[Lincoln Logo] Financial Group Lincoln Life Robert A. Picarello Associate General Counsel The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 350 Church Street Hartford, CT 06103-1106 Telephone: (860) 466-1603 Facsimile: (860) 466-1778 February 24, 1999 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account S (the "Account") Dear Sirs: As Associate General Counsel of the The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (the "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 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 the 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 Associate General Counsel