Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 155	$ 1,204
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	(281)	65
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	(2,552)	160
Change in premiums and fees receivable	129	(110)
Change in accrued investment income	(61)	(50)
Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	727	(352)
Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities	(1,765)	(188)
Change in accrued expenses	(24)	70
Change in federal income tax accruals	(305)	87
Realized (gain) loss	844	7
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(20)	3
Change in cash management agreement	(775)	95
Other	236	153
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(3,692)	1,144
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(11,074)	(8,307)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	6,454	2,299
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	4,932	4,626
Purchase of common stock in acquisition, net of cash acquired		(1,410)
Sale of business, net		(12)
Purchases of alternative investments	(344)	(234)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	104	115
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(3,430)	(2,029)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	747	815
Issuance and repayment of policy loans, net	33	39
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	1,047	(138)
Other	(194)	(142)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,725)	(4,378)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation		500
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(28)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	28
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	281	216
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		51
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	50
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	11,549	9,409
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(4,349)	(4,427)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	(1,142)	(2,008)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(32)	(22)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(550)	(225)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,807	3,494
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	390	260
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	$ 2,238	$ 1,207