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Investments (Realized Gain (Loss) Related To Certain Investments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments      
Gain (loss) on other investments $ 3lnc_OtherInvestmentsNetRealizedGainLoss $ (3)lnc_OtherInvestmentsNetRealizedGainLoss $ 2lnc_OtherInvestmentsNetRealizedGainLoss
Associated amortization expense of DAC, VOBA, DSI and DFEL and changes in other contract holder funds (32)lnc_AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments (28)lnc_AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments 2lnc_AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments
Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments (18)lnc_TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments [1] (98)lnc_TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments [1] (190)lnc_TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments [1]
Fixed maturity securities [Member]      
Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments      
AFS securities. Gross gains 29us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember		 21us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember		 16us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
AFS securities. Gross losses (23)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember		 (94)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember		 (202)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Equity securities [Member]      
Realized gain (loss) related to certain investments      
AFS securities. Gross gains 5us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember		 8us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember		 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
AFS securities. Gross losses   $ (2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember		 $ (9)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
[1] See “Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments” section in Note 5.