Name:	pfg_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesNetOfRecoveriesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	pfg_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The amount by which the fair value of an investment in securities categorized as available-for-sale is less than or more than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

No definition available.

Name:	pfg_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecoveriesInvestmentsAvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	pfg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), recognized in earnings.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118954083&loc=SL6284422-111562

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRecognizedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount, before tax, of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118930883&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118954083&loc=SL6284422-111562

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAvailableforsaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of other than temporary impairment losses on investments in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale which have been recognized in earnings during the period. Such impairment losses consist of other than temporary impairments (OTTI) on equity securities, credit losses on investments in debt securities, and when the entity intends to sell an impaired debt security or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

No definition available.