Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 355	$ 827
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	(124)	(30)
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	(2,124)	130
Change in premiums and fees receivable	15	(91)
Change in accrued investment income	(11)	14
Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	(389)	(692)
Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities	(598)	612
Change in accrued expenses	(94)	(99)
Change in federal income tax accruals	(86)	72
Realized (gain) loss	628	(55)
Amortization of deferred (gain) loss on business sold through reinsurance	(13)	2
Change in cash management agreement	(932)	63
Other	59	60
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(3,314)	813
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(7,181)	(4,386)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	5,095	525
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	3,263	3,285
Purchase of common stock in acquisition, net of cash acquired		(1,404)
Sale of business, net		(12)
Purchases of alternative investments	(184)	(146)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	66	69
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(2,273)	(1,308)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	404	493
Issuance and repayment of policy loans, net	23	23
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	1,028	502
Other	(123)	(84)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	118	(2,443)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation		500
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(28)
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	454
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		51
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	50
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	7,877	5,904
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(2,951)	(2,981)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	(894)	(1,353)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(29)	(20)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(400)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,079	2,101
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	883	471
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	1,848	947
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-period	$ 2,731	$ 1,418