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

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged under reverse repurchase agreements

No definition available.

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

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged under securities lending agreements.

No definition available.

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

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged for Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis.

No definition available.

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

The net change during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received related to securities pledged for Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.

No definition available.

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

- Details

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

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount of cash that is received as security when loaning securities.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585