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      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>
      <flags>
        <confirmingCopyFlag>false</confirmingCopyFlag>
        <returnCopyFlag>false</returnCopyFlag>
        <overrideInternetFlag>false</overrideInternetFlag>
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      <filer>
        <credentials>
          <cik>0000009712</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
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      <periodOfReport>06-30-2022</periodOfReport>
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    <coverPage>
      <reportCalendarOrQuarter>06-30-2022</reportCalendarOrQuarter>
      <isAmendment>false</isAmendment>
      <filingManager>
        <name>PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE CO</name>
        <address>
          <ns1:street1>711 HIGH STREET</ns1:street1>
          <ns1:city>DES MOINES</ns1:city>
          <ns1:stateOrCountry>IA</ns1:stateOrCountry>
          <ns1:zipCode>50392-0300</ns1:zipCode>
        </address>
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      <reportType>13F NOTICE</reportType>
      <form13FFileNumber>028-00793</form13FFileNumber>
      <otherManagersInfo>
        <otherManager>
          <cik>0001126328</cik>
          <form13FFileNumber>028-10106</form13FFileNumber>
          <name>PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC</name>
        </otherManager>
      </otherManagersInfo>
      <provideInfoForInstruction5>N</provideInfoForInstruction5>
    </coverPage>
    <signatureBlock>
      <name>Jill Hittner</name>
      <title>Chief Financial Officer, Principal Global Investors, LLC</title>
      <phone>515-248-2153</phone>
      <signature>/s/Jill Hittner</signature>
      <city>Des Moines</city>
      <stateOrCountry>IA</stateOrCountry>
      <signatureDate>08-03-2022</signatureDate>
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