Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 2,381	$ 1,387
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(524)	(143)
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	145	92
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	57	67
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(15)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	1,574	866
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(427)	(143)
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	5	11
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
BBB+ [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	600	351
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	$ (82)