Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 926	$ 358
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss	(39)	435
Trading securities purchases, sales and maturities, net	210	(44)
Amortization of deferred gain on business sold through reinsurance	(14)	(18)
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals and interest, net of amortization	109	(155)
Premiums and fees receivable	(98)	(25)
Accrued investment income	(11)	(20)
Insurance liabilities and reinsurance-related balances	(3)	(328)
Accrued expenses	35	(269)
Federal income tax accruals	167	17
Cash management agreement	(1,223)	(476)
Other	(219)	198
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(160)	(327)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(8,192)	(8,437)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	1,277	1,573
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	4,570	2,323
Purchases of alternative investments	(360)	(165)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	128	81
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(1,611)	(1,071)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	846	596
Issuance (repayment) of policy loans, net	16	(74)
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	1,704	2,593
Other	(67)	(88)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,689)	(2,669)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation	65	475
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(60)	(30)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs		30
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	(40)	19
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	50	69
Deposits of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	6,367	7,261
Withdrawals of fixed account values, including the fixed portion of variable	(3,283)	(3,291)
Transfers to and from separate accounts, net	(229)	216
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(11)	(7)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(495)	(406)
Other	(63)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,301	4,336
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	452	1,340
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	1,462	1,879
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-period	$ 1,914	$ 3,219