Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 2,130	$ (1,788)	$ (1,675)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized (gain) loss	(276)	4,934	(418)
Market risk benefit (gain) loss	(938)	(1,135)	296
Sales and maturities (purchases) of trading securities, net	325	1,302	301
Impairment of intangibles	0	0	634
Net operating cash payments related to closing Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction	0	(1,457)	0
Change in:
Deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, deferred sales inducements and deferred front-end loads	708	642	495
Accrued investment income	(32)	34	(41)
Insurance liabilities and reinsurance-related balances	(1,788)	(2,547)	615
Accrued expenses	160	223	(101)
Federal income tax accruals	701	(563)	(376)
Cash management agreement	(941)	(733)	3,730
Other	(1,058)	324	406
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,009)	(764)	3,866
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	(11,520)	(10,713)	(14,768)
Sales of available-for-sale securities and equity securities	1,406	3,606	2,347
Maturities of available-for-sale securities	9,338	5,597	5,487
Purchases of alternative investments	(1,371)	(614)	(631)
Sales and repayments of alternative investments	337	111	441
Issuance of mortgage loans on real estate	(4,135)	(1,943)	(2,507)
Repayment and maturities of mortgage loans on real estate	1,669	1,266	2,247
Repayment (issuance) of policy loans, net	(2)	(120)	4
Net change in collateral on investments, certain derivatives and related settlements	3,918	(333)	(4,653)
Cash received from disposition, net of cash transferred	512	0	0
Other	(295)	(352)	(40)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(143)	(3,495)	(12,073)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Capital contribution from Lincoln National Corporation	0	5	925
Payment of long-term debt, including current maturities	(50)	0	(40)
Issuance (payment) of short-term debt	(766)	228	(522)
Payment related to sale-leaseback transactions	(17)	(79)	(70)
Proceeds from certain financing arrangements	53	86	186
Payment related to certain financing arrangements	(137)	(49)	0
Net financing cash proceeds related to closing Fortitude Re reinsurance transaction	0	133	0
Deposits of fixed account balances	16,046	16,388	16,186
Withdrawals of fixed account balances	(12,124)	(10,633)	(7,641)
Transfers from (to) separate accounts, net	(27)	(624)	19
Common stock issued for benefit plans	(9)	(7)	(21)
Dividends paid to Lincoln National Corporation	(505)	(495)	(645)
Other	0	0	(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,464	4,953	8,375
Net increase (decrease) in cash, invested cash and restricted cash	1,312	694	168
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of beginning-of-year	3,193	2,499	2,331
Cash, invested cash and restricted cash as of end-of-year	$ 4,505	$ 3,193	$ 2,499