Investments (Composition Of Current And Past Due Mortgage Loans On Real Estate) (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Allowance for credit losses	$ (99,000,000)	$ (96,000,000)
Unamortized premium (discount)	28,000,000	16,000,000
Mark-to-market gains (losses)	(27,000,000)	(3,000,000)
Total carrying value	18,301,000,000	17,991,000,000
Current [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	18,318,000,000	18,004,000,000
30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	42,000,000	36,000,000
60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	6,000,000	5,000,000
90 Or More Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	33,000,000	29,000,000
Commercial [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	17,014,000,000	17,171,000,000
Allowance for credit losses	(84,000,000)	(79,000,000)
Unamortized premium (discount)	(8,000,000)	(11,000,000)
Mark-to-market gains (losses)	(27,000,000)	(3,000,000)
Total carrying value	16,903,000,000	17,089,000,000
Commercial [Member] \| Current [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	17,003,000,000	17,167,000,000
Commercial [Member] \| 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	19,000,000	15,000,000
Residential [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	1,413,000,000	919,000,000
Allowance for credit losses	(15,000,000)	(17,000,000)
Unamortized premium (discount)	36,000,000	27,000,000
Total carrying value	1,398,000,000	902,000,000
Residential [Member] \| Current [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	1,315,000,000	837,000,000
Residential [Member] \| 30 to 59 Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	23,000,000	21,000,000
Residential [Member] \| 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	6,000,000	5,000,000
Residential [Member] \| 90 Or More Days Past Due [Member]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Aging [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate, gross	$ 33,000,000	$ 29,000,000

No definition available.

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

- 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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateUnamortizedPremiumDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of loans and long-term receivables (other than securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity) that have contractual principal amounts and for which the fair value option has been elected.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (d)(1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123596393&loc=d3e14064-108612

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueOptionAggregateDifferencesLoansAndLongTermReceivables
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of allowance for credit loss on financing receivable. Excludes allowance for financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11B
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123577603&loc=SL6953423-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(7)(2))
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126897435&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(4))
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255206&loc=SL82895884-210446

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919249-210447

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919249-210447

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (3)

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (c)

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (1)

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amortized cost, before allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement and net investment in lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7A
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123577603&loc=SL6953401-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 79
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124267575&loc=SL82922352-210448

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3)(b))
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 14
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919253-210447

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255206&loc=SL82895884-210446

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919230-210447

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 80
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124267575&loc=SL82922355-210448

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (1)

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1405
-Paragraph (a)
-Subparagraph (2)

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-K (SK)
-Number 229
-Section 1404
-Paragraph (a)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost, after allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes financing receivable covered under loss sharing agreement and net investment in lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124255953&loc=SL82919230-210447

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=124259787&loc=d3e4428-111522

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: