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  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center"></div>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or
  15(d)&nbsp;of the</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report:&#160; <b>May&nbsp;19, 2008</b></font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Date of earliest event
  reported)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
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    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-16725</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">42-1520346</font></b></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other
    jurisdiction</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission file
    number)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(I.R.S. Employer</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">of incorporation)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Identification Number)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">711 High
  Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal
  executive offices)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(515)
  247-5111</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Registrant&#146;s telephone
  number, including area code)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended
  to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
  the following provisions:</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written communications
  pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting material
  pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
  
  <div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 6.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">
  
  <p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\Vmeane\08-15178-1\task2958029\15178-1-ba.htm',USER='vmeane',CD='May 23 15:02 2008' -->
  
  
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  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item
  5.02</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:8.5pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Departure of Directors
  or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
  Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On May&nbsp;19, 2008, <font style="letter-spacing:-.1pt;">the Board of Directors of Principal Financial Group,&nbsp;Inc. (the
  &#147;Company&#148;) appointed Terry J. Lillis </font>to the position of senior vice
  president effective immediately, and to the position of chief financial officer
  effective August&nbsp;7, 2008.&#160;
  Mr.&nbsp;Lillis currently holds the position of vice president and chief
  financial officer for the Retirement&nbsp;&amp; Investor Services division of
  the Company.&#160; A press release on this
  topic is included with this report as Exhibit&nbsp;99.&#160; Michael H. Gersie currently serves as the
  Company&#146;s executive vice president and chief&#160;
  financial officer.&#160;
  Mr.&nbsp;Gersie previously announced his intention to retire no later
  than December&nbsp;31, 2008.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:-.1pt;">In connection with his promotion,
  Mr.&nbsp;Lillis&#146; annual salary will be $319,000, subject to periodic adjustment
  in accordance with the Company&#146;s regular salary review policy.&#160; In addition, Mr.&nbsp;Lillis&#160; will participate in the Company&#146;s annual and
  long-term incentive compensation plans, qualified and non-qualified savings and
  retirement plans and other benefits as described in the Company&#146;s current proxy
  statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;9,
  2008.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:-.1pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Lillis&#146; annual incentive
  target will be 70% of salary, and his long-term incentive award opportunity is
  175% of salary for target performance.&#160;
  Mr.&nbsp;Lillis will also receive in connection with his promotion a
  long-term incentive grant of $300,000 pursuant to the Company&#146;s long-term
  incentive plan, representing a grant equal to 150% of salary, less the value of
  prior 2008 grants.&#160; Realized compensation
  may vary considerably above or below the target award opportunity based on the
  Company&#146;s performance and changes in share price over a three-year performance
  cycle subsequent to the grant.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01 Financial Statements and
  Exhibits</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99&#160;&#160;&#160; Press
  Release Announcing Lillis Promotion</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURE</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned thereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="53%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.32%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.32%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.32%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.64%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/Joyce N. Hoffman</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.64%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Joyce N. Hoffman</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.64%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.68%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;May&nbsp;23, 2008</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  <div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
  
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a08-15178_18k.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 19785}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC", "cik": "0001126328", "assigned-sic": "6321", "irs-number": "421520346", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-16725", "film-number": "08858393"}, "business-address": {"street1": "711 HIGH STREET", "city": "DES MOINES", "state": "IA", "zip": "50392-0300", "phone": "5152475111"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "711 HIGH STREET", "city": "DES MOINES", "state": "IA", "zip": "50392-0300"}}
text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or
  15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report:
  May 19, 2008
  (Date of earliest event
  reported)
  PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
  (Exact
  name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  1-16725
  42-1520346
  (State or other
    jurisdiction
  (Commission file
    number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation)
  Identification Number)
  711 High
  Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392
  (Address of principal
  executive offices)
  (515)
  247-5111
  (Registrant's telephone
  number, including area code)
  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
  to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
  the following provisions:
  o
  Written communications
  pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  o
  Soliciting material
  pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  o
  Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
  CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item
  5.02
  Departure of Directors
  or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;
  Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
  On May 19, 2008,
  the Board of Directors of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (the
  "Company") appointed Terry J. Lillis
  to the position of senior vice
  president effective immediately, and to the position of chief financial officer
  effective August 7, 2008. 
  Mr. Lillis currently holds the position of vice president and chief
  financial officer for the Retirement & Investor Services division of
  the Company.  A press release on this
  topic is included with this report as Exhibit 99.  Michael H. Gersie currently serves as the
  Company's executive vice president and chief 
  financial officer. 
  Mr. Gersie previously announced his intention to retire no later
  than December 31, 2008.
  In connection with his promotion,
  Mr. Lillis' annual salary will be $319,000, subject to periodic adjustment
  in accordance with the Company's regular salary review policy.  In addition, Mr. Lillis  will participate in the Company's annual and
  long-term incentive compensation plans, qualified and non-qualified savings and
  retirement plans and other benefits as described in the Company's current proxy
  statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 9,
  2008.
  Mr. Lillis' annual incentive
  target will be 70% of salary, and his long-term incentive award opportunity is
  175% of salary for target performance. 
  Mr. Lillis will also receive in connection with his promotion a
  long-term incentive grant of $300,000 pursuant to the Company's long-term
  incentive plan, representing a grant equal to 150% of salary, less the value of
  prior 2008 grants.  Realized compensation
  may vary considerably above or below the target award opportunity based on the
  Company's performance and changes in share price over a three-year performance
  cycle subsequent to the grant.
  Item 9.01 Financial Statements and
  Exhibits
  99    Press
  Release Announcing Lillis Promotion
  SIGNATURE
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
  the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
  PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
  By:
  /s/Joyce N. Hoffman
  Name:
  Joyce N. Hoffman
  Title:
  Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary
  Date:   May 23, 2008
  2