<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>false</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001079577</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STANCORP FINANCIAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001476802</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McMillan Daniel J.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1100 SW 6TH AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97204</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>false</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP Employee Benefits</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option RTB 02232015</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Restricted Stock Unit represented a contingent right to receive one share of SFG stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">This option was granted on February 23, 2015 and becomes exercisable in four equal installments on the first four anniversaries of December 31, 2014.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">This option was granted on February 13, 2012 and became exercisable in four equal installments on the first four anniversaries December 31, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">This option was granted on February 11, 2013 and becomes exercisable in four equal installments on the first four anniversaries December 31, 2012.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Holley Y. Franklin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-01-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
