Name:	lnc_AveragePoundsSterlingToUsDollarExchangeRate
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money, assumed for the next year.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingNetPeriodicBenefitCostDiscountRateNextYear
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

An assumption for the next year as to the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligation.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedExpectedLongTermReturnOnAssetsNextYear
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The post-65 assumed health care cost trend rate for the next year used to measure the expected cost of benefits covered by the plan (gross eligible charges). This is based upon the annual rate of change in the cost of health care benefits currently provided by the postretirement benefit plan, due to factors other than changes in the composition of the plan population by age and dependency status.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pre-65 assumed health care cost trend rate for the next year used to measure the expected cost of benefits covered by the plan (gross eligible charges). This is based upon the annual rate of change in the cost of health care benefits currently provided by the postretirement benefit plan, due to factors other than changes in the composition of the plan population by age and dependency status.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No authoritative reference available.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DomesticEquityAllocationHedgeFundUSPlanEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No authoritative reference available.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DomesticEquityAllocationLargeCapUSPlanEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No authoritative reference available.

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DomesticEquityAllocationSmallCapUSPlanEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

For LNC pension plans covering U.S. employees, the target % of investments allocated to domestic equities

No definition available.

Name:	lnc_DomesticEquityAllocationUSPlanEmployees
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of pension benefit costs for the UK pension plan expected to be recognized for the next year. Pension expense includes the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss on plan assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments.

No definition available.

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

The amount of pension benefit costs for U.S. pension plans expected to be recognized in the next year. Pension expense includes the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss on plan assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments.

No definition available.

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

Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year that follows the most recent annual statement of financial position, including gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition asset (obligation).

No definition available.

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

- Details

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

Amount of effect of a one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (m)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e1928-114920

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanEffectOfOnePercentagePointDecreaseOnAccumulatedPostretirementBenefitObligation1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The effect of a one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for health care benefits.

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

Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e1928-114920

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

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the amount due to fund retirement benefits to employees, retired and disabled former employees.

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