Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	$ 54,830		$ 54,830		$ 51,740
U.S. Government bonds	240		240		165
Foreign government bonds	594		594		508
MBS:
CMOs	5,379		5,379		5,757
MPTS	3,149		3,149		3,081
CMBS	1,806		1,806		2,053
ABS:
CDOs	126		126		174
State and municipal bonds	3,479		3,479		3,155
Hybrid and redeemable preferred stocks	1,317		1,317		1,397
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	593		593		584
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	2		2		58
Insurance securities	33		33		37
Other financial services securities	31		31		32
Other securities	78		78		70
Trading securities	2,625		2,625		2,596
Derivative investments	1,097		1,097		1,076
Cash and invested cash	2,912		2,912		2,741
Separate account assets	88,846		88,846		84,630
Total assets	167,137		167,137		159,854
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(506)		(506)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(278)		(278)		(408)
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	(83)		(83)		(55)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(119)		(119)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	(198)		(198)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(360)		(360)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(7)		(7)		(16)
Total liabilities	(1,551)		(1,551)		(1,650)
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	2,741	3,044	2,620	3,246
Items Included in Net Income	(93)	(574)	96	(579)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	71	29	93	287
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(177)	(10)	(256)	23
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(115)	(499)	(126)	(987)
Ending Fair Value	2,427	1,990	2,427	1,990
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	(37)	(694)	156	(526)
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	158		331
Sales	(160)		(258)
Maturities	(98)		(157)
Settlements	11		(83)
Calls	(88)		(89)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(177)	(10)	(256)	23
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	21	45	40	(73)
Transfers Out of Level 3	(136)	(544)	(166)	(914)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(115)	(499)	(126)	(987)
Carrying Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Fixed maturity securities	70,920		70,920		68,030
VIEs' fixed maturity securities	593		593		584
Equity securities	144		144		197
Trading Securities	2,625		2,625		2,596
Mortgage loans on real estate	6,871		6,871		6,752
Derivative investments	1,097		1,097		1,076
Other investments	1,001		1,001		1,038
Cash and invested cash	2,912		2,912		2,741
Separate account assets	88,846		88,846		84,630
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(506)		(506)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(278)		(278)		(408)
Other contract holder funds:
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts	(1,156)		(1,156)		(1,119)
Account value of certain investment contracts	(26,832)		(26,832)		(26,130)
Short-term debt	(251)		(251)		(351)
Long-term debt	(5,729)		(5,729)		(5,399)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(119)		(119)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivative instruments	(198)		(198)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(360)		(360)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(7)		(7)		(16)
Fair Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Fixed maturity securities	70,920		70,920		68,030
VIEs' fixed maturity securities	593		593		584
Equity securities	144		144		197
Trading Securities	2,625		2,625		2,596
Mortgage loans on real estate	7,444		7,444		7,183
Derivative investments	1,097		1,097		1,076
Other investments	1,001		1,001		1,038
Cash and invested cash	2,912		2,912		2,741
Separate account assets	88,846		88,846		84,630
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(506)		(506)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(278)		(278)		(408)
Other contract holder funds:
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts	(1,156)		(1,156)		(1,119)
Account value of certain investment contracts	(27,628)		(27,628)		(27,142)
Short-term debt	(257)		(257)		(364)
Long-term debt	(5,858)		(5,858)		(5,512)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(119)		(119)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivative instruments	(198)		(198)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(360)		(360)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(7)		(7)		(16)
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	61		61		60
U.S. Government bonds	235		235		160
Foreign government bonds	0		0		0
MBS:
CMOs	0		0		0
MPTS	0		0		0
CMBS	0		0		0
ABS:
CDOs	0		0		0
State and municipal bonds	0		0		0
Hybrid and redeemable preferred stocks	25		25		18
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	0		0		0
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	0		0		0
Insurance securities	3		3		3
Other financial services securities	0		0		0
Other securities	34		34		34
Trading securities	2		2		2
Derivative investments	0		0		0
Cash and invested cash	0		0		0
Separate account assets	0		0		0
Total assets	360		360		277
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	0		0		0
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	0		0		0
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	0		0		0
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Credit default swaps	0		0		0
Total liabilities	0		0		0
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	53,196		53,196		49,864
U.S. Government bonds	3		3		3
Foreign government bonds	498		498		395
MBS:
CMOs	5,351		5,351		5,734
MPTS	3,016		3,016		2,985
CMBS	1,753		1,753		1,944
ABS:
CDOs	0		0		2
State and municipal bonds	3,479		3,479		3,155
Hybrid and redeemable preferred stocks	1,186		1,186		1,260
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	593		593		584
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	2		2		58
Insurance securities	0		0		0
Other financial services securities	9		9		8
Other securities	0		0		2
Trading securities	2,552		2,552		2,518
Derivative investments	(395)		(395)		(419)
Cash and invested cash	2,912		2,912		2,741
Separate account assets	88,846		88,846		84,630
Total assets	163,001		163,001		155,464
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	0		0		0
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	(83)		(83)		(55)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(119)		(119)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	0		0		0
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Credit default swaps	0		0		0
Total liabilities	(202)		(202)		(157)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	1,573		1,573		1,816
U.S. Government bonds	2		2		2
Foreign government bonds	96		96		113
MBS:
CMOs	28		28		23
MPTS	133		133		96
CMBS	53		53		109
ABS:
CDOs	126		126		172
State and municipal bonds	0		0		0
Hybrid and redeemable preferred stocks	106		106		119
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	0		0		0
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	0		0		0
Insurance securities	30		30		34
Other financial services securities	22		22		24
Other securities	44		44		34
Trading securities	71		71		76
Derivative investments	1,492		1,492		1,495
Cash and invested cash	0		0		0
Separate account assets	0		0		0
Total assets	3,776		3,776		4,113
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(506)		(506)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(278)		(278)		(408)
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	0		0		0
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	(198)		(198)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(360)		(360)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(7)		(7)		(16)
Total liabilities	(1,349)		(1,349)		(1,493)
Corporate bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	1,806	2,281	1,816	2,070
Items Included in Net Income	23	(5)	23	(9)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	33	21	44	11
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(200)	(11)	(221)	(119)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(89)	(377)	(89)	(44)
Ending Fair Value	1,573	1,909	1,573	1,909
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	22		38
Sales	(125)		(133)
Maturities	0		(1)
Settlements	(9)		(36)
Calls	(88)		(89)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(200)	(11)	(221)	(119)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	21	39	34	143
Transfers Out of Level 3	(110)	(416)	(123)	(187)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(89)	(377)	(89)	(44)
U.S. government bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	2	2	2	3
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	0	(1)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	2	0	2
Ending Fair Value	2	4	2	4
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	0	(1)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	2	0	2
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	2	0	2
Foreign government bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	100	90	113	92
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(4)	2	3	2
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	(3)	(3)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	(17)	1
Ending Fair Value	96	92	96	92
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances			0
Sales			(3)
Maturities			0
Settlements			0
Calls			0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	(3)	(3)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3			0	1
Transfers Out of Level 3			(17)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	(17)	1
CMOs [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	22	31	23	35
Items Included in Net Income	(1)	(1)	(3)	(2)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	1	1	3	1
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	6	(1)	5	(3)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(1)	0	(2)
Ending Fair Value	28	29	28	29
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	7		8
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(1)		(3)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	6	(1)	5	(3)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	(1)	0	(2)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(1)	0	(2)
MPTS [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	93	174	96	101
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	2	3	1	4
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	38	(76)	36	(4)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	133	101	133	101
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	40		40
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(2)		(4)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	38	(76)	36	(4)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
CMBS [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	64	250	109	259
Items Included in Net Income	(22)	(2)	(45)	(2)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	24	10	54	20
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(17)	(64)	(36)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(1)	(122)	(1)	(122)
Ending Fair Value	53	119	53	119
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	0		0
Sales	(9)		(53)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(3)		(11)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(17)	(64)	(36)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	3	0	3
Transfers Out of Level 3	(1)	(125)	(1)	(125)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(1)	(122)	(1)	(122)
ABS CDOs [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	136	159	172	153
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	14	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	2	1	(9)	11
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(5)	(51)	(11)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	1	0	3
Ending Fair Value	126	156	126	156
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	0		0
Sales	0		(33)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(12)		(18)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(5)	(51)	(11)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	1	0	3
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	1	0	3
CLNs [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value				322
Items Included in Net Income				0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other				278
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net				0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net			0	(600)
Ending Fair Value		0		0
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net				0
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3			0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3			0	(600)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net			0	(600)
State and municipal bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	0			0
Items Included in Net Income	0			0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0			0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	20			20
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0			0
Ending Fair Value	20	20	20	20
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	20			20
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0			0
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	124	135	119	156
Items Included in Net Income	0	8	(1)	3
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	4	(12)	5	(37)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	(38)	0	(29)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(22)	0	(17)	0
Ending Fair Value	106	93	106	93
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	(38)	0	(29)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0	4	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	(22)	0	(21)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(22)	0	(17)	0
Insurance Securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	28	30	34	43
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	1	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	(4)	0	(4)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	2	0	(5)	(13)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	30	26	30	26
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	2		2
Sales	0		(7)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	0		0
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	2	0	(5)	(13)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Other Financial Services Securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	22	27	24	22
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	7	(3)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	(4)	(1)	4
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	(8)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	22	23	22	23
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances			0
Sales			(8)
Maturities			0
Settlements			0
Calls			0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	(8)	0
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Other securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	46	34	34	23
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(2)	0	2	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	6	11
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	2	0
Ending Fair Value	44	34	44	34
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances			6
Sales			0
Maturities			0
Settlements			0
Calls			0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	6	11
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3			2	0
Transfers Out of Level 3			0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	2	0
Trading securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	71	75	76	91
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	1
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	4	6	2	(10)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	(2)	(3)	(5)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(3)	(2)	(4)	0
Ending Fair Value	71	77	71	77
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	0		0
Sales	(1)		(1)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	0		(2)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	(2)	(3)	(5)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	(3)	(2)	(4)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(3)	(2)	(4)	0
Derivative investments [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	1,439	1,281	1,495	1,368
Items Included in Net Income	62	620	(84)	489
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	7	5	(11)	7
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(16)	99	92	141
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	1,492	2,005	1,492	2,005
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	62	599	(94)	487
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	107		275
Sales	(25)		(27)
Maturities	(98)		(156)
Settlements	0		0
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(16)	99	92	141
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Indexed Annuity Contracts Embedded Derivatives [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	(528)	(457)	(497)	(419)
Items Included in Net Income	6	56	54	15
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	16	18	(63)	21
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	(506)	(383)	(506)	(383)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	0	(78)	(4)	(5)
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Issuances	(20)		(38)
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	36		(25)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	16	18	(63)	21
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	(118)	(495)	(408)	(676)
Items Included in Net Income	(160)	(1,174)	130	(993)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	(278)	(1,669)	(278)	(1,669)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	(108)	(1,130)	229	(910)
Fair Value Investments Entities Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	0	0
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Variable Interest Entities Liabilities - Derivative Instruments [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	(203)	(229)	(209)	0
Items Included in Net Income	5	(68)	11	(72)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	0	0

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity related to Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise and includes common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt.

Name:	lnc_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquityFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant