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<div><a name="s71dba24bd4eb420bb144a3f20149f4f3"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:180%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:center;-sec-extract:summary;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:24px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">__________________</font></div><div style="line-height:200%;padding-bottom:13px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8-K</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:24px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Date of Report: </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">December 3, 2018</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">(Date of earliest event reported)</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:16pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:16pt;font-weight:bold;">PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:484px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:173px;"></td><td style="width:166px;"></td><td style="width:144px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">1-16725</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">42-1520346</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(State or other jurisdiction</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Commission file number)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(I.R.S. Employer</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">of incorporation)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Identification Number)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">711 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(515) 247-5111</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code)</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">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></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">[     ]&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">[     ]&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">[     ]&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div><div style="line-height:140%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">[     ]&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div><div style="line-height:100%;padding-bottom:24px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:11pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:11pt;">__________________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 8.01  Other Events</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Principal Financial Group, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) has received notice of an unsolicited &#8220;mini-tender&#8221; offer by Baker Mills LLC (&#8220;Baker Mills&#8221;) to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company&#8217;s common stock.  The offer price of $40.00 per share is approximately 17 percent lower than the $ 48.31per share closing price for the Company&#8217;s common stock on December 3, 2018, the offer date.  The shares subject to Baker Mills' offer represent approximately 0.04 percent of the shares of the Company&#8217;s outstanding common stock as of the date of the offer.  This is the sixth such offer (not including two amended offers) Baker Mills made to Company shareholders this year.  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">The company does not endorse Baker Mills' unsolicited mini-tender offer and is not associated in any way with Baker Mills, its mini-tender offer, or its mini-tender offer documents.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">On December 7, 2018, the Company issued the press release attached to this Report as Exhibit 99, informing its shareholders that the Company does not endorse Baker Mills unsolicited mini-tender offer and recommending that shareholders not tender their shares to Baker Mills.  Shareholders who have already tendered their shares may withdraw them at any time prior to the expiration of the offer, in accordance with Baker Mills' offering documents. Baker Mills' offer is currently scheduled to expire at 8:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Additional information concerning mini-tender offers is included, or referred to, in the attached press release.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:682px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:133px;"></td><td style="width:549px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#0000FF;-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="pressrelease120318-01.htm"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">99</font></a></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="font-size:12pt;"><a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#0000FF;-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="pressrelease120318-01.htm"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Press Release of Principal Financial Group, Inc. dated December 7, 2018</font></a></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">SIGNATURE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">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></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:683px;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:262px;"></td><td style="width:420px;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">By: /s/ John Egan</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Name:&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;John Egan</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;padding-left:336px;text-indent:-336px;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Title: Vice President - Investor Relations</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Date: December 7, 2018</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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Document
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:
December 3, 2018
(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:
[     ]    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))
__________________
Item 8.01  Other Events
Principal Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company") has received notice of an unsolicited "mini-tender" offer by Baker Mills LLC ("Baker Mills") to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock.  The offer price of $40.00 per share is approximately 17 percent lower than the $ 48.31per share closing price for the Company's common stock on December 3, 2018, the offer date.  The shares subject to Baker Mills' offer represent approximately 0.04 percent of the shares of the Company's outstanding common stock as of the date of the offer.  This is the sixth such offer (not including two amended offers) Baker Mills made to Company shareholders this year.
The company does not endorse Baker Mills' unsolicited mini-tender offer and is not associated in any way with Baker Mills, its mini-tender offer, or its mini-tender offer documents.
On December 7, 2018, the Company issued the press release attached to this Report as Exhibit 99, informing its shareholders that the Company does not endorse Baker Mills unsolicited mini-tender offer and recommending that shareholders not tender their shares to Baker Mills.  Shareholders who have already tendered their shares may withdraw them at any time prior to the expiration of the offer, in accordance with Baker Mills' offering documents. Baker Mills' offer is currently scheduled to expire at 8:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Additional information concerning mini-tender offers is included, or referred to, in the attached press release.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
99
Press Release of Principal Financial Group, Inc. dated December 7, 2018
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/ John Egan
Name:    John Egan
Title: Vice President - Investor Relations
Date: December 7, 2018