Derivative Instruments (Schedule Of Collateral Amounts With Rights To Reclaim Or Obligation To Return Cash) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	$ 993	$ 939
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	116	316
AA- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	38	34
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	6	10
A plus [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	37	19
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)
A [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	847	339
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)	110	183
A- [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)		468
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)		123
BBB [Member]
Collateral Posted by Counter-Party (Held by LNC)	71	79
Collateral Posted by LNC (Held by Counter-Party)