Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 358	$ 355
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss	435	628
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	(44)	(2,124)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(18)	(13)
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	(155)	(124)
Premiums and fees receivable	(25)	15
Accrued investment income	(20)	(11)
Future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	140	(389)
Reinsurance related assets and liabilities	(468)	(598)
Accrued expenses	(269)	(94)
Federal income tax accruals	17	(86)
Cash management agreement	(476)	(932)
Other	198	59
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(327)	(3,314)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(8,437)	(7,181)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	1,573	5,095
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	2,323	3,263
Purchases of alternative investments	(165)	(184)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	81	66
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(1,071)	(2,273)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	596	404
Issuance (repayment) of policy loans, net	(74)	23
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	2,593	1,028
Other	(88)	(123)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,669)	118
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation	475
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(30)	(28)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	30
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	19	454
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	69	50
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	7,261	7,877
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(3,291)	(2,951)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	216	(894)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(7)	(29)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(406)	(400)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,336	4,079
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	1,340	883
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	$ 3,219	$ 2,731