Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Aug. 03, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-6028
Entity Registrant Name	LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	IN
Entity Tax Identification Number	35-1140070
Entity Address, Address Line One	150 N. Radnor-Chester Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite A305
Entity Address, City or Town	Radnor
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	19087
City Area Code	484
Local Phone Number	583-1400
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	LNC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		193,248,120
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Entity Central Index Key	0000059558