Statutory Information and Restrictions (Net Gain Loss From Operations, Net Income Loss, Dividends to LNC Holding Company) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
U.S. net gain from operations, after-tax	$ 1,225	$ 494	$ 736
U.S. net income (loss)	1,456	561	681
U.S. dividends to LNC holding company	$ 785lnc_DividendsToParentCompany	$ 725lnc_DividendsToParentCompany	$ 635lnc_DividendsToParentCompany

Amount of net income for the period determined using accounting principles prescribed or permitted by insurance regulators.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.23(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 24

-Subparagraph c

-Article 7

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Period Type:	duration