Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 894	$ 1,387
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(630)	(143)
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	53	92
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(32)
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	10	67
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(217)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	466	866
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	(381)	(143)
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	67	11
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
BBB+ [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	298	351
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)