Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 1,696	$ 2,692
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	122	68
AA [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)		41
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	22	58
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	7
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	160	605
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	564	770
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	40	68
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	931	1,214
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	75
BBB [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	19	4
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)