Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 31	$ 155
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss	448	844
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	24	(2,552)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(27)	(20)
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	355	(281)
Premiums and fees receivable	(33)	129
Accrued investment income	(157)	(61)
Future contract benefits and other contract holder funds	(239)	727
Reinsurance related assets and liabilities	873	(1,765)
Accrued expenses	(188)	(24)
Federal income tax accruals	(236)	(305)
Cash management agreement	(1,694)	(775)
Other	50	236
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(793)	(3,692)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(12,107)	(11,074)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	1,354	6,454
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	3,581	4,932
Purchases of alternative investments	(265)	(344)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	116	104
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(1,221)	(3,430)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	835	747
Issuance (repayment) of policy loans, net	(51)	33
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	2,207	1,047
Other	(113)	(194)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(5,664)	(1,725)
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	28
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	(142)	281
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	69	50
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	10,544	11,549
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(4,590)	(4,349)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	427	(1,142)
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(8)	(32)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(486)	(550)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	6,289	5,807
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	(168)	390
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	$ 1,711	$ 2,238