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Investments (Average Carrying Value On The Impaired Mortgage Loans On Real Estate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016
Information about impaired mortgage loans on real estate |  |
Average carrying value for impaired loans on real estate | $ 5 | $ 6

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- Definition Average carrying value for impaired loans on real estate. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_InformationAboutImpairedMortgageLoansAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration