$LNC
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc

$lnc Overview Financials Valuation SEC Filings Company Website

2012 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000005955813000034 Filed on March 01, 2013

Income Statement

Concept	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
Revenue	$2.964B	$2.954B	$2.899B
YoY Change	15.38%	15.98%	3.28%
Cost Of Revenue		$811.0M	$945.0M
YoY Change		22.14%	-7.98%
Gross Profit		$2.143B	$1.954B
YoY Change		13.81%	9.78%
Gross Profit Margin		72.55%	67.4%
Selling, General & Admin
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Research & Development
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Depreciation & Amortization
YoY Change
% of Gross Profit
Operating Expenses	$2.503B	$2.468B	$2.389B
YoY Change	11.74%	6.7%	2.71%
Operating Profit		-$325.0M	-$435.0M
YoY Change		-24.42%	-20.33%
Interest Expense		-$68.00M	-$67.00M
YoY Change		-15.0%	-6.94%
% of Operating Profit
Other Income/Expense, Net	-$70.00M
YoY Change
Pretax Income	$400.0M	$418.0M	$442.0M
YoY Change	-181.8%	169.68%	8.07%
Income Tax	$79.00M	$45.00M	$118.0M
% Of Pretax Income	19.75%	10.77%	26.7%
Net Earnings	$320.0M	$428.0M	$322.0M
YoY Change	-159.15%	185.33%	6.98%
Net Earnings / Revenue	10.8%	14.49%	11.11%
Basic Earnings Per Share	$1.17	$1.54	$1.14
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$1.14	$1.51	$1.09
COMMON SHARES
Basic Shares Outstanding		277.9M shares	282.1M shares
Diluted Shares Outstanding		284.7M shares	290.0M shares

Balance Sheet

Concept	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
SHORT-TERM ASSETS
Cash & Short-Term Investments
YoY Change
Cash & Equivalents	$4.230B	$4.373B	$5.257B
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	$65.00M	$112.0M	$116.0M
YoY Change	-52.55%	-17.65%	-22.67%
Goodwill	$2.273B	$2.273B	$2.273B
YoY Change	0.0%	-24.71%	-24.71%
Intangibles
YoY Change
Long-Term Investments	$96.35B	$95.28B	$93.37B
YoY Change	7.24%	7.03%	9.81%
Other Assets
YoY Change
Total Long-Term Assets
YoY Change
TOTAL ASSETS
Total Short-Term Assets
Total Long-Term Assets
Total Assets	$218.9B	$215.5B	$211.1B
YoY Change	8.62%	8.96%	4.74%
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	$200.0M	$200.0M	$300.0M
YoY Change	-33.33%	-63.64%	19.52%
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.381B	$4.766B	$5.370B
YoY Change	8.63%	8.2%	161.06%
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt	$5.439B	$5.494B	$5.719B
YoY Change	0.89%	2.73%	-0.17%
Other Long-Term Liabilities	$5.550B	$5.612B	$5.607B
YoY Change	11.07%	22.08%	45.45%
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$10.99B	$11.11B	$11.33B
YoY Change	5.79%	11.67%	18.18%
TOTAL LIABILITIES
Total Short-Term Liabilities	$4.381B	$4.766B	$5.370B
Total Long-Term Liabilities	$10.99B	$11.11B	$11.33B
Total Liabilities	$203.9B	$200.2B	$196.9B
YoY Change	8.23%	9.51%	4.77%
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Retained Earnings	$4.044B	$3.873B	$3.493B
YoY Change	42.85%	-16.96%	-22.99%
Common Stock
YoY Change
Preferred Stock
YoY Change
Treasury Stock (at cost)
YoY Change
Treasury Stock Shares
Shareholders Equity	$14.97B	$15.24B	$14.18B
YoY Change
Total Liabilities & Shareholders Equity	$218.9B	$215.5B	$211.1B
YoY Change	8.62%	8.96%	4.74%

Cashflow Statement

Concept	2012 Q4	2012 Q3	2012 Q2
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$320.0M	$428.0M	$322.0M
YoY Change	-159.15%	185.33%	6.98%
Depreciation, Depletion And Amortization
YoY Change
Cash From Operating Activities	$603.0M	$52.00M	$332.0M
YoY Change	76.32%	-7.14%	-38.29%
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures
YoY Change
Acquisitions
YoY Change
Other Investing Activities	-$1.790B	-$1.045B	$891.0M
YoY Change	60.68%	-198.49%	-226.38%
Cash From Investing Activities	-$1.790B	-$1.045B	$891.0M
YoY Change	60.68%	-198.49%	-226.38%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash Dividend Paid
YoY Change
Common Stock Issuance & Retirement, Net
YoY Change
Debt Paid & Issued, Net
YoY Change
Cash From Financing Activities	1.044B	109.0M	518.0M
YoY Change	132.0%	-86.43%	-39.98%
NET CHANGE
Cash From Operating Activities	603.0M	52.00M	332.0M
Cash From Investing Activities	-1.790B	-1.045B	891.0M
Cash From Financing Activities	1.044B	109.0M	518.0M
Net Change In Cash	-143.0M	-884.0M	1.741B
YoY Change	-55.59%	-146.04%	150.14%
FREE CASH FLOW
Cash From Operating Activities	$603.0M	$52.00M	$332.0M
Capital Expenditures
Free Cash Flow
YoY Change

Facts In Submission

Frame	Concept Type	Concept / XBRL Key	Value	Unit
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	82036000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Net Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesNetAmortizedCost	708000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	157000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Trading Securities TradingSecurities	2554000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet	7029000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Real Estate Investments RealEstateInvestments	65000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	2652000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Investments OtherInvestments	1098000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Investments Investments	99065000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	4230000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Premiums And Other Receivables Net PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet	380000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Investment Income Receivable AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	1015000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Reinsurance Recoverables ReinsuranceRecoverables	6449000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	2273000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	2580000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Separate Account Assets SeparateAccountAssets	95373000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	218869000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Policyholder Funds PolicyholderFunds	72218000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense	19780000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Debt Current DebtCurrent	200000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Long Term Debt And Fair Value Hedges LongTermDebtAndFairValueHedges	5439000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Reinsurance Related Derivative Liabilities ReinsuranceRelatedDerivativeLiabilities	215000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Liability FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsLiability	940000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance DeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	319000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Received For Securities Loaned At Carrying Value DepositsReceivedForSecuritiesLoanedAtCarryingValue	4181000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	5139000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Separate Accounts Liability SeparateAccountsLiability	95373000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	203896000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value Outstanding CommonStockValueOutstanding	7121000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	4044000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	3808000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	14973000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	218869000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities	75433000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Net Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesNetAmortizedCost	700000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Trading Securities TradingSecurities	2675000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities AvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquitySecurities	139000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet	6942000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Real Estate Investments RealEstateInvestments	137000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Assets DerivativeAssets	3151000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Investments OtherInvestments	1069000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Investments Investments	93130000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue	4510000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Premiums And Other Receivables Net PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet	408000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accrued Investment Income Receivable AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	981000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Reinsurance Recoverables ReinsuranceRecoverables	6526000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies		USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Commitments And Contingencies CommitmentsAndContingencies		USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense	19813000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Value Of Business Acquired DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired	6776000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Goodwill	2273000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Assets OtherAssets	2536000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Separate Account Assets SeparateAccountAssets	83477000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Assets	201491000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Policyholder Funds PolicyholderFunds	69466000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Debt Current DebtCurrent	300000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Long Term Debt And Fair Value Hedges LongTermDebtAndFairValueHedges	5391000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Reinsurance Related Derivative Liabilities ReinsuranceRelatedDerivativeLiabilities	168000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Liability FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsLiability	1045000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance DeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	394000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deposits Received For Securities Loaned At Carrying Value DepositsReceivedForSecuritiesLoanedAtCarryingValue	3733000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Liabilities OtherLiabilities	4410000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Separate Accounts Liability SeparateAccountsLiability	83477000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities Liabilities	188390000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Value Outstanding CommonStockValueOutstanding	7590000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit	2831000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax	2680000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Liabilities And Stockholders Equity LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity	201491000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCost	72718000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesAmortizedCost	677000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Equity Cost EquityCost	137000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAmortizedCost	68988000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Equity Cost EquityCost	135000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	10000000.00	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Shares Authorized PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	10000000.00	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	800000000.00	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Authorized CommonStockSharesAuthorized	800000000.00	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	271402586	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	271402586	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Issued CommonStockSharesIssued	291319222.00	shares
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Common Stock Shares Outstanding CommonStockSharesOutstanding	291319222.00	shares
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAsset	837000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAsset	874000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Securities Amortized Cost VariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturitySecuritiesAmortizedCost	673000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value Outstanding PreferredStockValueOutstanding	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Preferred Stock Value Outstanding PreferredStockValueOutstanding	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Liabilities VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities	92000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Variable Interest Entity Consolidated Carrying Amount Liabilities VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountLiabilities	193000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Value Of Business Acquired DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired	6667000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	13101000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	2462000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	3733000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-259000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-247000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	106000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	87000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.09
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.09
CY2012	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	4.56
CY2010	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	2.30
CY2011	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	2294000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	3437000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Marketable Securities Realized Gain Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount	-169000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Portion Of Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income PortionOfLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	45000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-124000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-153000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Net Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities Recognized In Earnings NetOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecuritiesRecognizedInEarnings	-160000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	227000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	91000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	11532000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10415000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	2470000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	2488000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	3538000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	3327000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	3683000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	3174000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	273000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	291000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Impairment Of Intangibles ImpairmentOfIntangibles	0	USD
CY2010	lnc	Impairment Of Intangibles ImpairmentOfIntangibles	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	9964000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	9280000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1568000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	1135000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	282000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	262000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	1286000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	873000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	27000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	29000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	1313000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	902000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.10
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.09
CY2012	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	4.68
CY2010	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	2.37
CY2011	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses On Securities RealizedGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesOnSecurities	-170000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	10641000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Credited To Policyholders Account Balances InterestCreditedToPolicyholdersAccountBalances	2488000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet	3345000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Cost And Expense Operating OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	3264000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Interest And Debt Expense Charged Against Earnings InterestAndDebtExpenseChargedAgainstEarnings	294000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Impairment Of Intangibles ImpairmentOfIntangibles	747000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	10138000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	503000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Expense Benefit IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	274000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	229000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-8000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1829000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-97000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	2050000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	221000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.75
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.03
CY2011	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.72
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.72
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-0.03
CY2011	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.69
CY2010	us-gaap	Premiums Earned Net PremiumsEarnedNet	2176000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Insurance Fees InsuranceFees	3234000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-74000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-75000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Amortization Of Deferred Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance AmortizationOfDeferredGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsurance	-75000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	69000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	294000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Realized Loss RealizedLoss	-74000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	-167000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	735000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	1313000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic	221000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Preferred Stock Dividends And Accretion Of Discount PreferredStockDividendsAndAccretionOfDiscount	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1119000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Investments Portion In Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	2000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	44000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-5000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-32000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1128000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	2441000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1771000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	130000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Investments Portion In Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	25000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-2000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Investments Portion In Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest	-19000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	29000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1127000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	2015000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent	1113000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Comprehensive Income Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease OtherComprehensiveIncomeDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-22000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	1720000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	4698000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	4652000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Investment Income NetInvestmentIncome	4541000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	491000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	477000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Income OtherIncome	458000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	4.58
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	2.28
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	4.47
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	2.21
CY2011	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.230	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.360	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	0.080	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Stockholders Equity StockholdersEquity	11686000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs Value Of Business Acquired Deferred Sales Inducements And Deferred Front End Loads Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DeferredAcquisitionCostsValueOfBusinessAcquiredDeferredSalesInducementsAndDeferredFrontEndLoadsDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-219000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs Value Of Business Acquired Deferred Sales Inducements And Deferred Front End Loads Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DeferredAcquisitionCostsValueOfBusinessAcquiredDeferredSalesInducementsAndDeferredFrontEndLoadsDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-152000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Acquisition Costs Value Of Business Acquired Deferred Sales Inducements And Deferred Front End Loads Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DeferredAcquisitionCostsValueOfBusinessAcquiredDeferredSalesInducementsAndDeferredFrontEndLoadsDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-140000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Trading Securities ProceedsFromPaymentsForTradingSecurities	222000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Trading Securities ProceedsFromPaymentsForTradingSecurities	88000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Payments For Trading Securities ProceedsFromPaymentsForTradingSecurities	47000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Premiums Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInPremiumsReceivable	-28000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Premiums Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInPremiumsReceivable	73000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Premiums Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInPremiumsReceivable	14000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Investment Income Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	34000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Investment Income Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	48000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Accrued Investment Income Receivable IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable	44000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Policyholder Funds IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds	-131000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Policyholder Funds IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds	125000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Other Policyholder Funds IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds	643000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Change In Funds Withheld Reinsurance Liability And Reinsurance Recoverables ChangeInFundsWithheldReinsuranceLiabilityAndReinsuranceRecoverables	-9000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Change In Funds Withheld Reinsurance Liability And Reinsurance Recoverables ChangeInFundsWithheldReinsuranceLiabilityAndReinsuranceRecoverables	66000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Change In Funds Withheld Reinsurance Liability And Reinsurance Recoverables ChangeInFundsWithheldReinsuranceLiabilityAndReinsuranceRecoverables	-22000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Change In Federal Income Tax Accruals ChangeInFederalIncomeTaxAccruals	192000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-5000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-8000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	-5000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-3000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	66000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	1269000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities	1276000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	11161000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	10702000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecurities	13057000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	1134000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	1497000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	3118000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	5974000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	5324000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Maturities Prepayments And Calls Of Available For Sale Securities ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities	4652000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	2345000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	3282000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments To Acquire Other Investments PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments	3581000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Other Investments ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfOtherInvestments	2276000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Other Investments ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfOtherInvestments	3094000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Other Investments ProceedsFromSaleAndMaturityOfOtherInvestments	3239000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Loaned Securities IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForLoanedSecurities	448000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Loaned Securities IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForLoanedSecurities	2074000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Loaned Securities IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForLoanedSecurities	-248000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses Net Of Cash Divested ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessesNetOfCashDivested	321000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	183000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	130000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities	74000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-3857000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-2125000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities	-5630000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	320000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	525000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Repayments Of Long Term Debt RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	405000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	300000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	298000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Long Term Debt ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt	749000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deposits Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable DepositsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	10694000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deposits Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable DepositsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	10953000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deposits Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable DepositsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	11080000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Withdrawals Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable WithdrawalsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	5691000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Withdrawals Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable WithdrawalsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	5050000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Withdrawals Of Fixed Account Values Including Fixed Portion Of Variable WithdrawalsOfFixedAccountValuesIncludingFixedPortionOfVariable	5305000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Transfers To And From Separate Accounts Net TransfersToAndFromSeparateAccountsNet	2091000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Transfers To And From Separate Accounts Net TransfersToAndFromSeparateAccountsNet	2325000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Transfers To And From Separate Accounts Net TransfersToAndFromSeparateAccountsNet	2957000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Common Stock Issued For Benefit Plans And Excess Tax Benefits CommonStockIssuedForBenefitPlansAndExcessTaxBenefits	1000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Common Stock Issued For Benefit Plans And Excess Tax Benefits CommonStockIssuedForBenefitPlansAndExcessTaxBenefits	-3000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Common Stock Issued For Benefit Plans And Excess Tax Benefits CommonStockIssuedForBenefitPlansAndExcessTaxBenefits	-1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Issuance Redemption Of Series B Preferred Stock And Issuance Repurchase And Cancellation Of Associated Common Stock Warrants IssuanceRedemptionOfSeriesBPreferredStockAndIssuanceRepurchaseAndCancellationOfAssociatedCommonStockWarrants	0	USD
CY2011	lnc	Issuance Redemption Of Series B Preferred Stock And Issuance Repurchase And Cancellation Of Associated Common Stock Warrants IssuanceRedemptionOfSeriesBPreferredStockAndIssuanceRepurchaseAndCancellationOfAssociatedCommonStockWarrants	0	USD
CY2010	lnc	Issuance Redemption Of Series B Preferred Stock And Issuance Repurchase And Cancellation Of Associated Common Stock Warrants IssuanceRedemptionOfSeriesBPreferredStockAndIssuanceRepurchaseAndCancellationOfAssociatedCommonStockWarrants	-998000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Issuance Of Common Stock ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock	368000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	492000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	575000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments For Repurchase Of Common Stock PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock	25000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	91000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	61000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Payments Of Dividends PaymentsOfDividends	42000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2308000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2618000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities	2467000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-280000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	4184000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	2741000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	4510000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Cash And Invested Cash From Cash Flows CashAndInvestedCashFromCashFlows	4230000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	1769000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease	-1443000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Issuance Decrease In Commercial Paper IssuanceDecreaseInCommercialPaper	-100000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Issuance Decrease In Commercial Paper IssuanceDecreaseInCommercialPaper	1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Issuance Decrease In Commercial Paper IssuanceDecreaseInCommercialPaper	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	31000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-114000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Noncash Income Expense OtherNoncashIncomeExpense	-23000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Discontinued Operation Gain Loss From Disposal Of Discontinued Operation Before Income Tax DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax	-1000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Change In Federal Income Tax Accruals ChangeInFederalIncomeTaxAccruals	318000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Change In Federal Income Tax Accruals ChangeInFederalIncomeTaxAccruals	394000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Traditional Life Interest Rate Low End TraditionalLifeInterestRateLowEnd	0.0225	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Traditional Life Interest Rate High End TraditionalLifeInterestRateHighEnd	0.0775	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Life FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife	25	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Liability For Policyholder Contract Deposits Interest Rate Deferred Annuity Low End LiabilityForPolicyholderContractDepositsInterestRateDeferredAnnuityLowEnd	0.01	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Liability For Policyholder Contract Deposits Interest Rate Deferred Annuity High End LiabilityForPolicyholderContractDepositsInterestRateDeferredAnnuityHighEnd	0.135	pure
CY2012	lnc	Period Over Which Gain On Business Sold Through Reinsurance Is Recognized PeriodOverWhichGainOnBusinessSoldThroughReinsuranceIsRecognized	15
	lnc	Interest Crediting Rate Low End InterestCreditingRateLowEnd	0.01	pure
	lnc	Interest Crediting Rate High End InterestCreditingRateHighEnd	0.09	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Policyholder Dividends PolicyholderDividends	71000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Policyholder Dividends PolicyholderDividends	79000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Policyholder Dividends PolicyholderDividends	82000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Participating Policies As Percentage Of Gross Insurance In Force ParticipatingPoliciesAsPercentageOfGrossInsuranceInForce	0.01	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Participating Policies As Percentage Of Gross Insurance In Force ParticipatingPoliciesAsPercentageOfGrossInsuranceInForce	0.01	pure
CY2010	lnc	Cumulative Effect From Adoption Of New Accounting Standard Change CumulativeEffectFromAdoptionOfNewAccountingStandardChange	169000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Purchase Price Adjustment PurchasePriceAdjustment	-58000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Telecommunications Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteTelecommunicationsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.105	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Oil And Gas Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteOilAndGasCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.08	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Utilities Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteUtilitiesCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.046	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Chemicals And Plastics Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteChemicalsAndPlasticsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.039	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Drugs Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteDrugsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.037	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Retailers Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteRetailersCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.035	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Industrial Equipment Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteIndustrialEquipmentCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.033	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Sovereign Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteSovereignCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.032	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Conglomerates Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteConglomeratesCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.032	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Forest Products Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteForestProductsCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.03	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Other Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteOtherCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.426	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Total By Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteTotalByIndustryPercentage	1	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Credit Linked Note Financial Intermediaries Collateral Industry Percentage CreditLinkedNoteFinancialIntermediariesCollateralIndustryPercentage	0.105	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Number Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held By Consolidated Vies NumberOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeldByConsolidatedVies	4	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Notional Amount Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held By Consolidated Vies NotionalAmountOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeldByConsolidatedVies	600000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Carrying Value Vies Assets And Liabilities CarryingValueViesAssetsAndLiabilities	128000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Carrying Value Vies Assets And Liabilities CarryingValueViesAssetsAndLiabilities	291000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Notional Amount Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held By Consolidated Vies NotionalAmountOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeldByConsolidatedVies	600000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Number Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held By Consolidated Vies NumberOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeldByConsolidatedVies	4	pure
CY2012	lnc	Settlement Payments Mark To Market Adjustments Variable Interest Entity SettlementPaymentsMarkToMarketAdjustmentsVariableInterestEntity	163000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Settlement Payments Mark To Market Adjustments Variable Interest Entity SettlementPaymentsMarkToMarketAdjustmentsVariableInterestEntity	-82000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Number Of Credit Linked Notes Structures Invested In NumberOfCreditLinkedNotesStructuresInvestedIn	2	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Percentage Of Notes Of Credit Linked Notes Structures Invested In PercentageOfNotesOfCreditLinkedNotesStructuresInvestedIn	1.00	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Unconsolidated Vies Senior Note UnconsolidatedViesSeniorNote	500000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Excess Mortality Swap Note ExcessMortalitySwapNote	100000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	73532000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedGainsAfsSecurities	-9884000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Losses Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedLossesAfsSecurities	-320000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	-195000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure	82901000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedGainsAfsSecurities	-7585000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Losses Afs Securities GrossUnrealizedLossesAfsSecurities	-906000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	-203000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure	76272000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue	2910000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue	13845000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost	69796000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue	27098000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue	31537000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Single Maturity Date Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateFairValue	75390000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost	2858000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost	12676000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost	24171000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost	26768000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Single Maturity Date Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCost	66473000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	3343000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	1616000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	4959000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses	214000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	301000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses	515000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	626	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue	3993000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue	2490000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue	6483000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than12 Months Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses	338000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses	771000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAggregateLosses	1109000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Position Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	897	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentFairValueDisclosure	444000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	129000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Gross Unrealized Loss AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentGrossUnrealizedLoss	198000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	148	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentFairValueDisclosure	1055000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Gross Unrealized Loss AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentGrossUnrealizedLoss	625000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	155000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Declined Greater Than20 Percent Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions AvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDeclinedGreaterThan20PercentQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions	256	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions No Previous Impairment OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment	108000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	62000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-136000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions No Previous Impairment OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment	55000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	71000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-55000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions No Previous Impairment OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment	14000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Additional Credit Losses OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses	65000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Reductions Securities Sold OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold	-28000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	390000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains GrossUnrealizedGains	2000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	319000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	268000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Credit Losses On Debt Securities Held OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld	424000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAmortizedCost	976000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Gross Unrealized Gains GrossUnrealizedGains	27000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Gross Unrealized Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsGrossUnrealizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	154000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsFairValueDisclosure	849000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Amortized Cost AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAmortizedCost	876000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Gross Unrealized Other Than Temporary Impairment AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsGrossUnrealizedOtherThanTemporaryImpairment	205000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Available For Sale Securities With Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Fair Value Disclosure AvailableForSaleSecuritiesWithCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsFairValueDisclosure	673000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Mortgage Loans Current MortgageLoansCurrent	7011000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Sixty To Ninety Days Past Due SixtyToNinetyDaysPastDue	8000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Greater Than Ninety Days Past Due GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDue	24000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Real Estate AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate	21000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Unamortized Premium Discount UnamortizedPremiumDiscount	7000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Mortgage Loans Current MortgageLoansCurrent	6858000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Sixty To Ninety Days Past Due SixtyToNinetyDaysPastDue	26000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Greater Than Ninety Days Past Due GreaterThanNinetyDaysPastDue	76000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses Real Estate AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate	31000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Unamortized Premium Discount UnamortizedPremiumDiscount	13000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Number Of Impaired Mortgage Loans NumberOfImpairedMortgageLoans	10	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Number Of Impaired Mortgage Loans NumberOfImpairedMortgageLoans	12	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	75000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment	100000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Carrying Amount Of Mortgages MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCarryingAmountOfMortgages	54000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Carrying Amount Of Mortgages MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCarryingAmountOfMortgages	69000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Troubled Debt Interest Income LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedTroubledDebtInterestIncome	1000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	1000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Troubled Debt Interest Income LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedTroubledDebtInterestIncome	2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	2000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Loans And Leases Receivable Impaired Troubled Debt Interest Income LoansAndLeasesReceivableImpairedTroubledDebtInterestIncome	3000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Interest Income Cash Basis Method ImpairedFinancingReceivableInterestIncomeCashBasisMethod	3000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	57000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	54000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Impaired Financing Receivable Average Recorded Investment ImpairedFinancingReceivableAverageRecordedInvestment	51000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Percentage Of Total Mortgage Loans PercentageOfTotalMortgageLoans	1	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Percentage Of Total Mortgage Loans PercentageOfTotalMortgageLoans	1	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Face Amount Of Mortgages MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages	7043000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	3000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Face Amount Of Mortgages MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages	6960000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	4801000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	4763000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Investment Income Interest And Dividend InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend	4661000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Investment Income Investment Expense InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense	-103000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Investment Income Investment Expense InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense	-111000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Investment Income Investment Expense InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense	-120000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	16000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	202000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	9000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	2000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	2000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	86000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	227000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	12000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	0	USD
CY2011	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	-9000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	-10000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	107000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fixed Maturity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses FixedMaturityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	248000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Equity Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains EquityAvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	9000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Other Investments Gross Realized Gain Loss OtherInvestmentsGrossRealizedGainLoss	-53000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Amortization Associated With Realized Gain Loss On Certain Investments AmortizationAssociatedWithRealizedGainLossOnCertainInvestments	8000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments RealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-190000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments RealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-148000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Realized Gain Loss Related To Certain Investments RealizedGainLossRelatedToCertainInvestments	-180000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	30000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	29000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Amortization Associated With Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Net Income AmortizationAssociatedWithGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNetIncome	45000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	121000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-15000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	58000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-13000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Gross Other Than Temporary Impairments Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	97000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Change In Related Items On Gross Other Than Temporary Impairment Losses Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income ChangeInRelatedItemsOnGrossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	-10000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-183000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-153000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Gross Otti Recognized In Net Income Loss GrossOttiRecognizedInNetIncomeLoss	-205000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Carrying Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsCarryingValue	2567000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsCarryingValue	197000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsCarryingValue	280000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityCarryingValue	37000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisCarryingValue	1100000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Fair Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsFairValue	2567000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsFairValue	189000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsFairValue	294000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityFairValue	52000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisFairValue	1936000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Total Payables For Collateral On Investments Fair Value TotalPayablesForCollateralOnInvestmentsFairValue	5038000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Carrying Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsCarryingValue	2980000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsCarryingValue	200000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsCarryingValue	280000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityCarryingValue	173000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Carrying Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisCarryingValue	100000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Payable Held For Derivative Investments Fair Value CollateralPayableHeldForDerivativeInvestmentsFairValue	2980000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Securities Lending Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderSecuritiesLendingAgreementsFairValue	193000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged Under Reverse Repurchase Agreements Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedUnderReverseRepurchaseAgreementsFairValue	294000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Term Asset Backed Securities Loan Facility Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForTermAssetBackedSecuritiesLoanFacilityFairValue	199000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Securities Pledged For Federal Home Loan Bank Of Indianapolis Fair Value SecuritiesPledgedForFederalHomeLoanBankOfIndianapolisFairValue	142000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Total Payables For Collateral On Investments Fair Value TotalPayablesForCollateralOnInvestmentsFairValue	3808000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Reverse Repurchase Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0	USD
CY2011	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Lending Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesLendingAgreements	1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Derivative Investments IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForDerivativeInvestments	-413000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Lending Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesLendingAgreements	-3000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Reverse Repurchase Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0	USD
CY2012	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Talf IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForTalf	-136000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Fhlbi IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForFhlbi	1000000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Derivative Investments IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForDerivativeInvestments	2180000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Talf IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForTalf	-107000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Fhlbi IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForFhlbi	0	USD
CY2010	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Derivative Investments IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForDerivativeInvestments	183000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Lending Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesLendingAgreements	-302000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Reverse Repurchase Agreements IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForReverseRepurchaseAgreements	-64000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Talf IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForTalf	-65000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Securities Pledged For Fhlbi IncreaseDecreaseInCashCollateralForSecuritiesPledgedForFhlbi	0	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Projected Default Rate On Existing Deliquencies Percent High End Of Range ProjectedDefaultRateOnExistingDeliquenciesPercentHighEndOfRange	1.00	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Projected Default Rate On Existing Deliquencies Percent High End Of Range ProjectedDefaultRateOnExistingDeliquenciesPercentHighEndOfRange	1.00	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Severity Of Second Lien Defaulted Loans SeverityOfSecondLienDefaultedLoans	1.00	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Severity Of First Lien Loans Assumed Mimimum Percent SeverityOfFirstLienLoansAssumedMimimumPercent	0.3	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Projected Default Rate On Existing Deliquencies Percent Low End Of Range ProjectedDefaultRateOnExistingDeliquenciesPercentLowEndOfRange	0.1	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Severity Of Second Lien Defaulted Loans SeverityOfSecondLienDefaultedLoans	1.00	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Severity Of First Lien Loans Assumed Mimimum Percent SeverityOfFirstLienLoansAssumedMimimumPercent	0.30	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Domestic CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsDomestic	1.02	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Foreign CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsForeign	1.05	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0.95	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Talf CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueTalf	0.9	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Domestic CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsDomestic	1.02	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Securities Lending Agreements Foreign CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueSecuritiesLendingAgreementsForeign	1.05	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueReverseRepurchaseAgreements	0.95	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Talf CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueTalf	0.90	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Investment Commitments InvestmentCommitments	536000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Investment Commitments Limited Partnerships InvestmentCommitmentsLimitedPartnerships	226000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Investment Commitments Limited Private Placements InvestmentCommitmentsLimitedPrivatePlacements	146000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Investment Commitments Mortgage Loans InvestmentCommitmentsMortgageLoans	164000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Number Of Partnerships In Alternative Investment Portfolio NumberOfPartnershipsInAlternativeInvestmentPortfolio	98	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Number Of Partnerships In Alternative Investment Portfolio NumberOfPartnershipsInAlternativeInvestmentPortfolio	96	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Largest Mortgage Loan Concentration In Geographic Region LargestMortgageLoanConcentrationInGeographicRegion	0.32	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Largest Mortgage Loan Concentration In Geographic Region LargestMortgageLoanConcentrationInGeographicRegion	0.32	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Trading Securities Unrealized Holding Gain Loss TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss	53000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Trading Securities Unrealized Holding Gain Loss TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss	118000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Trading Securities Unrealized Holding Gain Loss TradingSecuritiesUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss	93000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Available For Sale Securities Change In Gross Unrealized Holding Gain Loss AvailableForSaleSecuritiesChangeInGrossUnrealizedHoldingGainLoss	594000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgages	103000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgages	135000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Unrealized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesUnrealized	-45000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Unrealized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesUnrealized	-15000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Realized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesRealized	148000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Other Than Temporary Impairment For Afs Securities Backed By Pools Of Mortgages Realized OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentForAfsSecuritiesBackedByPoolsOfMortgagesRealized	150000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi Low End Of Range Mortgage Loan CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiLowEndOfRangeMortgageLoan	1.55	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi High End Of Range Mortgage Loan CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiHighEndOfRangeMortgageLoan	1.75	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Projected Default Rate On Existing Deliquencies Percent Low End Of Range ProjectedDefaultRateOnExistingDeliquenciesPercentLowEndOfRange	0.10	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi Low End Of Range Mortgage Loan CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiLowEndOfRangeMortgageLoan	0.85	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi High End Of Range Mortgage Loan CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiHighEndOfRangeMortgageLoan	0.95	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Investment Commitments Limited Private Placements InvestmentCommitmentsLimitedPrivatePlacements	191000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Investment Commitments Mortgage Loans InvestmentCommitmentsMortgageLoans	117000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi Low End Of Range Fs CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiLowEndOfRangeFS	1.05	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Fhlbi High End Of Range Afs CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueFhlbiHighEndOfRangeAfs	1.15	pure
CY2012Q4	invest	Derivative Notional Amount DerivativeNotionalAmount	61110000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	3547000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	2762000000	USD
CY2011Q4	invest	Derivative Notional Amount DerivativeNotionalAmount	51360000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset	3950000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability	3599000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Remaining Life Less Than1 Year RemainingLifeLessThan1Year	13550000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Remaining Life1 To5 Years RemainingLife1To5Years	25188000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Remaining Life Total Years RemainingLifeTotalYears	61110000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Remaining Life6 To10 Years RemainingLife6To10Years	11266000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Remaining Life11 To30 Years RemainingLife11To30Years	9890000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Remaining Life Over30 Years RemainingLifeOver30Years	1216000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-187000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-415000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Net DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeNet	-106000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	-19000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	-13000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassified To Investment Income Net CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToInvestmentIncomeNet	6000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	4000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	4000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Change In Unrealized Gain Loss On Fair Value Hedging Instruments ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnFairValueHedgingInstruments	4000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	44000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Number Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held NumberOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeld	7	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Credit Derivative Current Fair Value CreditDerivativeCurrentFairValue	-11000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Assets Needed For Immediate Settlement Aggregate Fair Value AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue	149000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Number Of Credit Risk Derivatives Held NumberOfCreditRiskDerivativesHeld	9	pure
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Credit Derivative Current Fair Value CreditDerivativeCurrentFairValue	-16000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Assets Needed For Immediate Settlement Aggregate Fair Value AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue	148000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Less Counterparty Thresholds LessCounterpartyThresholds	0	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Less Counterparty Thresholds LessCounterpartyThresholds	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Additional Collateral Aggregate Fair Value AdditionalCollateralAggregateFairValue	149000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Additional Collateral Aggregate Fair Value AdditionalCollateralAggregateFairValue	148000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Posted By Counterparty Held By Lnc CollateralPostedByCounterpartyHeldByLnc	2692000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Posted By Counterparty Held By Lnc CollateralPostedByCounterpartyHeldByLnc	3170000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Collateral Posted By Lnc Held By Counterparty CollateralPostedByLncHeldByCounterparty	-120000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Posted By Lnc Held By Counterparty CollateralPostedByLncHeldByCounterparty	-68000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss To Be Reclassified Within Twelve Months CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths	23000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Collateral Requirement If Netting Agreements Not In Place CollateralRequirementIfNettingAgreementsNotInPlace	11000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Nonperformance Risk Adjustment NonperformanceRiskAdjustment	2000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Exposure Associated With Collateralization Events ExposureAssociatedWithCollateralizationEvents	15000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	23000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	259000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	13000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	261000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit CurrentFederalTaxExpenseBenefit	-138000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	400000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-141000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Credits IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits	-34000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	4000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-144000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Credits IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits	-34000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	8000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Exempt Income IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxExemptIncome	-120000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Credits IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxCredits	-28000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Other Adjustments IncomeTaxReconciliationOtherAdjustments	10000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.55	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.23	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations	0.18	pure
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	176000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	549000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate IncomeTaxReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	398000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Impairment Losses IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses	-2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Impairment Losses IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses	260000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Impairment Losses IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseImpairmentLosses	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Contingencies IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies	-94000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Contingencies IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies	8000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Tax Contingencies IncomeTaxReconciliationTaxContingencies	2000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Current Tax Assets Liabilities Net CurrentTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-27000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-2982000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Income Tax Assets Liabilities Net IncomeTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-3009000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Current Tax Assets Liabilities Net CurrentTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-159000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-2153000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Income Tax Assets Liabilities Net IncomeTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet	-2312000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Assets Reinsurance Related Derivative DeferredTaxAssetsReinsuranceRelatedDerivative	75000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Assets Investments DeferredTaxAssetsInvestments	311000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	293000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Domestic DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic	26000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards	32000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	41000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	2320000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Acquisition Costs DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredAcquisitionCosts	1332000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Liabilities Value Of Business Acquired DeferredTaxLiabilitiesValueOfBusinessAcquired	246000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Unrealized Gains On Trading Securities DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainsOnTradingSecurities	150000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets Intangible Assets DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssets	157000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	134000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	5302000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Assets Reinsurance Related Derivative DeferredTaxAssetsReinsuranceRelatedDerivative	59000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Assets Investments DeferredTaxAssetsInvestments	396000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefits	306000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Domestic DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic	23000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Capital Loss Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsCapitalLossCarryforwards	59000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Other DeferredTaxAssetsOther	144000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Gross DeferredTaxAssetsGross	2254000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Acquisition Costs DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredAcquisitionCosts	1322000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Liabilities Value Of Business Acquired DeferredTaxLiabilitiesValueOfBusinessAcquired	370000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Unrealized Gains On Trading Securities DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUnrealizedGainsOnTradingSecurities	131000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets Intangible Assets DeferredTaxLiabilitiesGoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssets	160000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther	165000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities DeferredTaxLiabilities	4407000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards	222000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards	208000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Assets Vies DeferredTaxAssetsVies	35000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Tax Assets Vies DeferredTaxAssetsVies	97000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other Comprehensive Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOtherComprehensiveIncome	3283000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Liabilities Other Comprehensive Income DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOtherComprehensiveIncome	2259000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Other DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsOther	1189000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Other DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsOther	837000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Income DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome	96000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Income DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome	125000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	211000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	218000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits UnrecognizedTaxBenefits	77000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	1000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	10000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	8000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	6000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	5000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Current Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Prior Period Tax Positions UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions	49000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Settlements With Taxing Authorities UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities	2000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Reductions Resulting From Lapse Of Applicable Statute Of Limitations UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations	88000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	69000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate	205000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	-61000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	6000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Expense UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense	7000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	11000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued	72000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Capital Loss Carryforwards CapitalLossCarryforwards	90000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Dividends IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsDividends	103000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Dividends IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsDividends	128000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Tax Reconciliation Deductions Dividends IncomeTaxReconciliationDeductionsDividends	135000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Loss Carryforwards OperatingLossCarryforwards	73000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Tax Credit Carryforward Amount TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount	66000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-785000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-687000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-690000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	7424000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Cumulative Effect Of Change In Accounting Principle Dac Adjustment Amount CumulativeEffectOfChangeInAccountingPrincipleDacAdjustmentAmount	-1578000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Cumulative Effect Of Change In Accounting Principle Dac Adjustment Amount CumulativeEffectOfChangeInAccountingPrincipleDacAdjustmentAmount	0	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Cumulative Effect Of Change In Accounting Principle Dac Adjustment Amount CumulativeEffectOfChangeInAccountingPrincipleDacAdjustmentAmount	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Additions DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions	1294000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Additions DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions	1375000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Additions DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditions	1357000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-42000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-18000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-70000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-146000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-855000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-527000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-71000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-130000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	92000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	5721000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	6036000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsNet	5943000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Deferrals PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsDeferrals	12000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Other Amortization Expense PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsOtherAmortizationExpense	-225000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Interest Accrued PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsInterestAccrued	73000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	9000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-179000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Deferrals PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsDeferrals	20000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Other Amortization Expense PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsOtherAmortizationExpense	-279000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Interest Accrued PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsInterestAccrued	78000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-6000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-322000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Deferrals PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsDeferrals	26000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Other Amortization Expense PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsOtherAmortizationExpense	-351000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Interest Accrued PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsInterestAccrued	89000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-8000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-417000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Additions From Acquisitions PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAdditionsFromAcquisitions	2000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Additions From Acquisitions PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAdditionsFromAcquisitions	12000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Additions From Acquisitions PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAdditionsFromAcquisitions	0	USD
CY2010	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-47000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	174000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-23000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfits	1055000000	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
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits PresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfits	724000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Expected Amortization Expense Of Ending Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Year One ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearOne	94000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Expected Amortization Expense Of Ending Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Year Two ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearTwo	72000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Expected Amortization Expense Of Ending Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Year Three ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearThree	64000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Expected Amortization Expense Of Ending Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Year Four ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearFour	57000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Expected Amortization Expense Of Ending Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Year Five ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearFive	52000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	253000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Additions DeferredSalesInducementsAdditions	39000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-46000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-8000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-17000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Additions DeferredSalesInducementsAdditions	39000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-38000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-1000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-13000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Additions DeferredSalesInducementsAdditions	66000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-51000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-8000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredSalesInducementsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-41000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	271000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	286000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Sales Inducements Net DeferredSalesInducementsNet	323000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	14000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-2000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Sales Inducements Net Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredSalesInducementsNetAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-3000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1373000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Additions DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	349000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-216000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-18000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-42000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Additions DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	544000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-166000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-9000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-533000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Additions DeferredFrontEndLoadsAdditions	546000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Other Amortization Net Of Interest DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseOtherAmortizationNetOfInterest	-196000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Net Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseNetInvestmentGainsLosses	-8000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Unrealized Investment Gains Losses DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseUnrealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	-177000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1369000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1502000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads DeferredFrontEndLoads	1338000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-1000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	31000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Deferred Front End Loads Amortization Expense Effect Of Adjustments To Estimated Gross Profit DeferredFrontEndLoadsAmortizationExpenseEffectOfAdjustmentsToEstimatedGrossProfit	-69000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Interest Accrual Rate Associated With Amortization Method Of Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits Low End InterestAccrualRateAssociatedWithAmortizationMethodOfPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsLowEnd	0.033	pure
CY2012	lnc	Interest Accrual Rate Associated With Amortization Method Of Present Value Of Future Insurance Profits High End InterestAccrualRateAssociatedWithAmortizationMethodOfPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsHighEnd	0.0705	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Written DirectPremiumsWritten	7376000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Written AssumedPremiumsWritten	9000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Written CededPremiumsWritten	1190000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Premiums Written Net PremiumsWrittenNet	6195000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Gross PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredGross	5092000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Reinsurance Costs And Recoveries Net ReinsuranceCostsAndRecoveriesNet	1554000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Written DirectPremiumsWritten	6997000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Written AssumedPremiumsWritten	10000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Written CededPremiumsWritten	1276000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Premiums Written Net PremiumsWrittenNet	5731000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Gross PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredGross	4897000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Reinsurance Costs And Recoveries Net ReinsuranceCostsAndRecoveriesNet	1552000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Direct Premiums Written DirectPremiumsWritten	6599000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Assumed Premiums Written AssumedPremiumsWritten	13000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Ceded Premiums Written CededPremiumsWritten	1202000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Premiums Written Net PremiumsWrittenNet	5410000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Gross PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredGross	4547000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Reinsurance Costs And Recoveries Net ReinsuranceCostsAndRecoveriesNet	1220000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Maximum Retention Per Single Insured Life On Fixed And Vul Insurance Contracts MaximumRetentionPerSingleInsuredLifeOnFixedAndVulInsuranceContracts	20000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Reserves Associated With Modified Coinsurance ReservesAssociatedWithModifiedCoinsurance	809000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Percent Of Mortality Risk Reinsured On Newly Issued Non Term Life Insurance Contracts Low End PercentOfMortalityRiskReinsuredOnNewlyIssuedNonTermLifeInsuranceContractsLowEnd	0.30	pure
CY2012	lnc	Percent Of Mortality Risk Reinsured On Newly Issued Non Term Life Insurance Contracts High End PercentOfMortalityRiskReinsuredOnNewlyIssuedNonTermLifeInsuranceContractsHighEnd	0.35	pure
CY2012	lnc	Percent Of Total Mortality Risk Reinsured Including Term Insurance Contracts Low End PercentOfTotalMortalityRiskReinsuredIncludingTermInsuranceContractsLowEnd	0.25	pure
CY2012	lnc	Percent Of Total Mortality Risk Reinsured Including Term Insurance Contracts High End PercentOfTotalMortalityRiskReinsuredIncludingTermInsuranceContractsHighEnd	0.30	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Goodwill Impairment Loss GoodwillImpairmentLoss	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Gross GoodwillGross	2273000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Inpairment Loss GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedInpairmentLoss	-1590000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Goodwill Impaired Accumulated Inpairment Loss GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedInpairmentLoss	-844000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Impairment Loss GoodwillImpairmentLoss	-747000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Goodwill Written Off Related To Sale Of Business Unit GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit	1000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Gross GoodwillGross	2273000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Goodwill Gross GoodwillGross	3863000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	238000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	30000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Gross FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross	224000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization	26000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year One FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne	4000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Two FutureAmortizationExpenseYearTwo	4000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Three FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree	4000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Four FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour	4000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Future Amortization Expense Year Five FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive	4000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	104000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Paid GuaranteedBenefitsPaid	-44000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Incurred GuaranteedBenefitsIncurred	93000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Paid GuaranteedBenefitsPaid	-53000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Incurred GuaranteedBenefitsIncurred	57000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Paid GuaranteedBenefitsPaid	-84000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	84000000	USD
CY2009Q4	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefit Liability Gross GuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross	71000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Guaranteed Benefits Incurred GuaranteedBenefitsIncurred	64000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Variable Annuity Account Balances With Guarantees VariableAnnuityAccountBalancesWithGuarantees	81670000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Variable Annuity Account Balances With Guarantees VariableAnnuityAccountBalancesWithGuarantees	71008000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Percent Of Total Variable Annuity Separate Account Values PercentOfTotalVariableAnnuitySeparateAccountValues	0.98	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Percent Of Total Variable Annuity Separate Account Values PercentOfTotalVariableAnnuitySeparateAccountValues	0.98	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Percent Of Permanent Life Insurance In Force PercentOfPermanentLifeInsuranceInForce	0.38	pure
CY2012	lnc	Percent Of Permanent Life Insurance Sales PercentOfPermanentLifeInsuranceSales	0.29	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Current LongTermDebtCurrent	200000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Current LongTermDebtCurrent	300000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	-3000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet	-16000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Hedge On Interest Rate Swap FairValueHedgeOnInterestRateSwap	269000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Hedge On Interest Rate Swap FairValueHedgeOnInterestRateSwap	319000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net And Fair Value Hedge DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNetAndFairValueHedge	266000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Premium Net And Fair Value Hedge DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNetAndFairValueHedge	303000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Next Twelve Months LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths	200000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Two LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo	500000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Three LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree	250000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Four LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive	250000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt Maturities Repayments Of Principal After Year Five LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive	4173000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Long Term Debt LongTermDebt	5373000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Letters Of Credit Issued LettersOfCreditIssued	2676000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Current Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity	4605000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Minimum Net Worth Required For Compliance MinimumNetWorthRequiredForCompliance	9200000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Percentage Of Aggregate Net Proceeds Of Equity Issuances PercentageOfAggregateNetProceedsOfEquityIssuances	0.50	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Ratio Of Indebtedness To Net Capital Low End RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapitalLowEnd	0.35	pure
CY2012Q4	lnc	Ratio Of Indebtedness To Net Capital High End RatioOfIndebtednessToNetCapitalHighEnd	1.00	pure
CY2012	lnc	Risk Based Capital Ratio Threshold RiskBasedCapitalRatioThreshold	1.75	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Capacity Available For Specific Purpose Other Than For Trade Purchases LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForSpecificPurposeOtherThanForTradePurchases	1000000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity	2000000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Sale Leaseback Transaction Lease Terms SaleLeasebackTransactionLeaseTerms	Certain subsidiaries of ours lease their home office properties. In 2006, we exercised the right and option to extend the Fort Wayne lease for two extended terms such that the lease shall expire in 2019. We retain our right and option to exercise the remaining four extended terms of five years each in accordance with the lease agreement. These agreements also provide us with the right of first refusal to purchase the properties at a price defined in the agreements and the option to purchase the leased properties at fair market value on the last day of any renewal period. In 2012, we exercised the right and option to extend the Hartford lease for one extended term such that the lease shall expire in 2018. During 2007, we moved our corporate headquarters to Radnor, Pennsylvania from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and entered into a new 13-year lease for office space.
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Two Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears	41000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Three Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears	36000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Four Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears	32000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due In Five Years OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears	27000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Current OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent	41000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Insurance Related Assessment Premium Tax Offset LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentPremiumTaxOffset	34000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Loss Contingency Accrual Insurance Related Assessment Premium Tax Offset LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentPremiumTaxOffset	31000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	43000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	42000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Lease And Rental Expense LeaseAndRentalExpense	46000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Common Stock Assuming Conversion Of Preferred Stock CommonStockAssumingConversionOfPreferredStock	271555098	shares
CY2011	lnc	Common Stock Assuming Conversion Of Preferred Stock CommonStockAssumingConversionOfPreferredStock	291480374	shares
CY2010	lnc	Common Stock Assuming Conversion Of Preferred Stock CommonStockAssumingConversionOfPreferredStock	315893178	shares
CY2012	lnc	Common Stock Diluted Basis CommonStockDilutedBasis	279087588	shares
CY2011	lnc	Common Stock Diluted Basis CommonStockDilutedBasis	298225244	shares
CY2010	lnc	Common Stock Diluted Basis CommonStockDilutedBasis	324043137	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	280648391	shares
CY2012	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	10150212	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Conversion Of Preferred Stock IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock	153749	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToNonvestedSharesWithForfeitableDividends	1153178	shares
CY2012	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	570180	shares
CY2012	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-4685901	shares
CY2012	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-394241	shares
CY2012	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-4723	shares
CY2012	lnc	Average Deferred Compensation Shares AverageDeferredCompensationShares	0	shares
CY2012	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	287590845	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	307216181	shares
CY2011	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	10150292	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Conversion Of Preferred Stock IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock	173289	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToNonvestedSharesWithForfeitableDividends	813905	shares
CY2011	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	636989	shares
CY2011	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-4658020	shares
CY2011	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-427425	shares
CY2011	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-65882	shares
CY2011	lnc	Average Deferred Compensation Shares AverageDeferredCompensationShares	1110722	shares
CY2011	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	314950051	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic	310005264	shares
CY2010	lnc	Shares To Cover Exercise Of Cpp Warrant SharesToCoverExerciseOfCppWarrant	12260236	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Conversion Of Preferred Stock IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfPreferredStock	178720	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Incremental Common Shares Attributable To Nonvested Shares With Forfeitable Dividends IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToNonvestedSharesWithForfeitableDividends	616314	shares
CY2010	lnc	Average Stock Options Outstanding During Period AverageStockOptionsOutstandingDuringPeriod	707704	shares
CY2010	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds From Exercising Cpp Warrant AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsFromExercisingCppWarrant	-5148473	shares
CY2010	lnc	Assumed Acquisition Of Shares With Assumed Proceeds And Benefits From Exercising Stock Options At Average Market Price AssumedAcquisitionOfSharesWithAssumedProceedsAndBenefitsFromExercisingStockOptionsAtAverageMarketPrice	-464813	shares
CY2010	lnc	Shares Repurchaseable From Measured But Unrecognized Stock Option Expense SharesRepurchaseableFromMeasuredButUnrecognizedStockOptionExpense	-139673	shares
CY2010	lnc	Average Deferred Compensation Shares AverageDeferredCompensationShares	1198468	shares
CY2010	us-gaap	Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding	319213747	shares
CY2010	lnc	Deferred Compensation Plan Mark To Market Adjustment DeferredCompensationPlanMarkToMarketAdjustment	2000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Deferred Compensation Plan Mark To Market Adjustment DeferredCompensationPlanMarkToMarketAdjustment	5000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Realized Gain Loss On Mark To Market On Certain Instruments RealizedGainLossOnMarkToMarketOnCertainInstruments	75000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Realized Gain Loss On Mark To Market On Certain Instruments RealizedGainLossOnMarkToMarketOnCertainInstruments	-82000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Realized Gain Loss On Mark To Market On Certain Instruments RealizedGainLossOnMarkToMarketOnCertainInstruments	133000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	34000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	2000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results Gross Gain Loss VariableAnnuityNetDerivativesResultsGrossGainLoss	164000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results Associated Amortization Income Expense VariableAnnuityNetDerivativesResultsAssociatedAmortizationIncomeExpense	-40000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Gross Gain IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsGrossGain	16000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Associated Amortization Income Expense IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsAssociatedAmortizationIncomeExpense	-14000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Associated Amortization Income Expense IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsAssociatedAmortizationIncomeExpense	-2000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Indexed Annuity Net Derivative Results Associated Amortization Income Expense IndexedAnnuityNetDerivativeResultsAssociatedAmortizationIncomeExpense	-5000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results Gross Gain Loss VariableAnnuityNetDerivativesResultsGrossGainLoss	56000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results Gross Gain Loss VariableAnnuityNetDerivativesResultsGrossGainLoss	-60000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results Associated Amortization Income Expense VariableAnnuityNetDerivativesResultsAssociatedAmortizationIncomeExpense	-4000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Variable Annuity Net Derivatives Results Associated Amortization Income Expense VariableAnnuityNetDerivativesResultsAssociatedAmortizationIncomeExpense	-44000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Insurance Commissions InsuranceCommissions	1660000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Dac And Voba Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DacAndVobaDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-275000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Insurance Commissions InsuranceCommissions	1672000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Dac And Voba Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DacAndVobaDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-551000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Insurance Commissions InsuranceCommissions	1616000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Dac And Voba Deferrals And Interest Net Of Amortization DacAndVobaDeferralsAndInterestNetOfAmortization	-476000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Other Intangibles Amortization OtherIntangiblesAmortization	4000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Media Expenses MediaExpenses	67000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Direct Taxes And Licenses Costs DirectTaxesAndLicensesCosts	239000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Merger Related Expenses MergerRelatedExpenses	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	20000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Other Intangibles Amortization OtherIntangiblesAmortization	4000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Media Expenses MediaExpenses	69000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Direct Taxes And Licenses Costs DirectTaxesAndLicensesCosts	247000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Merger Related Expenses MergerRelatedExpenses	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	0	USD
CY2010	lnc	Other Intangibles Amortization OtherIntangiblesAmortization	4000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Media Expenses MediaExpenses	59000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Direct Taxes And Licenses Costs DirectTaxesAndLicensesCosts	197000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Broker Dealer Expenses BrokerDealerExpenses	353000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Broker Dealer Expenses BrokerDealerExpenses	320000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Reserve Financing Expenses ReserveFinancingExpenses	34000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Merger Related Expenses MergerRelatedExpenses	9000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Large Cap Us Plan Agents DomesticEquityAllocationLargeCapUSPlanAgents	0.10	pure
CY2010	us-gaap	Restructuring Charges RestructuringCharges	-1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Broker Dealer Expenses BrokerDealerExpenses	348000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Reserve Financing Expenses ReserveFinancingExpenses	47000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Expected Uk Pension Plan Expense For Next Year ExpectedUkPensionPlanExpenseForNextYear	1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Reserve Financing Expenses ReserveFinancingExpenses	56000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	General And Administrative Expense GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	1564000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	General And Administrative Expense GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	1423000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	General And Administrative Expense GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	1412000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Small Cap Us Plan Agents DomesticEquityAllocationSmallCapUSPlanAgents	0.02	pure
CY2012	lnc	Expected Us Pension Plans Expense For Next Year ExpectedUsPensionPlansExpenseForNextYear	2000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Us Plan Agents DomesticEquityAllocationUSPlanAgents	0.14	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Amounts That Will Be Amortized From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss In Next Fiscal Year DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsThatWillBeAmortizedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossInNextFiscalYear	26000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Average Pounds Sterling To Us Dollar Exchange Rate AveragePoundsSterlingToUsDollarExchangeRate	1.62	USD
CY2012	lnc	Defined Benefit Plan Pre65 Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed For Next Fiscal Year DefinedBenefitPlanPre65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear	0.080	pure
CY2012	lnc	Defined Benefit Plan Post65 Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed For Next Fiscal Year DefinedBenefitPlanPost65HealthCareCostTrendRateAssumedForNextFiscalYear	0.080	pure
CY2012	us-gaap	Pension Contributions PensionContributions	25000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Us Plan Employees DomesticEquityAllocationUSPlanEmployees	0.35	pure
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Large Cap Us Plan Employees DomesticEquityAllocationLargeCapUSPlanEmployees	0.25	pure
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Small Cap Us Plan Employees DomesticEquityAllocationSmallCapUSPlanEmployees	0.05	pure
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Hedge Fund Us Plan Employees DomesticEquityAllocationHedgeFundUSPlanEmployees	0.05	pure
CY2012	lnc	Domestic Equity Allocation Hedge Funds Us Plan Agents DomesticEquityAllocationHedgeFundsUSPlanAgents	0.02	pure
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Next Fiscal Year DefinedBenefitPlanEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInNextFiscalYear	10000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Compensation Liability Current And Noncurrent DeferredCompensationLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent	386000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Compensation Liability Current And Noncurrent DeferredCompensationLiabilityCurrentAndNoncurrent	354000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Compensation Plan Assets DeferredCompensationPlanAssets	146000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Compensation Plan Assets DeferredCompensationPlanAssets	133000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	70000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	67000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Defined Contribution Plan Cost Recognized DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized	62000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	31000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	22000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense	16000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	11000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	8000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense	6000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized	24000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized	36000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized	28000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Dividends To Parent Company DividendsToParentCompany	818000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Net Gain From Operations After Tax Amount StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetGainFromOperationsAfterTaxAmount	557000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Net Income Amount StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount	432000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Dividends To Parent Company DividendsToParentCompany	684000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Requisite Service Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod	3
CY2012	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Requisite Service Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod	3
CY2010	us-gaap	Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Requisite Service Period ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod	3
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Capital And Surplus Balance StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance	6715000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Capital And Surplus Balance StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryCapitalAndSurplusBalance	7264000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Net Gain From Operations After Tax Amount StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetGainFromOperationsAfterTaxAmount	736000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Net Income Amount StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount	681000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Dividends To Parent Company DividendsToParentCompany	635000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Net Gain From Operations After Tax Amount StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetGainFromOperationsAfterTaxAmount	323000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Net Income Amount StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount	135000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Future Contract Benefits Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves Fair Value Disclosure FutureContractBenefitsGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReservesFairValueDisclosure	-909000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Amount Available For Dividend Payments StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPayments	730000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Future Contract Benefits Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves Fair Value Disclosure FutureContractBenefitsGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReservesFairValueDisclosure	-2217000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Corporate Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCorporateBonds	68016000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Us Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesUsGovernmentBonds	442000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Foreign Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesForeignGovernmentBonds	654000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCommercialMortgageBackedSecurities	1003000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Collateralized Debt Obligations FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCollateralizedDebtObligations	180000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities State And Municipal Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesStateAndMunicipalBonds	4353000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Hybrid And Redeemable Preferred Stocks FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesHybridAndRedeemablePreferredStocks	1217000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Afs Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturityAfsSecurities	708000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Trading Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsTradingSecurities	2554000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Residential Mortgage Backed Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesResidentialMortgageBackedSecurities	6171000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Equity Available For Sale Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisEquityAvailableForSaleSecurities	157000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Fair Value Disclosure CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure	4230000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisSeparateAccountAssets	95373000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Total Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets	187710000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Indexed Annuity Contracts FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsIndexedAnnuityContracts	-732000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReserves	-909000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Long Term Debt FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisLongTermDebt	-1203000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Reinsurance Related Embedded Derivatives FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisReinsuranceRelatedEmbeddedDerivatives	-215000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Variable Interest Entities Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisVariableInterestEntitiesLiabilities	-128000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Other Liabilities Credit Default Swaps FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilitiesCreditDefaultSwaps	-11000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Total Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities	-3198000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Benefit Plans Assets FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisBenefitPlansAssets	1456000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Corporate Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCorporateBonds	59261000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Us Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesUsGovernmentBonds	494000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Foreign Government Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesForeignGovernmentBonds	733000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCommercialMortgageBackedSecurities	1600000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Residential Mortgage Backed Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesResidentialMortgageBackedSecurities	8039000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Collateralized Debt Obligations FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesCollateralizedDebtObligations	102000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities State And Municipal Bonds FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesStateAndMunicipalBonds	4047000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Fixed Maturity Afs Securities Hybrid And Redeemable Preferred Stocks FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsFixedMaturityAfsSecuritiesHybridAndRedeemablePreferredStocks	1157000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Variable Interest Entities Fixed Maturity Afs Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsVariableInterestEntitiesFixedMaturityAfsSecurities	700000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Equity Available For Sale Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisEquityAvailableForSaleSecurities	139000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Investments Trading Securities FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisInvestmentsTradingSecurities	2675000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Cash And Cash Equivalents Fair Value Disclosure CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure	4510000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisSeparateAccountAssets	83477000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Total Assets FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalAssets	170085000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Indexed Annuity Contracts FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsIndexedAnnuityContracts	-399000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate	0.35	pure
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Future Contract Benefits Guaranteed Living Benefits Embedded Derivative Reserves FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFutureContractBenefitsGuaranteedLivingBenefitsEmbeddedDerivativeReserves	-2217000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Long Term Debt FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisLongTermDebt	-1688000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Reinsurance Related Embedded Derivatives FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisReinsuranceRelatedEmbeddedDerivatives	-168000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Variable Interest Entities Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisVariableInterestEntitiesLiabilities	-291000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Other Liabilities Credit Default Swaps FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilitiesCreditDefaultSwaps	-16000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Total Liabilities FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTotalLiabilities	-4779000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Benefit Plans Assets FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisBenefitPlansAssets	1345000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	501000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	262000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Purchases Sales Issuances Settlements FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetPurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlements	349000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	-888000000	USD
CY2012Q4	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	2275000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	-1434000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	446000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Purchases Sales Issuances Settlements FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetPurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlements	-56000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	112000000	USD
CY2011Q4	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	2051000000	USD
CY2009Q4	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	3578000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Earnings FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInEarnings	-28000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Gain Loss Included In Other Comprehensive Income FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome	447000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Purchases Sales Issuances Settlements FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetPurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlements	-36000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Transfers Net FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetTransfersNet	-978000000	USD
CY2010Q4	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Net Value FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityNetValue	2983000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Issuances FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsIssuances	849000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Maturities FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsMaturities	-256000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Settlements FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSettlements	-179000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Calls FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsCalls	-7000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsNet	349000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Sales FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSales	-58000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Issuances FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsIssuances	653000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Maturities FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsMaturities	-293000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Settlements FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSettlements	14000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Calls FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsCalls	-91000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Net FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsNet	-56000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Fair Value Investments Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share Unobservable Input Investment Holdings Movements Sales FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnobservableInputInvestmentHoldingsMovementsSales	-339000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	83000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-971000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	274000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-162000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers In FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersIn	-55000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Liability Transfers Out FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetLiabilityTransfersOut	-923000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Amortization Of Dac And Voba Net Of Interest AmortizationOfDacAndVobaNetOfInterest	1026000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Amortization Of Dac And Voba Net Of Interest AmortizationOfDacAndVobaNetOfInterest	846000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Amortization Of Dac And Voba Net Of Interest AmortizationOfDacAndVobaNetOfInterest	905000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	270000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	124000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Assets Disposed Due To Business Dispositions AssetsDisposedDueToBusinessDispositions	0	USD
CY2012	lnc	Liabilities Disposed Due To Business Dispositions LiabilitiesDisposedDueToBusinessDispositions	0	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses	1000000	USD
CY2012	lnc	Sale Of Subsidiaries Businesses Not Qualifying As Discontinued Operations Consideration Received SaleOfSubsidiariesBusinessesNotQualifyingAsDiscontinuedOperationsConsiderationReceived	0	USD
CY2012	lnc	Sale Of Subsidiaries Businesses Not Qualifying As Discontinued Operations Gain SaleOfSubsidiariesBusinessesNotQualifyingAsDiscontinuedOperationsGain	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	287000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	-36000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Assets Disposed Due To Business Dispositions AssetsDisposedDueToBusinessDispositions	0	USD
CY2011	lnc	Liabilities Disposed Due To Business Dispositions LiabilitiesDisposedDueToBusinessDispositions	3000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses	0	USD
CY2011	lnc	Sale Of Subsidiaries Businesses Not Qualifying As Discontinued Operations Consideration Received SaleOfSubsidiariesBusinessesNotQualifyingAsDiscontinuedOperationsConsiderationReceived	0	USD
CY2011	lnc	Sale Of Subsidiaries Businesses Not Qualifying As Discontinued Operations Gain SaleOfSubsidiariesBusinessesNotQualifyingAsDiscontinuedOperationsGain	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Interest Paid Net InterestPaidNet	282000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Taxes Paid Net IncomeTaxesPaidNet	-107000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Assets Disposed Due To Business Dispositions AssetsDisposedDueToBusinessDispositions	-509000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Liabilities Disposed Due To Business Dispositions LiabilitiesDisposedDueToBusinessDispositions	-116000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Proceeds From Divestiture Of Businesses ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses	-459000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Sale Of Subsidiaries Businesses Not Qualifying As Discontinued Operations Consideration Received SaleOfSubsidiariesBusinessesNotQualifyingAsDiscontinuedOperationsConsiderationReceived	4000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Sale Of Subsidiaries Businesses Not Qualifying As Discontinued Operations Gain SaleOfSubsidiariesBusinessesNotQualifyingAsDiscontinuedOperationsGain	4000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2715000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2407000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	244000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-1000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	243000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.99
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2718000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2288000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	311000000	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	0	USD
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	311000000	USD
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.84
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.84
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.82
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.82
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.99
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.96
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q1	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.96
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2899000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2457000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	322000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	0	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	322000000	USD
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.14
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.14
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.09
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.09
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2954000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2536000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	400000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	28000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	428000000	USD
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.44
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0.10
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.54
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.41
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0.10
CY2012Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.51
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2964000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2564000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	320000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	0	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	320000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	1.17
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	1.17
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	1.14
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	1.14
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2807000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2399000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	301000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	0	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	301000000	USD
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.97
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.97
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.94
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q2	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.94
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2547000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2393000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	158000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	-8000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	150000000	USD
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	0.52
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	-0.03
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	0.49
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	0.49
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	-0.03
CY2011Q3	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	0.46
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Revenues Revenues	2569000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Benefits Losses And Expenses BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	3058000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations	-541000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Attributable To Reporting Entity IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Net Income Loss NetIncomeLoss	-541000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare	-1.82
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Basic Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicShare	0
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Basic EarningsPerShareBasic	-1.82
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare	-1.82
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Per Diluted Share IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerDilutedShare	0
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Earnings Per Share Diluted EarningsPerShareDiluted	-1.82
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Cost SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCost	88623000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Summary Of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties Carrying Amount SummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesCarryingAmount	99065000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	751000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	379000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Income Loss From Equity Method Investments IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments	-529000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Liability For Future Policy Benefits Losses Claims And Loss Expense Reserves SupplementaryInsuranceInformationLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsLossesClaimsAndLossExpenseReserves	17527000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Unearned Premiums SupplementaryInsuranceInformationUnearnedPremiums	0	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Unearned Premiums SupplementaryInsuranceInformationUnearnedPremiums	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Unearned Premiums SupplementaryInsuranceInformationUnearnedPremiums	0	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Other Policy Claims And Benefits Payable SupplementaryInsuranceInformationOtherPolicyClaimsAndBenefitsPayable	66407000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Premium Revenue SupplementaryInsuranceInformationPremiumRevenue	2462000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Premium Revenue SupplementaryInsuranceInformationPremiumRevenue	2294000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Premium Revenue SupplementaryInsuranceInformationPremiumRevenue	2176000000	USD
CY2010Q4	us-gaap	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs And Value Of Business Acquired DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndValueOfBusinessAcquired	7414000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Liability For Future Policy Benefits Losses Claims And Loss Expense Reserves SupplementaryInsuranceInformationLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsLossesClaimsAndLossExpenseReserves	19780000000	USD
CY2012Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Other Policy Claims And Benefits Payable SupplementaryInsuranceInformationOtherPolicyClaimsAndBenefitsPayable	72218000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Other Policy Claims And Benefits Payable SupplementaryInsuranceInformationOtherPolicyClaimsAndBenefitsPayable	69466000000	USD
CY2011Q4	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Liability For Future Policy Benefits Losses Claims And Loss Expense Reserves SupplementaryInsuranceInformationLiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsLossesClaimsAndLossExpenseReserves	19813000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Net Investment Income SupplementaryInsuranceInformationNetInvestmentIncome	4698000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Net Investment Income SupplementaryInsuranceInformationNetInvestmentIncome	4652000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Net Investment Income SupplementaryInsuranceInformationNetInvestmentIncome	4541000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Benefits Claims Losses And Settlement Expense SupplementaryInsuranceInformationBenefitsClaimsLossesAndSettlementExpense	6008000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Benefits Claims Losses And Settlement Expense SupplementaryInsuranceInformationBenefitsClaimsLossesAndSettlementExpense	5833000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Benefits Claims Losses And Settlement Expense SupplementaryInsuranceInformationBenefitsClaimsLossesAndSettlementExpense	5815000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Other Operating Expense SupplementaryInsuranceInformationOtherOperatingExpense	2917000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Other Operating Expense SupplementaryInsuranceInformationOtherOperatingExpense	2716000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Other Operating Expense SupplementaryInsuranceInformationOtherOperatingExpense	2556000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Premiums Written SupplementaryInsuranceInformationPremiumsWritten	0	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Premiums Written SupplementaryInsuranceInformationPremiumsWritten	0	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Supplementary Insurance Information Premiums Written SupplementaryInsuranceInformationPremiumsWritten	0	USD
CY2012	lnc	Amortization Of Dac And Voba Net Of Interest Total AmortizationOfDacAndVobaNetOfInterestTotal	1029000000	USD
CY2011	lnc	Amortization Of Dac And Voba Net Of Interest Total AmortizationOfDacAndVobaNetOfInterestTotal	846000000	USD
CY2010	lnc	Amortization Of Dac And Voba Net Of Interest Total AmortizationOfDacAndVobaNetOfInterestTotal	905000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Gross Amount ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentGrossAmount	7377000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Amount Ceded To Other Companies ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountCededToOtherCompanies	1191000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Net Amount ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentNetAmount	6195000000	USD
CY2012	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Amount Assumed From Other Companies ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountAssumedFromOtherCompanies	9000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Gross Amount ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentGrossAmount	6997000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Amount Ceded To Other Companies ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountCededToOtherCompanies	1276000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Amount Assumed From Other Companies ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountAssumedFromOtherCompanies	10000000	USD
CY2011	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Net Amount ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentNetAmount	5731000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Gross Amount ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentGrossAmount	6599000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Amount Ceded To Other Companies ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountCededToOtherCompanies	1202000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Amount Assumed From Other Companies ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountAssumedFromOtherCompanies	13000000	USD
CY2010	us-gaap	Reinsurance Premiums For Insurance Companies By Product Segment Net Amount ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentNetAmount	5410000000	USD
CY2012	dei	Document Type DocumentType	10-K
CY2012	dei	Document Period End Date DocumentPeriodEndDate	2012-12-31
CY2012	dei	Amendment Flag AmendmentFlag	false
CY2012	dei	Entity Registrant Name EntityRegistrantName	LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP
CY2012	dei	Entity Central Index Key EntityCentralIndexKey	0000059558
CY2012	dei	Entity Current Reporting Status EntityCurrentReportingStatus	Yes
CY2012	dei	Entity Voluntary Filers EntityVoluntaryFilers	No
CY2012	dei	Current Fiscal Year End Date CurrentFiscalYearEndDate	--12-31
CY2012	dei	Entity Filer Category EntityFilerCategory	Large Accelerated Filer
CY2012	dei	Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer	Yes
CY2013Q1	dei	Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding	271463264	shares
CY2012	dei	Document Fiscal Year Focus DocumentFiscalYearFocus	2012
CY2012	dei	Document Fiscal Period Focus DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus	FY
CY2012Q2	dei	Entity Public Float EntityPublicFloat	6100000000	USD

Files In Submission

Name	View Source	Status
0000059558-13-000034-index-headers.html	Edgar Link	pending
0000059558-13-000034-index.html	Edgar Link	pending
0000059558-13-000034.txt	Edgar Link	pending
0000059558-13-000034-xbrl.zip	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit1012.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit1013.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit1014.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit1034.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit1035.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit1036.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit109.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit12.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit21.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit23.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit311.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit312.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit321.htm	Edgar Link	pending
exhibit322.htm	Edgar Link	pending
filename23.htm	Edgar Link	pending
FilingSummary.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
Financial_Report.xls	Edgar Link	pending
form10k.htm	Edgar Link	pending
lnc-20121231.xml	Edgar Link	completed
lnc-20121231.xsd	Edgar Link	pending
lnc-20121231_cal.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
lnc-20121231_def.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
lnc-20121231_lab.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
lnc-20121231_pre.xml	Edgar Link	unprocessable
R1.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R10.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R100.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R101.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R102.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R103.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R104.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R105.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R106.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R107.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R108.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R109.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R11.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R110.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R111.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R112.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R113.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R114.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R12.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R13.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R14.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R15.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R16.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R17.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R18.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R19.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R2.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R20.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R21.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R22.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R23.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R24.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R25.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R26.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R27.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R28.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R29.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R3.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R30.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R31.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R32.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R33.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R34.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R35.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R36.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R37.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R38.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R39.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R4.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R40.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R41.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R42.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R43.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R44.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R45.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R46.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R47.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R48.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R49.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R5.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R50.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R51.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R52.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R53.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R54.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R55.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R56.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R57.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R58.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R59.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R6.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R60.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R61.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R62.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R63.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R64.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R65.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R66.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R67.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R68.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R69.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R7.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R70.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R71.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R72.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R73.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R74.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R75.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R76.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R77.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R78.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R79.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R8.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R80.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R81.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R82.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R83.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R84.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R85.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R86.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R87.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R88.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R89.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R9.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R90.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R91.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R92.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R93.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R94.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R95.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R96.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R97.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R98.htm	Edgar Link	pending
R99.htm	Edgar Link	pending
report.css	Edgar Link	pending
Show.js	Edgar Link	pending

Create your account

Find Stocks Worth Researching

Deeply Understand Businesses

Value Businesses Intelligently

$LNC
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc

2012 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000005955813000034 Filed on March 01, 2013

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$LNC LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc

2012 Q4 Form 10-K Financial Statement

#000005955813000034 Filed on March 01, 2013

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cashflow Statement

Facts In Submission

Files In Submission

$LNC
LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP Stock $lnc