Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Components Of The Transfers In And Out Of Level 3) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	$ 42	$ 115	$ 166	$ 193
Transfers Out of Level 3	(248)	(387)	(71)	(436)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(206)	(272)	95	(243)
Corporate Bonds [Member] \| Fixed Maturity AFS Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	41	90	165	146
Transfers Out of Level 3	(242)	(374)	(45)	(359)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(201)	(284)	120	(213)
Foreign Government Bonds [Member] \| Fixed Maturity AFS Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3				1
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net				1
RMBS [Member] \| Fixed Maturity AFS Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers Out of Level 3		(13)		(68)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net		(13)		(68)
CMBS [Member] \| Fixed Maturity AFS Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3		8		9
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net		8		9
Hybrid And Redeemable Preferred Securities [Member] \| Fixed Maturity AFS Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3		16		35
Transfers Out of Level 3	(6)		(26)	(9)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(6)	16	(26)	26
Trading Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	1	1	1	2
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 2

Name:	lnc_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTransfersIntoAndOutOfLevel3Abstract
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Transfers into assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy that have taken place during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c(3)

-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.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Transfers out of assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy that have taken place during the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration