X0202 4 2005-12-15 0001126328 PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC PFG 0001166853 GRISWELL J BARRY 711 HIGH STREET DES MOINES IA 50392 1 1 0 0 Chairman, President/CEO Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 M 0 103800 27.48 A 207692 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 200 49.57 D 207492 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 600 49.59 D 206892 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 200 49.60 D 206692 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 500 49.61 D 206192 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 300 49.62 D 205892 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 100 49.63 D 205792 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 100 49.64 D 205692 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1000 49.65 D 204692 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1000 49.66 D 203692 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1700 49.67 D 201992 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1800 49.68 D 200192 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 2100 49.69 D 198092 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 2000 49.70 D 196092 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1600 49.71 D 194492 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1400 49.72 D 193092 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 1300 49.73 D 191792 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 4500 49.74 D 187292 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 5400 49.75 D 181892 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 5300 49.76 D 176592 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 5100 49.77 D 171492 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 5100 49.78 D 166392 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 8800 49.79 D 157592 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 4100 49.80 D 153492 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 2100 49.81 D 151392 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 4300 49.82 D 147092 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 7600 49.83 D 139492 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 2400 49.84 D 137092 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 7400 49.85 D 129692 D Common Stock 2005-12-15 4 S 0 2200 49.86 D 127492 D Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) 27.48 2005-12-15 4 M 0 103800 0 D 2012-04-29 Common Stock 103800 54260 D Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) 27.48 2005-12-16 4 M 0 54260 0 D 2012-04-29 Common Stock 54260 0 D Pursuant to a 10b5-1 plan adopted September 15, 2005, and amended November 9, 2005. Includes 2,292 shares acquired pursuant to the Principal Financial Group, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The option vested in three equal annual installments beginning April 29, 2003. This is the first of two Form 4s filed by the reporting person on the same date. Joyce N. Hoffman, by Power of Attorney 2005-12-19