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Variable Interest Entities ("VIE's") (Consolidated Variable Interest Entity Settlement Payments and Mark-to-Market Adjustments) (Details) - Derivative Instruments Not Designated and Not Qualifying as Hedging Instruments [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016
Consolidated Variable Interest Entity Settlement Payments And Mark To Market Adjustments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Gains (losses) for consolidated variable interest entities | [1] |  |  |  | $ 5
Credit default swaps [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated Variable Interest Entity Settlement Payments And Mark To Market Adjustments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Gains (losses) for consolidated variable interest entities |  |  |  |  | 5
Contingent forwards [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated Variable Interest Entity Settlement Payments And Mark To Market Adjustments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Gains (losses) for consolidated variable interest entities |  |  |  |  |
[1] | Reported in realized gain (loss) on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

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

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- Definition The amount of net gains and losses recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments not designated and not qualifying as hedging instruments associated with consolidated variable interest entities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_SettlementPaymentsMarkToMarketAdjustmentsVariableInterestEntity
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=lnc_ContingentForwardsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |