Statutory Information and Restrictions (Net Gain Loss From Operations, Net Income Loss, Dividends to LNC Holding Company) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statutory Information and Restrictions [Abstract]
U.S. net gain (loss) from operations, after-tax	$ 692	$ 1,329	$ 1,111
U.S. net income (loss)	1,019	1,468	1,002
U.S. dividends to LNC holding company	$ 925	$ 974	$ 970

Amount of net income for the period determined using accounting principles prescribed or permitted by insurance regulators.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(23)(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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