Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 1,063	$ 1,534
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	69	85
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	50	$ 64
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	2
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 27	$ 47
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 803	$ 1,163
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	67	85
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 166	$ 233
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
BBB+ [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 17	$ 27
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)