Subsequent Event (Details) (Subsequent event, Expected impact, Sale agreement, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended
Jul. 17, 2013
Subsequent event
Sale price of Lincoln Benefit Life Company and its business generated through independent master brokerage agencies	$ 600
Minimum
Subsequent event
Estimated after-tax loss on disposition	(475)
Estimated increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity	(575)
Maximum
Subsequent event
Estimated after-tax loss on disposition	(525)
Estimated increase (decrease) in shareholders' equity	$ (675)

The increase (decrease) in stockholders' equity during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Name:	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration