XML 88 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Carrying and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
AFS securities:
AFS Fixed Maturity Securities		$ 93,767	$ 89,013
Variable interest entities' fixed maturity securities			200
AFS Equity securities		302	275
Trading securities		1,665	1,712
Mortgage loans on real estate		10,382	9,889
Derivative investments		960	927
Other investments		2,210	2,230
Carrying Value [Member]
AFS securities:
AFS Equity securities		302	275
Trading securities		1,665	1,712
Mortgage loans on real estate		10,382	9,889
Derivative investments	[1]	960	927
Other investments		2,210	2,230
Cash and invested cash		1,965	2,722
Separate account assets		139,612	128,397
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity and IUL contracts embedded derivatives		(1,318)	(1,139)
Other contract holder funds:
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts		(612)	(629)
Account values of certain investment contracts		(32,089)	(31,516)
Short-term debt		(450)
Long-term debt		(4,900)	(5,345)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives		(63)	(53)
Fair Value [Member]
AFS securities:
AFS Equity securities		302	275
Trading securities		1,665	1,712
Mortgage loans on real estate		10,487	9,853
Derivative investments	[1]	960	927
Other investments		2,210	2,230
Cash and invested cash		1,965	2,722
Separate account assets		139,612	128,397
Future contract benefits:
Indexed annuity and IUL contracts embedded derivatives		(1,318)	(1,139)
Other contract holder funds:
Remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts		(612)	(629)
Account values of certain investment contracts		(36,281)	(35,647)
Short-term debt		(453)
Long-term debt		(5,455)	(5,679)
Reinsurance related embedded derivatives		(63)	(53)
VIEs' fixed maturity securities [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Variable interest entities' fixed maturity securities			200
VIEs' fixed maturity securities [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Variable interest entities' fixed maturity securities			200
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
AFS securities:
AFS Fixed Maturity Securities		93,767	89,013
Fixed maturity AFS securities [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
AFS securities:
AFS Fixed Maturity Securities		93,767	89,013
Other assets [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Other assets - GLB direct embedded derivatives		570
Other assets - GLB ceded embedded derivatives		53	203
Indexed annuity ceded embedded derivatives		3
Other assets [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
AFS securities:
Other assets - GLB direct embedded derivatives		570
Other assets - GLB ceded embedded derivatives		53	203
Indexed annuity ceded embedded derivatives		3
Other liabilities [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Other contract holder funds:
Other liabilities - derivative liabilities	[1]	(213)	(553)
Other liabilities [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Other contract holder funds:
Other liabilities - derivative liabilities	[1]	(213)	(553)
Other liabilities [Member] | GLB direct embedded derivatives [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Other contract holder funds:
Other liabilities - GLB embedded derivatives			(371)
Other liabilities [Member] | GLB direct embedded derivatives [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Other contract holder funds:
Other liabilities - GLB embedded derivatives			$ (371)
Other liabilities [Member] | GLB ceded embedded derivatives [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Other contract holder funds:
Other liabilities - GLB embedded derivatives		(7)
Other liabilities [Member] | GLB ceded embedded derivatives [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Other contract holder funds:
Other liabilities - GLB embedded derivatives		$ (7)
[1] We have master netting agreements with each of our derivative counterparties, which allow for the netting of our derivative asset and liability positions by counterparty.

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the liability related to indexed annuity contracts classified within future contract benefits as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_FutureContractBenefitsIndexedAnnuityContractsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the ceded embedded derivatives related to indexed annuity contracts classified within other assets as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the sum of all long-term debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date, but excluding current maturities, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums and any associated fair value hedges.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_LongTermDebtFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the guaranteed living benefits embedded derivative classified within other liabilities as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the liability related to account values of certain investment contracts classified within other contract holder funds as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_OtherContractHolderFundsAccountValueOfCertainInvestmentContractsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents remaining guaranteed interest and similar contracts classified within other contract holder funds as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_OtherContractHolderFundsRemainingGuaranteedInterestAndSimilarContractsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents embedded derivative losses within certain modified coinsurance and coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance arrangements related to the withheld assets of the related funds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_OtherLiabilitiesGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativesReservesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents embedded derivative losses within certain modified coinsurance and coinsurance funds withheld reinsurance arrangements related to the withheld assets of the related funds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_ReinsuranceRelatedEmbeddedDerivativesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the fair value of the assets held by the Entity for the benefit of separate account policyholders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. This item represents the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt, which are due within one year as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	lnc_ShortTermDebtFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	lnc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, total debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading of consolidated variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75030427&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82896770&loc=d3e26610-111562

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (aa)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)-(g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75019621&loc=d3e62557-112803

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75030427&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82896770&loc=d3e26610-111562

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75019621&loc=d3e62557-112803

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13495-108611

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82849420&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82849420&loc=SL20226008-175313

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13495-108611

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77997519&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958

+ Details

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

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of investments classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f,g))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Sum of the amount of guaranteed minimum benefits the ceding insurer expects to recover on insurance policies ceded to other insurance entities as of the balance sheet date for all guaranteed benefit types.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 80
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6484115&loc=d3e19393-158473

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588021&loc=d3e7104-158389

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of investments in debt and equity securities and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests classified as trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82896770&loc=d3e26626-111562

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82896770&loc=d3e26610-111562

+ Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=lnc_VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=lnc_GuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReservesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverableMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: