DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL (DFEL) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in DFEL [Abstract]
Balance as of beginning-of-year	$ 1,938lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads	$ 1,373lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads	$ 1,369lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads
Deferrals	402lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	320lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	349lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions
Amortization, net of interest:
Amortization, excluding unlocking, net of interest	(335)	(216)	(216)
Unlocking	(50)	(14)	(69)
Adjustment related to realized (gains) losses	(6)	(2)	(18)
Adjustment related to unrealized (gains) losses	(548)	477	(42)
Balance as of end-of-year	$ 1,401lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads	$ 1,938lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads	$ 1,373lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads

The unamortized carrying amount of deferred front end loads as of the balance sheet date.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoads
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of deferred front end loads capitalized during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of adjustment to amortization of deferred front end loads arising from a revision in estimated gross profit (when such amount serves as the basis for allocating amortization of DFEL to reporting periods).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount of amortization of deferred front end loads attributable to realized investment gains (losses).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of other amortization of deferred front end loads, net of interest, during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of amortization of deferred front end loads attributable to unrealized investment gains (losses).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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