$LNC
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc

$lnc Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2011 Q4 Form 10-Q Financial Statement

#000005955811000131 Filed on November 03, 2011

Income Statement

Concept	2011 Q4	2011 Q3	2010 Q3
Revenue	$2.569B	$2.547B	$2.613B
YoY Change	-3.49%	-2.53%	25.5%
Cost Of Revenue		$664.0M	$924.0M
YoY Change		-28.14%
Gross Profit		$1.883B	$1.689B
YoY Change		11.49%
Gross Profit Margin		73.93%	64.64%
Selling, General & Admin
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Operating Expenses	$2.240B	$2.313B	$2.235B
YoY Change	-3.88%	3.48%	14.47%
Operating Profit		-$430.0M	-$546.3M
YoY Change		-21.29%
Interest Expense	-$70.00M	-$80.00M	-$74.50M
YoY Change	-11.5%	7.38%	9.56%
% of Operating Profit
Other Income/Expense, Net
YoY Change
Pretax Income	-$489.0M	$155.0M	$303.0M
YoY Change	-293.82%	-48.84%	384.8%
Income Tax	$52.00M	-$6.000M	$55.00M
% Of Pretax Income		-3.87%	18.15%
Net Earnings	-$541.0M	$150.0M	$246.0M
YoY Change	-376.02%	-39.02%	60.78%
Net Earnings / Revenue	-21.06%	5.89%	9.41%
Basic Earnings Per Share	-$1.82	$0.49	$0.78
Diluted Earnings Per Share	-$1.82	$0.46	$0.75
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding	301.7M shares	304.8M shares	316700B shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding		312.0M shares	325700B shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2011 Q4	2011 Q3	2010 Q3
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments
YoY Change
Cash & Equivalents	$4.510B	$4.833B	$3.547B
Short-Term Investments
Other Short-Term Assets
YoY Change
Inventory
Prepaid Expenses
Receivables
Other Receivables
Total Short-Term Assets
YoY Change
LONG-TERM ASSETS
Property, Plant & Equipment	$137.0M	$136.0M	$219.0M
YoY Change	-32.18%	-37.9%	42.21%
Goodwill	$2.273B	$3.019B
YoY Change	-24.71%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$89.84B	$89.03B	$83.99B
YoY Change	9.48%	5.99%	12.37%
Other Assets
YoY Change
Total Long-Term Assets
YoY Change
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets
Total Long-Term Assets
Total Assets	$201.5B	$197.7B	$190.5B
YoY Change	3.96%	3.81%	4.96%
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
YoY Change
Accounts Payable
YoY Change
Accrued Expenses
YoY Change
Deferred Revenue
YoY Change
Short-Term Debt	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
YoY Change
Long-Term Debt Due	$300.0M	$550.0M	$101.0M
YoY Change	20.0%	444.55%	-74.75%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.033B	$4.405B	$2.668B
YoY Change	100.65%	65.1%	1.06%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$5.391B	$5.348B	$5.943B
YoY Change	-0.15%	-10.01%	24.1%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$4.997B	$4.597B	$4.280B
YoY Change	31.71%	7.41%	-61.47%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$10.39B	$9.945B	$10.22B
YoY Change	13.0%	-2.72%	-35.7%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.033B	$4.405B	$2.668B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$10.39B	$9.945B	$10.22B
Total Liabilities	$188.4B	$182.8B	$176.9B
YoY Change	4.07%	3.33%	4.18%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$2.831B	$4.664B
YoY Change	-28.04%
Common Stock
YoY Change
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$13.10B	$13.99B	$13.56B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$201.5B	$197.7B	$190.5B
YoY Change	3.96%	3.81%	4.96%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2011 Q4	2011 Q3	2010 Q3
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	-$541.0M	$150.0M	$246.0M
YoY Change	-376.02%	-39.02%	60.78%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization
YoY Change
Cash From Operating Activities	$342.0M	$56.00M	$271.0M
YoY Change	-40.63%	-79.34%	158.1%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures
YoY Change
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$1.114B	$1.061B	-$1.379B
YoY Change	-35.16%	-176.94%	-18.69%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$1.114B	$1.061B	-$1.379B
YoY Change	-35.16%	-176.94%	-18.69%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	450.0M	803.0M	955.0M
YoY Change	33.93%	-15.92%	-59.86%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	342.0M	56.00M	271.0M
Cash From Investing Activities	-1.114B	1.061B	-1.379B
Cash From Financing Activities	450.0M	803.0M	955.0M
Net Change In Cash	-322.0M	1.920B	-153.0M
YoY Change	-60.05%	-1354.9%	-119.42%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$342.0M	$56.00M	$271.0M
Capital Expenditures
Free Cash Flow
YoY Change

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Debt Current DebtCurrent	351000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Long Term Debt And Fair Value Hedges LongTermDebtAndFairValueHedges	5399000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Reinsurance Related Derivative Liabilities ReinsuranceRelatedDerivativeLiabilities	102000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Liability FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsLiability	1149000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance DeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	468000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Received For Securities Loaned At Carrying Value DepositsReceivedForSecuritiesLoanedAtCarryingValue	1659000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Variable Interest Carrying Amount Liabilities VariableInterestCarryingAmountLiabilities	132000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	3190000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	68030000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Net Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesNetAmortizedCost	584000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	197000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Trading Securities TradingSecurities	2596000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet	6752000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Real Estate Investments RealEstateInvestments	202000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	1076000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Investments OtherInvestments	1038000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Investments Investments	83340000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	2741000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs And Value Of Business Acquired DeferredAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired	8930000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Premiums And Other Receivables Net PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet	335000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Investment Income Receivable AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	933000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Reinsurance Recoverables ReinsuranceRecoverables	6527000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3019000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	3369000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Separate Account Assets SeparateAccountAssets	84630000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	193824000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense	17460000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Policyholder Funds PolicyholderFunds	66478000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Separate Accounts Liability SeparateAccountsLiability	84630000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	181018000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value Outstanding CommonStockValueOutstanding	8124000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	3934000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	748000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	12806000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	193824000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	74591000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet	6893000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Real Estate Investments RealEstateInvestments	136000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	800000000.00	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Net Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesNetAmortizedCost	700000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	137000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Trading Securities TradingSecurities	2726000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	3029000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Other Investments OtherInvestments	1105000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Investments Investments	92191000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	4833000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs And Value Of Business Acquired DeferredAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired	8130000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Premiums And Other Receivables Net PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet	383000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Accrued Investment Income Receivable AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	1023000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Reinsurance Recoverables ReinsuranceRecoverables	6659000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	3019000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	3314000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Separate Account Assets SeparateAccountAssets	78195000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Assets Assets	197747000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense	19969000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Policyholder Funds PolicyholderFunds	68581000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Debt Current DebtCurrent	550000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Long Term Debt And Fair Value Hedges LongTermDebtAndFairValueHedges	5348000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Reinsurance Related Derivative Liabilities ReinsuranceRelatedDerivativeLiabilities	177000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Liability FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsLiability	1072000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance DeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	412000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Deposits Received For Securities Loaned At Carrying Value DepositsReceivedForSecuritiesLoanedAtCarryingValue	3855000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Variable Interest Carrying Amount Liabilities VariableInterestCarryingAmountLiabilities	203000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	4466000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Separate Accounts Liability SeparateAccountsLiability	78195000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	182828000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Value Outstanding CommonStockValueOutstanding	7792000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	4664000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	2463000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	14919000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	197747000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCost	68382000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesAmortizedCost	672000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Equity Cost EquityCost	131000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCost	65175000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesAmortizedCost	570000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Equity Cost EquityCost	179000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	800000000	shares
	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies2009 CommitmentsAndContingencies2009
CY2010	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies2009 CommitmentsAndContingencies2009
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	301659175	shares
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	315718554.00	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	864000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	769000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	1151000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	1132000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	301659175	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	0	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	143000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	315718554.00	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	559000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	538000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-42000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-99000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	17000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	53000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-25000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-46000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	-138000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	89000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	163000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	-43000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-19000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-19000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	118000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	112000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2548000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2613000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	625000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	623000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	665000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	924000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	1040000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	689000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	79000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	74000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2409000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2310000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	139000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	303000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	-12000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	55000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	151000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	248000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-8000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-2000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	143000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	246000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	0	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	246000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.03
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.50
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.44
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.47
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.79
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.01
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.78
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.47
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.76
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-0.03
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-0.01
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.75
	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	1721000000	USD
	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	2582000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	3522000000	USD
	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-133000000	USD
	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	39000000	USD
	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-94000000	USD
	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	-83000000	USD
	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	177000000	USD
	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-56000000	USD
	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	361000000	USD
	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	8065000000	USD
	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	1864000000	USD
	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	2527000000	USD
	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	2401000000	USD
	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	223000000	USD
	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	7015000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1050000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	234000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	816000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-8000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	808000000	USD
	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	0	USD
	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	808000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	2.63
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.03
	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.60
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	2.55
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-0.03
	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.52
	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	1621000000	USD
	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	2351000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	3358000000	USD
	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-187000000	USD
	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	77000000	USD
	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-110000000	USD
	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	132000000	USD
	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	-22000000	USD
	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-56000000	USD
	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	7745000000	USD
	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	337000000	USD
	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	1855000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	756000000	USD
	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	2541000000	USD
	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	2155000000	USD
	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	212000000	USD
	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	6763000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	982000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	226000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	29000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	785000000	USD
	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	-168000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	617000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.92
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.09
	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.01
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.85
	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.09
	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.94
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	13559000000	USD
	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.150	USD
	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.030	USD
	us-gaap	Adjustments Noncash Items To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Other AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther	3000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs Value Of Business Acquired Deferred Sales Inducements And Deferred Front End Loads Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DeferredAcquisitionCostsValueOfBusinessAcquiredDeferredSalesInducementsAndDeferredFrontEndLoadsDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-110000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Trading Securities ProceedsFromPaymentsForTradingSecurities	33000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Premiums Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInPremiumsReceivable	48000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Investment Income Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	90000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Policyholder Funds IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds	141000000	USD
	lnc	Change In Funds Withheld Reinsurance Liability And Reinsurance Recoverables ChangeInFundsWithheldReinsuranceLiabilityAndReinsuranceRecoverables	210000000	USD
	lnc	Change In Federal Income Tax Accruals ChangeInFederalIncomeTaxAccruals	275000000	USD
	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-3000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	934000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	8540000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	1274000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	3988000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	2202000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Other Investments ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfOtherInvestments	2336000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Loaned Securities IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForLoanedSecurities	2196000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	0	USD
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	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-1011000000	USD
	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	275000000	USD
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	lnc	Increase Decrease In Commercial Paper IncreaseDecreaseInCommercialPaper	-100000000	USD
	lnc	Deposits Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable DepositsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	8187000000	USD
	lnc	Withdrawals Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable WithdrawalsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	3750000000	USD
	lnc	Transfers To And From Separate Accounts Net TransfersToAndFromSeparateAccountsNet	1763000000	USD
	lnc	Common Stock Issued For Benefit Plans And Excess Tax Benefits CommonStockIssuedForBenefitPlansAndExcessTaxBenefits	6000000	USD
	lnc	Issuance Redemption Of Series B Preferred Stock And Issuance Repurchase And Cancellation Of Associated Common Stock Warrants IssuanceRedemptionOfSeriesBPreferredStockAndIssuanceRepurchaseAndCancellationOfAssociatedCommonStockWarrants	0	USD
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	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Trading Securities ProceedsFromPaymentsForTradingSecurities	15000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2169000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	375000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	47000000	USD
	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	2092000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	2741000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	4833000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs Value Of Business Acquired Deferred Sales Inducements And Deferred Front End Loads Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DeferredAcquisitionCostsValueOfBusinessAcquiredDeferredSalesInducementsAndDeferredFrontEndLoadsDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-186000000	USD
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	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	65000000	USD
	lnc	Change In Federal Income Tax Accruals ChangeInFederalIncomeTaxAccruals	261000000	USD
	lnc	Change In Funds Withheld Reinsurance Liability And Reinsurance Recoverables ChangeInFundsWithheldReinsuranceLiabilityAndReinsuranceRecoverables	119000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Policyholder Funds IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds	671000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Investment Income Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	100000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Premiums Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInPremiumsReceivable	-13000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	10449000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	2595000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	3093000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	2390000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Other Investments ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfOtherInvestments	2307000000	USD
	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Loaned Securities IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForLoanedSecurities	660000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	321000000	USD
	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	49000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-3912000000	USD
	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	250000000	USD
	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	749000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Commercial Paper IncreaseDecreaseInCommercialPaper	1000000	USD
	lnc	Deposits Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable DepositsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	8247000000	USD
	lnc	Withdrawals Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable WithdrawalsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	3858000000	USD
	lnc	Transfers To And From Separate Accounts Net TransfersToAndFromSeparateAccountsNet	2087000000	USD
	lnc	Common Stock Issued For Benefit Plans And Excess Tax Benefits CommonStockIssuedForBenefitPlansAndExcessTaxBenefits	2000000	USD
	lnc	Issuance Redemption Of Series B Preferred Stock And Issuance Repurchase And Cancellation Of Associated Common Stock Warrants IssuanceRedemptionOfSeriesBPreferredStockAndIssuanceRepurchaseAndCancellationOfAssociatedCommonStockWarrants	-998000000	USD
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	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	39000000	USD
	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2131000000	USD
	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-637000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	4184000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	3547000000	USD
	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-8000000	USD
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CY2010Q1	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses	-405000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Telecommunications Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteTelecommunicationsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.112	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Financial Intermediaries Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteFinancialIntermediariesCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.105	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Oil And Gas Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteOilAndGasCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.063	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Utilities Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteUtilitiesCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.045	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Chemicals And Plastics Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteChemicalsAndPlasticsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.039	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Drugs Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteDrugsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.037	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Retailers Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteRetailersCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.035	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Industrial Equipment Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteIndustrialEquipmentCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.033	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Sovereign Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteSovereignCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.033	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Food Products Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteFoodProductsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.032	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Conglomerates Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteConglomeratesCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.031	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Forest Products Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteForestProductsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.03	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Other Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteOtherCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.405	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Credit Linked Note Total By Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteTotalByIndustryPercentage	1	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Number Of Other Industries NumberOfOtherIndustries	27	pure
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CY2011Q3	lnc	Number Of Credit Linked Notes Structures Invested In NumberOfCreditLinkedNotesStructuresInvestedIn	2	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Percentage Of Notes Of Credit Linked Notes Structures Invested In PercentageOfNotesOfCreditLinkedNotesStructuresInvestedIn	1	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Excess Mortality Swap Note ExcessMortalitySwapNote	100000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	69185000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedGainsAfsSecurities	-7387000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Gross Unrealized Losses Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedLossesAfsSecurities	-939000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	-205000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure	75428000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	65924000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedGainsAfsSecurities	-4295000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Losses Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedLossesAfsSecurities	-1160000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	-248000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure	68811000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Single Maturity Date Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCost	69054000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Single Maturity Date Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateFairValue	75291000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	952	pure
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	4788000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses	347000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	2565000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	797000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	7353000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses	1144000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	1237	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	8200000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses	534000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	3814000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	874000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	12014000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses	1408000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentFairValueDisclosure	1097000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Gross Unrealized Loss AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentGrossUnrealizedLoss	612000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	156000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	270	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentFairValueDisclosure	1201000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Gross Unrealized Loss AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentGrossUnrealizedLoss	632000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	190000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	291	pure
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	53000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-54000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-21000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	307000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	319000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	268000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions No Previous Impairment OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment	40000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	57000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	362000000	USD
CY2010Q2	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	293000000	USD
CY2011Q2	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	340000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions No Previous Impairment OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment	11000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions No Previous Impairment OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment	6000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	17000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	14000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-6000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-6000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAmortizedCost	829000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains GrossUnrealizedGains	2000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Gross Unrealized Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsGrossUnrealizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	198000000	USD
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CY2010Q4	lnc	Mortgage Loans Current MortgageLoansCurrent	6697000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Sixty To Ninety Days Past Due SixtyToNinetyDaysPastDue	8000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Greater Than Ninety Days Past Due GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDue	40000000	USD
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CY2011Q3	lnc	Mortgage Loans Current MortgageLoansCurrent	6806000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Sixty To Ninety Days Past Due SixtyToNinetyDaysPastDue	26000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Greater Than Ninety Days Past Due GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDue	68000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Unamortized Premium Discount UnamortizedPremiumDiscount	15000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Real Estate AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate	13000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Real Estate AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate	22000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Number Of Impaired Mortgage Loans NumberOfImpairedMortgageLoans	10	pure
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CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired End Of Period In Allowance For Loan Loss LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedEndOfPeriodInAllowanceForLoanLoss	79000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired At Carrying Value LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedAtCarryingValue	57000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired End Of Period In Allowance For Loan Loss LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedEndOfPeriodInAllowanceForLoanLoss	75000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired At Carrying Value LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedAtCarryingValue	62000000	USD
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CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Average Investment LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedAverageInvestment	61000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Average Investment LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedAverageInvestment	58000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	0	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	0	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	0	USD
	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Average Investment LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedAverageInvestment	55000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	0	USD
	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Average Investment LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedAverageInvestment	53000000	USD
	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	2000000	USD
	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	1000000	USD
	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Accrual Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeAccrualMethod	2000000	USD
	lnc	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	1000000	USD
	lnc	Creditqualityindicatorsformortgageloanstextblock Creditqualityindicatorsformortgageloanstextblock	<div><table style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-top:20px;"><tr style="height: 19px"><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 213px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:213px;"> </td><td colspan="7" style="width: 230px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:230px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">As of September 30, 2011</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td colspan="7" style="width: 230px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:230px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">As of December 31, 2010</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 213px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:213px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"> </td><td style="width: 14px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Debt-</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"> </td><td style="width: 14px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Debt-</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 213px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:213px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"> </td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Service</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"> </td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Service</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 213px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:213px;"> </td><td colspan="2" style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Principal</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"> </td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Coverage</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td colspan="2" style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Principal</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"> </td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Coverage</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td colspan="3" style="width: 233px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:233px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: left;">Loan-to-Value</font></td><td colspan="2" style="width: 66px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Amount</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td colspan="2" style="width: 66px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">% </font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Ratio</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td colspan="2" style="width: 66px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Amount</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td colspan="2" style="width: 66px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">% </font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">Ratio</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td colspan="3" style="width: 233px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:233px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: left;">Less than 65%</font></td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">$</font></td><td style="width: 56px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 5,343</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 77.4</font></td><td style="width: 14px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">1.60</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">$</font></td><td style="width: 56px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 4,863</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 72.1</font></td><td style="width: 14px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">1.62</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td colspan="3" style="width: 233px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:233px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: left;">65% to 74%</font></td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 1,148</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 16.7</font></td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">1.37</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 1,484</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 22.0</font></td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">1.40</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td colspan="3" style="width: 233px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:233px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: left;">75% to 100%</font></td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 319</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 4.6</font></td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">0.86</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 179</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 2.7</font></td><td style="width: 14px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">0.85</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 19px"><td colspan="3" style="width: 233px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:233px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: left;">Greater than 100%</font></td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 90</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 1.3</font></td><td style="width: 14px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">0.26</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td style="width: 56px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 219</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 3.2</font></td><td style="width: 14px; border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-width:1px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">1.06</font></td></tr><tr style="height: 20px"><td style="width: 10px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"> </td><td colspan="2" style="width: 223px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:223px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: left;">Total mortgage loans on real estate</font></td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">$</font></td><td style="width: 56px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 6,900</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 100.0</font></td><td style="width: 14px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"> </td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 10px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:10px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">$</font></td><td style="width: 56px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:56px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 6,745</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 52px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:right;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:52px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;"> 100.0</font></td><td style="width: 14px; border-top-style:solid;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-style:double;border-bottom-width:3px;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:14px;"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond;FONT-SIZE: 10.5pt;COLOR: #000000;TEXT-ALIGN: center;">%</font></td><td style="width: 16px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:16px;"> </td><td style="width: 66px; text-align:left;background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#000000;min-width:66px;"> </td></tr></table></div>
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Face Amount Of Mortgages MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages	6900000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Face Amount Of Mortgages MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages	6745000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Percentage Of Total Mortgage Loans PercentageOfTotalMortgageLoans	1	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Percentage Of Total Mortgage Loans PercentageOfTotalMortgageLoans	1	pure
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	12000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	17000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	-63000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	-61000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	0	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	3000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	-3000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	-2000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	22000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	5000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Total Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-44000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Total Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-26000000	USD
	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	84000000	USD
	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	96000000	USD
	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	-177000000	USD
	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	-174000000	USD
	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	10000000	USD
	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	9000000	USD
	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	-4000000	USD
	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	1000000	USD
	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	-33000000	USD
	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	-13000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	8000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	21000000	USD
	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	20000000	USD
	lnc	Total Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-95000000	USD
	lnc	Total Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments TotalRealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-86000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-33000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-4000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-9000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-54000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	8000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	62000000	USD
	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	48000000	USD
	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-124000000	USD
	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	30000000	USD
	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-9000000	USD
	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-145000000	USD
	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	84000000	USD
	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-7000000	USD
	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	35000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Carrying Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsCarryingValue	2593000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsCarryingValue	198000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsCarryingValue	280000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityCarryingValue	184000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisCarryingValue	600000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Fair Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsFairValue	2593000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsFairValue	191000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsFairValue	295000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityFairValue	211000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisFairValue	1037000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Total Payables For Collateral On Investments Fair Value TotalPayablesForCollateralOnInvestmentsFairValue	4327000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Carrying Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsCarryingValue	800000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsCarryingValue	199000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsCarryingValue	280000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityCarryingValue	280000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisCarryingValue	100000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Fair Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsFairValue	800000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsFairValue	192000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsFairValue	294000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityFairValue	318000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisFairValue	115000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Total Payables For Collateral On Investments Fair Value TotalPayablesForCollateralOnInvestmentsFairValue	1719000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Derivative Investments IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForDerivativeInvestments	1793000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Derivative Investments IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForDerivativeInvestments	1053000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Lending Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesLendingAgreements	-1000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Lending Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesLendingAgreements	-301000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Reverse Repurchase Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Reverse Repurchase Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForReverseRepurchaseAgreements	-64000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Talf IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForTalf	-96000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Talf IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForTalf	-28000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Fhlbi IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForFhlbi	500000000	USD
	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Fhlbi IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForFhlbi	0	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Investment Commitments InvestmentCommitments	627000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Investment Commitments Limited Partnerships InvestmentCommitmentsLimitedPartnerships	271000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Investment Commitments Limited Private Placements InvestmentCommitmentsLimitedPrivatePlacements	194000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Investment Commitments Mortgage Loans InvestmentCommitmentsMortgageLoans	162000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Largest Mortgage Loan Concentration In Geographic Region LargestMortgageLoanConcentrationInGeographicRegion	0.33	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Largest Mortgage Loan Concentration In Geographic Region LargestMortgageLoanConcentrationInGeographicRegion	0.30	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi High End Of Range CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiHighEndOfRange	0.95	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi Low End Of Range CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiLowEndOfRange	0.85	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Talf CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueTalf	0.90	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0.95	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Foreign CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsForeign	1.05	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Domestic CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsDomestic	1.02	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Number Of Partnerships In Alternative Investment Portfolio NumberOfPartnershipsInAlternativeInvestmentPortfolio	95	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Number Of Partnerships In Alternative Investment Portfolio NumberOfPartnershipsInAlternativeInvestmentPortfolio	97	pure
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgages	42000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgages	114000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Unrealized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesUnrealized	9000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Unrealized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesUnrealized	25000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Realized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesRealized	33000000	USD
	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Realized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesRealized	89000000	USD
	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Change In Gross Unrealized Holding Gain Loss AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangeInGrossUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss	264000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi Low End Of Range CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiLowEndOfRange	0.85	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Talf CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueTalf	0.90	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0.95	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Domestic CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsDomestic	1.02	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi High End Of Range CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiHighEndOfRange	0.95	pure
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Foreign CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsForeign	1.05	pure
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Derivative Number Of Instruments Held DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld	511086	pure
CY2011Q3	invest	Derivative Notional Amount DerivativeNotionalAmount	48041000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	3827000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability	-798000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset	503000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	-3982000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Number Of Instruments Held DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld	470270	pure
CY2010Q4	invest	Derivative Notional Amount DerivativeNotionalAmount	34438000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	1784000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Derivative Asset Fair Value Gross Liability DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability	-708000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Derivative Liability Fair Value Gross Asset DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset	518000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	-1959000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Remaining Life Less Than1 Year RemainingLifeLessThan1Year	9757000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Remaining Life Over30 Years RemainingLifeOver30Years	9000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Remaining Life1 To5 Years RemainingLife1To5Years	14196000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Remaining Life6 To10 Years RemainingLife6To10Years	16305000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Remaining Life11 To30 Years RemainingLife11To30Years	7774000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Remaining Life Total Years RemainingLifeTotalYears	48041000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-162000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-198000000	USD
	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-255000000	USD
	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-145000000	USD
	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	7000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	0	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	-3000000	USD
	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	-4000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness Net GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet	0	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	1000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	1000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness Net GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet	0	USD
	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness Net GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet	0	USD
	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	3000000	USD
	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	3000000	USD
	us-gaap	Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedge Ineffectiveness Net GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet	1000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Number Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held NumberOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeld	9	pure
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Credit Derivative Current Fair Value CreditDerivativeCurrentFairValue	-15000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Assets Needed For Immediate Settlement Aggregate Fair Value AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue	148000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Number Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held NumberOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeld	9	pure
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Credit Derivative Current Fair Value CreditDerivativeCurrentFairValue	-16000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Assets Needed For Immediate Settlement Aggregate Fair Value AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue	145000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Less Counterparty Thresholds LessCounterpartyThresholds	10000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Additional Collateral Aggregate Fair Value AdditionalCollateralAggregateFairValue	135000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Less Counterparty Thresholds LessCounterpartyThresholds	0	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Additional Collateral Aggregate Fair Value AdditionalCollateralAggregateFairValue	148000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Posted By Lnc Held By Counterparty CollateralPostedByLncHeldByCounterparty	-299000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Collateral Posted By Counterparty Held By Entity CollateralPostedByCounterpartyHeldByEntity	1149000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Posted By Counterparty Held By Entity CollateralPostedByCounterpartyHeldByEntity	3031000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Posted By Lnc Held By Counterparty CollateralPostedByLncHeldByCounterparty	-132000000	USD
	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss To Be Reclassified Within Twelve Months CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths	21000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Exposure Associated With Collateralization Events ExposureAssociatedWithCollateralizationEvents	110000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Nonperformance Risk Adjustment NonperformanceRiskAdjustment	19000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Collateral Requirement If Netting Agreements Not In Place CollateralRequirementIfNettingAgreementsNotInPlace	15000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Account Values With Guaranteed Income Benefit Feature AccountValuesWithGuaranteedIncomeBenefitFeature	11500000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Account Values With Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefit Feature AccountValuesWithGuaranteedWithdrawalBenefitFeature	29600000000	USD
	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.22	pure
	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35	pure
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35	pure
	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.23	pure
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.18	pure
	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35	pure
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35	pure
	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	-28000000	USD
	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Prior Year Income Taxes IncomeTaxReconciliationPriorYearIncomeTaxes	-13000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	7552000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	7119000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	7424000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	6870000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Additions DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions	1240000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	-339000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Effect Of Model Refinements DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingEffectOfModelRefinements	171000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	75000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Other Amortization DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortization	-705000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-38000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-837000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-32000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Other Amortization DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortization	-676000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Effect Of Model Refinements DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingEffectOfModelRefinements	183000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-1223000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	-26000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Additions DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions	1179000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	41000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfits	1378000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfits	2086000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfits	1011000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfits	1048000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Deferrals PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsDeferrals	15000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	28000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Effect Of Model Refinements PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingEffectOfModelRefinements	102000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	16000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Other Amortization Expense PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsOtherAmortizationExpense	-235000000	USD
	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Interest Accrued PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsInterestAccrued	59000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-5000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-349000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Deferrals PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsDeferrals	19000000	USD
	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Interest Accrued PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsInterestAccrued	68000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Other Amortization Expense PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsOtherAmortizationExpense	-270000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-787000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	-40000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	0	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	2000000	USD
	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Effect Of Model Refinements PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingEffectOfModelRefinements	-30000000	USD
	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Additions From Acquisitions PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAdditionsFromAcquisitions	2000000	USD
	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Additions From Acquisitions PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAdditionsFromAcquisitions	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	286000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	323000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	268000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	269000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Additions DeferredSalesInducementsAdditions	29000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	-2000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	11000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Other Amortization DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortization	-42000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-3000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-11000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	2000000	USD
	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Additions DeferredSalesInducementsAdditions	53000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Other Amortization DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortization	-43000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	6000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-64000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-8000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1302000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1338000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1502000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1338000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Additions DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	411000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	-6000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Effect Of Model Refinements DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingEffectOfModelRefinements	28000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	7000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Other Amortization DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortization	-127000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-10000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-467000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-4000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Assumption Changes DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingAssumptionChanges	-53000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-312000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-14000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Additions DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	411000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Prospective Unlocking Effect Of Model Refinements DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseProspectiveUnlockingEffectOfModelRefinements	62000000	USD
	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Other Amortization DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortization	-126000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	44000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	71000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	118000000	USD
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	62000000	USD
	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Incurred GuaranteedBenefitsIncurred	108000000	USD
	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Paid GuaranteedBenefitsPaid	-34000000	USD
	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Incurred GuaranteedBenefitsIncurred	59000000	USD
	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Paid GuaranteedBenefitsPaid	-68000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Variable Annuity Account Balances With Guarantees VariableAnnuityAccountBalancesWithGuarantees	66395000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Variable Annuity Account Balances With Guarantees VariableAnnuityAccountBalancesWithGuarantees	71469000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Percent Of Total Variable Annuity Separate Account Values PercentOfTotalVariableAnnuitySeparateAccountValues	0.98	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Percent Of Total Variable Annuity Separate Account Values PercentOfTotalVariableAnnuitySeparateAccountValues	0.98	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Percent Of Permanent Life Insurance In Force PercentOfPermanentLifeInsuranceInForce	0.38	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Percent Of Permanent Life Insurance Sales PercentOfPermanentLifeInsuranceSales	0.46	pure
	lnc	Percent Of Permanent Life Insurance Sales PercentOfPermanentLifeInsuranceSales	0.49	pure
CY2011Q3	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	10150292000000	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	500578000000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	311997683000000	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-342848000000	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Average Deferred Compensation Shares AverageDeferredCompensationShares	1105447000000	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-31025000000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Conversion Of Preferred Stock IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock	173664000000	shares
CY2011Q3	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-5153660000000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	304779641000000	shares
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToNonvestedSharesWithForfeitableDividends	815594000000	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Average Deferred Compensation Shares AverageDeferredCompensationShares	1112284000000	shares
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	325683769000000	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-97164000000	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-383607000000	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-5805269000000	shares
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Conversion Of Preferred Stock IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock	175095000000	shares
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToNonvestedSharesWithForfeitableDividends	584206000000	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	12791748000000	shares
CY2010Q3	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	316726409000000	shares
CY2010Q3	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	580067000000	shares
	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	318489182000000	shares
	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	10150292000000	shares
	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-459168000000	shares
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	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Conversion Of Preferred Stock IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock	174293000000	shares
	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	310357508000000	shares
	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-4223290000000	shares
	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	698054000000	shares
	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToNonvestedSharesWithForfeitableDividends	602443000000	shares
	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-80317000000	shares
	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	12963550000000	shares
	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	307863690000000	shares
	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	317513989000000	shares
	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	728250000000	shares
	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-150846000000	shares
	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-5416234000000	shares
	lnc	Average Deferred Compensation Shares AverageDeferredCompensationShares	1221257000000	shares
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	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-478222000000	shares
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CY2010Q3	lnc	Deferred Compensation Plan Mark To Market Adjustment DeferredCompensationPlanMarkToMarketAdjustment	1000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Deferred Compensation Plan Mark To Market Adjustment DeferredCompensationPlanMarkToMarketAdjustment	5000000	USD
	lnc	Gain Loss On Certain Reinsurance Derivative Trading Securities GainLossOnCertainReinsuranceDerivativeTradingSecurities	72000000	USD
	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	8000000	USD
	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Associated Amortization Benefit Expense IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	-3000000	USD
	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedLivingBenefitsGrossGainLoss	117000000	USD
	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedLivingBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	-53000000	USD
	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedDeathBenefitsGrossGainLoss	-38000000	USD
	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedDeathBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	5000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Associated Amortization Benefit Expense IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	1000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedLivingBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	4000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	-5000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedDeathBenefitsGrossGainLoss	22000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedDeathBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	-2000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedLivingBenefitsGrossGainLoss	-34000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Gain Loss On Certain Reinsurance Derivative Trading Securities GainLossOnCertainReinsuranceDerivativeTradingSecurities	-105000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedLivingBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	-27000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Gain Loss On Certain Reinsurance Derivative Trading Securities GainLossOnCertainReinsuranceDerivativeTradingSecurities	105000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	1000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedLivingBenefitsGrossGainLoss	36000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedDeathBenefitsGrossGainLoss	-52000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Associated Amortization Benefit Expense IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	0	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedDeathBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	6000000	USD
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	lnc	Guaranteed Death Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedDeathBenefitsGrossGainLoss	8000000	USD
	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	3000000	USD
	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Associated Amortization Benefit Expense GuaranteedLivingBenefitsAssociatedAmortizationBenefitExpense	-20000000	USD
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	lnc	Guaranteed Living Benefits Gross Gain Loss GuaranteedLivingBenefitsGrossGainLoss	26000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Corporate Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCorporateBonds	58263000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Us Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesUsGovernmentBonds	286000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Foreign Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesForeignGovernmentBonds	642000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Collateralized Mortgage Obligations FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCollateralizedMortgageObligations	5208000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Mortgage Pass Throughs FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesMortgagePassThroughs	3240000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCommercialMortgageBackedSecurities	1670000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Collateralized Debt Obligations FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCollateralizedDebtObligations	111000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities State And Municipal Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesStateAndMunicipalBonds	3969000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Hybrid And Redeemable Preferred Stocks FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesHybridAndRedeemablePreferredStocks	1202000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Afs Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturityAfsSecurities	700000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Banking Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesBankingSecurities	1000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Insurance Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesInsuranceSecurities	27000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Other Financial Services Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesOtherFinancialServicesSecurities	25000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Other Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesOtherSecurities	84000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Trading Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsTradingSecurities	2726000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets	3029000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Cash And Cash Equivalents FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCashAndCashEquivalents	4833000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisSeparateAccountAssets	78195000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Total Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets	164211000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Indexed Annuity Contracts FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsIndexedAnnuityContracts	-342000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReserves	-2343000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Long Term Debt Interest Rate Swap Agreements FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisLongTermDebtInterestRateSwapAgreements	-277000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities State And Municipal Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesStateAndMunicipalBonds	3155000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Hybrid And Redeemable Preferred Stocks FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesHybridAndRedeemablePreferredStocks	1397000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Reinsurance Related Embedded Derivatives FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisReinsuranceRelatedEmbeddedDerivatives	-177000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Variable Interest Entities Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisVariableInterestEntitiesLiabilities	-307000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Other Liabilities Deferred Compensation Plans FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilitiesDeferredCompensationPlans	-325000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Other Liabilities Credit Default Swaps FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilitiesCreditDefaultSwaps	-15000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Total Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities	-3786000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Corporate Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCorporateBonds	51740000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Us Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesUsGovernmentBonds	165000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Foreign Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesForeignGovernmentBonds	508000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Collateralized Mortgage Obligations FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCollateralizedMortgageObligations	5757000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Mortgage Pass Throughs FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesMortgagePassThroughs	3081000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCommercialMortgageBackedSecurities	2053000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Collateralized Debt Obligations FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCollateralizedDebtObligations	174000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Afs Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturityAfsSecurities	584000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Banking Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesBankingSecurities	58000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Insurance Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesInsuranceSecurities	37000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Other Financial Services Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesOtherFinancialServicesSecurities	32000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Equity Afs Securities Other Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsEquityAfsSecuritiesOtherSecurities	70000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Trading Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsTradingSecurities	2596000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Derivative Financial Instruments Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssets	1076000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Cash And Cash Equivalents FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisCashAndCashEquivalents	2741000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisSeparateAccountAssets	84630000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Total Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets	159854000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Indexed Annuity Contracts FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsIndexedAnnuityContracts	-497000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReserves	-408000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Long Term Debt Interest Rate Swap Agreements FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisLongTermDebtInterestRateSwapAgreements	-55000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Reinsurance Related Embedded Derivatives FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisReinsuranceRelatedEmbeddedDerivatives	-102000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Variable Interest Entities Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisVariableInterestEntitiesLiabilities	-209000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Other Liabilities Deferred Compensation Plans FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilitiesDeferredCompensationPlans	-363000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Other Liabilities Credit Default Swaps FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilitiesCreditDefaultSwaps	-16000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Total Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities	-1650000000	USD
CY2011Q2	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	2427000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	-1360000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	288000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	-41000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsNet	26000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	1340000000	USD
CY2010Q2	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	1990000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	-111000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	125000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	-101000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsNet	-14000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	1889000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	2620000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	-1372000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	390000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsNet	-191000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	-107000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsNet	-81000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	-656000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	415000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	-1035000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	3246000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Issuances FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsIssuances	136000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Sales FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSales	-29000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Maturities FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsMaturities	-93000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Settlements FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSettlements	13000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Calls FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsCalls	-1000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Issuances FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsIssuances	404000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Sales FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSales	-293000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Maturities FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsMaturities	-250000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Settlements FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSettlements	38000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Calls FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsCalls	-90000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Changes In Unrealized Gains Losses Within Level3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesWithinLevel3FinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtFairValueAndStillHeld	-1413000000	USD
	lnc	Changes In Unrealized Gains Losses Within Level3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesWithinLevel3FinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtFairValueAndStillHeld	-1302000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Changes In Unrealized Gains Losses Within Level3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesWithinLevel3FinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtFairValueAndStillHeld	107000000	USD
	lnc	Changes In Unrealized Gains Losses Within Level3 Financial Instruments Carried At Fair Value And Still Held ChangesInUnrealizedGainsLossesWithinLevel3FinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtFairValueAndStillHeld	-481000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	21000000	USD
CY2011Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-62000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	6000000	USD
CY2010Q3	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-107000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-161000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	54000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	-102000000	USD
	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-933000000	USD
	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-Q
	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2011-09-30
	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP
	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000059558
	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2011Q4	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	301664558	shares
CY2010Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	7700000000	USD
	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2011
	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	Q3

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
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report.css	Edgar Link	pending
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$LNC
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc

2011 Q4 Form 10-Q Financial Statement

#000005955811000131 Filed on November 03, 2011

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$LNC LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc

2011 Q4 Form 10-Q Financial Statement

#000005955811000131 Filed on November 03, 2011

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$LNC
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc