Reinsurance - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 01, 1998	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable		$ 3,682	$ 3,796
Lincoln National Corporation, Subsidiary
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable		1,300	1,400
Disposal of life insurance business	$ 1,000
Athene annuity and life | Fixed Annuity
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded Reserves		451
Certain individual life and deferred annuity policies from VIAC | Individual Life
SEC Schedule, 12-17, Insurance Companies, Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reserves assumed		$ 782	$ 837