc368192" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79d0-99a9-cec97c0f58e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-729d-a304-3df0dc368192" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79d0-99a9-cec97c0f58e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-759f-8788-f4cd1bacf327" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79d0-99a9-cec97c0f58e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-759f-8788-f4cd1bacf327" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71cc-9aa5-5ba9f8772de6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-79d0-99a9-cec97c0f58e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71cc-9aa5-5ba9f8772de6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-79a2-b890-29ae3fb57c8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7437-a01c-6dde54639244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-79a2-b890-29ae3fb57c8b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79a2-b890-29ae3fb57c8b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-79a2-b890-29ae3fb57c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79a2-b890-29ae3fb57c8b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7071-8700-416c638411a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-79a2-b890-29ae3fb57c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7071-8700-416c638411a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7d73-b3e4-cee462c87ac4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7071-8700-416c638411a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7d73-b3e4-cee462c87ac4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7fe6-809b-8904dbed621c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7071-8700-416c638411a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a033ee-f4d6-7fe6-809b-8904dbed621c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a033ee-f4d6-71a2-8475-797117a56375" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7071-8700-416c638411a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a033ee-f4d6-71a2-8475-797117a56375" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-76de-9c38-6da6d2826bfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-714a-819c-a4dfc9056423" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-76de-9c38-6da6d2826bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_FairValueMortgageLoansNetNotOnRecurringBasis_01a033ee-f4d6-74c7-95d6-5ec8e5640427" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_FairValueMortgageLoansNetNotOnRecurringBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-76de-9c38-6da6d2826bfa" xlink:to="loc_bhf_FairValueMortgageLoansNetNotOnRecurringBasis_01a033ee-f4d6-74c7-95d6-5ec8e5640427" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansInsurancePolicy_01a033ee-f4d6-73fd-8fbb-d735bae3ef04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoansInsurancePolicy"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-76de-9c38-6da6d2826bfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoansInsurancePolicy_01a033ee-f4d6-73fd-8fbb-d735bae3ef04" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_OtherInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7f00-ab63-15218eec11ef" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_OtherInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-76de-9c38-6da6d2826bfa" xlink:to="loc_bhf_OtherInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7f00-ab63-15218eec11ef" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7d28-9ae8-d0211214a4b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-76de-9c38-6da6d2826bfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7d28-9ae8-d0211214a4b1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-733e-bb08-9c51789c6bbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-714a-819c-a4dfc9056423" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-733e-bb08-9c51789c6bbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_PolicyholderContractDepositsFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-77fe-ae18-38a6d5985242" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_PolicyholderContractDepositsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-733e-bb08-9c51789c6bbc" xlink:to="loc_bhf_PolicyholderContractDepositsFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-77fe-ae18-38a6d5985242" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7a4c-9d40-8f9b9f9d9e05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-733e-bb08-9c51789c6bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_01a033ee-f4d6-7a4c-9d40-8f9b9f9d9e05" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7e58-9f82-6aa637b3d97f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-733e-bb08-9c51789c6bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a033ee-f4d6-7e58-9f82-6aa637b3d97f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3b-89e7-debfb8b35c9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_01a033ee-f4d6-733e-bb08-9c51789c6bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeparateAccountsLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3b-89e7-debfb8b35c9c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityPreferredStockDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#EquityPreferredStockDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityPreferredStockDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-797d-b86f-f43fc0118692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7368-9f70-2d8c28122851" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-797d-b86f-f43fc0118692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7368-9f70-2d8c28122851" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7fcb-85ad-e26d76afaa18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7368-9f70-2d8c28122851" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7fcb-85ad-e26d76afaa18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7fcb-85ad-e26d76afaa18_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7fcb-85ad-e26d76afaa18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7fcb-85ad-e26d76afaa18_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7fcb-85ad-e26d76afaa18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73f7-bf5c-edb9a8ee8200" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73f7-bf5c-edb9a8ee8200" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71bb-acc2-0092f9f3c560" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71bb-acc2-0092f9f3c560" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77ef-9306-54fb20539fbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77ef-9306-54fb20539fbe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-796f-8303-015ed6f23bf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-796f-8303-015ed6f23bf3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NotDesignatedPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7cb7-af46-63347b2a83cb" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NotDesignatedPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7f5f-a607-dc7c4cf0724a" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NotDesignatedPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7cb7-af46-63347b2a83cb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_01a033ee-f4d6-7f94-bea9-7bcee86845f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-797d-b86f-f43fc0118692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_01a033ee-f4d6-7f94-bea9-7bcee86845f4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_01a033ee-f4d6-7d7c-8fbb-e0dee0c827d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-797d-b86f-f43fc0118692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_01a033ee-f4d6-7d7c-8fbb-e0dee0c827d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_01a033ee-f4d6-7138-8ee9-614ae5cc539a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-797d-b86f-f43fc0118692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_01a033ee-f4d6-7138-8ee9-614ae5cc539a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_01a033ee-f4d6-7b42-be49-0d96119b676f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-797d-b86f-f43fc0118692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_01a033ee-f4d6-7b42-be49-0d96119b676f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityPreferredStockDividendsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#EquityPreferredStockDividendsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityPreferredStockDividendsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-770f-bbce-fe9a7e018376" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7276-94a7-0a7315b61fa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-770f-bbce-fe9a7e018376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7276-94a7-0a7315b61fa9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5a-a3a5-1afe9f6f8769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7276-94a7-0a7315b61fa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5a-a3a5-1afe9f6f8769" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5a-a3a5-1afe9f6f8769_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5a-a3a5-1afe9f6f8769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5a-a3a5-1afe9f6f8769_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79c1-b737-b4ec052d2976" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e5a-a3a5-1afe9f6f8769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79c1-b737-b4ec052d2976" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-724b-a505-f909682f1a0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79c1-b737-b4ec052d2976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-724b-a505-f909682f1a0f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7576-b169-2f0bb01b3a80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79c1-b737-b4ec052d2976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7576-b169-2f0bb01b3a80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7af5-a5d8-09762f40a003" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79c1-b737-b4ec052d2976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7af5-a5d8-09762f40a003" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-734f-979b-6c8580e96ca2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-79c1-b737-b4ec052d2976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_01a033ee-f4d6-734f-979b-6c8580e96ca2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a033ee-f4d6-7c47-8f39-b2a4529a3585" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-770f-bbce-fe9a7e018376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a033ee-f4d6-7c47-8f39-b2a4529a3585" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_01a033ee-f4d6-77ed-ad74-c66ba61c8bb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-770f-bbce-fe9a7e018376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_01a033ee-f4d6-77ed-ad74-c66ba61c8bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityCommonStockRepurchaseProgramNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#EquityCommonStockRepurchaseProgramNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityCommonStockRepurchaseProgramNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-73db-b089-1998b59755c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-76bb-9314-e1cd28caead9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-73db-b089-1998b59755c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-76bb-9314-e1cd28caead9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7527-ab37-692d96c0013c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a033ee-f4d6-76bb-9314-e1cd28caead9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7527-ab37-692d96c0013c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7527-ab37-692d96c0013c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7527-ab37-692d96c0013c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7527-ab37-692d96c0013c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7495-ae89-25c4a5b55bd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7527-ab37-692d96c0013c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7495-ae89-25c4a5b55bd7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_AuthorizationUnder10b51PlanMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73bf-a0a7-a79d142094bc" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_AuthorizationUnder10b51PlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7495-ae89-25c4a5b55bd7" xlink:to="loc_bhf_AuthorizationUnder10b51PlanMember_01a033ee-f4d6-73bf-a0a7-a79d142094bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_01a033ee-f4d6-78ac-98e7-37557117cc7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-73db-b089-1998b59755c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_01a033ee-f4d6-78ac-98e7-37557117cc7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a033ee-f4d6-78cd-b273-cb18a96ac820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-73db-b089-1998b59755c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a033ee-f4d6-78cd-b273-cb18a96ac820" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_01a033ee-f4d6-7559-b7b7-e11c4d96aa68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-73db-b089-1998b59755c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_01a033ee-f4d6-7559-b7b7-e11c4d96aa68" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityDividendRestrictionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#EquityDividendRestrictionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityDividendRestrictionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_01a17e0c-675a-7be2-bb50-d438ff837afc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_01a17e0c-675a-7f11-8b31-82e0599f088f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_01a17e0c-675a-7be2-bb50-d438ff837afc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_01a17e0c-675a-7f11-8b31-82e0599f088f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a17e0c-675a-7db9-b6cf-62ab80e2f8e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesTable_01a17e0c-675a-7f11-8b31-82e0599f088f" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a17e0c-675a-7db9-b6cf-62ab80e2f8e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a17e0c-675a-7db9-b6cf-62ab80e2f8e0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a17e0c-675a-7db9-b6cf-62ab80e2f8e0" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a17e0c-675a-7db9-b6cf-62ab80e2f8e0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a17e0c-675a-7087-ab4a-10c85c0dd288" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_01a17e0c-675a-7db9-b6cf-62ab80e2f8e0" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a17e0c-675a-7087-ab4a-10c85c0dd288" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_BrighthouseReinsuranceCompanyOfDelawareMember_01a17e0e-72bd-7a58-8e95-9f003ffc0831" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_BrighthouseReinsuranceCompanyOfDelawareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_01a17e0c-675a-7087-ab4a-10c85c0dd288" xlink:to="loc_bhf_BrighthouseReinsuranceCompanyOfDelawareMember_01a17e0e-72bd-7a58-8e95-9f003ffc0831" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends_01a17e0f-41d2-74d6-9bda-e41f42983fe6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesLineItems_01a17e0c-675a-7be2-bb50-d438ff837afc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends_01a17e0f-41d2-74d6-9bda-e41f42983fe6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#EquityComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a033ee-f4d6-70f9-87df-9e1a67e50765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a033ee-f4d6-70f9-87df-9e1a67e50765" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-73af-b565-f61f29a04c67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a033ee-f4d6-70f9-87df-9e1a67e50765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-73af-b565-f61f29a04c67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73af-b565-f61f29a04c67_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-73af-b565-f61f29a04c67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73af-b565-f61f29a04c67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-73af-b565-f61f29a04c67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71e7-add2-1f4d6f614714" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_01a033ee-f4d6-71e7-add2-1f4d6f614714" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7c4f-8034-78f7c25acc1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7c4f-8034-78f7c25acc1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociMarketRiskBenefitInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-74df-aba2-02046d33e424" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociMarketRiskBenefitInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociMarketRiskBenefitInstrumentSpecificCreditRiskParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-74df-aba2-02046d33e424" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-771a-ad74-313109007f6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-771a-ad74-313109007f6d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_OtherComponentsOfAOCIMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77ad-91f0-6ad789f4bdba" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_OtherComponentsOfAOCIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:to="loc_bhf_OtherComponentsOfAOCIMember_01a033ee-f4d6-77ad-91f0-6ad789f4bdba" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b62-a750-cb719cfc77c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7958-90d6-b9f06584cf79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7b62-a750-cb719cfc77c5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f4d6-7f6c-a065-b133b9f7fc56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f4d6-7f6c-a065-b133b9f7fc56" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7fbe-a903-0e0b3559b3c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7fbe-a903-0e0b3559b3c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax_01a033ee-f4d6-70bb-b981-40c66c5c8238" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsTax_01a033ee-f4d6-70bb-b981-40c66c5c8238" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7251-a976-5c462627021c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7251-a976-5c462627021c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7d25-8ea8-08c7a8cb1be5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7d25-8ea8-08c7a8cb1be5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7f11-a951-7c71f2c28c4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7f11-a951-7c71f2c28c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7055-8e7f-7c9f3eedf293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7258-98ac-a02ff96a7bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_01a033ee-f4d6-7055-8e7f-7c9f3eedf293" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f4d6-7ac0-ba19-ebee511300e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityReclassificationsOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#EquityReclassificationsOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/EquityReclassificationsOutofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7474-8cbe-e496f3357639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7474-8cbe-e496f3357639" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7b8b-9da5-ad352a727c34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7474-8cbe-e496f3357639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7b8b-9da5-ad352a727c34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7b8b-9da5-ad352a727c34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7b8b-9da5-ad352a727c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7b8b-9da5-ad352a727c34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-75b0-913a-d121084bca6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7b8b-9da5-ad352a727c34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-75b0-913a-d121084bca6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d0b-9ae0-3194aa73a171" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-75b0-913a-d121084bca6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7d0b-9ae0-3194aa73a171" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-755d-af61-db5b1295eb29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7474-8cbe-e496f3357639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-755d-af61-db5b1295eb29" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-755d-af61-db5b1295eb29_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-755d-af61-db5b1295eb29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-755d-af61-db5b1295eb29_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ccc-9d54-7a31a04c0870" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-755d-af61-db5b1295eb29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ccc-9d54-7a31a04c0870" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fb6-8746-2271a1311d1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ccc-9d54-7a31a04c0870" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7fb6-8746-2271a1311d1b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d4-a8fa-7d37907eaabc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ccc-9d54-7a31a04c0870" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-76d4-a8fa-7d37907eaabc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7048-bf25-f1c9d843a276" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7ccc-9d54-7a31a04c0870" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7048-bf25-f1c9d843a276" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d46-b88d-27e65b261acf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7474-8cbe-e496f3357639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d46-b88d-27e65b261acf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d46-b88d-27e65b261acf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d46-b88d-27e65b261acf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d46-b88d-27e65b261acf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-756e-9059-c0edffbcf73f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d46-b88d-27e65b261acf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-756e-9059-c0edffbcf73f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7122-bb75-9564395d4ee5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-756e-9059-c0edffbcf73f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7122-bb75-9564395d4ee5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7c49-a09b-0e205cb07ef7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-756e-9059-c0edffbcf73f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7c49-a09b-0e205cb07ef7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_01a033ee-f4d6-7a1d-9d88-33df4d6674e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_01a033ee-f4d6-7a1d-9d88-33df4d6674e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_01a033ee-f4d6-7fe8-8560-118feb9f65e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_01a033ee-f4d6-7fe8-8560-118feb9f65e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-77d5-91c9-cccd422267ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome_01a033ee-f4d6-77d5-91c9-cccd422267ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f4d6-7034-9a2b-1b7bad0a8dd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_01a033ee-f4d6-7034-9a2b-1b7bad0a8dd6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a033ee-f4d6-7083-86c7-c707135e151a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a033ee-f4d6-7083-86c7-c707135e151a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_01a033ee-f4d6-70c3-a7bf-add2fb507ce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_01a033ee-f4d6-70c3-a7bf-add2fb507ce6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetOfTax_01a033ee-f4d6-732c-9f19-4fdee46b1e5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansNetOfTax_01a033ee-f4d6-732c-9f19-4fdee46b1e5c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_01a033ee-f4d6-73f9-808f-73222145965d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-785d-b987-f00d1763f0b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_01a033ee-f4d6-73f9-808f-73222145965d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesOtherRevenuesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesOtherRevenuesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/OtherRevenuesandOtherExpensesOtherRevenuesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-793c-b551-3d98fc270b5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a033ee-f4d6-758a-8930-73dabec44315" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-793c-b551-3d98fc270b5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a033ee-f4d6-758a-8930-73dabec44315" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-78be-a6f6-abc5ce795d99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a033ee-f4d6-758a-8930-73dabec44315" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-78be-a6f6-abc5ce795d99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78be-a6f6-abc5ce795d99_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-78be-a6f6-abc5ce795d99" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-78be-a6f6-abc5ce795d99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7005-8a3e-016c6964dc5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-78be-a6f6-abc5ce795d99" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7005-8a3e-016c6964dc5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionServiceMember_01a033ee-f4d6-789d-a162-2d1c74e777aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7005-8a3e-016c6964dc5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionServiceMember_01a033ee-f4d6-789d-a162-2d1c74e777aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_01a033ee-f4d6-713a-b9d8-ff9d5a67c150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-793c-b551-3d98fc270b5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_01a033ee-f4d6-713a-b9d8-ff9d5a67c150" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#ContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.brighthousefinancial.com/role/ContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesContingenciesCommitmentsandGuaranteesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7d-aabe-f6d4cd146129" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7d-aabe-f6d4cd146129" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-72b1-a441-476e3afda1d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7d-aabe-f6d4cd146129" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-72b1-a441-476e3afda1d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-72b1-a441-476e3afda1d2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-72b1-a441-476e3afda1d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-72b1-a441-476e3afda1d2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a08-954b-86b70535d61c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-72b1-a441-476e3afda1d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a08-954b-86b70535d61c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoanOriginationCommitmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e55-a971-591d8db0e909" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LoanOriginationCommitmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a08-954b-86b70535d61c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoanOriginationCommitmentsMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e55-a971-591d8db0e909" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsToExtendCreditMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7dc6-a213-1aeefbba9d07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsToExtendCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7a08-954b-86b70535d61c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsToExtendCreditMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7dc6-a213-1aeefbba9d07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e89-951d-d40c8a4ef676" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7d-aabe-f6d4cd146129" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e89-951d-d40c8a4ef676" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e89-951d-d40c8a4ef676_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e89-951d-d40c8a4ef676" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e89-951d-d40c8a4ef676_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3b-b218-eaba1319d1a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7e89-951d-d40c8a4ef676" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3b-b218-eaba1319d1a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7cd2-942a-16c92b5bc3c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3b-b218-eaba1319d1a7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7cd2-942a-16c92b5bc3c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7779-b58d-7dbf17b29104" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3b-b218-eaba1319d1a7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7779-b58d-7dbf17b29104" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d3d-b0ab-da43b0b0357f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7d-aabe-f6d4cd146129" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d3d-b0ab-da43b0b0357f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d3d-b0ab-da43b0b0357f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d3d-b0ab-da43b0b0357f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d3d-b0ab-da43b0b0357f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73f8-8b55-c4e4942b976d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7d3d-b0ab-da43b0b0357f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73f8-8b55-c4e4942b976d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_NonLitigationLossMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7220-b1be-7845019c787a" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_NonLitigationLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-73f8-8b55-c4e4942b976d" xlink:to="loc_bhf_NonLitigationLossMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7220-b1be-7845019c787a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7128-b54e-c676e3b8a880" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksTable_01a033ee-f4d6-7b7d-aabe-f6d4cd146129" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7128-b54e-c676e3b8a880" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7128-b54e-c676e3b8a880_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7128-b54e-c676e3b8a880" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7128-b54e-c676e3b8a880_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d4a-8ac3-0c24c8ba8169" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_01a033ee-f4d6-7128-b54e-c676e3b8a880" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d4a-8ac3-0c24c8ba8169" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_bhf_LawrenceMartinV.BrighthouseLifeInsuranceCompanyMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a8a-b93d-1b01ecb464b6" xlink:href="bhf-20260930.xsd#bhf_LawrenceMartinV.BrighthouseLifeInsuranceCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_01a033ee-f4d6-7d4a-8ac3-0c24c8ba8169" xlink:to="loc_bhf_LawrenceMartinV.BrighthouseLifeInsuranceCompanyMember_01a033ee-f4d6-7a8a-b93d-1b01ecb464b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty_01a033ee-f4d6-7a63-84a2-b713db517c88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty_01a033ee-f4d6-7a63-84a2-b713db517c88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued_01a033ee-f4d6-7462-b971-2c3aa35df1df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued_01a033ee-f4d6-7462-b971-2c3aa35df1df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureOffbalanceSheetRisksFaceAmountLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7ed7-a43e-a3d3cf22130f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureOffbalanceSheetRisksFaceAmountLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureOffbalanceSheetRisksFaceAmountLiability_01a033ee-f4d6-7ed7-a43e-a3d3cf22130f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_01a033ee-f4d6-7ba7-84ac-857fd88a4d9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_01a033ee-f4d6-7ba7-84ac-857fd88a4d9f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue_01a033ee-f4d6-78a9-88da-04b4cc39a9c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems_01a033ee-f4d6-7e3f-8176-d78f0378dabe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsCurrentCarryingValue_01a033ee-f4d6-78a9-88da-04b4cc39a9c3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
