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            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="4">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="2">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 18pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <font size="2">__________________</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="4">FORM 8-K</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 18pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="2">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="2">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="2">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font size="2">Date
            of Report:</font> <b><font size="2">March 20, 2008</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font size="2">(Date
            of earliest event reported)</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="4">PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <font size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

            <div align="left">
                <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" border="0">
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                        <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.07in; PADDING-LEFT: 0.07in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="top" width="217">
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                            <b><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">Delaware</font></b></p>
                        </td>

                        <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.07in; PADDING-LEFT: 0.07in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="top" width="217">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES'" align="center">
                            <b><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">1-16725</font></b></p>
                        </td>

                        <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.07in; PADDING-LEFT: 0.07in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="top" width="217">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES'" align="center">
                            <b><font style="FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">42-1520346</font></b></p>
                        </td>
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                            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">(State
                            of other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></b></p>
                        </td>

                        <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.07in; PADDING-LEFT: 0.07in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="top" width="217">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES'" align="center">
                            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">(Commission
                            file number)</font></b></p>
                        </td>

                        <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0.07in; PADDING-LEFT: 0.07in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="top" width="217">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES'" align="center">
                            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">(I.R.S.
                            Employer Identification Number)</font></b></p>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
            </div>

            <div align="left">
                &nbsp;
            </div>

            <div align="left">
                &nbsp;
            </div>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="2">711 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <font size="2">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <b><font size="2">(515) 247-5111</font></b></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <font size="2">(Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including area code)</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">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:</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
            <font size="2">[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ]
            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">Written
            communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
            230.425)</font></b></font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
            <font size="2">[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ]
            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">Soliciting
            material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
            240.14a-12)</font></b></font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
            <font size="2">[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ]
            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">Pre-commencement
            communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act</font></b></font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
            <font size="2"><b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
            &nbsp;(17 CFR&nbsp;240.14d-2(b))</font></b></font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
            <font size="2">[&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ]
            <b><font style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-FAMILY: 'TIMES NEW ROMAN'">Pre-commencement
            communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR&nbsp;<br>
             &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;240.13e-4(c))</font></b></font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 18pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <font size="2">__________________</font></p>
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                <tr>
                    <td width="87"><strong><font size="2">5.02</font></strong></td>

                    <td width="499"><strong><font size="2">Departure of Directors or Certain
                    Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory
                    Arrangements of Certain Officers</font></strong></td>

                    <td width="2">
                    </td>

                    <td width="12">
                    </td>
                </tr>
            </table>
            <br>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><font size="2">J.
            Barry Griswell, chairman and chief executive officer of Principal Financial Group, Inc.
            and its subsidiary Principal Life Insurance Company, plans to retire from the companies
            on December 31, 2008. Principal Financial Group, Inc. and Principal Life Insurance
            Company announced on February 26, 2008 that Larry D. Zimpleman will assume the role of
            chief executive officer, succeeding Mr. Griswell, on May 1, 2008. Mr. Griswell will
            serve as executive chairman from May 1, 2008 until his retirement.</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <font size="2">SIGNATURE</font></p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 12pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify">
            <font size="2">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-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

            <div align="left">
                <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="579" border="0">
                    <tr>
                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="288">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            &nbsp;</p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="291">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></p>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
            </div>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

            <div align="left">
                <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="488" border="0">
                    <tr>
                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="288">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            &nbsp;</p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="48">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">By:</font></p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="152">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <u><font size="2">/s/Joyce N. Hoffman</font></u></p>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
            </div>

            <div align="left">
                <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="473" border="0">
                    <tr>
                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="288">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            &nbsp;</p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="48">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">Name:</font></p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="137">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">Joyce N. Hoffman</font></p>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
            </div>

            <div align="left">
                <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0">
                    <tr>
                        <td valign="top" width="288">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            &nbsp;</p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" width="48">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">Title:</font></p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary</font></p>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
            </div>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 3in; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
            &nbsp;</p>

            <div align="left">
                <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="169" border="0">
                    <tr>
                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="48">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">Date:</font></p>
                        </td>

                        <td valign="top" nowrap width="121">
                            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">
                            <font size="2">March 25, 2008</font></p>
                        </td>
                    </tr>
                </table>
            </div>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>

            <p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</p>
            <!-- EEDocs PBStart--><!-- EEDocs PBEnd-->

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{"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": "08708564"}, "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"}}
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:
March 20, 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
                            of other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission
                            file number)
(I.R.S.
                            Employer 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:
[     ]
Written
            communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
            230.425)
[     ]
Soliciting
            material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
            240.14a-12)
[     ]
Pre-commencement
            communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[     ]
Pre-commencement
            communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
__________________
5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain
                    Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory
                    Arrangements of Certain Officers
J.
            Barry Griswell, chairman and chief executive officer of Principal Financial Group, Inc.
            and its subsidiary Principal Life Insurance Company, plans to retire from the companies
            on December 31, 2008. Principal Financial Group, Inc. and Principal Life Insurance
            Company announced on February 26, 2008 that Larry D. Zimpleman will assume the role of
            chief executive officer, succeeding Mr. Griswell, on May 1, 2008. Mr. Griswell will
            serve as executive chairman from May 1, 2008 until his retirement.
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:
March 25, 2008