FIRST AMENDMENT

dated as of March 20, 2012 to the

RULE 22c-2 AGREEMENT

dated as of April 16, 2007 among

WELLS FARGO VARIABLE TRUST and WELLS FARGO FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC (collectively, the "Fund"), and PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (the "Company"), with an effective date of October 16, 2007 (the "Agreement").

The parties have previously entered into the Agreement and have now agreed to amend the Agreement by the terms of this First Amendment (this "Amendment").

Accordingly, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in this Amendment, the parties agree as follows:

1. Amendment of the Agreement

(a) Joinder. PRINCIPAL NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("PNL"), an Iowa life insurance company, shall be an additional party to the Agreement as of the date of this Amendment. All references in the Agreement to "Company" shall mean Principal Life Insurance Company and/or PNL, as applicable.

(b) Consent. PNL agrees to be bound by all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Agreement as of the date of this Amendment.

2. Representations

Each party represents to the other party in respect of the Agreement, as amended pursuant to this Amendment, that all representations made by it pursuant to the Agreement are true and accurate as of the date of this Amendment.

3. Miscellaneous

(a) Entire Agreement; Restatement.

(i) This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all oral communication and prior writings (except as otherwise provided herein) with respect thereto.

(ii) Except for any amendment to the Agreement made pursuant to this Amendment, all terms and conditions of the Agreement will continue in full force and effect in accordance with its provisions on the date of this Amendment. References to the Agreement will be to the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.

(b) Amendments. No amendment, modification or waiver in respect of the matters contemplated by this Amendment will be effective unless made in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

(c) Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

(d) Headings. The headings used in this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Amendment with effect from the date specified first on the first page of this Amendment.

WELLS FARGO VARIABLE TRUST

By: /s/Andrew Owen

Name: Andrew Owen

Title: Assistant Secretary

WELLS FARGO FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, LLC

By: /s/Randy Henze

Name: Randy Henze

Title: Senior Vice President

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By: /s/Sara Wiener

Name: Sara Wiener

Title: Director - Life Product Management

PRINCIPAL NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By: /s/Sara Wiener

Name: Sara Wiener

Title: Director - Life Product Management