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                                                  [LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP LOGO]


ROBERT A. PICARELLO
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
  OF LIFE INSURANCE
350 CHURCH STREET
HARTFORD, CT 06103-1106
TELEPHONE: (860) 466-1603
FACSIMILE:  (860) 466-1778


May 9, 2002


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-0506

Re:      Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account Y ("Account")
         The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
         Pre-Effective Amendment Number 1, File No. 333-81884

Dear Sir or Madam:

As Vice President and General Counsel of Life Insurance of The Lincoln National
Life Insurance Company ("Company"), I am familiar with the actions of the Board
of Directors of the Company establishing the Account and its method of operation
and authorizing the filing of a Registration Statement under the Securities Act
of 1933 (and amendments thereto) for the securities to be issued by the Account
and the Investment Company Act of 1940 for the Account itself.

In the course of preparing this opinion, I have reviewed the Certificate of
Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Company, the Board actions with respect to
the Account, and such other matters as I deemed necessary or appropriate. Based
on such review, I am of the opinion that the variable life insurance policies
(and interests therein) which are the subject of the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the Account will, when issued,
be legally issued and will represent binding obligations of the Company, the
depositor for the Account.

I further consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to said Registration Statement and to the reference to me under
the heading "Experts" in said Registration Statement, as amended.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Robert A. Picarello

Robert A. Picarello
Vice President and General Counsel
  of Life Insurance