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Variable Interest Entities ("VIE's") (CLN Structures Summary Information ) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Credit Linked Note Structure December 2006 [Member] |
Credit Linked Notes Structures Summary Information [Line Items] |
Amount of Issuance | $ 400
Maturity | Dec. 20, 2016
Credit Linked Note Structure April 2007 [Member] |
Credit Linked Notes Structures Summary Information [Line Items] |
Amount of Issuance | $ 200
Maturity | Mar. 20, 2017

X
- Definition Amount of investment in credit-linked note structure. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_CreditLinkedAmountOfIssuance
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Date of maturity of credit-linked note structure. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_CreditLinkedNoteMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=lnc_CreditLinkedNoteStructureDecember2006Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=lnc_CreditLinkedNoteStructureApril2007Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |