Investments (Schedule Of Increase (Decrease) In Payables For Collateral On Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments
Collateral payable held for derivative investments	$ 995	$ 364
Securities pledged under securities lending agreements	(3)	25
Securities pledged under repurchase agreements	110	319
Securities pledged for FHLBI	(105)	180
Total increase (decrease) in payables for collateral on investments	$ 997	$ 888

- Definition

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to collateral payable held for derivative instruments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged under securities lending agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged for Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount that is received as security when loaning securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_IncreaseDecreaseInCollateralForLoanedSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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