Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 1,145	$ 2,692
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	139	68
AA [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)		41
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	18	58
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	7
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	150	605
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	396	770
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	40	68
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	567	1,214
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	92
BBB [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	14	4
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)