Consolidated Statements Of Stockholder's Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
Balance as of beginning-of-period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 10,713	$ 4,405	$ 3,327
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards at Dec. 31, 2017		(644)	644
Capital contributions from Lincoln National Corporation	500
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans	16
Net income (loss)		1,204		$ 1,204
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation		(225)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(2,989)	(2,989)
Balance as of end-of-period at Sep. 30, 2018	11,229	4,740	982	16,951
Balance as of beginning-of-period at Jun. 30, 2018	11,219	4,588	1,367
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans	10
Net income (loss)		378		378
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation		(226)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(385)	(385)
Balance as of end-of-period at Sep. 30, 2018	11,229	4,740	982	16,951
Balance as of beginning-of-period at Dec. 31, 2018	11,237	4,423	659	16,319
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans	14
Net income (loss)		155		155
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation		(550)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			5,838	5,838
Balance as of end-of-period at Sep. 30, 2019	11,251	4,028	6,497	21,776
Balance as of beginning-of-period at Jun. 30, 2019	11,241	4,378	4,525
Stock compensation/issued for benefit plans	10
Net income (loss)		(201)		(201)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation		(149)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			1,972	1,972
Balance as of end-of-period at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 11,251	$ 4,028	$ 6,497	$ 21,776