Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 1,387	$ 1,534
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(143)	(85)
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 92	$ 64
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 67	$ 47
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 866	$ 1,163
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(143)	(85)
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 11	$ 233
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
BBB+ [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 351	$ 27
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)