Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	$ 58,263		$ 58,263		$ 51,740
U.S. Government bonds	286		286		165
Foreign government bonds	642		642		508
MBS:
CMOs	5,208		5,208		5,757
MPTS	3,240		3,240		3,081
CMBS	1,670		1,670		2,053
ABS:
CDOs	111		111		174
State and municipal bonds	3,969		3,969		3,155
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities	1,202		1,202		1,397
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	700		700		584
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	1		1		58
Insurance securities	27		27		37
Other financial services securities	25		25		32
Other securities	84		84		70
Trading securities	2,726		2,726		2,596
Derivative investments	3,029		3,029		1,076
Cash and invested cash	4,833		4,833		2,741
Separate account assets	78,195		78,195		84,630
Total assets	164,211		164,211		159,854
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(342)		(342)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(2,343)		(2,343)		(408)
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	(277)		(277)		(55)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(177)		(177)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	(307)		(307)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(325)		(325)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(15)		(15)		(16)
Total liabilities	(3,786)		(3,786)		(1,650)
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	2,427	1,990	2,620	3,246
Items Included in Net Income	(1,360)	(111)	(1,372)	(656)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	288	125	390	415
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	26	(14)	(191)	(81)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(41)	(101)	(107)	(1,035)
Ending Fair Value	1,340	1,889	1,340	1,889
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	(1,413)	107	(1,302)	(481)
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	136		404
Sales	(29)		(293)
Maturities	(93)		(250)
Settlements	13		38
Calls	(1)		(90)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	26	(14)	(191)	(81)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	21	6	54	(102)
Transfers Out of Level 3	(62)	(107)	(161)	(933)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(41)	(101)	(107)	(1,035)
Carrying Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Fixed maturity securities	74,591		74,591		68,030
VIEs' fixed maturity securities	700		700		584
Equity securities	137		137		197
Trading Securities	2,726		2,726		2,596
Mortgage loans on real estate	6,893		6,893		6,752
Derivative investments	3,029		3,029		1,076
Other investments	1,105		1,105		1,038
Cash and invested cash	4,833		4,833		2,741
Separate account assets	78,195		78,195		84,630
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(342)		(342)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(2,343)		(2,343)		(408)
Other contract holder funds:
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts	(1,115)		(1,115)		(1,119)
Account value of certain investment contracts	(27,190)		(27,190)		(26,130)
Short-term debt	(550)		(550)		(351)
Long-term debt	(5,348)		(5,348)		(5,399)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(177)		(177)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivative instruments	(307)		(307)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(325)		(325)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(15)		(15)		(16)
Fair Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Fixed maturity securities	74,591		74,591		68,030
VIEs' fixed maturity securities	700		700		584
Equity securities	137		137		197
Trading Securities	2,726		2,726		2,596
Mortgage loans on real estate	7,596		7,596		7,183
Derivative investments	3,029		3,029		1,076
Other investments	1,105		1,105		1,038
Cash and invested cash	4,833		4,833		2,741
Separate account assets	78,195		78,195		84,630
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(342)		(342)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(2,343)		(2,343)		(408)
Other contract holder funds:
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts	(1,115)		(1,115)		(1,119)
Account value of certain investment contracts	(29,888)		(29,888)		(27,142)
Short-term debt	(564)		(564)		(364)
Long-term debt	(4,898)		(4,898)		(5,512)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(177)		(177)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivative instruments	(307)		(307)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(325)		(325)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(15)		(15)		(16)
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	63		63		60
U.S. Government bonds	267		267		160
Foreign government bonds	0		0		0
MBS:
CMOs	0		0		0
MPTS	0		0		0
CMBS	0		0		0
ABS:
CDOs	0		0		0
State and municipal bonds	0		0		0
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities	15		15		18
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	107		107		0
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	0		0		0
Insurance securities	3		3		3
Other financial services securities	0		0		0
Other securities	34		34		34
Trading securities	2		2		2
Derivative investments	0		0		0
Cash and invested cash	0		0		0
Separate account assets	0		0		0
Total assets	491		491		277
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	0		0		0
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	0		0		0
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	0		0		0
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Credit default swaps	0		0		0
Total liabilities	0		0		0
Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	56,700		56,700		49,864
U.S. Government bonds	18		18		3
Foreign government bonds	537		537		395
MBS:
CMOs	5,189		5,189		5,734
MPTS	3,120		3,120		2,985
CMBS	1,633		1,633		1,944
ABS:
CDOs	0		0		2
State and municipal bonds	3,969		3,969		3,155
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities	1,095		1,095		1,260
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	593		593		584
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	1		1		58
Insurance securities	0		0		0
Other financial services securities	7		7		8
Other securities	0		0		2
Trading securities	2,655		2,655		2,518
Derivative investments	503		503		(419)
Cash and invested cash	4,833		4,833		2,741
Separate account assets	78,195		78,195		84,630
Total assets	159,048		159,048		155,464
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	0		0		0
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	(277)		(277)		(55)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	(177)		(177)		(102)
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	0		0		0
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Credit default swaps	0		0		0
Total liabilities	(454)		(454)		(157)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fixed maturity AFS securities:
Corporate bonds	1,500		1,500		1,816
U.S. Government bonds	1		1		2
Foreign government bonds	105		105		113
MBS:
CMOs	19		19		23
MPTS	120		120		96
CMBS	37		37		109
ABS:
CDOs	111		111		172
State and municipal bonds	0		0		0
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities	92		92		119
VIEs' fixed maturity AFS securities	0		0		0
Equity AFS securities:
Banking securities	0		0		0
Insurance securities	24		24		34
Other financial services securities	18		18		24
Other securities	50		50		34
Trading securities	69		69		76
Derivative investments	2,526		2,526		1,495
Cash and invested cash	0		0		0
Separate account assets	0		0		0
Total assets	4,672		4,672		4,113
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity contracts embedded derivatives	(342)		(342)		(497)
GLB reserves embedded derivatives	(2,343)		(2,343)		(408)
Long-term debt - interest rate swap agreements	0		0		0
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives	0		0		0
Variable interest entities' liabilities - derivatives instruments	(307)		(307)		(209)
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans embedded derivatives	(325)		(325)		(363)
Credit default swaps	(15)		(15)		(16)
Total liabilities	(3,332)		(3,332)		(1,493)
Corporate bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	1,573	1,907	1,816	2,070
Items Included in Net Income	(18)	(31)	5	(37)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(33)	81	10	86
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(11)	(84)	(247)	(234)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(11)	(78)	(84)	(90)
Ending Fair Value	1,500	1,795	1,500	1,795
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	22		45
Sales	(14)		(146)
Maturities	(10)		(11)
Settlements	(9)		(46)
Calls	0		(89)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(11)	(84)	(247)	(234)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	4	6	33	117
Transfers Out of Level 3	(15)	(84)	(117)	(207)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(11)	(78)	(84)	(90)
U.S. government bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	2	4	2	3
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	(2)	(1)	(4)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	3
Ending Fair Value	1	2	1	2
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(1)		(1)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	(2)	(1)	(4)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3			0	3
Transfers Out of Level 3			0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	3
Foreign government bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	96	92	113	92
Items Included in Net Income	1	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	9	8	12	10
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	(1)	(3)	(4)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(1)	(17)	0
Ending Fair Value	105	98	105	98
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	0		(2)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	0		0
Calls	(1)		(1)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	(1)	(3)	(4)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	(1)	(17)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(1)	(17)	0
CMOs [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	28	27	23	35
Items Included in Net Income	(1)	(3)	(3)	(5)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	3	3	4
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	19	(4)	16
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(7)	0	0	(4)
Ending Fair Value	19	46	19	46
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(1)		(4)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(1)	19	(4)	16
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0	0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	(7)	0	0	(4)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(7)	0	0	(4)
MPTS [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	133	101	96	101
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	2	1	4	5
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	25	(2)	20	(6)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(40)	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	120	100	120	100
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	28		28
Sales	(1)		(1)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(2)		(7)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	25	(2)	20	(6)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	(40)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	(40)	0	0	0
CMBS [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	53	119	109	259
Items Included in Net Income	(7)	(4)	(53)	(6)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	3	13	57	36
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(4)	(75)	(48)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(1)	(1)	(118)
Ending Fair Value	37	123	37	123
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	0		(53)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(12)		(22)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(4)	(75)	(48)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0	0	3
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	(1)	(1)	(121)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(1)	(1)	(118)
ABS CDOs [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	126	156	172	153
Items Included in Net Income	5	0	19	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(8)	7	(17)	18
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(3)	(63)	(11)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	111	160	111	160
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	0		(34)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(12)		(29)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(12)	(3)	(63)	(11)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
ABS CLNs [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value				322
Items Included in Net Income				0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other				278
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net				0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net			0	(600)
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net				0
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3			0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3			0	(600)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net			0	(600)
State and municipal bonds [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value		20
Items Included in Net Income		0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net		0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(20)
Ending Fair Value		0		0
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net		0
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	0	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	(20)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	(20)
Hybrid and redeemable preferred securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	106	97	119	156
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	3
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(12)	6	(5)	(26)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(18)	0	(18)	(30)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	16	0	(4)	0
Ending Fair Value	92	103	92	103
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	(18)		(18)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	0		0
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(18)	0	(18)	(30)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	16	0	18	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	0	(22)	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	16	0	(4)	0
Insurance Securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	30	26	34	43
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	1	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(6)	5	(6)	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	1	(5)	(11)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	24	32	24	32
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances			2
Sales			(7)
Maturities			0
Settlements			0
Calls			0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	1	(5)	(11)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Other Financial Services Securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	22	23	24	22
Items Included in Net Income	0	3	7	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(4)	1	(5)	6
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	(4)	(8)	(5)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	18	23	18	23
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances			0
Sales			(8)
Maturities			0
Settlements			0
Calls			0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	(4)	(8)	(5)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Other securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	44	34	34	23
Items Included in Net Income	0	0	0	0
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	(4)	(1)	(2)	(1)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	10	0	16	11
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	2	0
Ending Fair Value	50	33	50	33
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	10		16
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	0		0
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	10	0	16	11
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3			2	0
Transfers Out of Level 3			0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	2	0
Trading securities [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	71	77	76	91
Items Included in Net Income	1	1	0	2
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	1	0	4	(10)
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(5)	(1)	(8)	(6)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	1	(1)	(3)	(1)
Ending Fair Value	69	76	69	76
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	0		0
Sales	(2)		(3)
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	(3)		(5)
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	(5)	(1)	(8)	(6)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In to Level 3	1	0	1	0
Transfers Out of Level 3	0	(1)	(4)	(1)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	1	(1)	(3)	(1)
Derivative investments [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	1,492	2,005	1,495	1,368
Items Included in Net Income	684	(244)	600	242
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	340	1	335	9
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	10	75	96	218
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	2,526	1,837	2,526	1,837
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	696	(267)	574	222
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	87		362
Sales	6		(27)
Maturities	(83)		(239)
Settlements	0		0
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	10	75	96	218
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Indexed Annuity Contracts Embedded Derivatives [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	(506)	(383)	(497)	(419)
Items Included in Net Income	135	(70)	80	(19)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	29	(3)	75	(18)
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	(342)	(456)	(342)	(456)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held
Changes In Unrealized Gains (Losses) Within Level 3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held	(4)	105	0	35
Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements [Abstract]
Issuances	(11)		(49)
Sales	0		0
Maturities	0		0
Settlements	40		124
Calls	0		0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	29	(3)	75	(18)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Transfers Into And Out Of Level 3 [Abstract]
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves [Member]
Level 3 Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Beginning Fair Value	(278)	(1,669)	(408)	(676)
Items Included in Net Income	(2,065)	188	(1,935)	(805)
Gains (Losses) in OCI and other	0	0	0	0
Sales, Issuances, Maturities, Settlements, Calls, Net	0	0	0	0
Transfers In or Out of Level 3, Net	0	0	0	0
Ending Fair Value	(2,343)	(1,481)	(2,343)	(1,481)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) within Level 3 financial instruments carried at fair value and still held

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity related to Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise and includes common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt.

Name:	lnc_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquityFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant