The approximate amount the entity expects to spend per year under the long-term purchase commitment.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the unfavorable net after-tax adjustment to income from operations related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The combined after-tax effect to net income for the write-down of reinsurance recoverable and release of embedded derivative liability related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the after-tax increase to benefits related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the after-tax increase to interest credited related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase to net income due to the release of the embedded derivative liability related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the after-tax increase to underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_IncreaseToUnderwritingAcquisitionInsuranceAndOtherExpensesNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reduction in funds withheld liability as a result of the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_ReductionInFundsWithheldLiability
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reduction in reinsurance recoverables related to reserves for disability income business as a result of the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_ReductionInReinsuranceRecoverables
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the tax benefit that partially offset the write-down adjustment related to the rescission of an indemnity reinsurance agreement with a third party reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Rental expense incurred for leased assets including furniture and equipment which has not been recognized in costs and expenses applicable to sales and revenues; for example, cost of goods sold or other operating costs and expenses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 15

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph c

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The minimum amount the entity agreed to spend under the long-term purchase commitment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Specifies the time period covered by the arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of insurance-related assessment liability that is expected to be recovered through a premium tax offset based on current laws applied to in-force policies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 97-3

-Paragraph 22, 27

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated maximum amount of possible loss from the contingency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within one year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 122

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph b(i)

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fifth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the fourth year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the third year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

For leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year, required rental payments due within the second year of the balance sheet date relating to leases defined as operating.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

A description of the terms of the lease(s) related to the assets being leased-back in connection with the transaction involving the sale of property to another party and the lease of the property back to the seller.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 13

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph d

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 98

-Paragraph 17

+ Details

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Contingencies and Commitments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Rescission of Indemnity Reinsurance for Disability Income Business [Abstract]
Adjustment to write down reinsurance recoverable, net of tax			$ 97
Increase to benefits, net of tax			129
Increase to interest credited, net of tax			15
Increase to underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of tax			5
Tax benefit offset related to rescission of indemnity reinsurance agreement			52
Increase to net income due to release of embedded derivative liability			31
Combined reduction to net income, net of tax			66
Reduction in reinsurance recoverables			900
Reduction in funds withheld liability			840
Sale-leaseback agreements [Abstract]
Sale-leaseback agreements, terms	Certain subsidiaries of ours lease their home office properties. In 2006, we exercised the right and option to extend the Fort Wayne lease for two extended terms such that the lease shall expire in 2019. We retain our right and option to exercise the remaining four extended terms of five years each in accordance with the lease agreement. These agreements also provide us with the right of first refusal to purchase the properties at a price defined in the agreements and the option to purchase the leased properties at fair market value on the last day of any renewal period. In 2007, we exercised the right and option to extend the Hartford lease for one extended term such that the lease shall expire in 2013. During 2007, we moved our corporate headquarters to Radnor, Pennsylvania from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and entered into a new 13-year lease for office space.
Rental expense on operating leases [Abstract]
Total rental expense on operating leases	42	46	55
Future minimum rental commitments [Abstract]
2012	40
2013	35
2014	31
2015	26
2016	22
Other Contingency Matters [Abstract]
Loss contingency accrual, insurance-related assessment, premium tax offset	31	10
Pending or Threatened Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	100
Variable Annuity Deposits Total [Member] \| Variable Annuity Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	22.00%	25.00%	28.00%
Variable Annuity Deposits Total [Member] \| Fund Choice Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	27.00%	29.00%	33.00%
Variable Annuity Account Values Total [Member] \| Variable Annuity Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	54.00%	58.00%	61.00%
Variable Annuity Account Values Total [Member] \| Fund Choice Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	63.00%	66.00%	69.00%
Information Technology Commitment [Member]
Long-term purchase commitment [Line Items]
Amount of commitment, total	9
Football Stadium Naming Rights Commitment [Member]
Long-term purchase commitment [Line Items]
Amount of commitment, total	140
Time period of commitment	20 years
Approximate Amount Of Commitment Per Year	$ 7