Statutory Information and Restrictions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
RBC Ratio Company Action Level Low End	75.00%lnc_RbcRatioCompanyActionLevelLowEnd
RBC Ratio Company Action Level High End	100.00%lnc_RbcRatioCompanyActionLevelHighEnd
Current Period Increase In Reserves	$ 180lnc_CurrentPeriodIncreaseInReserves
Increase In Reserves Each Year Over Remaining Years	90
Amount of dividends that could be paid in the next year without prior approval	$ 1,300
Indiana Statutory Limitation As A Percentage of The Insurer Contract Holder Surplus	10.00%

The current year increase in reserves.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The maximum expected increase each year over the rest of the expected five-year phase-in.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

In the event that LNL pays dividends to LNC that exceed this percentage of the insurer's contract holders' surplus, it must receive prior approval from the Indiana Insurance Commissioner

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_IndianaStatutoryLimitationAsPercentageOfInsurerContractHolderSurplus
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	lnc_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The high end of the risk-based capital percentage range that requires an insurer to submit a plan to the regulator detailing corrective action it proposes to undertake

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_RbcRatioCompanyActionLevelHighEnd
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The low end of the risk-based capital percentage range that requires an insurer to submit a plan to the regulator detailing corrective action it proposes to undertake

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_RbcRatioCompanyActionLevelLowEnd
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of dividends available for payment after computation of statutory restrictions on capital surplus.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph e

-Article 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPayments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant