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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="50%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Registration No. 333-_________</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>----------------------</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT style="WIDTH: 67pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" face=serif size=4>FORM S-8</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>UNDER</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>----------------------</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif size=5>PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="50%"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Delaware</B></TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%"><B><FONT face=serif>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 42-1520346</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="50%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (State or other jurisdiction of</TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%"><FONT face=serif>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (I.R.S. Employer</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="50%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; incorporation or organization)</TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%"><FONT face=serif>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Identification No.)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>711 High Street</FONT></B></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>Des Moines, Iowa</FONT></B>&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face=serif>50392</FONT></B></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>The Principal Select Savings Plan For Individual Field</FONT></B></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>The Principal Select Savings Plan For Employees</FONT></B></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>(Full title of the plans)</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>Karen E. Shaff, Esq.</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>Executive Vice President And General Counsel</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>Principal Financial Group, Inc.</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>711 High Street</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>Des Moines, Iowa 50392</FONT></B>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><B><FONT face=serif>(515) 247-5111</FONT></B></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>(Name, address and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):</FONT></P>
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     <TD align=left width="62%"><FONT face=serif>Large accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=Wingdings>x</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="37%"><FONT face=serif>Accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT face=Wingdings>&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="62%"><FONT face=serif>Non-accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT face=Wingdings>&#168;</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="37%"><FONT face=serif>Smaller reporting company</FONT>&nbsp; <FONT face=Wingdings>&#168;</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="62%"><FONT face=serif>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="37%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
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     <TD align=center width="97%" colSpan=5><FONT face=serif>----------------------</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="97%" colSpan=5>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="97%" colSpan=5><FONT face=serif>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="97%" colSpan=5>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="19%"><FONT face=serif>Title of securities</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>Amount to be</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="21%"><FONT face=serif>Proposed</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>Proposed</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="17%"><FONT face=serif>Amount of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="19%"><FONT face=serif>to be registered</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>registered</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="21%"><FONT face=serif>maximum</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>maximum</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="17%"><FONT face=serif>registration fee</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="19%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="20%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="21%"><FONT face=serif>offering price per</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>aggregate</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="17%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="19%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="20%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="21%"><FONT face=serif>share(3)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>offering price(3)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="17%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="19%"><FONT face=serif>Common Stock</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="20%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="21%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="20%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="17%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="19%"><FONT face=serif>$.01 par value</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>5,000,000 shares</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="21%"><FONT face=serif>$21.65</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="20%"><FONT face=serif>$108,250,000.00</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="17%"><FONT face=serif>$4,255.00</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="19%"><FONT face=serif>(1), (2)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="20%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="21%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="20%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="17%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
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     <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif>(1)</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD width="100%"><FONT face=serif>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement includes an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be issuable as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding common shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc.</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif>(2)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </TD>
     <TD width="100%"><FONT face=serif>In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field and The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees.</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif>(3)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </TD>
     <TD width="100%"><FONT face=serif>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 based upon the average ($21.65) of the high ($22.55) and low ($20.74) sales prices of the registrant&#146;s common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on January 9, 2009.</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%"><FONT face=serif>PART I</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%"><FONT face=serif>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>As permitted by Part I of Form S-8, this Registration Statement omits the information specified in Part I. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the plans covered by this Registration Statement, as required by Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act of 1933. Such documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933.</FONT></P>
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     <TD align=center width="100%"><FONT face=serif>PART II</FONT> </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%"><FONT face=serif>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>The following documents filed by Principal Financial Group, Inc. are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:</FONT></P>
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     <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif>(a)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on February 27, 2008, which</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>contains audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>which such statements have been filed;</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif>(b)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employee&#146;s Annual Report on Form 11-K for</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on June 30, 2008;</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif>(c)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field&#146;s Annual Report on Form 11-</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on June 30,</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>2008;</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif>(d)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008 filed with the Commission</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>on May 7, 2008, August 6, 2008 and November 5, 2008, respectively, and the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>26, 2008, March 25, 2008, May 23, 2008, October 14, 2008, and December 2, 2008;</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>and</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%"><FONT face=serif>(e)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock and the rights associated with</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>such Common Stock contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statements on</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>Form 8-A, dated October 10, 2001, including any amendments or reports filed for the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="4%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="95%"><FONT face=serif>purpose of updating such description.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>All documents subsequently filed by Principal Financial Group, Inc. or any of the plans covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have</FONT></P>
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<P align=left><FONT face=serif>been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or 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 this Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Not applicable (the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>Not Applicable.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>The directors and officers of Principal Financial Group, Inc. may be indemnified against liabilities, fines, penalties and claims imposed upon or asserted against them as provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law and the company's certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws. Such indemnification covers all costs and expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as such. The board of directors, by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors or, under certain circumstances, independent counsel appointed by the board of directors, must determine that the director or officer seeking indemnification was not guilty of willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the company's certificate of incorporation may, under certain circumstances, eliminate the liability of directors and officers in a stockholder or derivative proceeding.</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>If the person involved is not a director or officer of Principal Financial Group, Inc., the board of directors may cause the company to indemnify, to the same extent allowed for the company's directors and officers, such person who was or is a party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an employee or agent of the company, or is or was serving at the company's request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>The company has policies in force and effect to insure its directors and officers against such losses that they or any of them will become legally obligated to pay by reason of any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement or act or omission or neglect or breach of duty by such directors and officers in the discharge of their duties, solely by reason of their being</FONT></P>
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<P align=left><FONT face=serif>directors or officers. Such coverage is limited by the specific terms and provisions of the insurance policies.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>Not Applicable.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</FONT></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>An Exhibit Index, containing a list of all exhibits filed with this Registration Statement, is included below on page ten. The company hereby undertakes, with respect to the plans described herein that are or are to be qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, that it has submitted or will submit such plans and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner and has made or will make all necessary changes required by the Internal Revenue Service in order to qualify such plans.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS</FONT></P>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>(a) Rule 415 Offering. The Registrant hereby undertakes:</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="18%">
<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT face=serif>(1)</FONT></P>
</TD>
     <TD align=left width="80%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="18%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="7%"><FONT face=serif>(i)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="73%"><FONT face=serif>To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Securities Act of 1933, unless the information that would be required to be included in a post-</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>effective amendment is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="25%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Registration Statement;</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="73%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="18%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="7%"><FONT face=serif>(ii)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="73%"><FONT face=serif>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>in this Registration Statement, unless the information that would be required to be included in a</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>post-effective amendment is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>reference in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="18%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="7%"><FONT face=serif>(iii)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="73%"><FONT face=serif>To include any material information with respect to the plan of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="98%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>information in this Registration Statement.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
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     <TD noWrap><FONT face=serif>Page 6</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></P>
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     <TD align=left width="11%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="7%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)</TD>
     <TD align=left width="82%"><FONT face=serif>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="11%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="7%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)</TD>
     <TD align=left width="82%"><FONT face=serif>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="11%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>(b)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Subsequent Exchange Act Documents. The undersigned registrant hereby</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Exchange Act of 1934 (and where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="11%">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<FONT face=serif>(c)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Indemnification. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
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     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="11%"><FONT face=serif>issue.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="7%"></TD>
     <TD align=left width="82%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
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     <TD align=center width="100%"><FONT face=serif>SIGNATURES</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on January 12, 2009.</FONT></P>
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     <TD align=left width="100%"><FONT face=serif>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="100%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%"><FONT face=serif>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; By </FONT><U><FONT face=serif>/s/ </FONT></U><FONT face=serif><U>Larry D. Zimpleman</U></FONT><U>&nbsp; </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Larry D. Zimpleman</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>President and Chief Executive</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="100%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Officer</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.</FONT></P>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Signature</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Title</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>Date</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ J. Barry Griswell</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Chairman of the Board</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>and Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>J. Barry Griswell</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Larry D. Zimpleman</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>President and Chief Executive</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Officer and Director (principal</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Larry D. Zimpleman</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>executive officer)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Terrance J. Lillis</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Senior Vice President and</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Chief Financial Officer</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Terrance J. Lillis</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>(principal financial officer and</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="35%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>principal accounting officer)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Betsy J. Bernard</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Betsy J. Bernard</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="98%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="35%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January ____, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Jocelyn Carter-Miller</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="30%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
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<A name="page_8"></A>
<P align=left>
<TABLE>
<TR>
     <TD width=30>&nbsp;</TD>
     <TD noWrap><FONT face=serif>Page 8</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></P>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Gary E. Costley</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Gary E. Costley</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Michael T. Dan</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Michael T. Dan</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%">&nbsp; <FONT face=serif>/s/ C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Sandra L. Helton</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>-------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%">&nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Sandra L. Helton</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ William T. Kerr</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>--------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>William T. Kerr</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Richard L. Keyser</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>---------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Richard L. Keyser</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Arjun K. Mathrani</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January 12, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>---------------------------------------</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Arjun K. Mathrani</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January ____, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>---------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Elizabeth E. Tallett</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD align=center width="99%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%"><FONT face=serif>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%"><FONT face=serif>January ____, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>---------------------------------------</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="35%"><FONT face=serif>Therese M. Vaughan</FONT></TD>
     <TD align=left width="31%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="33%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
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<A name="page_9"></A>
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     <TD width=24>&nbsp;</TD>
     <TD noWrap><FONT face=serif>Page 9</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></P>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face=serif>The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field. </FONT></B><FONT face=serif>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Administrator of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on January 12, 2009.</FONT></P>
<DIV align=right>
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 466px; HEIGHT: 191px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=466 border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="99%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>THE PRINCIPAL SELECT SAVINGS</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="99%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>PLAN FOR INDIVIDUAL FIELD</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%"><FONT face=serif>By</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif>Principal Life Insurance Company</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif>Benefit Plans Administration Committee</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%"><FONT face=serif>By</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif><U>/s/ Ralph C. Eucher</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;__________________ </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif>Committee Member</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
<P align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B><FONT face=serif>The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees. </FONT></B><FONT face=serif>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Administrator of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on January 12, 2009.</FONT></P>
<DIV align=right>
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 464px; HEIGHT: 191px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=464 border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="99%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>THE PRINCIPAL SELECT SAVINGS</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="99%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%"><FONT face=serif>By</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif>Principal Life Insurance Company</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif>Benefit Plans Administration Committee</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%"><FONT face=serif>By</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif><U>/s/ Ralph C. Eucher</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;_____________________ </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="10%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="89%"><FONT face=serif>Committee Member</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
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<P align=left><FONT face=serif>Page 10</FONT></P>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=center width="100%" colSpan=3><FONT face=serif>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</FONT> </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="9%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Exhibit</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="66%" rowSpan=2>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<FONT face=serif>Description</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=center width="25%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Method of</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=serif>Filing</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="9%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>4.1</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="66%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Form of Certificate for the Common Stock of Principal Financial</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=serif>Group, Inc. (1)</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="25%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Incorporated by</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=serif>Reference</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="9%" rowSpan=2>
<P><FONT face=serif>4.2</FONT></P>
</TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="66%" rowSpan=2>
<P><FONT face=serif>Form of Stockholder Rights Agreement (2)</FONT></P>
</TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="25%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Incorporated by</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=serif>Reference</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="9%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>23</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="66%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Consent of Ernst &amp; Young LLP</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="25%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Electronic</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=serif>Transmission</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="9%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>24</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" vAlign=top align=left width="66%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Powers of Attorney</FONT></TD>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" align=left width="25%" rowSpan=2><FONT face=serif>Electronic</FONT><BR>
<FONT face=serif>Transmission</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom></TR>
<TR>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1pt solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid" width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="100%" colSpan=3>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="75%" colSpan=2><FONT face=serif>--------------------------------</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="25%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
<TR>
     <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif>(1)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </TD>
     <TD width="100%"><FONT face=serif>Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Principal Financial Group, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-62558).</FONT> </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD vAlign=top noWrap><FONT face=serif>(2)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </TD>
     <TD width="100%"><FONT face=serif>Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Principal Financial Group, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (Commission File No. 001-16725).</FONT> </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD colSpan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE>
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     <TD width=45>&nbsp;</TD>
     <TD noWrap><FONT face=serif>Page 11</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></P>
<P align=right><FONT face=serif>Exhibit 23</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face=serif>Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif>We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement (Form S-8) pertaining to The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field and The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees, of our reports (a) dated February 19, 2008 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Principal Financial Group, Inc, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Principal Financial Group, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K), (b) dated June 20, 2008 with respect to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field included in its Plan&#146;s Annual Report (Form 11-K), and (c) dated June 20 2008 with respect to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees included in its Annual Report (Form 11-K) all for the year ended December 31 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.</FONT></P>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="95%" border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="49%">&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%"><FONT face=serif>/s/ Ernst &amp; Young</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="49%"><FONT face=serif>Des Moines, Iowa</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="49%"><FONT face=serif>January 7, 2009</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="50%">&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE><BR>
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<TABLE>
<TR>
     <TD width=21>&nbsp;</TD>
     <TD noWrap><FONT face=serif>Page 12</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></P>
<P align=right><FONT face=serif>Exhibit 24</FONT></P>
<P align=center><B><FONT face=serif size=2>POWER OF ATTORNEY</FONT></B></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2>Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Larry D. Zimpleman, Terrance J. Lillis, Karen E. Shaff and Joyce N. Hoffman, and each of them, as such person&#146;s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign on such person&#146;s behalf individually and in each capacity stated below a Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the registration of 5,000,000 shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. common stock to be issued under the Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees and the Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments and supplements to said registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact or agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=serif size=2>Dated January 6, 2009</FONT></P>
<DIV align=center>
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 465px; HEIGHT: 611px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=80 border=0>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U> /s/ J. Barry Griswell</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;_______ </U></TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT size=2><U>/s/ C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%">
<P><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; J. Barry Griswell</FONT></P>
</TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chairman of the Board and Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>/s/ Larry. D. Zimpleman</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2><U>/s/ Sandra L. Helton</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Larry D. Zimpleman</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Sandra L. Helton</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; President, Chief Executive Officer</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; and Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>&nbsp; /s/ Terrance J. Lillis</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2><U>/s/ William T. Kerr</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Terrance J. Lillis</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>William T. Kerr</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Senior Vice President and Chief</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Financial Officer</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U> /s/ Betsy J. Bernard</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2><U>/s/ Richard L. Keyser</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Betsy J. Bernard</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Richard L. Keyser</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; _________________</TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2><U>/s/ Arjun K. Mathrani</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U></TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jocelyn Carter-Miller</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Arjun K. Mathrani</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<U> /s/ </U></FONT><FONT face=serif size=2><U>Gary E. Costley</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</U></TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%">__________________&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gary E. Costley</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Elizabeth E. Tallett</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
     <TD width="99%" colSpan=2>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>/s/ Michael T. Dan</U></FONT><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </U>&nbsp;</TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%">__________________&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Michael T. Dan</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Therese M. Vaughan</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR vAlign=bottom>
     <TD align=left width="61%"><FONT face=serif size=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD>
     <TD align=left width="38%"><FONT face=serif size=2>Director</FONT>&nbsp; </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV><BR>
<HR align=center width="100%" noShade SIZE=2>

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s8-401k.htm -- Converted by SEC Publisher, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 12, 2009
Registration No. 333-_________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
----------------------
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
----------------------
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
42-1520346
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
711 High Street
Des Moines, Iowa
50392
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
The Principal Select Savings Plan For Individual Field
The Principal Select Savings Plan For Employees
(Full title of the plans)
Karen E. Shaff, Esq.
Executive Vice President And General Counsel
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
711 High Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50392
(515) 247-5111
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Page 2
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
----------------------
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
Amount to be
Proposed
Proposed
Amount of
to be registered
registered
maximum
maximum
registration fee
offering price per
aggregate
share(3)
offering price(3)
Common Stock
$.01 par value
5,000,000 shares
$21.65
$108,250,000.00
$4,255.00
(1), (2)
(1)
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement includes an indeterminate number of additional shares as may be issuable as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding common shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc.
(2)
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field and The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 based upon the average ($21.65) of the high ($22.55) and low ($20.74) sales prices of the registrant's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on January 9, 2009.
Page 3
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
As permitted by Part I of Form S-8, this Registration Statement omits the information specified in Part I. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to the participants in the plans covered by this Registration Statement, as required by Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act of 1933. Such documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by Principal Financial Group, Inc. are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(a)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on February 27, 2008, which
contains audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for
which such statements have been filed;
(b)
The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employee's Annual Report on Form 11-K for
the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on June 30, 2008;
(c)
The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field's Annual Report on Form 11-
K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Commission on June 30,
2008;
(d)
The Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008 filed with the Commission
on May 7, 2008, August 6, 2008 and November 5, 2008, respectively, and the
Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February
26, 2008, March 25, 2008, May 23, 2008, October 14, 2008, and December 2, 2008;
and
(e)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock and the rights associated with
such Common Stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statements on
Form 8-A, dated October 10, 2001, including any amendments or reports filed for the
purpose of updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by Principal Financial Group, Inc. or any of the plans covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have
Page 4
been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or 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 this Registration Statement.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Not applicable (the Registrant's Common Stock is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not Applicable.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The directors and officers of Principal Financial Group, Inc. may be indemnified against liabilities, fines, penalties and claims imposed upon or asserted against them as provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law and the company's certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws. Such indemnification covers all costs and expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as such. The board of directors, by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors or, under certain circumstances, independent counsel appointed by the board of directors, must determine that the director or officer seeking indemnification was not guilty of willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the company's certificate of incorporation may, under certain circumstances, eliminate the liability of directors and officers in a stockholder or derivative proceeding.
If the person involved is not a director or officer of Principal Financial Group, Inc., the board of directors may cause the company to indemnify, to the same extent allowed for the company's directors and officers, such person who was or is a party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an employee or agent of the company, or is or was serving at the company's request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.
The company has policies in force and effect to insure its directors and officers against such losses that they or any of them will become legally obligated to pay by reason of any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement or act or omission or neglect or breach of duty by such directors and officers in the discharge of their duties, solely by reason of their being
Page 5
directors or officers. Such coverage is limited by the specific terms and provisions of the insurance policies.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
An Exhibit Index, containing a list of all exhibits filed with this Registration Statement, is included below on page ten. The company hereby undertakes, with respect to the plans described herein that are or are to be qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, that it has submitted or will submit such plans and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner and has made or will make all necessary changes required by the Internal Revenue Service in order to qualify such plans.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) Rule 415 Offering. The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-
effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933, unless the information that would be required to be included in a post-
effective amendment is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in this Registration Statement, unless the information that would be required to be included in a
post-effective amendment is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20
percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in this Registration Statement.
Page 6
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)
Subsequent Exchange Act Documents. The undersigned registrant hereby
undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Indemnification. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that
a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Page 7
SIGNATURES
The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on January 12, 2009.
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By
/s/
Larry D. Zimpleman
Larry D. Zimpleman
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ J. Barry Griswell
Chairman of the Board
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
and Director
J. Barry Griswell
/s/ Larry D. Zimpleman
President and Chief Executive
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Officer and Director (principal
Larry D. Zimpleman
executive officer)
/s/ Terrance J. Lillis
Senior Vice President and
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Chief Financial Officer
Terrance J. Lillis
(principal financial officer and
principal accounting officer)
/s/ Betsy J. Bernard
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Director
Betsy J. Bernard
January ____, 2009
-------------------------------------
Director
Jocelyn Carter-Miller
Page 8
/s/ Gary E. Costley
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Director
Gary E. Costley
/s/ Michael T. Dan
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Director
Michael T. Dan
/s/ C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Director
C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.
/s/ Sandra L. Helton
January 12, 2009
-------------------------------------
Director
Sandra L. Helton
/s/ William T. Kerr
Director
January 12, 2009
--------------------------------------
William T. Kerr
/s/ Richard L. Keyser
Director
January 12, 2009
---------------------------------------
Richard L. Keyser
/s/ Arjun K. Mathrani
Director
January 12, 2009
---------------------------------------
Arjun K. Mathrani
Director
January ____, 2009
---------------------------------------
Elizabeth E. Tallett
Director
January ____, 2009
---------------------------------------
Therese M. Vaughan
Page 9
The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Administrator of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on January 12, 2009.
THE PRINCIPAL SELECT SAVINGS
PLAN FOR INDIVIDUAL FIELD
By
Principal Life Insurance Company
Benefit Plans Administration Committee
By
/s/ Ralph C. Eucher
__________________
Committee Member
The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Administrator of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Des Moines, State of Iowa, on January 12, 2009.
THE PRINCIPAL SELECT SAVINGS
PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES
By
Principal Life Insurance Company
Benefit Plans Administration Committee
By
/s/ Ralph C. Eucher
_____________________
Committee Member
Page 10
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Description
Method of
Filing
4.1
Form of Certificate for the Common Stock of Principal Financial
Group, Inc. (1)
Incorporated by
Reference
4.2
Form of Stockholder Rights Agreement (2)
Incorporated by
Reference
23
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Electronic
Transmission
24
Powers of Attorney
Electronic
Transmission
--------------------------------
(1)
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Principal Financial Group, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-62558).
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Principal Financial Group, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (Commission File No. 001-16725).
Page 11
Exhibit 23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement (Form S-8) pertaining to The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field and The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees, of our reports (a) dated February 19, 2008 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Principal Financial Group, Inc, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Principal Financial Group, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K), (b) dated June 20, 2008 with respect to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field included in its Plan's Annual Report (Form 11-K), and (c) dated June 20 2008 with respect to the financial statements and supplemental schedule of The Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees included in its Annual Report (Form 11-K) all for the year ended December 31 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young
Des Moines, Iowa
January 7, 2009
Page 12
Exhibit 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Larry D. Zimpleman, Terrance J. Lillis, Karen E. Shaff and Joyce N. Hoffman, and each of them, as such person's true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign on such person's behalf individually and in each capacity stated below a Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the registration of 5,000,000 shares of Principal Financial Group, Inc. common stock to be issued under the Principal Select Savings Plan for Employees and the Principal Select Savings Plan for Individual Field, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all amendments and supplements to said registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact or agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Dated January 6, 2009
/s/ J. Barry Griswell
_______
/s/ C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.
J. Barry Griswell
C. Daniel Gelatt, Jr.
Chairman of the Board and Director
Director
/s/ Larry. D. Zimpleman
/s/ Sandra L. Helton
Larry D. Zimpleman
Sandra L. Helton
President, Chief Executive Officer
Director
and Director
/s/ Terrance J. Lillis
/s/ William T. Kerr
Terrance J. Lillis
William T. Kerr
Senior Vice President and Chief
Director
Financial Officer
/s/ Betsy J. Bernard
/s/ Richard L. Keyser
Betsy J. Bernard
Richard L. Keyser
Director
Director
_________________
/s/ Arjun K. Mathrani
Jocelyn Carter-Miller
Arjun K. Mathrani
Director
Director
/s/
Gary E. Costley
__________________
Gary E. Costley
Elizabeth E. Tallett
Director
Director
/s/ Michael T. Dan
__________________
Michael T. Dan
Therese M. Vaughan
Director
Director