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Dispositions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 07, 2014
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent $ 348us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 439us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 398us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 329us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,514us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,244us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations $ 1,286us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations  
Sale of LFM to Entercom [Domain]                
Pre-Tax Proceeds               105lnc_PreTaxProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessSegments
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= lnc_SaleOfLFMToEntercomDomain
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent $ 28us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations
/ us-gaap_SignificantAcquisitionsAndDisposalsByTransactionAxis
= lnc_SaleOfLFMToEntercomDomain