Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 502	$ 133
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss	2	351
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	226	(1,210)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(9)	(7)
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	(172)	(78)
Premiums and fees receivable	(98)	(38)
Accrued investment income	(43)	(54)
Future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	316	(397)
Reinsurance related assets and liabilities	364	(330)
Accrued expenses	(285)	(71)
Federal income tax accruals	99	(15)
Cash management agreement	(1,870)	(12)
Other	51	91
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(917)	(1,637)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(3,513)	(4,353)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	380	2,371
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	1,267	1,427
Purchases of alternative investments	(79)	(174)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	55	32
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(829)	(1,099)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	224	240
Issuance (repayment) of policy loans, net	(94)	10
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	4,221	567
Other	(59)	(64)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,573	(1,043)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation	475
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(30)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	30
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	11	398
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	3,911	4,037
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(1,671)	(1,559)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	323	(507)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(13)	(17)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(305)	(200)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,731	2,152
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	3,387	(528)
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	1,879	1,848
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-period	$ 5,266	$ 1,320