-----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,
 OtGDMCd9tvBaZAa0Zk7XNKtj7Ayg+7DgZHc/x+0kzsvVm9lhrn91caV6h22eN50A
 y4ypRuoq0OJNQyfMrtjQOg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000059558-08-000085.txt : 20080807
<SEC-HEADER>0000059558-08-000085.hdr.sgml : 20080807
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080807180722
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000059558-08-000085
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080804
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080807
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080807

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:		2154481475

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1500 MARKET STREET STE 3900
		STREET 2:		CENTRE SQUARE TOWER
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19102

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Mullen Terrence James
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001383371

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06028
		FILM NUMBER:		08999864

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		267-234-6044

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CENTRE SQUARE WEST TOWER
		STREET 2:		1500 MARKET STREET, SUITE 3900
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19102
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-08-04</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2008-08-05</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000059558</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001383371</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Mullen Terrence James</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>150 N. RADNOR-CHESTER ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RADNOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19087</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President-LFD</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-08-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1556</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>47.37</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30412.53</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1510.13</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 40'(K)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Amended to reflect correct number of shares for tax withheld in connection with vesting of restricted stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Charles A. Brawley, III, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-08-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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