Realized (Gain) Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Details underlying realized gain (loss)
Total realized gain (loss) related to certain investments	[1]	$ (72)	$ (250)	$ (88)
Realized gain (loss) on the mark-to-market on certain instruments	[2]	(11)	20	(45)
Indexed annuity and IUL contracts net derivatives results:
Gross gain (loss)	[3]	(22)	(1)	(77)
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL	[3]	(2)	(4)	14
Variable annuity net derivatives results:
Gross gain (loss)	[4]	(71)	(138)	56
Associated amortization of DAC, VOBA, DSI, and DFEL	[4]	8	34	(8)
Realized gain (loss) on sale of subsidiaries/businesses	[5]			(3)
Total realized gain (loss)		$ (170)	$ (339)	$ (151)

[1] See "Realized Gain (Loss) Related to Certain Investments" section in Note 5.

[2] Represents changes in the fair values of certain derivative investments (not including those associated with our variable and indexed annuity and IUL contracts net derivatives results), reinsurance related embedded derivatives and trading securities.

[3] Represents the net difference between the change in the fair value of the S&P 500 call options that we hold and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of our indexed annuity and IUL contracts along with changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products.

[4] Includes the net difference in the change in embedded derivative reserves of our GLB riders and the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments we own to hedge the change in embedded derivative reserves on our GLB riders and the benefit ratio unlocking on our GLB and GDB riders, including the cost of purchasing the hedging instruments.

[5] See "Lincoln Financial Media Company" in Note 3