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Subject to completion, dated December 4, 2001

Prospectus Supplement

Lincoln National Corporation

$

Interest payable                       and                       

Issue price:        %

The notes will mature on                       , 2011. Interest will accrue from December   , 2001. We may redeem the notes in whole or in part at any time at the redemption prices described on page S-14.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined that this Prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the notes.

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made to investors on or about December   , 2001.

JPMorgan

December   , 2001

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      No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in this Prospectus Supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder and thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein or therein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information.

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      The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you in this section directly to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. In addition, the information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

      We also incorporate by reference our future filings with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the termination of any offering of securities made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any statement contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein, will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes the statement. Any such statement or document so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

      We will provide without charge to any person to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is delivered, upon request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the text of such documents). Requests for such documents should be directed to: C. Suzanne Womack, Secretary, in writing at 1500 Market Street, Suite 3900, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2112 or by telephone at (215) 448-1400.

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      The following summary describes the      % Notes due 2011 we are offering to you in general terms only. You should read the summary together with the more detailed information that is contained in the rest of this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.

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      Lincoln is a holding company with consolidated assets of approximately $90 billion and shareholders’ equity of $5.4 billion as of September 30, 2001. Through our subsidiaries, we operate multiple insurance and investment management businesses. Our operations are currently divided into five business segments: annuities, life insurance, investment management, Lincoln UK and reinsurance.

     Recent Developments

      Reinsurance Transactions. On July 29, 2001, Lincoln and Swiss Re announced that Swiss Re will acquire Lincoln’s reinsurance operation for $2.0 billion. In addition, Lincoln will retain approximately $500 million of capital supporting the reinsurance operation. The transaction structure involves a series of indemnity reinsurance transactions combined with the sale of certain stock companies that comprise Lincoln’s reinsurance operation. Under the indemnity reinsurance agreements, Swiss Re will reinsure certain liabilities and obligations of Lincoln. Because Lincoln is not relieved of its legal liability to the ceding companies, the liabilities and obligations associated with the reinsured contracts will remain on the balance sheet of Lincoln with a corresponding reinsurance receivable from Swiss Re.

      As the gain on the transaction relates to the indemnity reinsurance agreements, the estimated gain of approximately $800 million ($1.3 billion pre-tax) will be recorded as a deferred gain on Lincoln’s balance

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      Once the transaction closes, Lincoln’s future indemnification to Swiss Re on the underlying reinsurance business will be limited to the reinsurance personal accident business. Lincoln’s exposure is capped at $100 million ($65 million after-tax) for payments under the personal accident programs in excess of $148 million, which represents the personal accident liabilities, net of the assets for reinsurance recoverable at December 31, 2000. Payments in excess of the net liabilities, up to $200 million, will be shared on a 50/50 basis between Lincoln and Swiss Re. Lincoln will have no continuing indemnification risk to Swiss Re on other reinsurance lines of business including disability income, HMO excess-of-loss, group carrier medical and property and casualty reinsurance lines.

      September 11, 2001. Lincoln recorded losses totaling $33.2 million ($31.3 million in the reinsurance segment and $1.9 million in the life insurance segment) in its results from operations for the third quarter of 2001 attributable to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In October 2001, Lincoln recorded an adjustment of $3.8 million in its reinsurance segment relating to a reduction in the estimate of unreported claims for the events of September 11, 2001. Based on information received to date regarding the effect on Lincoln of those terrorist attacks, Lincoln does not believe that it has significant remaining individual, group or corporate-owned life insurance exposure in its life insurance segment, or that it has any remaining material concentrations of risk in its reinsurance segment. Lincoln does not directly write property and casualty or disability insurance and has minimal investments in affected New York City real estate which generally are covered by insurance. While, like other insurance and investment management companies, Lincoln’s business is affected by general economic, financial market and political conditions, Lincoln does not expect additional insurance exposure, if any, attributable to such tragedy to be material to its business or financial condition. See “Forward Looking Statements.”

      Offering of Trust Preferred Securities. We completed a public offering of $172.5 million of 7.65% Trust Preferred Securities, Series E, issued by Lincoln National Capital V, an affiliated Delaware trust, in November 2001.

      Proposed Redemption of Trust Preferred Securities. We currently expect to call for redemption all of the $100 million of 8.35% Trust Originated Preferred Securities, Series B, issued by Lincoln National Capital II, an affiliated Delaware trust, in August 1996. The redemption is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2002.

      Lincoln’s principal executive offices are located at 1500 Market Street, Suite 3900, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2112 and our telephone number is (215) 448-1400.

      We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the notes in this offering, estimated to be approximately $           million after deduction of underwriting discounts and expenses, for general corporate purposes, including possible acquisitions. We do not currently have any commitments or understandings with respect to any possible acquisition. Until the funds are needed for such purposes, we intend to use the net proceeds to pay down our short-term debt which bears interest at an approximate weighted average floating interest rate of LIBOR (London Interbank Offering Rate) plus 50 basis points.

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      The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of September 30, 2001 on an actual and as adjusted basis. The “Actual” column reflects our capitalization as of September 30, 2001 on a historical basis, without any adjustments to reflect subsequent or anticipated events. The “As Adjusted” column reflects the issuance of $172.5 million of the preferred securities issued on November 19, 2001 and the notes contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the application of the net proceeds from the offering of the preferred securities and this offering to repay short-term debt. See “Use of Proceeds”.

      The following data is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and pro forma financial information of Lincoln and its subsidiaries incorporated herein by reference.

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      The following table sets forth Lincoln’s historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 2000 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001. In addition, set forth below are pro forma ratios for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2001 giving effect to the redemption of $215 million of 8 3/4% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred Securities, Series A, referred to herein as the Series A preferred securities, in September 2001; the retirement of $225 million of 6.40% Trust Originated Preferred Securities, Series D, referred to herein as the Series D preferred securities, in August 2001; and the issuance of $172.5 million of 7.65% Trust Preferred Securities, Series E, referred to herein as the Series E preferred securities, in November 2001.

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      The following table presents selected consolidated financial data of Lincoln. The data at December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2000 are derived from Lincoln’s audited financial statements for those years. Selected unaudited financial data at September 30, 2001 and 2000 and for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 reflect, in the opinion of Lincoln, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. The following data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes thereto and the pro forma financial information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

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      The following pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet of Lincoln and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2001 and the pro forma condensed consolidated income statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2000 have been prepared based on the historical results of operations and financial position of Lincoln and includes Swiss Re’s pending acquisition of Lincoln’s reinsurance operation that is anticipated to close late in the fourth quarter of 2001 based on an estimated sales price of $2.0 billion. Pro forma adjustments, which have been prepared by Lincoln’s management, and the assumptions on which they are based are described in the accompanying notes to pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.

      The pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet assumes that Lincoln’s transaction with Swiss Re was consummated as of September 30, 2001. The pro forma condensed consolidated income statements assume that Lincoln’s transaction with Swiss Re was consummated on January 1, 2000.

      Lincoln believes that the following pro forma condensed consolidated financial information may not be indicative of the results that actually would have occurred if the divestiture described in this document had been in effect on the dates indicated or indicative of results which may be achieved in the future.

      The pro forma condensed consolidated financial information and related notes set forth below are based on certain estimates and assumptions and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Lincoln. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

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LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2001

Year Ended December 31, 2000

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LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

     Balance Sheet Items:

      The amounts presented in the Reinsurance Transaction and Stock Sale column reflect both the removal of the legal entities sold from the balance sheet, as well as the effects of the indemnity reinsurance transaction. For the indemnity reinsurance portion of the transaction, the assets transferred have been removed and an asset has been added for the net liabilities ceded to Swiss Re. In addition, a liability has been added as Lincoln will retain assets supporting certain liabilities on the business reinsured.

     Income Statement Items:

      The amounts presented in the Reinsurance Transaction and Stock Sale column reflect both the removal of the legal entities sold from the income statement, as well as the effects of the indemnity reinsurance transaction. For the indemnity reinsurance portion of the transaction, the income statement related to this business has been removed.

Secondly, the pro forma adjustment reflects the consolidating adjustment to add-back investment management fees charged by the Investment Management segment for internal investment management services that were deducted in the “Reinsurance Transaction and Stock Sale” column. The amount of the adjustment was $3.6 million and $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and for the year ended December 31, 2000, respectively.

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General

      The notes will initially be limited to $                    in aggregate principal amount. We may, however, without the consent of any then-existing holders of notes, “reopen” the notes and issue an unlimited principal amount of additional notes of this series in the future. These additional notes will be deemed part of the same series as the notes offered hereby.

      The notes will bear interest at the rate of           % per annum, from December      , 2001. We will pay interest semi-annually on                     and                     , commencing                     , 2002 to the record holders on the preceding                     or                     . Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve 30-day months.

      The notes will be issued in fully registered form only in minimum denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000. The accompanying prospectus describes additional provisions of the notes and of the indenture under which we will issue the notes.

Redemption

      We may redeem the notes at any time. We may make redemptions of notes in minimum denominations of $1,000 and multiples of $1,000. The redemption price will equal any accrued and unpaid interest plus the greater of:

      The discounted remaining fixed amount payments will equal the sum of the current values of the amounts of interest and principal that would have been payable by us on each interest payment date after the redemption date and at stated maturity of the final payment of principal of the notes. In making this calculation, we will assume that we have not redeemed the notes prior to the stated maturity.

      The current value of any amount is the present value of that amount on the redemption date after discounting that amount on a semiannual basis from the originally scheduled date for payment. We will use the treasury rate plus      basis points to calculate this present value.

      The treasury rate is a per annum rate, determined on the redemption date to be the per annum rate equal to the semiannual bond equivalent yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities maturing at the stated maturity of the final payment of principal of the notes redeemed. We will determine this rate by reference to the weekly average yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities maturing on that stated maturity, if reported in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve or a successor release. If no such securities mature at the stated maturity, but the release or any successor release continues to be published, we will determine the rate by interpolation between the most recent weekly average yields to maturity for two series of United States Treasury securities, (1) one maturing as close as possible to, but earlier than, the stated maturity and (2) the other maturing as close as possible to, but later than, the stated maturity, in each case as published in the most recent Statistical Release H.15(519) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve or a successor release. If the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve ceases publication of the weekly average yield to maturity for United States Treasury securities in Statistical Release H.15(519) or any successor release, then the treasury rate will be determined by a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in The City of New York selected by us.

      Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at the holder’s registered address. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the notes called for redemption on and after the redemption date.

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Defeasance

      The provisions of the indenture relating to defeasance, which are described under the caption “Description of the Senior Debt Securities — Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus, will apply to the notes.

Sinking Fund

      The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

Book-Entry Securities

      The notes will be issued in the form of global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, and registered in the name of DTC or a nominee.

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      Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and pricing agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters named below, severally, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of the notes set forth opposite its name below. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (“JPMorgan”) is the representative of the underwriters.

      Under the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, if the underwriters take any of the notes, then the underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the notes.

      The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market for the notes, but they have no obligation to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without providing any notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of any trading market for the notes. Expenses associated with this offering, to be paid by us, are estimated to be $125,000.

      The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the notes directly to the public at the price to public described on the cover page and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of   % of the principal amount of the notes. An underwriter may allow, and any such dealer may reallow, a concession not in excess of   % of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes, the representatives may from time to time vary the offering price and other selling terms.

      We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.

      In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the notes, creating a syndicate short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, notes in the open market to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the notes in the offering of the notes, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed notes in syndicate covering transactions, stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and may end any of them at any time.

      In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking and/or investment banking transactions with us and our affiliates.

      JPMorgan will make the notes available for distribution on the Internet through a proprietary Web site and/or a third-party system operated by Market Axess Inc., an Internet-based communications technology provider. Market Axess Inc. is providing the system as a conduit for communications between JPMorgan and its customers and is not a party to any transactions. Market Axess Inc., a registered broker-dealer, will receive compensation from JPMorgan based on transactions JPMorgan conducts through the system. JPMorgan will make the notes available to its customers through the Internet distributions, whether made through a proprietary or third-party system, on the same terms as distributions made through other channels.

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      First Union Securities, Inc. is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation. Wachovia Corporation conducts its investment banking, institutional and capital markets businesses through its various bank, broker-dealer and nonbank subsidiaries under the trade name of Wachovia Securities. Any references to Wachovia Securities in this prospectus supplement, however, do not include Wachovia Securities, Inc., member NASD/SIPC and a separate broker-dealer subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation and sister affiliate of First Union Securities, Inc., which may or may not be participating as a selling dealer in the distribution of the notes.

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      The validity of the notes offered in this offering will be passed upon for Lincoln by Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, Chicago, Illinois, and for the underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York. Sullivan & Cromwell from time to time performs legal services for Lincoln.

      The consolidated financial statements of Lincoln and its subsidiaries incorporated by reference in Lincoln’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 and the related schedules included therein have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon included and incorporated by reference therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedules are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

      Certain statements made or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “estimate”, “project”, “will”, “shall” and other words or phrases with similar meanings. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others:

      Lincoln operates in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors that will affect Lincoln. Further, it is

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Lincoln National Corporation

Debt Securities

Lincoln National Capital III

Preferred Securities fully and unconditionally

Lincoln National Corporation

     Lincoln National Corporation (the “Company”) may offer and sell from time to time (i) its unsecured senior debt securities (“Senior Debt Securities”) and its unsecured junior subordinated debt securities (the “Junior Subordinated Debt Securities”), consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Debt Securities”), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, no par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which may be represented by depositary shares as described herein, (iii) shares of its common stock, no par value per share (the “Common Stock”), (iv) warrants to purchase any of the foregoing Debt Securities, Preferred Stock and Common Stock (the “Warrants”), (v) stock purchase contracts (“Stock Purchase Contracts”) to purchase shares of Common Stock or (vi) stock purchase units (“Stock Purchase Units”), each representing ownership of a Stock Purchase Contract and any of (x) Debt Securities, (y) debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury Securities, or (z) Preferred Securities (as defined below) of a Lincoln Trust (as defined below), securing the holder’s obligation to purchase Common Stock under the Stock Purchase Contract. Such securities may be offered in one or more separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement or supplements to this Prospectus (a “Prospectus Supplement”). Such securities may be sold for U.S. dollars, foreign denominated currency or currency units; amounts payable with respect to any such securities may likewise be payable in U.S. dollars, foreign denominated currency or currency units, in each case as the Company specifically designates.

     Lincoln National Capital III, Lincoln National Capital IV, Lincoln National Capital V and Lincoln National Capital VI, each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (each, a “Lincoln Trust,” and collectively, the “Lincoln Trusts”), may severally offer, from time to time, preferred securities (the “Preferred Securities”) representing preferred undivided beneficial interests in such Lincoln Trust. The Company will be the owner of the common securities (the “Common Securities” and, together with the Preferred Securities, the “Trust Securities”) of each Lincoln Trust. The payment of periodic cash distributions (“Distributions”) with respect to Preferred Securities of each of the Lincoln Trusts out of monies held by the Property Trustee (as defined herein) of each of the Lincoln Trusts and payments on liquidation of each Lincoln Trust and on redemption of Preferred Securities of such Lincoln Trust, will be guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent described herein (each, a “Guarantee”). See “Description of Guarantees.” The Company’s obligation under each Guarantee is an unsecured obligation of the Company and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt (as defined herein) of the Company. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, (i) concurrently with the issuance by a Lincoln Trust of its Preferred Securities, such Lincoln Trust will invest the proceeds thereof and any contributions made in respect of the Common Securities in a corresponding series of the Company’s Junior Subordinated Debt Securities (the “Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities”) with terms directly corresponding to the terms of that Lincoln Trust’s Preferred Securities (the “Related Preferred Securities”), (ii) the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities will be the sole assets of each Lincoln Trust, and (iii) payments under the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and the related Expense Agreement (as defined herein) will be the only revenue of each Lincoln Trust. The Company may redeem the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities (and cause the redemption of the Trust Securities) or may terminate each Lincoln Trust and cause the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation of their interests in such Issuer in certain circumstances. See “Description of Preferred Securities — Liquidation Distribution Upon Termination.”

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Offered Securities (as defined herein)

The date of this Prospectus is April 27, 1998.

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      Specific terms of the particular Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts, Stock Purchase Units, Preferred Securities and the related Guarantee, in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered (the “Offered Securities”) will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement or Supplements, together with the terms of the offering of the Offered Securities, the initial price thereof and the net proceeds from the sale thereof. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth with regard to the particular Offered Securities, certain terms thereof, including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the ranking as senior or junior subordinated Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, purchase price, maturity, interest rate (which may be fixed or variable), if any, the time and method of calculating interest payments, if any, the right of the Company, if any, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities and the maximum length of such deferred period, time of payment of interest, if any, listing, if any, on a securities exchange, authorized denomination, any exchangeability, conversion, redemption, prepayment or sinking fund provisions, the currency or currencies or currency unit or units in which principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, is payable, public offering price and any other specific terms of the Debt Securities; (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific designation, number of shares, purchase price and the rights, preferences and privileges thereof and any qualifications or restrictions thereon (including dividends, liquidation value, voting rights, terms for the redemption, conversion or exchange thereof and any other specific terms of the Preferred Stock), listing, if any, on a securities exchange and whether the Company has elected to offer the Preferred Stock in the form of depositary shares; (iii) in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares offered, the initial offering price, market price and dividend information; (iv) in the case of Warrants, the specific designation, the number, purchase price and terms thereof, any listing of the Warrants or the underlying securities on a securities exchange or any other terms in connection with the offering, sale and exercise of the Warrants, as well as the terms on which and the securities for which such Warrants may be exercised; (v) in the case of Stock Purchase Contracts, the designation and number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder, the purchase price of the Common Stock, the date or dates on which the Common Stock is required to be purchased by the holders of the Stock Purchase Contracts, any periodic payments required to be made by the Company to the holders of the Stock Purchase Contracts or vice versa, and the terms of the offering and sale thereof; (vi) in the case of Stock Purchase Units, the specific terms of the Stock Purchase Contracts and any Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties or Preferred Securities of a Lincoln Trust securing the holders’ obligation to purchase the Common Stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts, the ability of a holder of such Stock Purchase Units to settle early the underlying Stock Purchase Contract by delivering cash in exchange for the underlying collateral and, if applicable, whether the Company will issue to such holder a Prepaid Stock Purchase Contract as a result of such early settlement and the specific terms of the Prepaid Stock Purchase Contract and the terms of the offering and sale of such Stock Purchase Units; and (vii) in the case of Preferred Securities of a Lincoln Trust, the specific designation, number of securities, liquidation amount per security, initial public offering price, and any listing on a securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which distributions shall be payable and dates from which distributions shall accrue, voting rights, if any, terms for any conversion or exchange into other securities, any redemption or sinking fund provisions, any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions relating to the Preferred Securities and the terms upon which the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities shall be used to purchase a specific series of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.

      The Offered Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of offering; provided, however, that the aggregate offering price to the public of the Offered Securities will be limited to $1,300,000,000. Any Prospectus Supplement relating to any Offered Securities will contain information concerning certain United States federal income tax considerations, if applicable, to the Offered Securities.

      The Company and/or each Lincoln Trust may sell the Offered Securities directly, through agents designated from time to time or through underwriters or dealers. See “Plan of Distribution.” If any agents of the Company and/or any Lincoln Trust or any underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of the Offered Securities, the names of such agents, underwriters or dealers and any applicable commissions and discounts will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. The managing underwriter or underwriters with respect to each series sold to or through underwriters will be named in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution” for possible indemnification arrangements for dealers, underwriters and agents.

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      No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and, with respect to particular offered securities, the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, and if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. Neither this Prospectus nor such Prospectus Supplement constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer for solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus or such Prospectus Supplement nor any sale hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company or any Lincoln Trust since the date hereof or that information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date.

      FOR NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS: THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE RULED UPON THE ACCURACY OR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

      The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, at the offices of the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. at 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 and at the offices of the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc. at 301 Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94104. The Commission maintains a Web site (located at http://www.sec.gov) which includes reports, proxy statements and other information, including the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, filed electronically by registrants with the Commission.

      The Company and the Lincoln Trusts have filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) with respect to the securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain portions of which have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as a part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, which may be inspected at the public reference facilities of the Commission, at the addresses set forth above. Statements made in this Prospectus concerning the contents of any documents referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

      No separate financial statements of the Lincoln Trusts have been included herein. The Company and the Lincoln Trusts do not consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of the Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting securities of the Lincoln Trusts will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, (ii) each Lincoln Trust is a newly formed special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity other than holding as trust assets the Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company and issuing the Trust Securities, and (iii) the Company’s obligations described

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

      The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference and made a part hereof: (a) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997; and (b) the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 1998. Each document or report filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to the termination of any offering of securities made by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such document. Any statement contained herein, or in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the Registration Statement and this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus.

      The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated by reference herein (other than exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the texts of such documents). Requests for such documents should be directed to: C. Suzanne Womack, Secretary, Lincoln National Corporation, 200 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46802-2706, telephone number (219)  455-3271.

      Unless otherwise indicated, currency amounts in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement are stated in United States dollars (“$,” “dollars” or “U.S.$”).

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LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION

      The Company is a holding company with consolidated assets at December 31, 1997 of approximately $77.2 billion and shareholders’ equity of approximately $5.0 billion. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides life insurance and annuities, life-health reinsurance, property-casualty insurance, and investment management services to its customers.

      Lincoln National Corporation is an Indiana corporation with its principal office at 200 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802-2706. Its telephone number is (219) 455-2000.

THE LINCOLN TRUSTS

      Each Lincoln Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) a trust agreement executed by the Company, as sponsor of the Lincoln Trust, and the Delaware Trustee (as defined herein) of such Lincoln Trust and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. Each trust agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety (each, as so amended and restated, a “Trust Agreement”) substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. Each Trust Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). Each Lincoln Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling its Trust Securities, (ii) using the proceeds from the sale of such Trust Securities to acquire a series of Corresponding Junior Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary, convenient or incidental thereto.

      All of the Common Securities of each Lincoln Trust will be owned by the Company. The Common Securities of a Lincoln Trust will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities of such Lincoln Trust, except that upon the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under a Trust Agreement resulting from a Junior Subordinated Debt Security Event of Default (as defined herein), the rights of the Company as holder of the Common Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities of such Lincoln Trust. See “Description of Preferred Securities — Subordination of Common Securities.” The Company will acquire Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to not less than 3% of the total capital of each Lincoln Trust.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each Lincoln Trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but may terminate earlier as provided in the applicable Trust Agreement. Each Lincoln Trust’s business and affairs are conducted by its trustees, each appointed by the Company as holder of the Common Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the trustees for each Lincoln Trust will be The First National Bank of Chicago, as the Property Trustee (the “Property Trustee”), First Chicago Delaware, Inc., as the Delaware Trustee (the “Delaware Trustee”), and two individual trustees (the “Administrative Trustees”) who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company (collectively, the “Issuer Trustees”). The First National Bank of Chicago, as Property Trustee, will act as sole indenture trustee under each Trust Agreement for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. The First National Bank of Chicago will also act as trustee under the Guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Indenture (as defined herein). See “Description of Guarantees” and “Description of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities.” The holder of the Common Securities of a Lincoln Trust, or the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of the related Preferred Securities if a Junior Subordinated Debt Security Event of Default under the Trust Agreement for such Lincoln Trust has occurred and is continuing, will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee and/or the Delaware Trustee for such Lincoln Trust. In no event will the holders of the Preferred Securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees; such voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the Common Securities. The duties and obligations of each Issuer Trustee are governed by the applicable Trust Agreement. The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to each Lincoln Trust and the offering of the Preferred Securities and will pay, directly or indirectly, all ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of each Lincoln Trust.

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      The principal executive office of each Lincoln Trust is 200 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802-2706 and its telephone number is (219) 455-2000.

USE OF PROCEEDS

      Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to the proceeds from the sale of the particular Offered Securities to which such Prospectus Supplement relates, the net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities are expected to be used by the Company for general corporate purposes, including repayment or redemption of outstanding debt or preferred stock, the possible acquisition of financial services businesses or assets thereof, investments in portfolio assets and working capital needs. The Company routinely reviews opportunities to acquire financial services businesses or assets thereof. Each Lincoln Trust will use all proceeds received from the sale of its Trust Securities to purchase Junior Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

      Set forth below are the Company’s historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1997. In addition, set forth below are pro forma ratios giving effect to the sale of $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 1/2% Notes due March 15, 2008 (the “2008 Notes”) and $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7% Notes due March 15, 2018 (together with the 2008 Notes, the “Notes”) in March 1998 and the application of the proceeds thereof (without giving effect to the reduction of offering proceeds due to discounted price to public, underwriting discount and expenses).