XML 172 R156.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Segment Information (Reconciliation of Net Investment Income from Segments to Consolidated Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Net Investment Income [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net investment income | $ 4,990 | $ 4,874 | $ 4,827
Annuities Segment [Member] |  |  |
Net Investment Income [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net investment income | 1,038 | 1,033 | 1,004
Retirement Plan Services Segment [Member] |  |  |
Net Investment Income [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net investment income | 899 | 859 | 846
Life Insurance Segment [Member] |  |  |
Net Investment Income [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net investment income | 2,643 | 2,562 | 2,541
Group Protection Segment [Member] |  |  |
Net Investment Income [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net investment income | 168 | 176 | 184
Other Operations [Member] |  |  |
Net Investment Income [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net investment income | $ 242 | $ 244 | $ 252

X
- Definition Amount, after investment expense, of income earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-16(Column G)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34713774&loc=d3e574960-122915 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=lnc_AnnuitiesSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=lnc_RetirementPlanServicesSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=lnc_LifeSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=lnc_GroupProtectionSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=lnc_OtherOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |