Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 614	$ 1,573	$ 2,018
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	(2,522)	(120)	120
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	(448)	(108)	(17)
Change in premiums and fees receivable	104	(87)	34
Change in accrued investment income	(22)	(6)	19
Change in future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	(918)	1,105	(2,062)
Change in reinsurance related assets and liabilities	(277)	(1,233)	1,001
Change in accrued expenses	89	(99)	86
Change in federal income tax accruals	(282)	65	(1,502)
Change in cash management agreement	(1,115)	329	(277)
Realized (gain) loss	828	92	456
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(27)	(4)	(18)
Impairment of intangibles			905
Other	343	88	91
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(3,633)	1,595	854
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(14,927)	(12,406)	(9,887)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	6,771	3,191	1,773
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	6,426	6,348	5,790
Purchase of common stock in acquisition, net of cash acquired		(1,410)
Sale of business, net		(12)
Purchases of alternative investments	(433)	(314)	(357)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	131	178	184
Proceeds from affiliate transfer of alternative investments			66
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(4,218)	(2,920)	(2,047)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	1,144	1,048	1,145
Issuance and repayment of policy loans, net	32	20	49
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	349	654	(374)
Other	(259)	(191)	(123)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(4,984)	(5,814)	(3,781)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation	50	500
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(28)	(13)	(290)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	28	13	75
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	321	278	(270)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		88	62
Payment related to sale-leaseback transactions	(83)
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	107
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	16,049	13,616	10,775
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(5,800)	(5,957)	(5,764)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	(1,362)	(2,469)	(1,787)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(34)	(25)	(29)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(600)	(911)	(955)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,648	5,120	1,817
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	31	901	(1,110)
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	1,848	947	2,057
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-year	$ 1,879	$ 1,848	$ 947