-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 IWR4cq3aOzDWBk7InTDrvGRpVrBG36izBEmWlKKzujwtOGHFdYYMeSzN3/rOz6hO
 SD56DKkOlzfza+M7M24BYw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000059558-03-000021.txt : 20030702
<SEC-HEADER>0000059558-03-000021.hdr.sgml : 20030702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030702120820
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000059558-03-000021
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030702

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUCKELSHAUS JILL S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001228938

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06028
		FILM NUMBER:		03770458

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1015 EVERGREEN POINT RD
		CITY:			MEDINA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98039

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000059558
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				351140070
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 MARKET STREET STE 3900
		STREET 2:		CENTRE SQUARE WEST TOWER
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2194552000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 MARKET STREET STE 3900
		STREET 2:		CENTRE SQUARE TOWER
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19102*2706
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>ruc18.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
	<periodOfReport>2003-06-30</periodOfReport>
	<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000059558</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
	</issuer>
	<reportingOwner>
		<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001228938</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RUCKELSHAUS JILL S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
			<isDirector>1</isDirector>
			<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
			<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
			<isOther>0</isOther>
		</reportingOwnerRelationship>
	</reportingOwner>
	<derivativeSecurity>
		<securityTitle>
			<value>Phantom Stock-Voluntary Deferral of Retainer Fees</value>
			<footnoteId id="F1"/>
		</securityTitle>
		<conversionOrExercisePrice>
			<value>0.00</value>
		</conversionOrExercisePrice>
		<transactionDate>
			<value>2003-06-30</value>
		</transactionDate>
		<transactionCoding>
			<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
			<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
			<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
		</transactionCoding>
		<transactionAmounts>
			<transactionShares>
				<value>386.59</value>
			</transactionShares>
			<transactionValue>
				<value>35.61</value>
			</transactionValue>
			<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
				<value>A</value>
			</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
		</transactionAmounts>
		<exerciseDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</exerciseDate>
		<expirationDate>
			<value>1988-08-08</value>
			<footnoteId id="F2"/>
		</expirationDate>
		<underlyingSecurity>
			<underlyingSecurityTitle>
				<value>Common Stock</value>
			</underlyingSecurityTitle>
			<underlyingSecurityShares>
				<value>386.59</value>
			</underlyingSecurityShares>
		</underlyingSecurity>
		<postTransactionAmounts>
			<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
				<value>831.32</value>
				<footnoteId id="F3"/>
			</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
		</postTransactionAmounts>
		<ownershipNature>
			<directOrIndirectOwnership>
				<value>D</value>
			</directOrIndirectOwnership>
			<natureOfOwnership>
				<value/>
			</natureOfOwnership>
		</ownershipNature>
	</derivativeSecurity>
	<footnotes>
		<footnote id="F1">Acquired through voluntary deferral election of retainer fees.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F2">Deferral of retainer fees have no exercise date or expiration date and are payable upon the termination of the reporting person's service with the Company.</footnote>
		<footnote id="F3">Number of derivative securities beneficially owned following reported transaction includes all accrued dividends earned as of the date of the reported transaction.</footnote>
	</footnotes>
	<ownerSignature>
		<signatureName>By: /S/ Donna E. Ostroff, POA for Jill S. Ruckelshaus</signatureName>
		<signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate>
	</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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