Name:	lnc_DeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsuranceAbstract
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- Definition

High end of the range of interest crediting rates associated with funds invested in the general account of the entity's insurance subsidiaries.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Low end of the range of interest crediting rates associated with funds invested in the general account of the entity's insurance subsidiaries.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period (in years) over which the deferred gain on the business sold through reinsurance is recognized, which is the rate that earnings on the reinsured business are expected to emerge.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAbstract
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- Definition

The useful life of all finite-lived intangible assets. This may be stated as a fixed number (for example, 10 years) if all assets have the same useful life, or it can be stated in a range (for example, six to eight years) if there is a range of useful lives in the asset group.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 12, 13, 14

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum interest rate applied to annuity policyholder deposits during the stated period.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph b

-Article 7

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 60

-Paragraph 60

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

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- Definition

The minimum interest rate applied to annuity policyholder deposits during the stated period.

+ References

+ Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ParticipatingPoliciesAbstract
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- Definition

This percent places participating policies in the numerator and insurance contracts in force in the denominator. Participating insurance contracts allow policyholders to share in the experience of the entity, primarily through policy dividends.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 60

-Paragraph 60

-Subparagraph g

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph b

-Article 7

+ Details

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- Definition

Dividends paid or that became payable to policyholders in the period based upon the insurer's obligations under the policies and contracts in force.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 60

-Paragraph 41, 42, 43

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 120

-Paragraph 5, 6

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 6

-Article 7

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 95-1

-Paragraph 14-18

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum interest rate for traditional life contracts in the range of interest rates used to calculate future benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and related expenses less the present value of future net premiums using assumptions such as estimates of expected investment yields, mortality, morbidity, terminations and expenses, applicable at the time the insurance contracts are made and costs of settling insured claims and costs incurred in the claims settlement process of traditional life.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TraditionalLifeInterestRateHighEnd
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum interest rate for traditional life contracts in the range of interest rates used to calculate future benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and related expenses less the present value of future net premiums using assumptions such as estimates of expected investment yields, mortality, morbidity, terminations and expenses, applicable at the time the insurance contracts are made and costs of settling insured claims and costs incurred in the claims settlement process of traditional life.

+ References

+ Details

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Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011
Specifically identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Useful life of sales force intangible assets (in years)	25
Future contract benefits and other contract holder funds [Abstract]
Investment yield assumptions for traditional direct individual life reserves, low end	2.25%
Investment yield assumptions for traditional direct individual life reserves, high end	7.75%
Investment yield assumptions for immediate and deferred paid-up annuities, low end	1.00%
Investment yield assumptions for immediate and deferred paid-up annuities, high end	13.50%
Deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance [Abstract]
Period over which the gain is recognized (in years)	15
Interest credited [Abstract]
Interest crediting rate, low end				3.00%
Interest crediting rate, high end				9.00%
Participating policies [Abstract]
Participating policies as a percentage of the face amount of insurance in force	1.00%	1.00%		1.00%
Dividend expenses	$ 79	$ 82	$ 89