Amount of long-term senior note issued in exchange for a corporate bond AFS security from a non-affiliated VIE whose primary activities are to acquire, hold, and issue notes and loans, as well as pay and collect interest on the notes and loans

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_LongTermSeniorNoteIssuedInExchangeForCorporateBondAfsSecurity
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The outstanding principal balance is variable in nature; moving concurrently with any variability in the face amount of the corporate bond AFS security up to this maximum amount.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_MaxiumumPrincipalBalanceOfLongTermSeniorNoteIssuedInExchangeForCorporateBondAfsSecurity
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Purchase price of a note issued by a statutory trust in a private placement offering. The proceeds were used by the Issuer to purchase U.S. Treasury securities which serve as collateral supporting an excess mortality swap.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_NoteIssuedByStatutoryTrustInPrivatePlacementOffering
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5728-111685

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5747-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Variable Interest Entities ("VIE's") (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Note Issued By A Statutory Trust In A Private Placement Offering				$ 100
Long Term Senior Note Issued In Exchange For Corporate Bond AFS Security	712	697			500
Maxiumum Principal Balance of Long Term Senior Note Issued In Exchange For Corporate Bond AFS Security	1,100
Maximum exposure to loss related to unconsolidated VIE's	$ 60		$ 77