---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001564590-21-046380"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "LNC"
cik: "0000059558"
company_name: "LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP"
filed_at: "2021-08-30T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-29T07:07:18.726426+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Lincoln National announces CEO succession: Ellen Cooper to succeed Dennis Glass after 2022 annual meeting

## Summary
- Dennis Glass will retire as president and CEO after the 2022 annual meeting and become board chairman.
- Ellen Cooper, current EVP, CIO, head of Enterprise Risk and Annuity Solutions, will become president and CEO.
- William Cunningham will assume the role of independent lead director upon Glass becoming chairman.
- Cooper's annual base salary set at $1,125,000; eligible for 225% AIP and 575% LTIP target awards.
- Board size increased from 13 to 14 directors effective as of the 2022 annual meeting.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001564590-21-046380
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: LNC
- cik: 0000059558
- company_name: LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP
- filed_at: 2021-08-30T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 5.03, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59558/000156459021046380/0001564590-21-046380-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59558/000156459021046380/lnc-8k_20210827.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-21-046380
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-21-046380.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001564590-21-046380.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  William H. Cunningham was appointed as independent Lead Director at LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: assume
  - Role: independent Lead Director
  source text: William H. Cunningham will relinquish the role of Chairman and assume the role of independent Lead Director, effective following the 2022 Annual Meeting.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59558/000156459021046380/0001564590-21-046380-index.htm
- Executive change
  William H. Cunningham departed as Chairman at LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: relinquish
  - Role: Chairman
  source text: William H. Cunningham will relinquish the role of Chairman and assume the role of independent Lead Director, effective following the 2022 Annual Meeting.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59558/000156459021046380/0001564590-21-046380-index.htm
- Executive change
  Ellen G. Cooper was appointed as President and CEO at LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: become
  - Role: President and CEO
  source text: The Board determined that Ellen G. Cooper will become the president and CEO, effective following the 2022 Annual Meeting.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59558/000156459021046380/0001564590-21-046380-index.htm
- Executive change
  Dennis R. Glass was appointed as Chairman at LINCOLN NATIONAL CORP.
  - Action: assume
  - Role: Chairman
  source text: He will continue his service on the Board and assume the role of Chairman following the 2022 Annual Meeting.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/59558/000156459021046380/0001564590-21-046380-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.