Investments (Composition Of Current And Past Due Mortgage Loans On Real Estate) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Current	$ 7,565lnc_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCurrent	$ 7,200lnc_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCurrent
60 to 90 days past due		4
Greater than 90 days past due	8	3
Valuation allowance associated with impaired mortgage loans on real estate	(3)	(3)	(21)	(31)
Unamortized premium (discount)	4	6
Total carrying value	$ 7,574	$ 7,210

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Mortgage loans on real estate that are current.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Mortgage loans on real estate that are greater than 90 days past due.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Mortgage loans on real estate that are less than 90 days past due but more than 60 days past due.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of premium (net of discount) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the mortgage loan that has yet to be amortized.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 310

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6873192&loc=d3e21338-158488

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- Definition

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

+ References

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 210.7-03.1(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 1

-Subparagraph c

-Article 7

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