Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 2,159	$ 1,387
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(346)	(143)
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 295	$ 92
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 56	$ 67
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(24)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	1,377	$ 866
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(296)	(143)
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 7	$ 11
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
BBB+ [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 424	$ 351
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	$ (26)