Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 1,573	$ 2,018	$ 1,173
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	(108)	(17)	55
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	(120)	120	165
Change in premiums and fees receivable	(87)	34	(49)
Change in accrued investment income	(6)	19	8
Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	1,105	(2,062)	(2,036)
Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities	(1,233)	1,001	542
Change in accrued expenses	(99)	86	26
Change in federal income tax accruals	65	(1,502)	146
Realized (gain) loss	92	456	511
Amortization of deferred (gain) loss on business sold through reinsurance	(4)	(18)	(69)
Change in cash management agreement	329	(277)	(66)
Impairment of intangibles		905
Other	88	91	236
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,595	854	642
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(12,406)	(9,887)	(10,791)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	3,191	1,773	3,076
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	6,348	5,790	5,290
Purchase of common stock in acquisition, net of cash acquired	(1,410)
Sale of business, net	(12)
Purchases of alternative investments	(314)	(357)	(302)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	178	184	238
Proceeds from affiliate transfer of alternative investments		66
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(2,920)	(2,047)	(2,127)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	1,048	1,145	877
Issuance and repayment of policy loans, net	20	49	91
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	654	(374)	435
Other	(191)	(123)	(99)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(5,814)	(3,781)	(3,312)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contributions from Lincoln National Corporation	500
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(13)	(290)	(250)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	13	75
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	278	(270)	190
Proceeds from sales leaseback transaction	88	62	85
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	13,616	10,775	10,030
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(5,957)	(5,764)	(5,449)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	(2,469)	(1,787)	(1,308)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(25)	(29)	(22)
Dividends paid	(911)	(955)	(949)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,120	1,817	2,327
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	901	(1,110)	(343)
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	947	2,057	2,400
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-year	$ 1,848	$ 947	$ 2,057