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Short-Term and Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Details underlying the recognition of gain or loss on extinguishment of debt [Abstract]      
Principal balance outstanding prior to payoff    [1]    [1] $ 15us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount [1]
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts prior to payoff        
Amount paid to retire       (20)lnc_AmountPaidToRetire
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, pre-tax       (5)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Parent Company [Member]      
Details underlying the recognition of gain or loss on extinguishment of debt [Abstract]      
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, pre-tax     $ 5us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
[1] During the fourth quarter of 2012, we repurchased $13 million of our 8.75% senior notes due 2019 and $2 million of our 6.15% senior notes due 2036.