Adoption of ASU 2018-12 (Summary of Effect on Previously Reported Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (928)	$ 390
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss	394	(360)
Market risk benefit (gain) loss	1,071	113
Sales and maturities (purchases) of trading securities, net	286	(189)
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals	158	123
Accrued investment income	(4)	(44)
Insurance liabilities and reinsurance-related balances	(699)	31
Accrued expenses	(143)	(229)
Federal income tax accruals	(302)	63
Cash management agreement	(355)	872
Other	54	(124)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(476)	636
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(2,929)	(3,910)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	1,704	105
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	1,358	1,566
Purchases of alternative investments	(166)	(141)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	22	130
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(269)	(539)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	183	716
Repayment (issuance) of policy loans, net	(27)	25
Net change in collateral on investments, derivatives and related settlements	(154)	(242)
Other	(58)	(76)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(336)	(2,366)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation	5
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	(461)	(347)
Payment related to sale-leaseback transactions	(5)	(4)
Deposits of fixed account balances	4,188	3,472
Withdrawals of fixed account balances	(2,563)	(2,052)
Transfers from (to) separate accounts, net	21	94
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(5)	(17)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(105)	(25)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,065	1,121
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	253	(609)
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	2,499	2,331
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-period	$ 2,752	1,722
Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 [Member] | As Previously Reported [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)		458
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss		(257)
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals		24
Insurance liabilities and reinsurance-related balances		23
Federal income tax accruals		82
Other		(94)
Accounting Standards Update 2018-12 [Member] | Restatement Impacts [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)		(68)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss		(103)
Market risk benefit (gain) loss		113
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads deferrals		99
Insurance liabilities and reinsurance-related balances		8
Federal income tax accruals		(19)
Other		$ (30)