Commissions and Other Expenses (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Details underlying commissions and other expenses [Abstract]
Commissions	$ 2,092us-gaap_InsuranceCommissions	$ 1,962us-gaap_InsuranceCommissions	$ 1,660us-gaap_InsuranceCommissions
General and administrative expenses	1,640us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	1,630us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	1,564us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Expenses associated with reserve financing and unrelated LOCs	68lnc_ReserveFinancingExpenses	64lnc_ReserveFinancingExpenses	56lnc_ReserveFinancingExpenses
DAC and VOBA deferrals and interest, net of amortization	(432)	(640)	(275)
Broker-dealer expenses	408lnc_BrokerDealerExpenses	387lnc_BrokerDealerExpenses	348lnc_BrokerDealerExpenses
Specifically identifiable intangible asset amortization	4lnc_OtherIntangiblesAmortization	4lnc_OtherIntangiblesAmortization	4lnc_OtherIntangiblesAmortization
Media expenses	60lnc_MediaExpenses	62lnc_MediaExpenses	67lnc_MediaExpenses
Taxes, licenses and fees	239us-gaap_DirectTaxesAndLicensesCosts	232us-gaap_DirectTaxesAndLicensesCosts	239us-gaap_DirectTaxesAndLicensesCosts
Restructuring charges			20us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Total	4,079us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	3,701us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	3,683us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Parent Company [Member]
Details underlying commissions and other expenses [Abstract]
General and administrative expenses	$ 39	$ 46	$ 10

Commissions, general and administrative, and taxes, licenses and fees expense related to broker dealers.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Additions during the period in capitalized costs that are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts and coverages and value of business acquired, including interest, net of the amount of DAC and VOBA that was amortized during the period, generally in proportion to related revenue earned, estimated gross profits, or over the customer relationship or some other period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

The total expense recognized in the period related to radio properties held.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of other intangible assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Expenses associated with reserve financing supporting secondary guarantee UL and term business, and expenses for unrelated letters of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Taxes and licenses incurred and are directly related to goods produced and sold and services rendered during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The expense incurred by an insurance company to persons or entities for generating or placing insurance or investment contracts with the company, usually determined as a percentage of policy or contract premiums. Excludes advances or draws to be applied against commissions earned.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.7(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

+ Details

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- Definition

The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

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- Definition

Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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