Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Federal income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 2,714	$ 2,718
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	246	314
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, after-tax	(1)	0
Net income (loss)	245	314
Excluded Realized Gain (Loss), After Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(73)	(14)
Benefit ratio unlocking, After Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	23	5
Excluded Realized Gain (Loss), Pre Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	(114)	(21)
Amortization of Deferred Gains From Reserve Changes On Business Sold Through Reinsurance, Pre Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	1	1
Amortization Income of DFEL Associated With Benefit Ratio Unlocking, Pre Tax, Reconciling Item [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	1	0
Annuities Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	731	733
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	137	144
Retirement Plan Services Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	252	263
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	35	48
Life Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	1,232	1,146
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	142	142
Group Protection Segment [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	504	478
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	16	24
Other Operations [Member]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total revenues	107	118
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (34)	$ (35)

Name:	lnc_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	lnc_ReconciliationOfNetIncomeLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable under enacted tax laws to the Company's pretax income from continuing operations for the period. The "statutory" tax rate shall be the regular tax rate if there are alternative tax systems.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 47

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the reporting entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 29

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 28

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph b(1)

+ Details

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

- Definition

This element represents the overall income (loss) from a disposal group apportioned to the parent that is classified as a component of the entity, net of income tax, reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes after deduction or consideration of the amount which may be allocable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Includes the following (net of tax): income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph d

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph A7

-Appendix A

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 130

-Paragraph 10, 15

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 87-21

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28, 29, 30

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

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