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Statutory Information and Restrictions (Net Gain Loss From Operations, Net Income Loss, Dividends to LNC Holding Company) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Statutory Information and Restrictions [Abstract] |  |  |
U.S. net gain (loss) from operations, after-tax | $ 1,329 | $ 1,111 | $ 635
U.S. net income (loss) | 1,468 | 1,002 | 838
U.S. dividends to LNC holding company | $ 974 | $ 970 | $ 1,175

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- Definition This element represents dividends paid to the common parent company by its domestic life insurance subsidiaries. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_DividendsToParentCompany
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount of net gain from operations, after tax, for the period determined using accounting principles prescribed or permitted by insurance regulators. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetGainFromOperationsAfterTaxAmount
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition n/a + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | lnc_StatutoryInformationAndRestrictionsDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | lnc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount of net income for the period determined using accounting principles prescribed or permitted by insurance regulators. + 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(a)(23)(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration