PART B

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(the “Depositor”)

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B

(the “Registrant”)

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT PLUS VARIABLE ANNUITY^SM 

(FOR APPLICATIONS SIGNED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1, 2013)

Statement of Additional Information

dated August 1, 2013

This Statement of Additional Information provides information about the Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity (the “Contract”) in addition to the information that is contained in the Contract’s Prospectus dated August 1, 2013.

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, a copy of which can be obtained free of charge by writing or calling:

Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity

The Principal Financial Group

P.O. Box 9382

Des Moines Iowa 50306-9382

Telephone: 1-800-852-4450

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY	3
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	3
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER	3
CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA	4
TAXATION UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS	10
Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	15
Financial Statements	16
Principal Life Insurance Company
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	137
Financial Statements	138

2

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Principal Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) is the issuer of the Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity (the “Contract”) and serves as custodian of its assets. The Company is a stock life insurance company with authority to transact life and annuity business in all states of the United States and the District of Columbia. The Company’s home office is located at: Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa 50392. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc., which in turn, is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Principal Financial Group, Inc., a publicly-traded company.

On June 24,1879, the Company was incorporated under Iowa law as a mutual assessment life insurance company named Bankers Life Association. The Company became a legal reserve life insurance company and changed its name to Bankers Life Company in 1911. In 1986, the Company changed its name to Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1998, the Company became Principal Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary stock life insurance company of Principal Mutual Holding Company, as part of a reorganization into a mutual insurance holding company structure. In 2001, Principal Mutual Holding Company converted to a stock company through a process called demutualization, resulting in the current organizational structure.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP, 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 3000, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B and the Principal Life Insurance Company.

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

The principal underwriter of the Contract is Princor Financial Services Corporation (“Princor”) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc. and an affiliate of the Company. The address of Princor is the Principal Financial Group, 650 8th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392-0200. Princor was incorporated in Iowa in 1968 and is a securities broker-dealer registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as well as a member of the FINRA. The Contracts may also be sold through other broker-dealers authorized by Princor and applicable law to do so. Registered representatives of such broker-dealers may be paid on a different basis than described below.

3

CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA

The Separate Account may publish advertisements containing information (including graphs, charts, tables and examples) about the performance of one or more of its divisions. Separate performance figures will be shown for the Contract without the premium payment credit rider and for the Contract with the premium payment credit rider.

The Contract was not offered prior to August 1, 2013. However, the certain divisions invest in underlying mutual funds which were offered prior to the date the Contract was available. Thus, the Separate Account may publish advertisements containing information about the hypothetical performance of one or more of its divisions for this Contract as the Contract was issued on or after the date the underlying mutual fund was first offered. The hypothetical performance from the date of inception of the underlying mutual fund in which the division invests is derived by reducing the actual performance of the underlying mutual fund by the highest level of fees and charges of the Contract as if it had been in existence.

In addition, as certain of the underlying mutual funds have added classes since the inception of the fund, performance may be shown for periods prior to the inception date of the new class which represents the historical results of initial class shares adjusted to reflect the fees and expenses of the new class.

The yield and total return figures described below will vary depending upon market conditions, the composition of the underlying mutual fund’s portfolios and operating expenses. These factors and possible differences in the methods used in calculating yield and total return should be considered when comparing the Separate Account performance figures to performance figures published for other investment vehicles.

The Separate Account may also quote rankings, yields or returns as published by independent statistical services or publishers and information regarding performance of certain market indices. Any performance data quoted for the Separate Account represents only historical performance and is not intended to indicate future performance.

From time to time the Separate Account advertises its Money Market Division’s “yield” and “effective yield” for the Contract. Both yield figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The “yield” of the division refers to the income generated by an investment under the Contract in the division over a 7-day period (which period will be stated in the advertisement). This income is then “annualized.” That is, the amount of income generated by the investment during that week is assumed to be generated each week over a 52-week period and is shown as a percentage of the investment. The “effective yield” is calculated similarly but, when annualized, the income earned by an investment in the division is assumed to be reinvested. The “effective yield” will be slightly higher than the “yield” because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment. Neither yield quotation reflects a sales load deducted from purchase payments which, if included, would reduce the “yield” and “effective yield.”

	Yield For the Period Ended December 31, 2012
For Contracts:	7-Day Annualized Yield	7-Day Effective Yield
without a surrender charge or a Purchase Payment Credit Rider	-1.27%	-1.28%
with a surrender charge but without a Purchase Payment Credit Rider	-7.27%	-7.28%
without a surrender charge but with a Purchase Payment Credit Rider	-1.87%	-1.88%

Also, from time to time, the Separate Account will advertise the average annual total return of its various divisions. The average annual total return for any of the divisions is computed by calculating the average annual compounded rate of return over the stated period that would equate an initial $1,000 investment to the ending redeemable Contract value. In this calculation for the Contract without the Premium Payment Credit Rider, the ending value is reduced by a surrender charge that decreases from 6% to 0% over a period of 7 years. For the calculations relating to the Contract with the Premium Payment Credit Rider, the ending value is reduced by a surrender charge that decreases from 8% to 0% over a period of 9 years. The Separate Account may also advertise total return figures for its divisions for a specified period that does not take into account the surrender charge in order to illustrate the change in the division’s unit value over time. See “Charges and Deductions” in the Prospectus for a discussion of surrender charges.

4

Following are the hypothetical average annual total returns for the period ending December 31, 2012 assuming the Contract had been offered as of the effective dates of the underlying mutual funds in which the divisions invest (the performance calculations with Surrender Charge are in accordance with the SEC standard, while the performance calculations without the Surrender Charge are not in accordance with the SEC standard):

	For Contracts without the Premium Payment Credit Rider and with Surrender Charge
Division	Effective Date	One Year		Five Years		Ten Years		Since Inception
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth	08/15/1996	7.56	%	3.02	%	9.73	%
Alliance Bernstein Small/Mid Cap Value	05/02/2001	11.71	%	3.45	%	9.11	%
American Century VP Inflation Protection	12/31/2002	0.02	%	4.62	%	4.21	%
American Century VP Mid Cap Value	10/29/2004	8.75	%	4.23	%			7.04	%
American Century VP Ultra	05/01/2001	6.33	%	-1.06	%	4.18	%
American Century VP Vista	10/05/2001	8.14	%	-5.65	%	7.06	%
Asset Allocation	06/01/1994	6.09	%	0.58	%	5.74	%
Bond & Mortgage Securities	12/18/1987	0.17	%	3.35	%	3.27	%
Delaware VIP Small Cap Value	05/01/2000	6.64	%	4.68	%	9.35	%
Diversified Balanced	12/30/2009	2.31	%					5.23	%
Diversified Growth	12/30/2009	4.21	%					5.88	%
Diversified Income	05/15/2012							4.57	%
Diversified International	05/02/1994	10.93	%	-5.61	%	7.98	%
Dreyfus Technology Growth	08/31/1999	7.88	%	3.01	%	7.50	%
DWS Small Mid Cap Value	05/01/1996	6.39	%	0.70	%	9.60	%
Equity Income	04/28/1998	5.57	%	-0.02	%	7.38	%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund	01/03/1995	8.66	%	-1.43	%	7.33	%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income	11/03/1986	9.56	%	-1.81	%	5.07	%
Fidelity VIP Growth	10/31/1986	6.95	%	-2.86	%	5.03	%
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap	12/28/1998	7.10	%	0.18	%	9.90	%
Fidelity VIP Overseas	01/28/1987	12.97	%	-6.46	%	6.40	%
Franklin Small Cap Value Securities	04/30/1998	10.88	%	2.93	%	8.48	%
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value	05/01/1998	10.96	%	1.16	%	8.37	%
Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity	02/13/1998	5.39	%	2.61	%	6.34	%
Government & High Quality Bond	05/06/1993	-3.41	%	3.56	%	3.27	%
International Emerging Markets	10/24/2000	13.26	%	-3.82	%	15.30	%
Invesco Van Kampen VI Value Opportunities    f.k.a. Invesco VI Basic Value	09/10/2001	10.20	%	-4.62	%	3.21	%
Invesco VI International Growth	05/05/1993	8.21	%	-2.24	%	9.17	%
Invesco VI Small Cap Equity	08/29/2003	6.44	%	2.02	%			6.41	%
LargeCap Blend II	05/01/2002	7.73	%	-0.46	%	5.10	%
LargeCap Growth	05/02/1994	9.36	%	-2.83	%	5.85	%
LargeCap Growth I	06/01/1994	8.89	%	2.83	%	6.56	%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index	05/03/1999	8.03	%	-0.53	%	5.40	%
LargeCap Value	05/13/1970	11.07	%	-1.29	%	5.05	%
MFS VIT New Discovery	05/01/1998	13.84	%	6.28	%	8.58	%
MFS VIT Utilities	01/03/1995	5.77	%	0.60	%	13.06	%
MFS VIT Value	01/02/2002	8.41	%	-0.80	%	6.27	%
MidCap Blend	12/18/1987	11.92	%	5.39	%	10.30	%
Money Market	03/18/1983	-7.28	%	-1.35	%	0.33	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value    f.k.a. Neuberger Berman AMT Partners	03/22/1994	9.11	%	-4.31	%	6.16	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth	07/12/2002	1.43	%	-2.82	%	2.50	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive	02/18/1999	3.56	%	-0.90	%	6.29	%
PIMCO VIT All Asset	04/30/2003	7.48	%	4.43	%			6.15	%
PIMCO VIT High Yield Portfolio	04/30/1998	6.87	%	5.90	%	7.28	%
PIMCO VIT Total Return	12/31/1997	2.21	%	6.14	%	5.10	%

5

	For Contracts without the Premium Payment Credit Rider and with Surrender Charge
Principal Capital Appreciation	04/28/1998	6.38	%	0.72	%	7.92	%
Principal LifeTime 2010	08/30/2004	4.37	%	0.34	%			3.67	%
Principal LifeTime 2020	08/30/2004	7.30	%	-0.04	%			4.16	%
Principal LifeTime 2030	08/30/2004	8.11	%	-0.68	%			3.87	%
Principal LifeTime 2040	08/30/2004	9.23	%	-0.96	%			3.98	%
Principal LifeTime 2050	08/30/2004	9.58	%	-1.21	%			3.91	%
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income	08/30/2004	2.25	%	0.82	%			3.26	%
Real Estate Securities	05/01/1998	9.68	%	4.93	%	11.52	%
SAM Balanced	06/03/1997	5.32	%	1.53	%	6.00	%
SAM Conservative Balanced	04/23/1998	3.77	%	2.61	%	5.43	%
SAM Conservative Growth	06/03/1997	6.73	%	0.04	%	6.22	%
SAM Flexible Income	09/09/1997	3.23	%	3.65	%	4.97	%
SAM Strategic Growth	06/03/1997	8.05	%	-0.89	%	6.37	%
Short-Term Income	01/12/1994	-2.34	%	2.05	%	2.46	%
SmallCap Blend	05/01/1998	7.24	%	-0.25	%	6.74	%
SmallCap Growth II	05/01/1998	8.81	%	-0.08	%	6.64	%
SmallCap Value I	05/01/1998	14.18	%	1.33	%	8.10	%
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth	12/29/2000	10.40	%	0.53	%	6.01	%
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences	12/29/2000	23.33	%	7.34	%	11.94	%
Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets	05/01/2006	-4.21	%	-3.38	%			3.32	%

	For Contracts without the Premium Payment Credit Rider and without Surrender Charge
Division	Effective Date	One Year		Five Years		Ten Years		Since Inception
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth	08/15/1996	13.56	%	3.55	%	9.73	%
Alliance Bernstein Small/Mid Cap Value	05/02/2001	17.71	%	3.97	%	9.11	%
American Century VP Inflation Protection	12/31/2002	6.02	%	5.11	%	4.21	%
American Century VP Mid Cap Value	10/29/2004	14.75	%	4.73	%			7.04	%
American Century VP Ultra	05/01/2001	12.33	%	-0.44	%	4.18	%
American Century VP Vista	10/05/2001	14.14	%	-4.90	%	7.06	%
Asset Allocation	06/01/1994	12.09	%	1.16	%	5.74	%
Bond & Mortgage Securities	12/18/1987	6.17	%	3.87	%	3.27	%
Delaware VIP Small Cap Value	05/01/2000	12.64	%	5.17	%	9.35	%
Diversified Balanced	12/30/2009	8.31	%					6.42	%
Diversified Growth	12/30/2009	10.21	%					7.05	%
Diversified Income	05/15/2012							4.57	%
Diversified International	05/02/1994	16.93	%	-4.86	%	7.98	%
Dreyfus Technology Growth	08/31/1999	13.88	%	3.54	%	7.50	%
DWS Small Mid Cap Value	05/01/1996	12.39	%	1.28	%	9.60	%
Equity Income	04/28/1998	11.57	%	0.57	%	7.38	%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund	01/03/1995	14.66	%	-0.80	%	7.33	%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income	11/03/1986	15.56	%	-1.18	%	5.07	%
Fidelity VIP Growth	10/31/1986	12.95	%	-2.19	%	5.03	%
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap	12/28/1998	13.10	%	0.77	%	9.90	%
Fidelity VIP Overseas	01/28/1987	18.97	%	-5.69	%	6.40	%
Franklin Small Cap Value Securities	04/30/1998	16.88	%	3.46	%	8.48	%
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value	05/01/1998	16.96	%	1.73	%	8.37	%
Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity	02/13/1998	11.39	%	3.14	%	6.34	%
Government & High Quality Bond	05/06/1993	2.59	%	4.08	%	3.27	%
International Emerging Markets	10/24/2000	19.26	%	-3.13	%	15.30	%
Invesco Van Kampen VI Value Opportunities    f.k.a. Invesco VI Basic Value	09/10/2001	16.20	%	-3.91	%	3.21	%
Invesco VI International Growth	05/05/1993	14.21	%	-1.60	%	9.17	%

6

	For Contracts without the Premium Payment Credit Rider and without Surrender Charge
Invesco VI Small Cap Equity	08/29/2003	12.44	%	2.57	%			6.41	%
LargeCap Blend II	05/01/2002	13.73	%	0.15	%	5.10	%
LargeCap Growth	05/02/1994	15.36	%	-2.17	%	5.85	%
LargeCap Growth I	06/01/1994	14.89	%	3.36	%	6.56	%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index	05/03/1999	14.03	%	0.07	%	5.40	%
LargeCap Value	05/13/1970	17.07	%	-0.66	%	5.05	%
MFS VIT New Discovery	05/01/1998	19.84	%	6.75	%	8.58	%
MFS VIT Utilities	01/03/1995	11.77	%	1.18	%	13.06	%
MFS VIT Value	01/02/2002	14.41	%	-0.19	%	6.27	%
MidCap Blend	12/18/1987	17.92	%	5.88	%	10.30	%
Money Market	03/18/1983	-1.28	%	-0.73	%	0.33	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value    f.k.a. Neuberger Berman AMT Partners	03/22/1994	15.11	%	-3.60	%	6.16	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth	07/12/2002	7.43	%	-2.15	%	2.50	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive	02/18/1999	9.56	%	-0.28	%	6.29	%
PIMCO VIT All Asset	04/30/2003	13.48	%	4.93	%			6.15	%
PIMCO VIT High Yield Portfolio	04/30/1998	12.87	%	6.37	%	7.28	%
PIMCO VIT Total Return	12/31/1997	8.21	%	6.61	%	5.10	%
Principal Capital Appreciation	04/28/1998	12.38	%	1.30	%	7.92	%
Principal LifeTime 2010	08/30/2004	10.37	%	0.92	%			3.67	%
Principal LifeTime 2020	08/30/2004	13.30	%	0.55	%			4.16	%
Principal LifeTime 2030	08/30/2004	14.11	%	-0.07	%			3.87	%
Principal LifeTime 2040	08/30/2004	15.23	%	-0.35	%			3.98	%
Principal LifeTime 2050	08/30/2004	15.58	%	-0.59	%			3.91	%
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income	08/30/2004	8.25	%	1.40	%			3.26	%
Real Estate Securities	05/01/1998	15.68	%	5.42	%	11.52	%
SAM Balanced	06/03/1997	11.32	%	2.09	%	6.00	%
SAM Conservative Balanced	04/23/1998	9.77	%	3.15	%	5.43	%
SAM Conservative Growth	06/03/1997	12.73	%	0.64	%	6.22	%
SAM Flexible Income	09/09/1997	9.23	%	4.17	%	4.97	%
SAM Strategic Growth	06/03/1997	14.05	%	-0.28	%	6.37	%
Short-Term Income	01/12/1994	3.66	%	2.60	%	2.46	%
SmallCap Blend	05/01/1998	13.24	%	0.35	%	6.74	%
SmallCap Growth II	05/01/1998	14.81	%	0.51	%	6.64	%
SmallCap Value I	05/01/1998	20.18	%	1.89	%	8.10	%
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth	12/29/2000	16.40	%	1.11	%	6.01	%
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences	12/29/2000	29.33	%	7.78	%	11.94	%
Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets	05/01/2006	1.79	%	-2.70	%			3.32	%

7

	For Contracts with the Premium Payment Credit Rider and with Surrender Charge
Division	Effective Date	One Year		Five Years		Ten Years		Since Inception
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth	08/15/1996	4.87	%	2.20	%	9.08	%
Alliance Bernstein Small/Mid Cap Value	05/02/2001	9.22	%	2.83	%	8.56	%
American Century VP Inflation Protection	12/31/2002	-2.62	%	3.80	%	3.58	%
American Century VP Mid Cap Value	10/29/2004	6.06	%	3.41	%			6.40	%
American Century VP Ultra	05/01/2001	3.66	%	-1.89	%	3.56	%
American Century VP Vista	10/05/2001	5.46	%	-6.50	%	6.42	%
Asset Allocation	06/01/1994	3.41	%	-0.24	%	5.10	%
Bond & Mortgage Securities	12/18/1987	-2.47	%	2.54	%	2.65	%
Delaware VIP Small Cap Value	05/01/2000	4.17	%	3.98	%	8.75	%
Diversified Balanced	12/30/2009	-0.34	%					4.28	%
Diversified Growth	12/30/2009	1.54	%					4.92	%
Diversified Income	05/15/2012							4.16	%
Diversified International	05/02/1994	8.23	%	-6.46	%	7.33	%
Dreyfus Technology Growth	08/31/1999	5.20	%	2.20	%	6.86	%
DWS Small Mid Cap Value	05/01/1996	3.93	%	0.08	%	9.05	%
Equity Income	04/28/1998	2.90	%	-0.85	%	6.73	%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund	01/03/1995	5.97	%	-2.25	%	6.69	%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income	11/03/1986	6.87	%	-2.64	%	4.44	%
Fidelity VIP Growth	10/31/1986	4.27	%	-3.69	%	4.40	%
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap	12/28/1998	4.42	%	-0.64	%	9.25	%
Fidelity VIP Overseas	01/28/1987	10.25	%	-7.31	%	5.76	%
Franklin Small Cap Value Securities	04/30/1998	8.18	%	2.11	%	7.83	%
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value	05/01/1998	8.26	%	0.34	%	7.72	%
Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity	02/13/1998	2.72	%	1.79	%	5.70	%
Government & High Quality Bond	05/06/1993	-6.03	%	2.75	%	2.65	%
International Emerging Markets	10/24/2000	10.55	%	-4.66	%	14.61	%
Invesco Van Kampen VI Value Opportunities    f.k.a. Invesco VI Basic Value	09/10/2001	7.51	%	-5.46	%	2.59	%
Invesco VI International Growth	05/05/1993	5.53	%	-3.08	%	8.52	%
Invesco VI Small Cap Equity	08/29/2003	3.77	%	1.20	%			5.78	%
LargeCap Blend II	05/01/2002	5.05	%	-1.28	%	4.47	%
LargeCap Growth I	06/01/1994	6.20	%	2.02	%	5.92	%
LargeCap Growth	05/02/1994	6.67	%	-3.66	%	5.21	%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index	05/03/1999	5.34	%	-1.36	%	4.77	%
LargeCap Value	05/13/1970	8.37	%	-2.11	%	4.42	%
MFS VIT New Discovery	05/01/1998	11.35	%	5.67	%	8.13	%
MFS VIT Utilities	01/03/1995	3.10	%	-0.22	%	12.38	%
MFS VIT Value	01/02/2002	5.72	%	-1.63	%	5.63	%
MidCap Blend	12/18/1987	9.21	%	4.58	%	9.64	%
Money Market	03/18/1983	-9.87	%	-2.18	%	-0.27	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value    f.k.a. Neuberger Berman AMT Partners	03/22/1994	6.42	%	-5.15	%	5.53	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth	07/12/2002	-1.21	%	-3.65	%	1.89	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive	02/18/1999	0.91	%	-1.72	%	5.65	%
PIMCO VIT All Asset	04/30/2003	4.80	%	3.61	%			5.51	%
PIMCO VIT High Yield Portfolio	04/30/1998	4.20	%	5.08	%	6.63	%
PIMCO VIT Total Return	12/31/1997	-0.45	%	5.32	%	4.47	%
Principal Capital Appreciation	04/28/1998	3.70	%	-0.10	%	7.28	%
Principal LifeTime 2010	08/30/2004	1.70	%	-0.49	%			3.04	%
Principal LifeTime 2020	08/30/2004	4.61	%	-0.87	%			3.54	%
Principal LifeTime 2030	08/30/2004	5.42	%	-1.50	%			3.24	%
Principal LifeTime 2040	08/30/2004	6.54	%	-1.79	%			3.36	%

8

	For Contracts with the Premium Payment Credit Rider and with Surrender Charge
Principal LifeTime 2050	08/30/2004	6.88	%	-2.04	%			3.29	%
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income	08/30/2004	-0.40	%	0.00	%			2.64	%
Real Estate Securities	05/01/1998	6.99	%	4.12	%	10.85	%
SAM Balanced	06/03/1997	2.65	%	0.71	%	5.36	%
SAM Conservative Balanced	04/23/1998	1.11	%	1.79	%	4.79	%
SAM Conservative Growth	06/03/1997	4.05	%	-0.78	%	5.58	%
SAM Flexible Income	09/09/1997	0.57	%	2.84	%	4.34	%
SAM Strategic Growth	06/03/1997	5.37	%	-1.72	%	5.73	%
Short-Term Income	01/12/1994	-4.96	%	1.24	%	1.84	%
SmallCap Blend	05/01/1998	4.56	%	-1.07	%	6.10	%
SmallCap Growth II	05/01/1998	6.12	%	-0.91	%	6.01	%
SmallCap Value I	05/01/1998	11.45	%	0.51	%	7.45	%
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth	12/29/2000	7.70	%	-0.29	%	5.37	%
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences	12/29/2000	20.56	%	6.52	%	11.27	%
Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets	05/01/2006	-6.82	%	-4.22	%			2.44	%

	For Contracts with the Premium Payment Credit Rider and without Surrender Charge
Division	Effective Date	One Year		Five Years		Ten Years		Since Inception
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth	08/15/1996	12.87	%	2.93	%	9.08	%
Alliance Bernstein Small/Mid Cap Value	05/02/2001	17.22	%	3.54	%	8.56	%
American Century VP Inflation Protection	12/31/2002	5.38	%	4.48	%	3.58	%
American Century VP Mid Cap Value	10/29/2004	14.06	%	4.10	%			6.40	%
American Century VP Ultra	05/01/2001	11.66	%	-1.04	%	3.56	%
American Century VP Vista	10/05/2001	13.46	%	-5.47	%	6.42	%
Asset Allocation	06/01/1994	11.41	%	0.55	%	5.10	%
Bond & Mortgage Securities	12/18/1987	5.53	%	3.25	%	2.65	%
Delaware VIP Small Cap Value	05/01/2000	12.17	%	4.66	%	8.75	%
Diversified Balanced	12/30/2009	7.66	%					5.79	%
Diversified Growth	12/30/2009	9.54	%					6.41	%
Diversified Income	05/15/2012							4.16	%
Diversified International	05/02/1994	16.23	%	-5.43	%	7.33	%
Dreyfus Technology Growth	08/31/1999	13.20	%	2.92	%	6.86	%
DWS Small Mid Cap Value	05/01/1996	11.93	%	0.86	%	9.05	%
Equity Income	04/28/1998	10.90	%	-0.03	%	6.73	%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund	01/03/1995	13.97	%	-1.39	%	6.69	%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income	11/03/1986	14.87	%	-1.77	%	4.44	%
Fidelity VIP Growth	10/31/1986	12.27	%	-2.78	%	4.40	%
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap	12/28/1998	12.42	%	0.16	%	9.25	%
Fidelity VIP Overseas	01/28/1987	18.25	%	-6.26	%	5.76	%
Franklin Small Cap Value Securities	04/30/1998	16.18	%	2.83	%	7.83	%
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value	05/01/1998	16.26	%	1.12	%	7.72	%
Goldman Sachs Structured Small Cap Equity	02/13/1998	10.72	%	2.52	%	5.70	%
Government & High Quality Bond	05/06/1993	1.97	%	3.46	%	2.65	%
International Emerging Markets	10/24/2000	18.55	%	-3.71	%	14.61	%
Invesco Van Kampen VI Value Opportunities    f.k.a. Invesco VI Basic Value	09/10/2001	15.51	%	-4.48	%	2.59	%
Invesco VI International Growth	05/05/1993	13.53	%	-2.19	%	8.52	%
Invesco VI Small Cap Equity	08/29/2003	11.77	%	1.95	%			5.78	%
LargeCap Blend II	05/01/2002	13.05	%	-0.45	%	4.47	%
LargeCap Growth I	06/01/1994	14.20	%	2.74	%	5.92	%
LargeCap Growth	05/02/1994	14.67	%	-2.75	%	5.21	%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index	05/03/1999	13.34	%	-0.53	%	4.77	%

9

	For Contracts with the Premium Payment Credit Rider and without Surrender Charge
LargeCap Value	05/13/1970	16.37	%	-1.26	%	4.42	%
MFS VIT New Discovery	05/01/1998	19.35	%	6.31	%	8.13	%
MFS VIT Utilities	01/03/1995	11.10	%	0.57	%	12.38	%
MFS VIT Value	01/02/2002	13.72	%	-0.79	%	5.63	%
MidCap Blend	12/18/1987	17.21	%	5.24	%	9.64	%
Money Market	03/18/1983	-1.87	%	-1.32	%	-0.27	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value    f.k.a. Neuberger Berman AMT Partners	03/22/1994	14.42	%	-4.18	%	5.53	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth	07/12/2002	6.79	%	-2.74	%	1.89	%
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive	02/18/1999	8.91	%	-0.88	%	5.65	%
PIMCO VIT All Asset	04/30/2003	12.80	%	4.30	%			5.51	%
PIMCO VIT High Yield Portfolio	04/30/1998	12.20	%	5.73	%	6.63	%
PIMCO VIT Total Return	12/31/1997	7.55	%	5.97	%	4.47	%
Principal Capital Appreciation	04/28/1998	11.70	%	0.69	%	7.28	%
Principal LifeTime 2010	08/30/2004	9.70	%	0.32	%			3.04	%
Principal LifeTime 2020	08/30/2004	12.61	%	-0.05	%			3.54	%
Principal LifeTime 2030	08/30/2004	13.42	%	-0.67	%			3.24	%
Principal LifeTime 2040	08/30/2004	14.54	%	-0.95	%			3.36	%
Principal LifeTime 2050	08/30/2004	14.88	%	-1.18	%			3.29	%
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income	08/30/2004	7.60	%	0.79	%			2.64	%
Real Estate Securities	05/01/1998	14.99	%	4.79	%	10.85	%
SAM Balanced	06/03/1997	10.65	%	1.48	%	5.36	%
SAM Conservative Balanced	04/23/1998	9.11	%	2.53	%	4.79	%
SAM Conservative Growth	06/03/1997	12.05	%	0.03	%	5.58	%
SAM Flexible Income	09/09/1997	8.57	%	3.54	%	4.34	%
SAM Strategic Growth	06/03/1997	13.37	%	-0.87	%	5.73	%
Short-Term Income	01/12/1994	3.04	%	1.99	%	1.84	%
SmallCap Blend	05/01/1998	12.56	%	-0.25	%	6.10	%
SmallCap Growth II	05/01/1998	14.12	%	-0.09	%	6.01	%
SmallCap Value I	05/01/1998	19.45	%	1.28	%	7.45	%
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth	12/29/2000	15.70	%	0.50	%	5.37	%
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences	12/29/2000	28.56	%	7.14	%	11.27	%
Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets	05/01/2006	1.18	%	-3.28	%			2.70	%

TAXATION UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS

INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES

Contributions. Individuals may make contributions for individual retirement annuity (IRA) contracts. Individuals may make deductible contributions (for any year) up to the lesser of the amount shown in the chart or 100% of compensation.

Individuals age 50 or over are also permitted to make additional “catch-up” contributions. The additional contribution is $1,000 in 2012 and 2013.

Such individuals may establish a traditional IRA for a non-working spouse. The annual contribution for both spouses’ contracts cannot exceed the lesser of the amount shown in the chart or 100% of the working spouse’s compensation. No more than the individual IRA limit may be contributed to either spouse’s IRA for any year.

IRA- Maximum Annual Contribution
Year	Individual IRA	Individual IRA + Spousal IRA
2012	$5,000	$10,000
2013	$5,500	$11,000

For succeeding years, limits are indexed to inflation.

10

Contributions may be tax deductible. If an individual and his/her spouse do not participate in a qualified retirement plan, the contributions to an IRA are fully tax deductible regardless of income. If an individual is an active participant in a qualified retirement plan, his/her ability to deduct the contributions depends upon his/her income level.

For individuals who are not active participants but whose spouses are, deductibility of traditional IRA contributions is phased out if the couple files a joint return and the Adjusted Gross Income is between $178,000 and $188,000 in 2013.

Deductibility of Traditional IRA Contributions for Active Participants
Married Individuals (Filing Jointly)			Single Individual
Year	Limited Deduction	No Deduction	Year	Limited Deduction	No Deduction
2012	$92,000	$112,000	2012	$58,000	$68,000
2013	$95,000	$115,000	2013	$59,000	$69,000

An individual may make non-deductible IRA contributions to the extent of the excess of:

(1)    The lesser of maximum annual contribution or 100% of compensation, over

(2)    The IRA deductible contributions made with respect to the individual.

An individual may not make any contribution to his/her own IRA for the year in which he/she reaches age 70 ½ or for any year thereafter.

Taxation of Distributions. Distributions from IRA Contracts are taxed as ordinary income to the recipient, although special rules exist for the tax-free return of non-deductible contributions. In addition, taxable distributions received under an IRA Contract prior to age 59 ½ are subject to a 10% penalty tax in addition to regular income tax. Certain distributions are exempted from this penalty tax, including distributions following the owner’s death or disability if the distribution is paid as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of Owner and the Owner’s designated Beneficiary; distributions to pay medical expenses; distributions for certain unemployment expenses; distributions for first home purchases (up to $10,000) and distributions for higher education expenses and distributions for certain natural disaster victims.

Required Distributions. Generally, distributions from IRA Contracts must commence not later than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the owner attains age 70 ½, and such distributions must be made over a period that does not exceed the uniform life distribution period established by the IRS. A penalty tax of 50% may be imposed on any amount by which the minimum required distribution in any year exceeded the amount actually distributed in that year. In addition, in the event that the owner dies before his or her entire interest in the Contract has been distributed, the owner’s entire interest must be distributed in accordance with rules similar to those applicable upon the death of the Contract Owner in the case of a non-qualified Contract, as described in the Prospectus.

Tax-Free Rollovers. The Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) permits the taxable portion of funds to be transferred in a tax-free rollover from a qualified retirement plan, tax-deferred annuity plan or governmental 457(b) plan to an IRA Contract if certain conditions are met, and if the rollover of assets is completed within 60 days after the distribution from the qualified plan is received. A direct rollover of funds may avoid a 20% federal tax withholding generally applicable to qualified plans, tax-deferred annuity plan, or governmental 457(b) plan distributions. In addition, not more frequently than once every twelve months, amounts may be rolled over tax-free from one IRA to another, subject to the 60-day limitation and other requirements. The once-per-year limitation on rollovers does not apply to direct transfers of funds between IRA custodians or trustees.

11

SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION (SEP) PLANS AND SALARY REDUCTION SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION (SAR/SEP) PLANS

Contributions. Under Section 408(k) of the Code, employers may establish a type of IRA plan referred to as a simplified employee pension plan (SEP). Employer contributions to a SEP cannot exceed the lesser of 25% of compensation or $51,000 for 2013.

Employees of certain small employers may have contributions made to the salary reduction simplified employee pension plan (SAR/SEP) on their behalf on a salary reduction basis. The amount that an employee chooses to defer and contribute to the SAR/SEP is referred to as an elective deferral.

These elective deferrals are subject to the same cap as elective deferrals to IRC Section 401(k) plans, see table below. In addition to the elective deferrals, SAR/SEP may permit additional elective deferrals by individuals age 50 or over, referred to as “catch-up contributions”.

No new SAR/SEP are permitted after 1996 for any employer, but those in effect prior to 1997 may continue to operate, receive contributions, and add new employees.

Employees of tax-exempt organizations and state and local government agencies are not eligible for SAR/SEPs.

Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SAR/SEP)
Year	Elective Deferral	Catch-up Contribution
2012	$17,500	$5,500
2013	$17,500	$5,500

Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SEPs and SAR/SEPs are subject to the same distribution rules described above for IRAs.

Required Distributions. SEPs and SAR/SEPs are subject to the same minimum required distribution rules described above for IRAs.

Tax-Free Rollovers. Generally, rollovers and direct transfers may be made to and from SEPs and SAR/SEPs in the same manner as described above for IRAs, subject to the same conditions and limitations.

SAVINGS INCENTIVE MATCH PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES (SIMPLE IRA)

Contributions. Under Section 408(p) of the Code, employers may establish a type of IRA plan known as a SIMPLE IRA. Employees may have contributions made to the SIMPLE IRA on a salary reduction basis. The amount that an employee chooses to defer and contribute to the SIMPLE IRA is referred to as an elective deferral.

These elective deferrals cannot exceed the amounts shown in the chart. In addition to the elective deferrals, SIMPLE IRA may permit additional elective deferrals by individuals age 50 or over, referred to as “catch-up contributions”.

Elective contribution amounts made under the salary reduction portions (i.e., those subject to the $12,000 limit in 2013) of a SIMPLE IRA plan are counted in the overall limit on elective deferrals by any individual. For example, an individual under age 50 who defers the maximum of $12,000 to a SIMPLE IRA of one employer and also participates in a 401(k) plan of another employer, would be limited to an elective deferral of $5,500 in 2013 ($17,500 – $12,000) to the 401(k) plan.

The employer generally must match either 100% of the employee’s elective deferral, up to 3% of the employee’s compensation or fixed nonelective contributions of 2% of compensation.

Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA)
Year	Elective Deferral	Catch-up Contribution	401(k) Elective Deferral
2012	$11,500	$2,500	$17,000
2013	$12,000	$2,500	$17,500

12

Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SIMPLE IRAs are subject to the same distribution rules described above for IRAs, except that distributions made within two years of the date of an employee’s first participation in a SIMPLE IRA of an employer are subject to a 25% penalty tax instead of the 10% penalty tax discussed previously.

Required Distributions. SIMPLE IRAs are subject to the same minimum required distribution rules described above for IRAs.

Tax-Free Rollovers. Direct transfers may be made among SIMPLE IRAs in the same manner as described above for IRAs, subject to the same conditions and limitations. Rollovers from SIMPLE IRAs are permitted after two years have elapsed from the date of an employee’s first participation in a SIMPLE IRA of the employer. Rollovers to SIMPLE IRAs from other plans are not permitted.

ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES (ROTH IRA)

Contribution. Under Section 408A of the Code, individuals may contribute to a Roth IRA on his/her own behalf up to the lesser of maximum annual contribution limit as shown in the chart or 100% of compensation. In addition, the contribution must be reduced by the amount of any contributions made to other IRAs for the benefit of the same individual.

Individuals age 50 or over are also permitted to make additional “catch-up” contributions. The additional contribution is $1,000 for 2012 and 2013.

Roth IRA - Maximum Annual Contribution
Year	Individual Roth IRA	Catch-up Contribution
2012	$5,000	$1,000
2013	$5,500	$1,000

For succeeding years, individual Roth IRA limits are indexed for cost-of-living.

The maximum contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with adjusted gross income between $112,000 and $127,000 and for joint filers with adjusted gross income between $178,000 and $188,000 (see chart below).

For rollovers/conversion to Roth IRAs done in 2010 only, the taxpayer does have a choice of electing a two-year spread option that allows deferral including the taxable amounts in gross income to years 2011 and 2012. For more information, please see your tax advisor.

Modified Adjusted Gross Income Limits - 2013
Single	Married Filing Joint	ROTH IRA Contribution
$112,000 or less	$178,000 or less	Full Contribution
$112,000 – $127,000	$178,000 – $188,000	Partial Contribution*
$127,000 & over	$188,000 & over	No Contribution

* Those entitled to only a partial contribution should check with a tax advisor to determine the allowable contribution.

A person whose filing status is “married, filing separately” may not make a full Roth IRA contribution, unless the couple are separated and have been living apart for the entire year. Only a partial contribution is allowed if the Modified Adjusted Gross Income is less than $10,000.

Taxation of Distribution. Qualified distributions are received income-tax free by the Roth IRA owner, or beneficiary in case of the Roth IRA owner’s death. A qualified distribution is any distribution made after five years if the IRA owner is over age 591/2, dies, becomes disabled, or uses the funds for first-time home buyer expenses at the time of distribution. The five-year period for converted amounts begins from the year of the conversion.

13

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Participants

Principal Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of the subaccounts of Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (“Separate Account”), comprised of subaccounts as listed in the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, as of December 31, 2012, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for the periods indicated thereon. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Separate Account’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Separate Account’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Separate Account’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2012, by correspondence with the fund companies or their transfer agents. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the respective subaccounts of Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B at December 31, 2012, and the results of its operations and the changes in its net assets for the periods indicated thereon, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/Ernst & Young LLP

April 25, 2013

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2012
				American
		AllianceBernstein		Century VP
		Small Cap		Income &
		Growth		Growth
		Class A		Class I
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	4,147,988	$	12,745,236
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	4,147,988	$	12,745,236
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		2,782,674
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		44,745
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		9,221,927
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		695,890
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,042,009		—
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,105,979		—
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	4,147,988	$	12,745,236
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	3,910,178	$	11,312,995
Shares of mutual fund owned			218,776		1,847,136
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		226,889
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		4,038
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		784,179
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		63,452
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		164,270		—
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		62,800		—
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		12.26
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		11.08
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		11.76
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		10.97
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		18.52		—
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		17.61		—
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

American		American
Century VP		Century VP		American		American		American		American
Inflation		MidCap		Century VP		Century VP		Century VP		Century VP		Asset
Protection		Value		Ultra		Ultra		Value		Vista		Allocation
Class II		Class II		Class I		Class II		Class II		Class I		Class 1
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	89,160,072	$	2,592,206	$	3,715,525	$	55,371,648	$	18,873,383	$	2,328,447	$	42,832,057
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	89,160,072	$	2,592,206	$	3,715,525	$	55,371,648	$	18,873,383	$	2,328,447	$	42,832,057
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		187,693
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		854,414		3,467,377		—		16,776,956		—		28,150,471
	—		53,174		248,148		—		2,096,427		—		505,932
	70,780,243		1,448,234		—		42,443,549		—		1,619,467		10,549,777
	18,379,829		236,384		—		12,928,099		—		708,980		3,438,184
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	89,160,072	$	2,592,206	$	3,715,525	$	55,371,648	$	18,873,383	$	2,328,447	$	42,832,057
$	80,091,044	$	2,479,222	$	2,969,255	$	45,729,983	$	19,601,690	$	2,160,851	$	41,644,167
	7,411,477		177,670		344,030		5,199,216		2,890,258		133,819		3,496,495
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		114,063
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		65,656		324,645		—		1,141,841		—		995,522
	—		4,151		24,913		—		152,083		—		19,240
	4,967,592		111,287		—		3,366,877		—		111,959		373,076
	1,356,372		18,452		—		1,078,353		—		51,539		130,749
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		1.65
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		13.01		10.68		—		14.69		—		28.28
	—		12.81		9.96		—		13.78		—		26.30
	14.25		13.01		—		12.61		—		14.47		28.28
	13.55		12.81		—		11.99		—		13.76		26.30
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
				Bond &
				Mortgage
		Balanced		Securities
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	35,866,728	$	236,260,267
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	35,866,728	$	236,260,267
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		496,248		247,567
	Premier Variable		2,472,779		3,312,725
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		7,003,356
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		536,764
	The Principal Variable Annuity		31,949,501		96,395,066
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		948,200		6,258,743
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		—		95,865,525
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		—		26,640,521
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	35,866,728	$	236,260,267
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	32,506,256	$	222,920,137
Shares of mutual fund owned			2,336,595		20,124,384
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		201,788		94,129
	Premier Variable		966,022		1,209,927
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		401,565
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		41,163
	The Principal Variable Annuity		1,419,902		4,120,196
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		45,316		287,672
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		—		4,097,623
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		—		1,224,503
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		2.46		2.63
	Premier Variable		2.56		2.74
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		17.44
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		13.04
	The Principal Variable Annuity		22.50		23.40
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		20.92		21.76
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		—		23.40
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		—		21.76
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

								Dreyfus IP				Fidelity VIP
Diversified		Diversified		Diversified		Diversified		Technology		Equity		Contrafund
Balanced		Growth		Income		International		Growth		Income		Service
Class 2		Class 2		Class 2		Class 1		Service Shares		Class 1		Class
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	581,719,623	$	1,218,656,117	$	54,790,520	$	182,348,748	$	3,299,901	$	282,998,065	$	47,182,903
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	581,719,623	$	1,218,656,117	$	54,790,520	$	182,348,748	$	3,299,901	$	282,998,065	$	47,182,903
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		297,268		—		—		—
	—		—		—		3,284,164		—		18,619		—
	—		—		—		3,018,533		—		—		—
	—		—		—		506,340		—		—		—
	—		—		—		112,641,493		—		54,873,540		45,329,958
	—		—		—		6,421,225		—		3,754,706		1,852,945
	526,319,659		1,127,165,485		49,564,219		43,530,490		2,604,239		176,867,147		—
	43,769,382		86,243,760		4,244,060		12,649,235		695,662		47,484,053		—
	11,630,582		5,246,872		982,241		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	581,719,623	$	1,218,656,117	$	54,790,520	$	182,348,748	$	3,299,901	$	282,998,065	$	47,182,903
$	532,077,694	$	1,100,113,701	$	54,209,726	$	169,983,773	$	3,142,562	$	265,014,681	$	44,906,751
	47,371,305		97,181,509		5,198,342		14,146,528		245,346		16,617,619		1,789,943
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		109,901		—		—		—
	—		—		—		1,166,564		—		13,482		—
	—		—		—		202,240		—		—		—
	—		—		—		46,131		—		—		—
	—		—		—		4,646,197		—		5,128,976		2,723,224
	—		—		—		284,826		—		363,805		119,707
	43,621,536		91,780,087		4,724,994		1,795,543		158,747		16,531,834		—
	3,693,548		7,150,059		406,101		561,086		44,590		4,600,945		—
	963,979		427,244		93,640		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		2.70		—		—		—
	—		—		—		2.82		—		1.38		—
	—		—		—		14.93		—		—		—
	—		—		—		10.98		—		—		—
	—		—		—		24.24		—		10.70		16.65
	—		—		—		22.54		—		10.32		15.48
	12.07		12.28		10.49		24.24		16.41		10.70		—
	11.85		12.06		10.45		22.54		15.60		10.32		—
	12.07		12.28		10.49		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP
		Contrafund		Equity-Income
		Service		Service
		Class 2		Class 2
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	49,174,925	$	36,953,265
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	49,174,925	$	36,953,265
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		25,488,127
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		2,055,098
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		40,409,975		7,204,596
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		8,764,950		2,205,444
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	49,174,925	$	36,953,265
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	44,577,242	$	39,008,497
Shares of mutual fund owned			1,891,343		1,883,449
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		1,933,694
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		166,186
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,513,671		546,616
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		573,300		178,354
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		13.18
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		12.37
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		16.08		13.18
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		15.29		12.37
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

										Goldman Sachs		Goldman Sachs
Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Franklin		VIT Mid Cap		VIT Structured
Growth		Growth		Mid Cap		Overseas		Small Cap		Value		Small Cap
Service		Service		Service		Service		Value Securities		Service		Equity Service
Class		Class 2		Class 2		Class 2		Class 2		Class I		Class I
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	14,547,527	$	6,665,791	$	10,854,865	$	44,059,681	$	1,990,229	$	15,717,553	$	5,867,822
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	14,547,527	$	6,665,791	$	10,854,865	$	44,059,681	$	1,990,229	$	15,717,553	$	5,867,822
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	14,185,142		—		—		—		—		—		—
	362,385		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		4,590,370		8,956,153		33,030,242		1,705,306		11,337,367		4,495,325
	—		2,075,421		1,898,712		11,029,439		284,923		4,380,186		1,372,497
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	14,547,527	$	6,665,791	$	10,854,865	$	44,059,681	$	1,990,229	$	15,717,553	$	5,867,822
$	13,990,290	$	5,641,311	$	10,228,074	$	44,348,339	$	1,725,982	$	14,776,895	$	4,811,911
	346,783		160,081		362,070		2,762,362		109,173		1,025,281		461,670
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,429,655		—		—		—		—		—		—
	39,277		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		339,523		484,246		2,387,313		121,197		685,643		345,710
	—		161,414		107,948		838,236		20,618		278,541		110,989
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	9.92		—		—		—		—		—		—
	9.23		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		13.52		18.50		13.84		14.07		16.54		13.00
	—		12.86		17.59		13.16		13.82		15.73		12.37
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
		Government
		& High		International
		Quality		Emerging
		Bond		Markets
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	196,165,851	$	86,312,796
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	196,165,851	$	86,312,796
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		125,785		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		32,057		—
	Personal Variable		150,027		—
	Premier Variable		3,040,577		555,438
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		3,473,722		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		331,135		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		106,964,363		39,331,089
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		4,754,182		3,598,415
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		60,768,691		33,608,388
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		16,525,312		9,219,466
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	196,165,851	$	86,312,796
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	191,053,493	$	81,085,912
Shares of mutual fund owned			18,046,537		5,035,752
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		38,428		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		8,629		—
	Personal Variable		58,084		—
	Premier Variable		1,125,384		139,225
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		286,073		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		27,384		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		8,954,959		1,105,432
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		407,955		108,759
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		5,087,567		944,594
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,418,051		278,651
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		3.27		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		3.72		—
	Personal Variable		2.58		—
	Premier Variable		2.70		3.99
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		12.14		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		12.09		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		11.94		35.58
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		11.65		33.09
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		11.94		35.58
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		11.65		33.09
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

										Invesco
		Invesco		Invesco		Invesco				Van Kampen		Invesco
Invesco		Global		International		Small Cap		Invesco		American		Van Kampen
Core Equity		Health Care		Growth		Equity		Technology		Franchise		MidCap Growth
Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	22,263,224	$	7,546,745	$	6,998,936	$	8,501,670	$	3,350,478	$	4,432,398	$	1,589,288
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	22,263,224	$	7,546,745	$	6,998,936	$	8,501,670	$	3,350,478	$	4,432,398	$	1,589,288
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	21,998,065		7,169,131		—		3,108,848		2,983,512		4,382,289		1,386,972
	265,159		377,614		—		317,177		366,966		50,109		202,316
	—		—		6,311,795		4,235,256		—		—		—
	—		—		687,141		840,389		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	22,263,224	$	7,546,745	$	6,998,936	$	8,501,670	$	3,350,478	$	4,432,398	$	1,589,288
$	18,847,552	$	5,941,858	$	6,422,412	$	7,382,190	$	2,642,800	$	4,539,855	$	763,330
	738,660		359,369		233,065		454,878		198,606		122,172		405,430
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,908,885		522,011		—		185,155		440,257		452,880		141,617
	24,744		29,483		—		19,863		58,067		5,200		20,742
	—		—		661,428		252,258		—		—		—
	—		—		74,036		52,633		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	11.52		13.73		—		16.79		6.78		9.68		9.79
	10.72		12.81		—		15.97		6.32		9.64		9.75
	—		—		9.54		16.79		—		—		—
	—		—		9.28		15.97		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
		Invesco
		Van Kampen
		Value		Janus Aspen
		Opportunities		Enterprise
		Series I		Service Shares
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	4,582,115	$	9,083,402
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	4,582,115	$	9,083,402
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		8,848,426
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		234,976
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,797,836		—
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		784,279		—
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	4,582,115	$	9,083,402
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	3,906,199	$	5,754,513
Shares of mutual fund owned			645,368		210,361
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		863,857
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		24,670
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		351,510		—
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		76,330		—
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		10.24
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		9.52
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		10.80		—
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		10.28		—
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap		MFS VIT		MFS VIT
Blend II		Growth		Growth I		S&P 500 Index		Value		Utilities		Value
Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Service Class		Service Class
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	132,633,013	$	48,013,420	$	97,184,508	$	85,827,761	$	84,329,852	$	5,323,951	$	1,986,587
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	132,633,013	$	48,013,420	$	97,184,508	$	85,827,761	$	84,329,852	$	5,323,951	$	1,986,587
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	952,236	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		1,738,143		—		—
	—		—		—		—		139,529		—		—
	—		552,657		—		—		329,296		—		—
	—		3,274,289		284,064		151,656		5,385,446		—		—
	—		—		1,524,618		7,451,638		2,402,802		—		—
	—		—		92,286		418,887		324,941		—		—
	40,204,963		31,630,753		80,599,525		44,121,429		55,855,658		—		—
	3,660,581		319,989		2,295,755		2,183,947		1,011,428		—		—
	68,080,764		9,557,575		9,686,447		25,134,339		11,746,104		4,446,797		1,530,093
	20,686,705		2,678,157		2,701,813		6,365,865		4,338,995		877,154		456,494
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		(4)		—		—
	—		—		—		—		105,278		—		—
$	132,633,013	$	48,013,420	$	97,184,508	$	85,827,761	$	84,329,852	$	5,323,951	$	1,986,587
$	141,739,037	$	41,812,348	$	70,245,620	$	69,602,847	$	82,133,882	$	5,128,589	$	1,851,010
	17,026,061		2,846,083		3,923,476		8,300,557		2,976,698		195,088		139,704
	—		—		—		—		22,172		—		—
	—		—		—		—		252,231		—		—
	—		—		—		—		15,863		—		—
	—		256,193		—		—		93,944		—		—
	—		1,458,219		201,425		112,989		1,468,911		—		—
	—		—		124,533		638,999		200,248		—		—
	—		—		7,580		35,538		29,536		—		—
	2,949,002		1,567,636		2,118,008		3,996,366		1,987,651		—		—
	286,191		17,054		64,876		212,725		38,705		—		—
	4,993,685		473,702		254,541		2,276,635		417,993		258,937		101,953
	1,617,328		142,745		76,351		620,075		166,044		52,201		31,087
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	42.95	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		6.89		—		—
	—		—		—		—		8.18		—		—
	—		2.16		—		—		3.51		—		—
	—		2.25		1.41		1.34		3.67		—		—
	—		—		12.24		11.66		12.00		—		—
	—		—		12.17		11.79		11.00		—		—
	13.63		20.18		38.05		11.04		28.10		—		—
	12.79		18.76		35.39		10.27		26.13		—		—
	13.63		20.18		38.05		11.04		28.10		17.17		15.01
	12.79		18.76		35.39		10.27		26.13		16.80		14.69
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		12,866		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	42.95	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		8.18		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
		MidCap		Money
		Blend		Market
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	362,857,454	$	81,006,901
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	362,857,454	$	81,006,901
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		118,441
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		1
	Personal Variable		837,318		532,493
	Premier Variable		5,488,048		3,689,408
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		8,852,230		2,809,923
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		572,948		396,597
	The Principal Variable Annuity		202,482,133		40,389,088
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		8,435,340		2,972,228
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		108,656,145		23,044,231
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		27,533,292		7,054,491
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	362,857,454	$	81,006,901
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	256,974,009	$	81,006,900
Shares of mutual fund owned			7,687,658		81,006,900
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		53,981
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		138,204		330,246
	Premier Variable		870,124		2,185,614
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		296,209		232,251
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		35,293		37,766
	The Principal Variable Annuity		3,658,422		2,928,579
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		163,895		231,754
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,963,195		1,670,971
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		534,961		550,080
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		2.19
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		2.45
	Personal Variable		6.06		1.61
	Premier Variable		6.31		1.69
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		29.89		12.10
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		16.23		10.51
	The Principal Variable Annuity		55.35		13.79
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		51.47		12.82
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		55.35		13.79
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		51.47		12.82
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		13.79
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

Neuberger		Neuberger		Neuberger
Berman AMT		Berman AMT		Berman AMT		PIMCO		PIMCO		PIMCO		Principal
Large Cap		Small-Cap		Socially		All Asset		High Yield		Total Return		Capital
Value		Growth		Responsive		Administrative		Administrative		Administrative		Appreciation
I Class		S Class		I Class		Class		Class		Class		Class 1
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	5,316,857	$	3,038,317	$	6,518,407	$	4,702,787	$	14,597,244	$	45,490,450	$	11,418,044
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	5,316,857	$	3,038,317	$	6,518,407	$	4,702,787	$	14,597,244	$	45,490,450	$	11,418,044
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		43,869
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	4,156,547		2,129,758		5,346,198		3,857,386		11,091,698		39,264,418		9,327,242
	1,160,310		908,559		1,172,209		845,401		3,505,546		6,226,032		2,046,933
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	5,316,857	$	3,038,317	$	6,518,407	$	4,702,787	$	14,597,244	$	45,490,450	$	11,418,044
$	4,832,699	$	2,581,740	$	5,202,293	$	4,559,038	$	13,847,908	$	44,964,912	$	10,044,672
	458,350		230,176		410,221		413,250		1,811,073		3,938,567		480,760
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		3,895
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	304,580		206,197		373,976		263,023		851,628		3,113,144		842,475
	89,405		92,496		86,222		58,915		274,051		504,517		191,295
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		11.26
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	13.65		10.33		14.30		14.67		13.03		12.61		11.07
	12.98		9.82		13.60		14.35		12.80		12.34		10.70
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
		Principal
		LifeTime		Principal
		Strategic		LifeTime
		Income		2010
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	25,654,344	$	38,033,092
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	25,654,344	$	38,033,092
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		845,346		2,154,311
	The Principal Variable Annuity		3,268,600		1,442,469
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		168,342		527
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		18,412,481		29,085,878
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		2,959,575		5,349,907
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	25,654,344	$	38,033,092
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	23,566,313	$	35,848,499
Shares of mutual fund owned			2,323,763		3,347,984
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		71,574		181,420
	The Principal Variable Annuity		249,433		106,494
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		13,506		41
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,405,077		2,147,890
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		237,440		415,349
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		11.81		11.88
	The Principal Variable Annuity		13.10		13.54
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		12.46		12.88
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		13.10		13.54
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		12.46		12.88
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

												SAM
Principal		Principal		Principal		Principal				SAM		Conservative
LifeTime		LifeTime		LifeTime		LifeTime		Real Estate		Balanced		Balanced
2020		2030		2040		2050		Securities		Portfolio		Portfolio
Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	171,672,999	$	63,923,434	$	11,701,739	$	6,617,844	$	76,906,561	$	697,357,833	$	162,474,453
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	171,672,999	$	63,923,434	$	11,701,739	$	6,617,844	$	76,906,561	$	697,357,833	$	162,474,453
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		114,658		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	4,513,912		2,710,174		255,675		159,219		200,527		1,765,830		1,520,640
	4,808,445		1,520,476		319,240		249,463		47,181,553		35,775,828		17,399,584
	253,636		12,247		519		24,293		3,413,949		2,578,744		1,520,388
	124,728,100		49,451,373		9,385,119		4,976,134		19,992,369		583,316,792		121,483,419
	37,368,906		10,229,164		1,741,186		1,208,735		6,003,505		73,920,639		20,550,422
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	171,672,999	$	63,923,434	$	11,701,739	$	6,617,844	$	76,906,561	$	697,357,833	$	162,474,453
$	164,113,717	$	50,637,148	$	10,979,504	$	6,203,454	$	65,598,131	$	575,790,716	$	138,105,162
	14,306,083		5,282,928		944,450		538,912		4,624,568		42,704,093		13,008,363
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		32,348		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	376,458		231,411		22,011		13,849		14,950		151,534		124,283
	341,263		110,494		22,980		18,064		1,223,017		3,122,708		1,446,450
	18,925		936		39		1,849		95,164		232,886		130,771
	8,851,853		3,593,571		675,585		360,308		518,250		50,915,182		10,099,124
	2,788,169		781,497		131,773		92,014		167,354		6,675,769		1,767,583
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		3.54		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	11.99		11.71		11.62		11.50		13.41		11.65		12.24
	14.09		13.76		13.89		13.81		38.58		11.46		12.03
	13.40		13.09		13.21		13.14		35.87		11.07		11.63
	14.09		13.76		13.89		13.81		38.58		11.46		12.03
	13.40		13.09		13.21		13.14		35.87		11.07		11.63
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
		SAM		SAM
		Conservative		Flexible
		Growth		Income
		Portfolio		Portfolio
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	67,908,708	$	185,716,035
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	67,908,708	$	185,716,035
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		1,117,177		2,032,183
	The Principal Variable Annuity		12,193,790		32,115,259
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,113,270		4,504,622
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		41,636,704		123,794,880
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		11,847,767		23,269,091
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	67,908,708	$	185,716,035
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	56,435,111	$	164,548,810
Shares of mutual fund owned			3,985,253		13,880,122
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		102,960		159,116
	The Principal Variable Annuity		1,143,095		2,557,712
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		107,979		371,184
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,903,122		9,859,116
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,149,129		1,917,369
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		10.85		12.77
	The Principal Variable Annuity		10.67		12.56
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		10.31		12.14
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		10.67		12.56
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		10.31		12.14
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

SAM
Strategic										T. Rowe Price		T. Rowe Price
Growth		Short-Term		SmallCap		SmallCap		SmallCap		Blue Chip		Health
Portfolio		Income		Blend		Growth II		Value I		Growth		Sciences
Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Portfolio II		Portfolio II
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	42,187,532	$	166,186,773	$	26,674,108	$	25,716,089	$	75,361,463	$	8,277,911	$	11,742,666
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	42,187,532	$	166,186,773	$	26,674,108	$	25,716,089	$	75,361,463	$	8,277,911	$	11,742,666
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		36,928		50,818		164,404		—		—
	—		2,114,678		2,686,661		714,600		—		—		—
	747,032		219,494		87,167		45,817		181,039		—		—
	8,237,416		28,218,997		22,807,462		16,991,199		27,217,852		—		—
	275,775		1,679,111		1,055,890		680,444		1,900,958		—		—
	24,053,377		109,345,041		—		5,705,714		36,542,068		7,155,927		9,110,414
	8,873,932		24,609,452		—		1,527,497		9,355,142		1,121,984		2,632,252
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	42,187,532	$	166,186,773	$	26,674,108	$	25,716,089	$	75,361,463	$	8,277,911	$	11,742,666
$	34,482,142	$	161,736,314	$	23,998,516	$	23,760,103	$	62,383,037	$	6,798,950	$	9,025,358
	2,251,202		63,673,094		2,849,798		2,070,539		4,793,986		628,543		568,652
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		26,147		57,018		79,162		—		—
	—		179,601		151,583		67,751		—		—		—
	72,090		18,720		7,995		4,241		16,691		—		—
	808,588		2,436,360		1,662,667		1,482,025		1,065,370		—		—
	28,008		148,591		82,778		63,827		80,016		—		—
	2,361,031		9,440,789		—		497,687		1,430,331		486,926		394,835
	901,238		2,177,837		—		143,287		393,780		80,278		119,954
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		1.41		0.89		2.08		—		—
	—		11.77		17.72		10.55		—		—		—
	10.36		11.73		10.90		10.80		10.85		—		—
	10.19		11.58		13.72		11.46		25.55		—		—
	9.85		11.30		12.76		10.66		23.76		—		—
	10.19		11.58		—		11.46		25.55		14.70		23.07
	9.85		11.30		—		10.66		23.76		13.98		21.94
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
December 31, 2012
				Van Eck
		Templeton		Global
		Growth		Hard Assets
		Securities		Service
		Class 2		Class
		Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market		$	1,031,720	$	7,902,473
Liabilities			—		—
Net assets		$	1,031,720	$	7,902,473
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		1,031,720		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		2,566,069
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		87,849
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		—		4,359,990
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		—		888,565
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Total net assets		$	1,031,720	$	7,902,473
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost		$	1,016,375	$	9,280,270
Shares of mutual fund owned			86,192		278,452
Accumulation units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		61,054		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		182,977
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		6,402
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		—		310,895
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		—		64,756
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Accumulation unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
	Personal Variable		—		—
	Premier Variable		—		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		16.90		—
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		—		—
	The Principal Variable Annuity		—		14.02
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		13.72
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		—		14.02
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		—		13.72
	Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		—		—
Annuitized units outstanding:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity		—		—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
Annuitized unit value:
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	—
	Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		—		—
See accompanying notes.

	Principal Life Insurance Company
	Separate Account B
	Statements of Operations
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
				American
		AllianceBernstein		Century VP
		Small Cap		Income &
		Growth		Growth
		Class A		Class I
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	—	$	274,453
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		54,151		155,502
	Separate account rider charges		8,003		7,061
Net investment income (loss)			(62,154)		111,890
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			402,966		125,196
Capital gains distributions			156,205		—
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			559,171		125,196
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		19,940		1,459,859
	Net gains (losses) on investments		516,957		1,696,945
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	516,957	$	1,696,945
See accompanying notes.

American		American
Century VP		Century VP		American		American		American		American
Inflation		MidCap		Century VP		Century VP		Century VP		Century VP		Asset
Protection		Value		Ultra		Ultra		Value		Vista		Allocation
Class II		Class II		Class I		Class II		Class II		Class I		Class 1
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	2,179,848	$	44,298	$	—	$	—	$	350,926	$	—	$	1,101,276
	1,123,099		29,370		51,058		708,830		253,117		31,933		545,299
	113,379		1,865		3,202		80,499		21,229		4,694		27,398
	943,370		13,063		(54,260)		(789,329)		76,580		(36,627)		528,579
	1,523,629		(50,047)		144,995		1,157,043		(935,375)		61,302		(83,263)
	2,009,933		142,688		—		—		—		—		2,209,414
	3,533,562		92,641		144,995		1,157,043		(935,375)		61,302		2,126,151
	671,859		184,917		378,505		6,537,287		3,361,937		299,208		2,292,518
	5,148,791		290,621		469,240		6,905,001		2,503,142		323,883		4,947,248
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	5,148,791	$	290,621	$	469,240	$	6,905,001	$	2,503,142	$	323,883	$	4,947,248

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
				Bond &
				Mortgage
		Balanced		Securities
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	756,849	$	9,029,542
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		444,726		2,953,823
	Separate account rider charges		10,751		226,242
Net investment income (loss)			301,372		5,849,477
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			117,601		(87,378)
Capital gains distributions			—		—
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			117,601		(87,378)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		3,712,405		8,531,969
	Net gains (losses) on investments		4,131,378		14,294,068
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	4,131,378	$	14,294,068
(1) Commenced operations on May 21, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

								Dreyfus IP				Fidelity VIP
Diversified		Diversified		Diversified		Diversified		Technology		Equity		Contrafund
Balanced		Growth		Income		International		Growth		Income		Service
Class 2		Class 2		Class 2		Class 1		Service Shares		Class 1		Class
Division		Division		Division (1)		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	4,497,043	$	8,589,744	$	—	$	3,857,586	$	—	$	8,734,077	$	588,027
	5,702,943		12,321,738		133,070		2,263,228		39,730		3,639,851		636,424
	211,907		421,578		5,351		142,213		4,392		332,300		18,597
	(1,417,807)		(4,153,572)		(138,421)		1,452,145		(44,122)		4,761,926		(66,994)
	874,861		1,339,702		12,567		(8,466,311)		182,268		(6,174,959)		2,312
	92,185		184,906		—		—		—		—		—
	967,046		1,524,608		12,567		(8,466,311)		182,268		(6,174,959)		2,312
	33,770,850		91,137,012		580,794		35,690,556		189,626		32,945,898		7,190,520
	33,320,089		88,508,048		454,940		28,676,390		327,772		31,532,865		7,125,838
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	33,320,089	$	88,508,048	$	454,940	$	28,676,390	$	327,772	$	31,532,865	$	7,125,838

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP
		Contrafund		Equity-Income
		Service		Service
		Class 2		Class 2
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	544,635	$	1,059,097
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		620,891		478,918
	Separate account rider charges		53,401		37,195
Net investment income (loss)			(129,657)		542,984
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			(907,253)		(1,173,311)
Capital gains distributions			—		2,420,083
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(907,253)		1,246,772
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		7,727,861		3,723,990
	Net gains (losses) on investments		6,690,951		5,513,746
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	6,690,951	$	5,513,746
See accompanying notes.

										Goldman Sachs		Goldman Sachs
Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Franklin		VIT Mid Cap		VIT Structured
Growth		Growth		Mid Cap		Overseas		Small Cap		Value		Small Cap
Service		Service		Service		Service		Value Securities		Service		Equity Service
Class		Class 2		Class 2		Class 2		Class 2		Class I		Class I
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	72,890	$	24,035	$	41,707	$	798,584	$	11,869	$	180,549	$	68,781
	194,122		89,488		137,850		555,946		21,866		201,855		75,693
	4,938		13,016		12,771		67,962		1,550		27,516		8,313
	(126,170)		(78,469)		(108,914)		174,676		(11,547)		(48,822)		(15,225)
	(23,284)		213,028		28,691		(2,486,049)		(31,930)		(163,901)		(75,367)
	—		—		863,679		149,424		—		—		—
	(23,284)		213,028		892,370		(2,336,625)		(31,930)		(163,901)		(75,367)
	2,064,345		716,521		536,705		9,907,707		307,205		2,689,432		759,282
	1,914,891		851,080		1,320,161		7,745,758		263,728		2,476,709		668,690
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	1,914,891	$	851,080	$	1,320,161	$	7,745,758	$	263,728	$	2,476,709	$	668,690

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Government
		& High		International
		Quality		Emerging
		Bond		Markets
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	7,890,248	$	1,110,790
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		2,444,546		1,065,162
	Separate account rider charges		140,521		88,167
Net investment income (loss)			5,305,181		(42,539)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			1,074,171		(1,369,514)
Capital gains distributions			—		—
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			1,074,171		(1,369,514)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		(1,344,323)		16,145,458
	Net gains (losses) on investments		5,035,029		14,733,405
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	5,035,029	$	14,733,405
(1) Commenced operations April 27, 2012
See accompanying notes.

										Invesco
		Invesco		Invesco		Invesco				Van Kampen		Invesco
Invesco		Global		International		Small Cap		Invesco		American		Van Kampen
Core Equity		Health Care		Growth		Equity		Technology		Franchise		MidCap Growth
Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I		Series I
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division (1)		Division (1)
$	220,774	$	—	$	108,491	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
	293,225		90,710		82,002		108,130		46,556		39,891		15,587
	3,567		3,668		4,220		8,396		3,402		270		1,283
	(76,018)		(94,378)		22,269		(116,526)		(49,958)		(40,161)		(16,870)
	519,049		259,492		81,543		403,325		458,761		(35,386)		(881,400)
	—		—		—		—		—		—		568
	519,049		259,492		81,543		403,325		458,761		(35,386)		(880,832)
	2,310,920		1,086,911		745,234		732,083		(73,421)		(107,457)		825,958
	2,753,951		1,252,025		849,046		1,018,882		335,382		(183,004)		(71,744)
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	2,753,951	$	1,252,025	$	849,046	$	1,018,882	$	335,382	$	(183,004)	$	(71,744)

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Invesco
		Van Kampen
		Value		Janus Aspen
		Opportunities		Enterprise
		Series I		Service Shares
		Division (1)		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	67,505	$	—
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		58,970		120,864
	Separate account rider charges		4,682		3,034
Net investment income (loss)			3,853		(123,898)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			256,615		810,165
Capital gains distributions			—		—
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			256,615		810,165
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		410,721		712,378
	Net gains (losses) on investments		671,189		1,398,645
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	671,189	$	1,398,645
(1) Represented the operations of Invesco Basic Value Series I Division until May 21, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap		MFS VIT		MFS VIT
Blend II		Growth		Growth I		S&P 500 Index		Value		Utilities		Value
Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Service Class		Service Class
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	1,797,007	$	145,167	$	75,267	$	962,131	$	1,084,502	$	311,338	$	24,641
	1,750,001		600,366		1,276,960		1,094,560		1,009,128		56,207		22,924
	170,914		20,334		42,071		64,527		38,758		4,450		2,192
	(123,908)		(475,533)		(1,243,764)		(196,956)		36,616		250,681		(475)
	(7,684,322)		1,236,159		4,691,008		1,775,876		(2,833,319)		19,598		74,523
	—		—		—		115,952		—		—		13,100
	(7,684,322)		1,236,159		4,691,008		1,891,828		(2,833,319)		19,598		87,623
	25,976,889		6,433,431		10,727,581		10,175,493		16,281,020		228,909		143,116
	18,168,659		7,194,057		14,174,825		11,870,365		13,484,317		499,188		230,264
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	18,168,659	$	7,194,057	$	14,174,825	$	11,870,365	$	13,484,317	$	499,188	$	230,264

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
		MidCap		Money
		Blend		Market
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	3,173,679	$	29
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		4,506,039		1,060,835
	Separate account rider charges		253,270		70,892
Net investment income (loss)			(1,585,630)		(1,131,698)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			11,378,001		138
Capital gains distributions			5,743,612		—
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			17,121,613		138
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		44,578,942		(144)
	Net gains (losses) on investments		60,114,925		(1,131,704)
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	60,114,925	$	(1,131,704)
(1) Represented the operations of Neuberger Berman AMT Partners I Class Division until May 21, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

Neuberger				Neuberger
Berman AMT		Neuberger		Berman AMT		PIMCO		PIMCO		PIMCO		Principal
Large Cap		Berman AMT		Socially		All Asset		High Yield		Total Return		Capital
Value		Small-Cap Growth			Responsive	Administrative		Administrative		Administrative		Appreciation
I Class		S Class		I Class		Class		Class		Class		Class 1
Division (1)		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	19,656	$	—	$	14,614	$	206,988	$	963,632	$	836,454	$	123,617
	60,535		40,073		80,945		43,884		210,022		411,335		136,368
	7,244		5,527		7,159		3,656		25,123		23,340		12,613
	(48,123)		(45,600)		(73,490)		159,448		728,487		401,779		(25,364)
	(401,582)		(12,931)		4,408		(2,213)		28,171		25,945		515,999
	—		—		—		—		—		834,531		130,687
	(401,582)		(12,931)		4,408		(2,213)		28,171		860,476		646,686
	1,125,337		290,020		663,817		271,281		1,237,308		1,100,406		551,683
	675,632		231,489		594,735		428,516		1,993,966		2,362,661		1,173,005
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	675,632	$	231,489	$	594,735	$	428,516	$	1,993,966	$	2,362,661	$	1,173,005

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Principal
		LifeTime		Principal
		Strategic		LifeTime
		Income		2010
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	453,621	$	723,644
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		318,157		470,938
	Separate account rider charges		19,740		32,399
Net investment income (loss)			115,724		220,307
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			(59,569)		(352,620)
Capital gains distributions			—		—
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(59,569)		(352,620)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		1,954,637		3,879,751
	Net gains (losses) on investments		2,010,792		3,747,438
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	2,010,792	$	3,747,438
See accompanying notes.

												SAM
Principal		Principal		Principal		Principal				SAM		Conservative
LifeTime		LifeTime		LifeTime		LifeTime		Real Estate		Balanced		Balanced
2020		2030		2040		2050		Securities		Portfolio		Portfolio
Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	2,923,956	$	1,001,460	$	175,983	$	90,327	$	1,099,061	$	4,772,452	$	1,318,412
	2,124,785		775,294		139,936		77,128		983,139		8,708,868		2,007,884
	225,457		63,024		10,910		7,966		72,321		466,195		139,452
	573,714		163,142		25,137		5,233		43,601		(4,402,611)		(828,924)
	(1,319,056)		97,428		(221,639)		(57,691)		203,398		4,296,213		2,295,601
	—		—		—		—		—		8,299,727		2,018,164
	(1,319,056)		97,428		(221,639)		(57,691)		203,398		12,595,940		4,313,765
	21,643,092		7,834,921		1,754,811		919,356		10,904,789		65,046,625		11,218,987
	20,897,750		8,095,491		1,558,309		866,898		11,151,788		73,239,954		14,703,828
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	20,897,750	$	8,095,491	$	1,558,309	$	866,898	$	11,151,788	$	73,239,954	$	14,703,828

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
		SAM		SAM
		Conservative		Flexible
		Growth		Income
		Portfolio		Portfolio
		Class 1		Class 1
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	287,644	$	1,981,488
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		803,723		2,175,754
	Separate account rider charges		79,215		160,513
Net investment income (loss)			(595,294)		(354,779)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			1,044,910		1,975,308
Capital gains distributions			—		2,631,437
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			1,044,910		4,606,745
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		7,041,443		10,741,686
	Net gains (losses) on investments		7,491,059		14,993,652
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	7,491,059	$	14,993,652
See accompanying notes.

SAM
Strategic										T. Rowe Price		T. Rowe Price
Growth		Short-Term		SmallCap		SmallCap		SmallCap		Blue Chip		Health
Portfolio		Income		Blend		Growth II		Value I		Growth		Sciences
Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Class 1		Portfolio II		Portfolio II
Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division		Division
$	97,792	$	3,423,036	$	—	$	—	$	614,682	$	—	$	—
	518,568		2,044,784		339,475		334,208		953,944		101,281		132,611
	54,232		167,235		11,653		16,839		75,657		6,504		14,097
	(475,008)		1,211,017		(351,128)		(351,047)		(414,919)		(107,785)		(146,708)
	733,872		593,209		205,076		105,591		(1,231,272)		651,012		862,514
	—		—		—		—		—		—		209,885
	733,872		593,209		205,076		105,591		(1,231,272)		651,012		1,072,399
	5,207,269		3,921,362		3,649,193		3,918,613		15,698,204		619,012		1,497,336
	5,466,133		5,725,588		3,503,141		3,673,157		14,052,013		1,162,239		2,423,027
	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
$	5,466,133	$	5,725,588	$	3,503,141	$	3,673,157	$	14,052,013	$	1,162,239	$	2,423,027

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Operations (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2012
				Van Eck
				Global
		Templeton		Hard Assets
		Growth Securities		Service
		Class 2		Class
		Division		Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
	Dividends	$	22,012	$	54,708
Expenses:
	Mortality and expense risks		8,411		100,780
	Separate account rider charges		—		6,470
Net investment income (loss)			13,601		(52,542)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares			(26,456)		(518,718)
Capital gains distributions			—		679,672
Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(26,456)		160,954
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
	investments		196,294		50,120
	Net gains (losses) on investments		183,439		158,532
	Payment from affiliate		—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		$	183,439	$	158,532
See accompanying notes.

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			AllianceBernstein
			Small Cap
			Growth
			Class A
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(62,154)	$	(57,668)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			559,171		559,981
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			19,940		(508,521)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			516,957		(6,208)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				516,957		(6,208)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		1,923,650		4,467,829
	Administration charges			(486)		(429)
	Contingent sales charges			(2,237)		(6,776)
	Contract terminations			(93,744)		(222,990)
	Death benefit payments			—		(5,669)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(19,452)		(16,676)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(2,360,395)		(3,691,609)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(552,664)		523,680
Total increase (decrease)				(35,707)		517,472
Net assets at beginning of period				4,183,695		3,666,223
Net assets at end of period			$	4,147,988	$	4,183,695
See accompanying notes.

American				American				American
Century VP				Century VP				Century VP
Income &				Inflation				MidCap
Growth				Protection				Value
Class I				Class II				Class II
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	111,890	$	38,540	$	943,370	$	2,341,849	$	13,063	$	201
	125,196		(168,507)		3,533,562		2,892,337		92,641		51,757
	1,459,859		445,086		671,859		3,199,464		184,917		(107,008)
	1,696,945		315,119		5,148,791		8,433,650		290,621		(55,050)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,696,945		315,119		5,148,791		8,433,650		290,621		(55,050)
	1,703,575		2,083,669		17,887,469		12,259,541		1,832,419		1,665,885
	(2,210)		(1,811)		(626,414)		(399,532)		(250)		(176)
	(5,118)		(8,574)		(86,777)		(103,553)		(896)		(519)
	(1,795,709)		(1,983,069)		(3,637,068)		(3,408,017)		(179,701)		(59,954)
	(273,576)		(44,661)		(407,407)		(241,895)		(2,610)		—
	(198,916)		(230,362)		(2,124,307)		(1,929,009)		(9,912)		(6,207)
	(1,838,022)		(3,325,011)		(9,764,779)		(17,984,477)		(1,113,906)		(430,305)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(2,409,976)		(3,509,819)		1,240,717		(11,806,942)		525,144		1,168,724
	(713,031)		(3,194,700)		6,389,508		(3,373,292)		815,765		1,113,674
	13,458,267		16,652,967		82,770,564		86,143,856		1,776,441		662,767
$	12,745,236	$	13,458,267	$	89,160,072	$	82,770,564	$	2,592,206	$	1,776,441

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			American
			Century VP
			Ultra
			Class I
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(54,260)	$	(61,184)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			144,995		88,745
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			378,505		(7,145)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			469,240		20,416
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				469,240		20,416
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		1,008,607		791,594
	Administration charges			(905)		(727)
	Contingent sales charges			(2,054)		(4,457)
	Contract terminations			(686,201)		(969,333)
	Death benefit payments			(21,126)		(496)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(62,938)		(66,495)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(982,051)		(712,939)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(746,668)		(962,853)
Total increase (decrease)				(277,428)		(942,437)
Net assets at beginning of period				3,992,953		4,935,390
Net assets at end of period			$	3,715,525	$	3,992,953
See accompanying notes.

American				American				American
Century VP				Century VP				Century VP
Ultra				Value				Vista
Class II				Class II				Class I
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(789,329)	$	(802,317)	$	76,580	$	104,543	$	(36,627)	$	(39,390)
	1,157,043		(6,788)		(935,375)		(1,258,153)		61,302		(78,687)
	6,537,287		942,966		3,361,937		1,031,559		299,208		(96,998)
	6,905,001		133,861		2,503,142		(122,051)		323,883		(215,075)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	6,905,001		133,861		2,503,142		(122,051)		323,883		(215,075)
	5,647,056		5,254,474		3,293,141		2,536,465		834,319		870,797
	(486,103)		(305,045)		(5,561)		(3,975)		(1,971)		(1,138)
	(61,512)		(78,036)		(8,741)		(12,257)		(2,575)		(2,818)
	(2,578,131)		(2,568,250)		(2,920,457)		(2,666,003)		(107,921)		(92,753)
	(272,143)		(156,185)		(89,778)		(67,871)		(31,685)		(21,667)
	(1,439,836)		(1,250,808)		(224,258)		(275,328)		(16,802)		(15,631)
	(8,678,782)		(3,335,108)		(4,597,608)		(3,645,200)		(986,920)		(1,211,044)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(7,869,451)		(2,438,958)		(4,553,262)		(4,134,169)		(313,555)		(474,254)
	(964,450)		(2,305,097)		(2,050,120)		(4,256,220)		10,328		(689,329)
	56,336,098		58,641,195		20,923,503		25,179,723		2,318,119		3,007,448
$	55,371,648	$	56,336,098	$	18,873,383	$	20,923,503	$	2,328,447	$	2,318,119

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Asset
			Allocation
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	528,579	$	325,857
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			2,126,151		2,341,932
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			2,292,518		(2,245,799)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			4,947,248		421,990
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				4,947,248		421,990
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		5,056,946		3,424,439
	Administration charges			(99,299)		(64,011)
	Contingent sales charges			(21,296)		(28,600)
	Contract terminations			(3,578,767)		(4,197,426)
	Death benefit payments			(513,558)		(366,334)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(830,114)		(870,923)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(5,116,227)		(4,672,021)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(5,102,315)		(6,774,876)
Total increase (decrease)				(155,067)		(6,352,886)
Net assets at beginning of period				42,987,124		49,340,010
Net assets at end of period			$	42,832,057	$	42,987,124
See accompanying notes.

				Bond &
				Mortgage				Diversified
Balanced				Securities				Balanced
Class 1				Class 1				Class 2
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	301,372	$	419,413	$	5,849,477	$	(3,074,433)	$	(1,417,807)	$	(702,256)
	117,601		(476,371)		(87,378)		(2,911,261)		967,046		571,004
	3,712,405		1,230,531		8,531,969		19,643,700		33,770,850		5,572,512
	4,131,378		1,173,573		14,294,068		13,658,006		33,320,089		5,441,260
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	4,131,378		1,173,573		14,294,068		13,658,006		33,320,089		5,441,260
	3,297,805		3,586,370		44,413,994		40,874,417		253,062,913		176,029,316
	(16,994)		(17,135)		(748,025)		(489,435)		(5,116,414)		(1,592,406)
	(11,110)		(19,977)		(183,605)		(228,952)		(261,047)		(156,232)
	(4,131,652)		(4,984,727)		(22,081,199)		(23,506,682)		(10,944,991)		(5,141,767)
	(571,032)		(811,235)		(1,826,565)		(1,108,297)		(1,044,504)		(880,583)
	(669,924)		(736,016)		(5,027,970)		(5,138,290)		(3,935,173)		(2,162,666)
	(2,940,483)		(4,108,549)		(28,298,451)		(42,011,617)		(15,184,303)		(9,436,411)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(5,043,390)		(7,091,269)		(13,751,821)		(31,608,856)		216,576,481		156,659,251
	(912,012)		(5,917,696)		542,247		(17,950,850)		249,896,570		162,100,511
	36,778,740		42,696,436		235,718,020		253,668,870		331,823,053		169,722,542
$	35,866,728	$	36,778,740	$	236,260,267	$	235,718,020	$	581,719,623	$	331,823,053

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Diversified
			Growth
			Class 2
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(4,153,572)	$	(2,724,726)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			1,524,608		561,311
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			91,137,012		3,954,596
	Net gains (losses) from investments			88,508,048		1,791,181
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				88,508,048		1,791,181
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		451,649,600		453,296,183
	Administration charges			(11,044,949)		(3,530,245)
	Contingent sales charges			(401,138)		(198,654)
	Contract terminations			(16,813,330)		(6,537,909)
	Death benefit payments			(1,070,536)		(1,087,363)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(6,231,910)		(3,352,283)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(33,413,970)		(16,818,658)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				382,673,767		421,771,071
Total increase (decrease)				471,181,815		423,562,252
Net assets at beginning of period				747,474,302		323,912,050
Net assets at end of period			$	1,218,656,117	$	747,474,302
(1) Commenced operations May 21, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

						Dreyfus IP
Diversified		Diversified				Technology
Income		International				Growth
Class 2		Class 1				Service Shares
Division (1)		Division				Division
2012		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(138,421)	$	1,452,145	$	(1,913,861)	$	(44,122)	$	(42,295)
	12,567		(8,466,311)		(7,203,728)		182,268		589,123
	580,794		35,690,556		(16,428,207)		189,626		(819,646)
	454,940		28,676,390		(25,545,796)		327,772		(272,818)
	—		—		226,100		—		—
	454,940		28,676,390		(25,319,696)		327,772		(272,818)
	58,722,517		21,533,398		24,251,401		1,238,410		1,637,936
	(146,547)		(196,108)		(153,865)		(521)		(297)
	(18,006)		(117,667)		(160,447)		(2,476)		(3,448)
	(754,701)		(19,779,981)		(22,406,200)		(103,794)		(113,469)
	(12,650)		(945,036)		(630,307)		(10,607)		—
	(113,025)		(1,960,709)		(2,172,666)		(26,477)		(27,054)
	(3,342,008)		(27,583,071)		(28,342,404)		(847,966)		(2,329,703)
	—		—		—		—		—
	54,335,580		(29,049,174)		(29,614,488)		246,569		(836,035)
	54,790,520		(372,784)		(54,934,184)		574,341		(1,108,853)
	—		182,721,532		237,655,716		2,725,560		3,834,413
$	54,790,520	$	182,348,748	$	182,721,532	$	3,299,901	$	2,725,560

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Equity
			Income
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	4,761,926	$	(1,993,809)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(6,174,959)		(7,089,490)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			32,945,898		10,405,702
	Net gains (losses) from investments			31,532,865		1,322,403
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				31,532,865		1,322,403
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		24,933,966		160,798,837
	Administration charges			(1,675,810)		(944,584)
	Contingent sales charges			(274,031)		(275,479)
	Contract terminations			(18,724,217)		(14,948,998)
	Death benefit payments			(1,649,422)		(748,727)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(6,205,584)		(4,894,220)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(36,163,630)		(22,869,490)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(39,758,728)		116,117,339
Total increase (decrease)				(8,225,863)		117,439,742
Net assets at beginning of period				291,223,928		173,784,186
Net assets at end of period			$	282,998,065	$	291,223,928
See accompanying notes.

Fidelity VIP				Fidelity VIP				Fidelity VIP
Contrafund				Contrafund				Equity-Income
Service				Service				Service
Class				Class 2				Class 2
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(66,994)	$	(266,597)	$	(129,657)	$	(263,333)	$	542,984	$	313,904
	2,312		(783,318)		(907,253)		(730,880)		1,246,772		(1,764,505)
	7,190,520		(1,014,257)		7,727,861		(846,679)		3,723,990		1,142,039
	7,125,838		(2,064,172)		6,690,951		(1,840,892)		5,513,746		(308,562)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	7,125,838		(2,064,172)		6,690,951		(1,840,892)		5,513,746		(308,562)
	4,515,846		6,812,734		6,098,369		7,322,148		7,803,257		7,652,860
	(13,848)		(13,634)		(193,262)		(117,820)		(10,611)		(7,739)
	(21,565)		(32,845)		(51,866)		(43,390)		(28,513)		(30,662)
	(7,205,241)		(7,143,799)		(2,173,871)		(1,428,000)		(4,901,001)		(4,560,643)
	(483,192)		(140,419)		(221,063)		(116,360)		(197,594)		(96,717)
	(582,195)		(706,735)		(711,683)		(635,543)		(431,366)		(457,021)
	(6,971,052)		(9,233,705)		(7,043,415)		(4,428,136)		(8,586,085)		(8,812,765)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(10,761,247)		(10,458,403)		(4,296,791)		552,899		(6,351,913)		(6,312,687)
	(3,635,409)		(12,522,575)		2,394,160		(1,287,993)		(838,167)		(6,621,249)
	50,818,312		63,340,887		46,780,765		48,068,758		37,791,432		44,412,681
$	47,182,903	$	50,818,312	$	49,174,925	$	46,780,765	$	36,953,265	$	37,791,432

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Fidelity VIP
			Growth
			Service
			Class
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(126,170)	$	(186,781)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(23,284)		(322,969)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			2,064,345		431,317
	Net gains (losses) from investments			1,914,891		(78,433)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				1,914,891		(78,433)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		1,667,924		2,090,992
	Administration charges			(4,059)		(4,587)
	Contingent sales charges			(5,969)		(9,360)
	Contract terminations			(1,994,226)		(2,035,709)
	Death benefit payments			(149,796)		(54,696)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(152,454)		(171,221)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(1,652,626)		(3,433,065)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(2,291,206)		(3,617,646)
Total increase (decrease)				(376,315)		(3,696,079)
Net assets at beginning of period				14,923,842		18,619,921
Net assets at end of period			$	14,547,527	$	14,923,842
See accompanying notes.

Fidelity VIP				Fidelity VIP				Fidelity VIP
Growth				Mid Cap				Overseas
Service				Service				Service
Class 2				Class 2				Class 2
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(78,469)	$	(98,767)	$	(108,914)	$	(156,168)	$	174,676	$	(42,361)
	213,028		187,068		892,370		151,777		(2,336,625)		(1,025,077)
	716,521		(144,068)		536,705		(1,416,837)		9,907,707		(7,053,959)
	851,080		(55,767)		1,320,161		(1,421,228)		7,745,758		(8,121,397)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	851,080		(55,767)		1,320,161		(1,421,228)		7,745,758		(8,121,397)
	1,378,758		1,612,509		1,312,494		3,145,356		4,543,725		7,549,574
	(1,354)		(1,103)		(1,027)		(1,096)		(269,518)		(167,851)
	(13,178)		(14,634)		(16,439)		(10,625)		(56,498)		(60,041)
	(552,343)		(481,619)		(688,989)		(349,667)		(2,368,008)		(1,975,999)
	(41,586)		(11,709)		(15,222)		(1,361)		(192,853)		(85,276)
	(21,995)		(22,168)		(73,494)		(76,021)		(816,918)		(717,314)
	(1,542,301)		(2,404,648)		(1,414,927)		(3,636,866)		(5,673,641)		(3,532,815)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(793,999)		(1,323,372)		(897,604)		(930,280)		(4,833,711)		1,010,278
	57,081		(1,379,139)		422,557		(2,351,508)		2,912,047		(7,111,119)
	6,608,710		7,987,849		10,432,308		12,783,816		41,147,634		48,258,753
$	6,665,791	$	6,608,710	$	10,854,865	$	10,432,308	$	44,059,681	$	41,147,634

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Franklin
			Small Cap
			Value Securities
			Class 2
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(11,547)	$	(6,509)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(31,930)		87,435
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			307,205		(109,458)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			263,728		(28,532)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				263,728		(28,532)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		1,451,939		2,106,722
	Administration charges			(310)		(53)
	Contingent sales charges			(2,075)		(557)
	Contract terminations			(86,990)		(18,336)
	Death benefit payments			—		(1,890)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(4,626)		(2,351)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(1,357,287)		(776,455)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				651		1,307,080
Total increase (decrease)				264,379		1,278,548
Net assets at beginning of period				1,725,850		447,302
Net assets at end of period			$	1,990,229	$	1,725,850
See accompanying notes.

Goldman Sachs				Goldman Sachs				Government
VIT Mid Cap				VIT Structured				& High
Value				Small Cap				Quality
Service				Equity Service				Bond
Class I				Class I				Class 1
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(48,822)	$	(112,567)	$	(15,225)	$	(34,482)	$	5,305,181	$	(2,321,786)
	(163,901)		(226,360)		(75,367)		(186,679)		1,074,171		388,050
	2,689,432		(947,800)		759,282		151,574		(1,344,323)		11,555,092
	2,476,709		(1,286,727)		668,690		(69,587)		5,035,029		9,621,356
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	2,476,709		(1,286,727)		668,690		(69,587)		5,035,029		9,621,356
	659,910		2,830,351		767,968		2,261,600		45,412,625		44,536,504
	(2,072)		(1,612)		(262)		(206)		(350,677)		(231,937)
	(28,129)		(22,854)		(5,926)		(5,463)		(143,461)		(178,057)
	(1,178,957)		(752,133)		(248,375)		(179,783)		(22,297,945)		(23,955,571)
	(36,235)		(32,583)		(10,315)		(5,155)		(1,453,922)		(1,445,064)
	(105,462)		(118,594)		(42,495)		(37,757)		(4,416,644)		(4,923,493)
	(1,530,048)		(2,539,290)		(1,445,512)		(1,786,514)		(23,485,202)		(42,264,335)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(2,220,993)		(636,715)		(984,917)		246,722		(6,735,226)		(28,461,953)
	255,716		(1,923,442)		(316,227)		177,135		(1,700,197)		(18,840,597)
	15,461,837		17,385,279		6,184,049		6,006,914		197,866,048		216,706,645
$	15,717,553	$	15,461,837	$	5,867,822	$	6,184,049	$	196,165,851	$	197,866,048

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			International
			Emerging
			Markets
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(42,539)	$	(1,014,455)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(1,369,514)		(702,388)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			16,145,458		(17,437,345)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			14,733,405		(19,154,188)
	Payment from affiliate			—		158,648
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				14,733,405		(18,995,540)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		16,975,686		20,908,523
	Administration charges			(19,458)		(20,456)
	Contingent sales charges			(77,868)		(101,678)
	Contract terminations			(8,125,276)		(9,572,163)
	Death benefit payments			(282,037)		(118,939)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(571,301)		(679,767)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(16,983,170)		(19,676,013)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(9,083,424)		(9,260,493)
Total increase (decrease)				5,649,981		(28,256,033)
Net assets at beginning of period				80,662,815		108,918,848
Net assets at end of period			$	86,312,796	$	80,662,815
See accompanying notes.

				Invesco				Invesco
Invesco				Global				International
Core Equity				Health Care				Growth
Series I				Series I				Series I
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(76,018)	$	(92,572)	$	(94,378)	$	(98,721)	$	22,269	$	16,827
	519,049		358,182		259,492		169,094		81,543		171,830
	2,310,920		(520,791)		1,086,911		141,389		745,234		(712,754)
	2,753,951		(255,181)		1,252,025		211,762		849,046		(524,097)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	2,753,951		(255,181)		1,252,025		211,762		849,046		(524,097)
	1,421,544		3,688,950		1,781,178		2,309,744		1,891,865		3,910,000
	(6,595)		(6,623)		(2,941)		(1,783)		(30,337)		(17,395)
	(8,663)		(15,877)		(2,224)		(5,366)		(4,875)		(4,541)
	(2,894,531)		(3,453,308)		(742,957)		(1,167,096)		(204,319)		(149,458)
	(141,112)		(121,866)		(55,583)		(11,874)		(6,281)		—
	(347,939)		(406,287)		(121,126)		(107,814)		(56,732)		(28,952)
	(1,975,526)		(3,684,763)		(1,312,310)		(1,799,601)		(1,270,871)		(1,896,332)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(3,952,822)		(3,999,774)		(455,963)		(783,790)		318,450		1,813,322
	(1,198,871)		(4,254,955)		796,062		(572,028)		1,167,496		1,289,225
	23,462,095		27,717,050		6,750,683		7,322,711		5,831,440		4,542,215
$	22,263,224	$	23,462,095	$	7,546,745	$	6,750,683	$	6,998,936	$	5,831,440

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Invesco
			Small Cap
			Equity
			Series I
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(116,526)	$	(122,734)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			403,325		625,167
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			732,083		(913,634)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			1,018,882		(411,201)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				1,018,882		(411,201)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		2,028,504		6,086,948
	Administration charges			(14,194)		(8,345)
	Contingent sales charges			(5,695)		(8,079)
	Contract terminations			(585,956)		(594,415)
	Death benefit payments			(76,214)		(22,665)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(81,709)		(82,218)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(2,556,318)		(3,709,861)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(1,291,582)		1,661,365
Total increase (decrease)				(272,700)		1,250,164
Net assets at beginning of period				8,774,370		7,524,206
Net assets at end of period			$	8,501,670	$	8,774,370
(1) Commenced operations on April 27, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

				Invesco
				Van Kampen		Invesco
Invesco				American		Van Kampen
Technology				Franchise		MidCap Growth
Series I				Series I		Series I
Division				Division (1)		Division (1)
2012		2011		2012		2012
$	(49,958)	$	(54,993)	$	(40,161)	$	(16,870)
	458,761		569,717		(35,386)		(880,832)
	(73,421)		(786,700)		(107,457)		825,958
	335,382		(271,976)		(183,004)		(71,744)
	—		—		—		—
	335,382		(271,976)		(183,004)		(71,744)
	1,222,081		1,285,516		5,502,144		2,346,273
	(494)		(508)		(821)		(207)
	(1,595)		(3,254)		(1,076)		(369)
	(532,772)		(707,665)		(359,493)		(123,201)
	(81,705)		(11,372)		(32,023)		(44,143)
	(32,065)		(41,874)		(45,252)		(13,300)
	(1,149,209)		(1,638,796)		(448,077)		(504,021)
	—		—		—		—
	(575,759)		(1,117,953)		4,615,402		1,661,032
	(240,377)		(1,389,929)		4,432,398		1,589,288
	3,590,855		4,980,784		—		—
$	3,350,478	$	3,590,855	$	4,432,398	$	1,589,288

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Invesco
			Van Kampen
			Value
			Opportunities
			Series I
			Division (1)
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	3,853	$	(19,816)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			256,615		200,366
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			410,721		(351,473)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			671,189		(170,923)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				671,189		(170,923)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		1,114,249		902,782
	Administration charges			(24,790)		(14,084)
	Contingent sales charges			(5,465)		(6,522)
	Contract terminations			(229,047)		(214,633)
	Death benefit payments			—		—
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(47,511)		(45,417)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(1,291,324)		(354,375)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(483,888)		267,751
Total increase (decrease)				187,301		96,828
Net assets at beginning of period				4,394,814		4,297,986
Net assets at end of period			$	4,582,115	$	4,394,814
(1) Represented the operations of Invesco Basic Value Series I Division until May 21, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

Janus Aspen				LargeCap				LargeCap
Enterprise				Blend II				Growth
Service Shares				Class 1				Class 1
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(123,898)	$	(148,691)	$	(123,908)	$	(2,018,687)	$	(475,533)	$	(672,580)
	810,165		986,000		(7,684,322)		(7,941,259)		1,236,159		(201,667)
	712,378		(1,149,006)		25,976,889		8,341,968		6,433,431		(1,968,046)
	1,398,645		(311,697)		18,168,659		(1,617,978)		7,194,057		(2,842,293)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,398,645		(311,697)		18,168,659		(1,617,978)		7,194,057		(2,842,293)
	1,136,342		1,468,707		14,413,547		14,984,681		6,833,009		7,135,464
	(3,215)		(3,770)		(604,711)		(379,582)		(48,663)		(35,953)
	(3,368)		(6,949)		(138,459)		(152,403)		(23,556)		(42,893)
	(1,125,394)		(1,511,363)		(12,251,127)		(10,981,420)		(6,764,569)		(8,935,498)
	(72,381)		(4,128)		(814,451)		(430,793)		(804,109)		(237,601)
	(74,788)		(103,853)		(2,541,864)		(2,369,757)		(677,517)		(773,525)
	(1,735,951)		(2,601,416)		(23,417,674)		(16,412,320)		(5,461,797)		(5,663,775)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(1,878,755)		(2,762,772)		(25,354,739)		(15,741,594)		(6,947,202)		(8,553,781)
	(480,110)		(3,074,469)		(7,186,080)		(17,359,572)		246,855		(11,396,074)
	9,563,512		12,637,981		139,819,093		157,178,665		47,766,565		59,162,639
$	9,083,402	$	9,563,512	$	132,633,013	$	139,819,093	$	48,013,420	$	47,766,565

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			LargeCap
			Growth I
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(1,243,764)	$	(1,422,481)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			4,691,008		4,189,185
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			10,727,581		(4,133,101)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			14,174,825		(1,366,397)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				14,174,825		(1,366,397)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		8,858,844		11,083,238
	Administration charges			(43,855)		(41,161)
	Contingent sales charges			(47,030)		(67,040)
	Contract terminations			(10,725,083)		(12,432,927)
	Death benefit payments			(569,735)		(435,771)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(1,032,727)		(1,165,781)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(11,016,041)		(14,959,335)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(14,575,627)		(18,018,777)
Total increase (decrease)				(400,802)		(19,385,174)
Net assets at beginning of period				97,585,310		116,970,484
Net assets at end of period			$	97,184,508	$	97,585,310
See accompanying notes.

LargeCap				LargeCap				MFS VIT
S&P 500 Index				Value				Utilities
Class 1				Class 1				Service Class
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(196,956)	$	(1,166,282)	$	36,616	$	(1,131,017)	$	250,681	$	56,483
	1,891,828		243,188		(2,833,319)		(5,507,403)		19,598		191,829
	10,175,493		1,349,086		16,281,020		6,800,106		228,909		(174,138)
	11,870,365		425,992		13,484,317		161,686		499,188		74,174
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	11,870,365		425,992		13,484,317		161,686		499,188		74,174
	12,672,605		14,019,920		8,785,185		9,042,882		3,299,862		4,896,119
	(106,357)		(68,775)		(108,424)		(70,201)		(805)		(431)
	(71,338)		(63,020)		(33,451)		(52,421)		(7,428)		(1,930)
	(9,846,187)		(8,714,323)		(9,320,292)		(10,825,170)		(311,313)		(63,526)
	(440,489)		(270,236)		(961,477)		(285,178)		—		(19,430)
	(1,257,399)		(1,314,180)		(1,314,588)		(1,406,579)		(41,064)		(16,538)
	(15,069,967)		(12,582,705)		(9,442,537)		(10,839,390)		(1,357,168)		(3,245,093)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(14,119,132)		(8,993,319)		(12,395,584)		(14,436,057)		1,582,084		1,549,171
	(2,248,767)		(8,567,327)		1,088,733		(14,274,371)		2,081,272		1,623,345
	88,076,528		96,643,855		83,241,119		97,515,490		3,242,679		1,619,334
$	85,827,761	$	88,076,528	$	84,329,852	$	83,241,119	$	5,323,951	$	3,242,679

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			MFS VIT
			Value
			Service Class
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(475)	$	22
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			87,623		81,364
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			143,116		(105,738)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			230,264		(24,352)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				230,264		(24,352)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		1,065,520		867,445
	Administration charges			(60)		(30)
	Contingent sales charges			(1,712)		(1,197)
	Contract terminations			(71,764)		(39,402)
	Death benefit payments			—		—
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(14,283)		(12,271)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(718,977)		(751,783)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				258,724		62,762
Total increase (decrease)				488,988		38,410
Net assets at beginning of period				1,497,599		1,459,189
Net assets at end of period			$	1,986,587	$	1,497,599
(1) Represented the operations of Neuberger Berman AMT Partners I Class Division until May 21, 2012.
See accompanying notes.

								Neuberger
								Berman AMT
MidCap				Money				Large Cap
Blend				Market				Value
Class 1				Class 1				I Class
Division				Division				Division (1)
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(1,585,630)	$	(4,888,552)	$	(1,131,698)	$	(1,388,508)	$	(48,123)	$	(74,228)
	17,121,613		10,826,927		138		(138)		(401,582)		(616,813)
	44,578,942		19,824,527		(144)		144		1,125,337		(5,840)
	60,114,925		25,762,902		(1,131,704)		(1,388,502)		675,632		(696,881)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	60,114,925		25,762,902		(1,131,704)		(1,388,502)		675,632		(696,881)
	38,208,326		46,236,538		73,969,048		114,783,508		1,023,060		2,129,232
	(747,111)		(515,872)		(93,556)		(65,033)		(1,439)		(1,279)
	(231,826)		(288,542)		(178,648)		(284,253)		(10,693)		(4,968)
	(33,086,783)		(34,854,660)		(25,855,076)		(36,060,302)		(448,177)		(163,497)
	(2,117,664)		(1,049,341)		(590,974)		(772,436)		(766)		(2,337)
	(4,888,634)		(4,851,366)		(1,941,134)		(2,748,938)		(44,047)		(46,732)
	(49,957,338)		(53,851,388)		(64,856,985)		(86,841,841)		(518,378)		(1,867,736)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(52,821,030)		(49,174,631)		(19,547,325)		(11,989,295)		(440)		42,683
	7,293,895		(23,411,729)		(20,679,029)		(13,377,797)		675,192		(654,198)
	355,563,559		378,975,288		101,685,930		115,063,727		4,641,665		5,295,863
$	362,857,454	$	355,563,559	$	81,006,901	$	101,685,930	$	5,316,857	$	4,641,665

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Neuberger
			Berman AMT
			Small-Cap Growth
			S Class
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(45,600)	$	(48,612)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(12,931)		(198,332)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			290,020		150,523
	Net gains (losses) from investments			231,489		(96,421)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				231,489		(96,421)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		369,273		1,785,469
	Administration charges			(6,367)		(3,674)
	Contingent sales charges			(5,265)		(4,648)
	Contract terminations			(220,671)		(152,958)
	Death benefit payments			(19,931)		(3,094)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(23,731)		(16,382)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(332,441)		(1,673,580)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(239,133)		(68,867)
Total increase (decrease)				(7,644)		(165,288)
Net assets at beginning of period				3,045,961		3,211,249
Net assets at end of period			$	3,038,317	$	3,045,961
See accompanying notes.

Neuberger
Berman AMT				PIMCO				PIMCO
Socially				All Asset				High Yield
Responsive				Administrative				Administrative
I Class				Class				Class
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(73,490)	$	(66,507)	$	159,448	$	130,321	$	728,487	$	667,908
	4,408		(592)		(2,213)		10,580		28,171		(8,685)
	663,817		(223,841)		271,281		(104,382)		1,237,308		(642,206)
	594,735		(290,940)		428,516		36,519		1,993,966		17,017
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	594,735		(290,940)		428,516		36,519		1,993,966		17,017
	505,590		1,946,453		2,615,409		2,016,825		7,497,025		20,181,580
	(41,118)		(24,538)		(170)		(67)		(1,049)		(329)
	(4,431)		(4,437)		(4,435)		(829)		(18,187)		(16,970)
	(185,729)		(146,042)		(185,883)		(27,278)		(762,285)		(558,503)
	—		(3,962)		(21,318)		—		(20,914)		—
	(109,981)		(94,337)		(34,568)		(21,045)		(337,002)		(253,273)
	(641,603)		(1,340,692)		(691,617)		(2,400,835)		(9,150,798)		(12,025,519)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(477,272)		332,445		1,677,418		(433,229)		(2,793,210)		7,326,986
	117,463		41,505		2,105,934		(396,710)		(799,244)		7,344,003
	6,400,944		6,359,439		2,596,853		2,993,563		15,396,488		8,052,485
$	6,518,407	$	6,400,944	$	4,702,787	$	2,596,853	$	14,597,244	$	15,396,488

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			PIMCO
			Total Return
			Administrative
			Class
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	401,779	$	293,536
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			860,476		415,108
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			1,100,406		(361,329)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			2,362,661		347,315
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				2,362,661		347,315
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		22,700,445		19,986,266
	Administration charges			(4,178)		(2,524)
	Contingent sales charges			(30,563)		(21,726)
	Contract terminations			(1,280,999)		(715,030)
	Death benefit payments			(110,399)		(26,047)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(321,979)		(197,500)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(4,486,673)		(9,317,702)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				16,465,654		9,705,737
Total increase (decrease)				18,828,315		10,053,052
Net assets at beginning of period				26,662,135		16,609,083
Net assets at end of period			$	45,490,450	$	26,662,135
See accompanying notes.

				Principal
Principal				LifeTime				Principal
Capital				Strategic				LifeTime
Appreciation				Income				2010
Class 1				Class 1				Class 1
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(25,364)	$	(114,885)	$	115,724	$	453,356	$	220,307	$	566,361
	646,686		94,531		(59,569)		(201,215)		(352,620)		(961,486)
	551,683		(124,046)		1,954,637		275,270		3,879,751		470,426
	1,173,005		(144,400)		2,010,792		527,411		3,747,438		75,301
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,173,005		(144,400)		2,010,792		527,411		3,747,438		75,301
	3,701,736		4,194,632		3,312,386		4,530,114		2,314,810		3,522,579
	(1,222)		(741)		(107,919)		(67,281)		(226,256)		(146,908)
	(9,848)		(29,359)		(26,341)		(20,439)		(47,540)		(42,404)
	(425,089)		(967,180)		(1,526,759)		(1,011,059)		(2,369,467)		(2,653,528)
	(97,742)		—		(121,760)		(82,297)		(297,172)		(480,923)
	(57,526)		(30,754)		(944,196)		(840,965)		(1,118,863)		(1,027,352)
	(2,028,776)		(1,324,920)		(1,760,904)		(2,495,993)		(1,695,459)		(2,575,918)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,081,533		1,841,678		(1,175,493)		12,080		(3,439,947)		(3,404,454)
	2,254,538		1,697,278		835,299		539,491		307,491		(3,329,153)
	9,163,506		7,466,228		24,819,045		24,279,554		37,725,601		41,054,754
$	11,418,044	$	9,163,506	$	25,654,344	$	24,819,045	$	38,033,092	$	37,725,601

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Principal
			LifeTime
			2020
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	573,714	$	1,966,949
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(1,319,056)		(1,812,481)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			21,643,092		(4,195,697)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			20,897,750		(4,041,229)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				20,897,750		(4,041,229)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		6,926,124		6,402,945
	Administration charges			(1,325,593)		(830,753)
	Contingent sales charges			(134,570)		(145,887)
	Contract terminations			(7,042,181)		(5,861,216)
	Death benefit payments			(515,118)		(793,487)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(3,431,376)		(2,792,022)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(6,766,706)		(5,129,905)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(12,289,420)		(9,150,325)
Total increase (decrease)				8,608,330		(13,191,554)
Net assets at beginning of period				163,064,669		176,256,223
Net assets at end of period			$	171,672,999	$	163,064,669
See accompanying notes.

Principal				Principal				Principal
LifeTime				LifeTime				LifeTime
2030				2040				2050
Class 1				Class 1				Class 1
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	163,142	$	395,002	$	25,137	$	31,153	$	5,233	$	7,700
	97,428		(282,956)		(221,639)		(191,916)		(57,691)		(101,796)
	7,834,921		(2,262,763)		1,754,811		(292,007)		919,356		(243,506)
	8,095,491		(2,150,717)		1,558,309		(452,770)		866,898		(337,602)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	8,095,491		(2,150,717)		1,558,309		(452,770)		866,898		(337,602)
	2,700,995		4,007,184		1,828,057		1,384,352		1,257,256		949,844
	(441,905)		(265,681)		(5,471)		(5,244)		(4,454)		(4,342)
	(63,344)		(84,087)		(16,014)		(14,903)		(10,314)		(13,092)
	(3,284,622)		(3,376,524)		(686,304)		(576,337)		(433,708)		(446,754)
	(270,423)		(121,017)		(4,471)		(31,568)		(12,189)		—
	(456,182)		(366,783)		(22,424)		(27,604)		(11,886)		(13,149)
	(1,168,487)		(1,856,652)		(1,362,205)		(686,783)		(566,841)		(431,395)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(2,983,968)		(2,063,560)		(268,832)		41,913		217,864		41,112
	5,111,523		(4,214,277)		1,289,477		(410,857)		1,084,762		(296,490)
	58,811,911		63,026,188		10,412,262		10,823,119		5,533,082		5,829,572
$	63,923,434	$	58,811,911	$	11,701,739	$	10,412,262	$	6,617,844	$	5,533,082

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Real Estate
			Securities
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	43,601	$	(1,047,265)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			203,398		(1,822,448)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			10,904,789		8,190,221
	Net gains (losses) from investments			11,151,788		5,320,508
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				11,151,788		5,320,508
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		19,320,245		16,657,636
	Administration charges			(35,056)		(25,237)
	Contingent sales charges			(51,564)		(59,074)
	Contract terminations			(8,355,412)		(8,048,670)
	Death benefit payments			(429,575)		(184,694)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(826,408)		(810,283)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(17,632,826)		(14,839,440)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(8,010,596)		(7,309,762)
Total increase (decrease)				3,141,192		(1,989,254)
Net assets at beginning of period				73,765,369		75,754,623
Net assets at end of period			$	76,906,561	$	73,765,369
See accompanying notes.

				SAM				SAM
SAM				Conservative				Conservative
Balanced				Balanced				Growth
Portfolio				Portfolio				Portfolio
Class 1				Class 1				Class 1
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(4,402,611)	$	10,032,530	$	(828,924)	$	2,947,347	$	(595,294)	$	382,052
	12,595,940		(2,298,562)		4,313,765		3,547,015		1,044,910		(1,018,440)
	65,046,625		(9,941,247)		11,218,987		(4,929,542)		7,041,443		(598,866)
	73,239,954		(2,207,279)		14,703,828		1,564,820		7,491,059		(1,235,254)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	73,239,954		(2,207,279)		14,703,828		1,564,820		7,491,059		(1,235,254)
	35,151,343		59,079,598		20,844,153		27,089,479		14,668,004		17,718,263
	(5,751,750)		(3,411,967)		(977,448)		(594,888)		(14,236)		(11,186)
	(515,593)		(706,138)		(193,907)		(205,488)		(57,684)		(74,992)
	(29,300,229)		(30,200,400)		(12,749,752)		(10,749,880)		(4,155,275)		(4,829,900)
	(1,107,166)		(2,804,800)		(349,065)		(237,703)		(259,536)		(76,287)
	(10,260,274)		(8,317,924)		(2,944,448)		(2,546,651)		(436,371)		(351,977)
	(24,971,419)		(34,625,201)		(9,160,534)		(19,237,610)		(7,281,096)		(8,339,079)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(36,755,088)		(20,986,832)		(5,531,001)		(6,482,741)		2,463,806		4,034,842
	36,484,866		(23,194,111)		9,172,827		(4,917,921)		9,954,865		2,799,588
	660,872,967		684,067,078		153,301,626		158,219,547		57,953,843		55,154,255
$	697,357,833	$	660,872,967	$	162,474,453	$	153,301,626	$	67,908,708	$	57,953,843

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			SAM
			Flexible
			Income
			Portfolio
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(354,779)	$	4,042,906
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			4,606,745		2,093,135
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			10,741,686		(3,084,608)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			14,993,652		3,051,433
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				14,993,652		3,051,433
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		37,630,418		42,693,874
	Administration charges			(772,967)		(479,046)
	Contingent sales charges			(158,948)		(154,761)
	Contract terminations			(11,762,051)		(9,695,366)
	Death benefit payments			(903,083)		(1,356,101)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(3,488,484)		(3,299,446)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(10,806,998)		(27,410,717)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				9,737,887		298,437
Total increase (decrease)				24,731,539		3,349,870
Net assets at beginning of period				160,984,496		157,634,626
Net assets at end of period			$	185,716,035	$	160,984,496
See accompanying notes.

SAM
Strategic
Growth				Short-Term				SmallCap
Portfolio				Income				Blend
Class 1				Class 1				Class 1
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(475,008)	$	61,677	$	1,211,017	$	(1,965,168)	$	(351,128)	$	(289,903)
	733,872		784,560		593,209		352,334		205,076		(235,719)
	5,207,269		(2,145,211)		3,921,362		1,364,729		3,649,193		(238,981)
	5,466,133		(1,298,974)		5,725,588		(248,105)		3,503,141		(764,603)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	5,466,133		(1,298,974)		5,725,588		(248,105)		3,503,141		(764,603)
	6,827,430		13,394,914		42,487,972		60,915,694		2,835,309		3,957,842
	(11,816)		(9,461)		(885,609)		(560,144)		(5,376)		(4,657)
	(44,591)		(39,204)		(164,462)		(190,072)		(8,460)		(17,489)
	(2,948,772)		(1,940,548)		(11,944,019)		(12,552,028)		(2,945,653)		(3,979,835)
	(47,415)		(28,880)		(916,943)		(1,014,588)		(127,971)		(59,340)
	(211,171)		(189,285)		(4,303,193)		(4,115,710)		(376,702)		(453,281)
	(7,924,371)		(7,447,035)		(20,934,739)		(46,971,099)		(3,979,946)		(6,211,427)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(4,360,706)		3,740,501		3,339,007		(4,487,947)		(4,608,799)		(6,768,187)
	1,105,427		2,441,527		9,064,595		(4,736,052)		(1,105,658)		(7,532,790)
	41,082,105		38,640,578		157,122,178		161,858,230		27,779,766		35,312,556
$	42,187,532	$	41,082,105	$	166,186,773	$	157,122,178	$	26,674,108	$	27,779,766

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			SmallCap
			Growth II
			Class 1
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	(351,047)	$	(391,937)
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			105,591		(456,155)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			3,918,613		(798,411)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			3,673,157		(1,646,503)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				3,673,157		(1,646,503)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		3,601,746		6,086,380
	Administration charges			(3,865)		(4,164)
	Contingent sales charges			(20,624)		(21,957)
	Contract terminations			(2,759,327)		(3,194,923)
	Death benefit payments			(190,080)		(27,278)
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(259,079)		(282,456)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(3,865,804)		(7,090,831)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(3,497,033)		(4,535,229)
Total increase (decrease)				176,124		(6,181,732)
Net assets at beginning of period				25,539,965		31,721,697
Net assets at end of period			$	25,716,089	$	25,539,965
See accompanying notes.

				T. Rowe Price				T. Rowe Price
SmallCap				Blue Chip				Health
Value I				Growth				Sciences
Class 1				Portfolio II				Portfolio II
Division				Division				Division
2012		2011		2012		2011		2012		2011
$	(414,919)	$	(1,058,650)	$	(107,785)	$	(94,334)	$	(146,708)	$	(104,618)
	(1,231,272)		(1,408,172)		651,012		693,559		1,072,399		491,057
	15,698,204		(873,924)		619,012		(589,101)		1,497,336		129,567
	14,052,013		(3,340,746)		1,162,239		10,124		2,423,027		516,006
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	14,052,013		(3,340,746)		1,162,239		10,124		2,423,027		516,006
	6,466,959		10,861,918		2,867,443		2,874,703		5,996,414		5,109,755
	(284,195)		(175,492)		(35,329)		(20,540)		(22,399)		(13,713)
	(65,151)		(75,993)		(9,013)		(9,160)		(14,232)		(6,385)
	(6,532,246)		(6,279,612)		(377,748)		(301,462)		(596,511)		(210,137)
	(406,002)		(116,994)		(6,084)		(17,950)		(23,023)		(24,562)
	(1,208,626)		(1,111,967)		(98,259)		(79,291)		(88,891)		(69,999)
	(12,862,469)		(10,258,070)		(2,277,505)		(2,107,750)		(3,669,340)		(3,992,228)
	—		—		—		—		—		—
	(14,891,730)		(7,156,210)		63,505		338,550		1,582,018		792,731
	(839,717)		(10,496,956)		1,225,744		348,674		4,005,045		1,308,737
	76,201,180		86,698,136		7,052,167		6,703,493		7,737,621		6,428,884
$	75,361,463	$	76,201,180	$	8,277,911	$	7,052,167	$	11,742,666	$	7,737,621

		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
		Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, Except as Noted
			Templeton
			Growth Securities
			Class 2
			Division
			2012		2011
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
	Net investment income (loss)		$	13,601	$	5,918
	Total realized gains (losses) on investments			(26,456)		(31,536)
	Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments			196,294		(57,077)
	Net gains (losses) from investments			183,439		(82,695)
	Payment from affiliate			—		—
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations				183,439		(82,695)
Policy related transactions:
	Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
		and applicable premium taxes		32,377		24,800
	Administration charges			—		—
	Contingent sales charges			(175)		(275)
	Contract terminations			(96,930)		(113,334)
	Death benefit payments			(1,140)		—
	Flexible withdrawal option payments			(15,885)		(14,285)
	Transfers payments to other contracts			(34,311)		(49,929)
	Annuity Payments			—		—
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions				(116,064)		(153,023)
Total increase (decrease)				67,375		(235,718)
Net assets at beginning of period				964,345		1,200,063
Net assets at end of period			$	1,031,720	$	964,345
See accompanying notes.

Van Eck
Global
Hard Assets
Service
Class
Division
2012		2011
$	(52,542)	$	(46,479)
	160,954		549,480
	50,120		(2,343,561)
	158,532		(1,840,560)
	—		—
	158,532		(1,840,560)
	3,432,766		9,543,119
	(958)		(773)
	(6,504)		(7,155)
	(446,689)		(381,726)
	(57,191)		(17,192)
	(56,467)		(48,208)
	(2,809,386)		(4,956,276)
	—		—
	55,571		4,131,789
	214,103		2,291,229
	7,688,370		5,397,141
$	7,902,473	$	7,688,370

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (“Separate Account B”) is a segregated investment account of Principal Life Insurance Company (“Principal Life”) and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a unit investment trust, with no stated limitations on the number of authorized units. As directed by eligible contractholders, each division of Separate Account B invests exclusively in shares representing interests in a corresponding investment option. As of December 31, 2012, contract holder investment options include the following open-end management investment companies:

Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 1 (1)

Asset Allocation Account

Balanced Account

Bond & Mortgage Securities Account

Diversified International Account

Equity Income Account

Government & High Quality Bond Account (3)

International Emerging Markets Account

LargeCap Blend Account II

LargeCap Growth Account

LargeCap Growth Account I

LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account

LargeCap Value Account

MidCap Blend Account

Money Market Account

Principal Capital Appreciation Account

Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Account

Principal LifeTime 2010 Account

Principal LifeTime 2020 Account

Principal LifeTime 2030 Account

Principal LifeTime 2040 Account

Principal LifeTime 2050 Account

Real Estate Securities Account

Short-Term Income Account (3)

SmallCap Blend Account

SmallCap Growth Account II

SmallCap Value Account I

Strategic Asset Management Balanced Portfolio

Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio

Strategic Asset Management Conservative Growth Portfolio

Strategic Asset Management Flexible Income Portfolio

Strategic Asset Management Strategic Growth Portfolio

Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 2 (1)

Diversified Balanced Account (5)

Diversified Growth Account (5)

Diversified Income Account (8)

AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund, Inc.:

Small Cap Growth Portfolio – Class A

American Century Investments®:

VP Income & Growth Fund – Class I

VP Inflation Protection Fund – Class II

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

VP MidCap Value Fund – Class II (6)

VP Ultra® Fund – Class I

VP Ultra® Fund – Class II

VP Value Fund – Class II

VP VistaSM Fund – Class I

Dreyfus Investment Portfolios:

Technology Growth Portfolio – Service Shares

Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products Fund:

Contrafund® Portfolio – Service Class

Contrafund® Portfolio – Service Class 2

Equity-Income Portfolio – Service Class 2

Growth Portfolio – Service Class

Growth Portfolio – Service Class 2

Mid Cap Portfolio – Service Class 2

Overseas Portfolio – Service Class 2

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust:

Small Cap Value Securities Fund – Class 2 (5)

Templeton Growth Securities Fund – Class 2

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust:

Mid Cap Value Fund – Institutional Shares

Structured Small Cap Equity Fund – Institutional Shares

Invesco Variable Insurance Fund:

Core Equity Fund – Series I Shares

Global Health Care Fund – Series I Shares

International Growth Fund – Series I Shares (2)

Small Cap Equity Fund – Series I Shares

Technology Fund – Series I Shares

Van Kampen American Franchise – Series I (7)

Van Kampen MidCap Growth – Series I (7)

Van Kampen Value Opportunities – Series I (9)

Janus Aspen Series:

Janus Aspen Series Enterprise Portfolio – Service Shares

MFS® Variable Insurance Trust:

Utilities Series – S Class (4)

Value Series – S Class (4)

Neuberger Berman Advisors Management Trust:

Large Cap Value Portfolio – I Class Shares (10)

Small-Cap Growth Portfolio – S Class Shares

Socially Responsive Portfolio – I Class Shares

PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust:

All Asset Portfolio Administrative Class (4)

High Yield Portfolio Administrative Class (5)

Total Return Portfolio Administrative Class (4)

T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.

Blue Chip Growth Portfolio – II

Health Sciences Portfolio – II

Van Eck VIP Trust:

Global Hard Assets Fund – Service Class Shares (4)

(1)    Organized by Principal Life Insurance Company.

(2)    Commencement of operations, May 19, 2008.

(3)    Commencement of operations, November 24, 2008.

(4)    Commencement of operations, May 18, 2009.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

(5)    Commencement of operations, January 4, 2010.

(6)    Commencement of operations, May 24, 2010.

(7)    Commencement of operations, April 27, 2012.

(8)    Commencement of operations, May 21, 2012.

(9)    Represented the operations of Invesco Basic Value Series I Division until May 21, 2012.

(10)    Represented the operations of Neuberger Berman AMT Partners I Class Division until May 21, 2012.

Commencement of operations date is the date that the division became available to contractholders.

The assets of Separate Account B are owned by Principal Life. The assets of Separate Account B support the following variable annuity contracts of Principal Life and may not be used to satisfy the liabilities arising from any other business of Principal Life: Bankers Flexible Annuity; Pension Builder Plus; Pension Builder Plus-Rollover IRA; Personal Variable; Premier Variable; Principal Freedom Variable Annuity; Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2; The Principal Variable Annuity; The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider; Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity, Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider and Principal Lifetime Income Solutions. Principal Life no longer accepts contributions for Bankers Flexible Annuity contracts, Pension Builder Plus contracts and Pension Builder Plus-Rollover IRA contracts. Contractholders are being given the option of withdrawing their funds or transferring to another contract. Contributions to the Personal Variable contracts are no longer accepted from new customers, only from existing customers beginning January 1998.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes of Separate Account B in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. These estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes.

Investments

Investments are stated at the closing net asset values (“NAV”) per share on December 31, 2012. Net realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Dividends are taken into income on an accrual basis as of the ex-dividend date. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels:

• Level 1 – Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

• Level 2 – Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

• Level 3 – Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

All investments of the open-end management investment companies listed above represent investments in mutual funds for which a daily NAV is calculated and published. Therefore, all investments are reflected in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Foreign Tax Withholdings

Principal Life may be entitled to claim a federal income tax credit to the extent foreign income taxes are withheld on investment income allocated to Separate Account B. Principal Life will compensate each separate account division in an amount equal to the tax benefit claimed on its federal income tax return, or subsequently claimed for refund, attributable to foreign taxes on the division’s share of income associated with investments allocated to Separate Account B within a reasonable time of receiving a tax benefit. The amounts presented as payment from affiliate on the Statement of Operations and the Statement of Changes in Net Assets reflects compensation for subsequently claimed refunds.

2. Expenses and Related Party Transactions

Principal Life is compensated for the following expenses:

Bankers Flexible Annuity contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 0.48% of the asset value of each contract. An annual administration charge of $7 for each participant’s account is deducted as compensation for administrative expenses. This charge is collected by redeeming units of the separate account.

Pension Builder Plus and Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 1.50% (1.0% for a Rollover Individual Retirement Annuity) of the asset value of each contract. A contingent sales charge of up to 7.0% may be deducted from withdrawals made during the first ten years of a contract, except for withdrawals related to death or permanent disability. An annual administration charge will be deducted ranging from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $275 depending upon a participant’s investment account values and the number of participants under the retirement plan and their participant investment account value.

Personal Variable contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 0.64% of the asset value of each contract. The contract provides for recordkeeping and other services and allows the Contractholders, in their sole discretion, a customized Plan-level service package and charges. An annual administration charge of $34 (increases to $37 if the benefit plan reports are distributed directly to the homes of plan participants) for each participant’s account plus 0.35% of

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

the annual average balance of investment account values which correlate to a plan participant will be deducted on a quarterly basis.

Premier Variable contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 0.42% of the asset value of each contract. The contract provides for recordkeeping and other services and allows the Contractholders, in their sole discretion, a customized Plan-level service package and charges. The amount varies by Plan document and account balance of contract. Recordkeeping charges are also paid by the Contractholder. The annual charge ranges from $2,250 to $25,316 plus $10 per participant. The amount varies by total plan participants. There were no contingent sales charges provided for in these contracts.

Principal Freedom Variable Annuity – Mortality and expenses risk assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 0.85% of the asset value of each contract. Principal Life reserves the right to increase this charge but guarantees that it will not exceed 1.25% per year. A surrender charge up to 6.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first six years of a contract, except for withdrawals related to death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a health facility, or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administrative fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently being waived.

Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2 – Mortality and expenses risk assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 0.95% of the asset value of each contract. Principal Life reserves the right to increase this charge but guarantees that it will not exceed 1.25% per year. A surrender charge up to 3.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first three years of a contract, except for death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a health facility, or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administrative fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently being waived.

The Principal Variable Annuity – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 1.25% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to 6.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first six years of a contract, except for death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a health care facility, or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administrative fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently being waived. The product also contains an optional purchase payment credit rider, which charges an annual rate of 0.6%. For electing participants, the rider is deducted from the daily unit value. For contracts with the purchase payment credit rider, the maximum surrender charge is 8.0% from withdrawals made during the first eight years.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

The Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity - Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 1.25% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to 6.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first six years of a contract, except for death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a health care facility, or terminal illness. An annual administration charge of the lesser of 2.0% of the accumulated value or $30 is deducted at the end of the contract year. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administrative fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently being waived. The product also contains an optional premium payment credit rider, which charges an annual rate of 0.6%. For electing participants, the rider is deducted from the daily unit value. For contracts with the premium payment credit rider, the maximum surrender charge is 8.0% from withdrawals made during the first eight years.

Principal Lifetime Income Solutions^SM Variable Annuity – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 1.25% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to 6% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first six years of a contract, except for death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a health care facility or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administration fee of up to 0.15% of the average daily net asset value of each Division. The fee is currently being waived.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, management fees were paid indirectly to Principal Management Corporation (“Manager”) (wholly owned by Principal Financial Services, Inc.), an affiliate of Principal Life, in its capacity as advisor to Principal Variable Contracts Fund, Inc. Investment advisory and management fees are computed on an annual rate of 0.03% of each of the Principal LifeTime Accounts’ average daily net assets. Prior to July 1, 2009, the annual rate paid by each Principal LifeTime Account was 0.1225% of the average daily net assets up to $3 billion and 0.1125% of the average daily net assets over $3 billion. The annual rate paid by the SAM Portfolios is based upon the aggregate average daily net assets (“aggregate net assets”) of the SAM Portfolios. The investment advisory and management fee schedule for the SAM Portfolios is 0.25% of aggregate net assets up to the first $1 billion and 0.20% of aggregate net assets over $1 billion.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

The annual rates used in this calculation for each of the other Accounts are as shown in the following tables.

	Net Assets of Accounts (in millions)
	First $100	Next $100	Next $100	Next $100	Over $400
Asset Allocation Account	0.80%	0.75%	0.70%	0.65%	0.60%
Balanced Account	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45	0.40
Bond & Mortgage Securities Account	0.50	0.45	0.40	0.35	0.30
Equity Income Account	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45	0.40
LargeCap Growth Account I	0.80	0.75	0.70	0.65	0.60
MidCap Blend Account	0.65	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45
Money Market Account	0.50	0.45	0.40	0.35	0.30
Real Estate Securities Account	0.90	0.85	0.80	0.75	0.70
SmallCap Blend Account	0.85	0.80	0.75	0.70	0.65
SmallCap Growth Account II	1.00	0.95	0.90	0.85	0.80
SmallCap Value Account I	1.10	1.05	1.00	0.95	0.90
	Net Assets of Accounts (in millions)
	First $250	Next $250	Next $250	Next $250	Over $1,000
Diversified International Account	0.85%	0.80%	0.75%	0.70%	0.65%
International Emerging Markets Account	1.25	1.20	1.15	1.10	1.05
LargeCap Blend Account II	0.75	0.70	0.65	0.60	0.55
LargeCap Value Account	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45	0.40

	Net Assets of Accounts				Net Assets of Accounts
	(in millions)				(in millions)
	First $200	Next $300	Over $500		First $500	Over $500
Short-Term Income Account	0.50%	0.45%	0.40%	Principal Capital Appreciation Account	0.625%	0.50%

	Net Assets of Accounts (in millions)						Net Assets of Accounts
	First $500	Next $500	Next $1 billion	Next $1 billion	Over $3 billion		First $2 billion	Over $2 billion
LargeCap Growth Account	0.68%	0.63%	0.61%	0.56%	0.51%	Government & High Quality Bond Account	0.50%	0.45%

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	All Net Assets
Bond Market Index Account	0.25%
Diversified Balanced Account	0.05
Diversified Growth Account	0.05
Diversified Income Account	0.05
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account	0.25

The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the Account’s management and investment advisory fees for certain of the Accounts through the period ended April 30, 2013. The expense limit will reduce the Account’s management and investment advisory fees by the following amounts:

LargeCap Blend Account II	0.018%
LargeCap Growth Account I	0.016
SmallCap Value Account I	0.020

In addition, the Manager has contractually agreed to limit the management and investment advisory fees for SmallCap Growth Account II. The expense limit will reduce the accounts Management Fees by .080% through the period ended April 30, 2014.

The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses (excluding interest the Accounts incur in connection with investments they make) for certain classes of shares of certain of the Accounts. The reductions and reimbursements are in amounts that maintain total operating expenses at or below certain limits. The limits are expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares on an annualized basis during the reporting period. The operating expense limits are as follows:

	From January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012
	Class 1	Class 2	Expiration
SmallCap Value Account I	0.99%	1.24%	April 30, 2013

The Manager has contractually agreed to limit Short-Term Income Account’s expenses by .01% through the period ended April 30, 2013.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

In addition, the Manager has voluntarily agreed to limit the expenses (excluding interest the Accounts incur in connection with investments they make and acquired fund fees and expenses) attributable to Class 2 shares of certain of the Accounts. The reductions and reimbursements are in amounts that maintain total operating expenses at or below certain limits. The limits are expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets on an annualized basis during the reporting period. The expense limit may be terminated at any time. The operating expense limits are as follows:

	Expense Limit
Diversified Balanced Account	0.31%
Diversified Growth Account	0.31
Diversified Income Account	0.31

In addition, the Manager has voluntarily agreed to limit the Money Market Account’s expenses to the extent necessary to maintain a 0% yield. The voluntary expense limit may be terminated at any time.

3. Federal Income Taxes

The operations of Separate Account B are a part of the operations of Principal Life. Under current practice, no federal income taxes are allocated by Principal Life to the operations of Separate Account B.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

4. Purchases and Sales of Investments                

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments were as follows for the period ended December 31, 2012:

Division		Purchases		Sales
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$	1,552,869	$	1,551,823
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		526,986		986,645
American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		99,278		327,878
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		18,968		22,996
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,840,009		2,664,505
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		19,773		1,260,735
American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		18,253,272		14,485,794
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		3,823,978		3,397,436
American Century VP MidCap Value Class II Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		380,622		442,888
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		29,638		88,282
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,567,216		799,844
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		41,929		7,496
American Century VP Ultra Class I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		976,550		1,196,075
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		32,057		613,460
American Century VP Ultra Class II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		4,392,069		10,690,908
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,254,987		3,614,928
American Century VP Value Class II Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		3,518,825		4,548,428
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		125,242		3,572,321
American Century VP Vista Class I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		830,333		931,561
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		3,986		252,940
Asset Allocation Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		20,001		746
The Principal Variable Annuity		4,466,999		5,693,871
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		113,027		1,869,028
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,362,115		2,561,966
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		405,494		606,347

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
Balanced Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable	$	145,346	$	212,359
Premier Variable		283,299		224,626
The Principal Variable Annuity		3,570,408		6,028,465
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		55,601		2,331,222
Bond & Mortgage Securities Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable		54,443		131,319
Premier Variable		850,342		384,303
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		1,059,388		1,440,927
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		277,155		173,983
The Principal Variable Annuity		22,826,575		24,927,039
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,226,914		11,382,567
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		21,627,658		17,493,832
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		5,521,061		5,411,910
Diversified Balanced Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		226,956,308		38,857,314
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		19,986,242		3,052,185
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		10,709,591		491,783
Diversified Growth Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		421,818,341		76,418,096
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		33,398,060		5,102,533
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		5,207,849		198,520
Diversified Income Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		53,456,547		4,452,798
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		4,286,874		66,103
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		979,096		6,457
Diversified International Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable		70,279		348,092
Premier Variable		408,006		519,259
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		188,663		527,354
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		109,601		378,531
The Principal Variable Annuity		17,622,158		27,151,990
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		923,335		12,402,447
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		4,943,600		9,134,139
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,125,342		2,526,201
Dreyfus IP Technology Growth Service Shares Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,044,048		826,588
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		194,362		209,375

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
Equity Income Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	$	20,692	$	24,573
The Principal Variable Annuity		11,511,976		16,076,321
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		646,260		7,302,787
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		18,691,397		35,859,411
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		2,797,718		9,401,753
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		4,918,116		12,553,691
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		185,757		3,378,423
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		6,007,602		9,408,139
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		635,402		1,661,313
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		7,724,062		6,557,600
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		197,148		5,267,908
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,890,991		2,403,525
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		470,236		442,250
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,710,151		3,023,716
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		30,663		1,134,474
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,305,287		1,899,232
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		97,506		376,029
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,892,886		1,615,386
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		324,994		745,333
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		4,281,257		7,273,100
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,210,476		2,728,244
Franklin Small Cap Value Securities Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,399,585		1,416,731
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		64,223		57,973
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Class I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		602,472		2,228,579
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		237,987		881,695
Goldman Sachs VIT Structured Small Cap Equity Service Class I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		749,340		1,669,146
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		87,409		167,745

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 Division:
Pension Builder Plus	$	5,058	$	10,868
Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		1,280		484
Personal Variable		149,797		159,874
Premier Variable		860,246		793,172
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		667,494		910,069
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		112,157		78,200
The Principal Variable Annuity		24,296,455		28,101,964
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,680,302		9,227,022
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		19,778,850		13,054,489
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		5,751,234		2,396,776
International Emerging Markets Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		98,044		88,802
The Principal Variable Annuity		8,379,641		11,161,262
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		688,608		5,930,370
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		7,136,119		7,365,581
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,784,064		2,666,424
Invesco Core Equity Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,594,458		4,785,040
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		47,860		886,118
Invesco Global Health Care Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,711,020		1,521,870
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		70,158		809,649
Invesco International Growth Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,870,385		1,488,990
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		129,971		170,647
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		824,862		1,278,841
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		80,425		564,619
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		986,875		1,371,078
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		136,342		222,074
Invesco Technology Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,121,463		1,222,041
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		100,618		625,757
Invesco Van Kampen American Franchise Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		5,393,813		870,751
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		108,331		56,152
Invesco Van Kampen MidCap Growth Series I Division
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,963,280		530,859
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		383,561		171,252

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
Invesco Van Kampen Value Opportunities Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$	1,122,587	$	1,487,906
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		59,167		173,883
Janus Aspen Enterprise Service Shares Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,119,032		2,456,679
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		17,310		682,316
LargeCap Blend II Class 1 Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		8,240,382		11,422,025
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		227,446		8,043,339
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		6,725,556		17,367,520
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,017,170		4,856,317
LargeCap Growth Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable		463,174		685,343
Premier Variable		2,088,564		2,221,032
The Principal Variable Annuity		2,031,166		6,802,816
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		115,812		1,075,315
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,981,320		3,180,950
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		298,140		435,455
LargeCap Growth I Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		8,569		5,400
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		173,587		376,043
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		18,056		32,020
The Principal Variable Annuity		5,756,866		16,438,927
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		308,937		4,879,200
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,338,252		2,389,962
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		329,844		631,950
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		59,014		39,177
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		277,862		1,634,118
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		224,111		474,862
The Principal Variable Annuity		6,570,913		10,423,598
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		149,393		5,064,706
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		5,977,700		9,165,794
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		491,695		1,148,569

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
LargeCap Value Class 1 Division:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$	—	$	191,128
Pension Builder Plus		20,997		63,343
Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		1,555		13,128
Personal Variable		58,486		303,187
Premier Variable		624,504		1,469,441
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		121,338		590,740
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		5,469		202,367
The Principal Variable Annuity		4,781,884		11,035,833
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		106,171		3,367,701
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,741,021		4,126,304
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		408,262		865,483
MFS VIT Utilities Service Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,149,940		1,652,211
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		461,260		126,224
MFS VIT Value Service Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		682,840		614,826
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		420,421		217,086
MidCap Blend Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable		104,881		561,825
Premier Variable		568,197		911,291
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		547,893		1,651,426
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		145,383		462,784
The Principal Variable Annuity		23,991,805		42,378,816
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		886,775		15,512,406
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		18,406,847		27,673,557
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		2,473,836		6,636,560
Money Market Class 1 Division:
Pension Builder Plus		1		11,368
Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		—		—
Personal Variable		530,045		464,670
Premier Variable		3,743,383		3,863,795
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		470,921		710,348
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		43,101		410,895
The Principal Variable Annuity		22,921,837		31,940,615
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		742,406		4,855,065
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		35,235,697		41,185,618
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		10,185,419		11,109,459
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions		96,267		96,267
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value I Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		976,199		808,408
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		66,517		282,871

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth S Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$	308,169	$	513,202
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		61,104		140,804
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive I Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		431,953		861,716
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		88,251		209,250
PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,280,350		863,587
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		542,047		121,944
PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		7,303,094		8,448,016
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,157,563		2,077,364
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		20,280,078		5,799,973
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		4,091,352		869,493
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		12,357		48,640
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,516,126		2,257,606
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		427,557		462,938
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		14,977		73,125
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,073,687		948,728
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		4,829		277,835
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,233,841		3,071,429
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		438,673		454,659
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		59,520		519,271
The Principal Variable Annuity		269,776		426,203
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		112,708
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,505,580		4,354,149
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		203,578		845,763
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		538,544		1,081,696
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,711,098		1,388,070
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		249,555		451,828
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		5,843,758		14,575,952
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,507,125		4,068,240

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	$	67,407	$	308,446
The Principal Variable Annuity		315,614		559,991
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		12,184		10,911
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,923,494		3,398,574
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		383,756		2,245,359
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		28,722		2,186
The Principal Variable Annuity		129,866		23,808
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		—		56,738
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,704,274		1,842,449
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		141,178		322,554
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		39,229		1,361
The Principal Variable Annuity		151,071		156,676
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		14,379		49,492
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,105,932		574,798
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		36,972		342,159
Real Estate Securities Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		76,947		61,640
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		68,836		93,009
The Principal Variable Annuity		11,141,391		13,536,977
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		541,078		7,723,551
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		7,328,891		5,941,517
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,262,163		1,029,607
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		51,155		446,532
The Principal Variable Annuity		12,294,132		11,782,953
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,013,476		5,506,529
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		27,534,212		55,030,081
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		7,330,547		8,315,399
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		433,634		391,670
The Principal Variable Annuity		5,573,111		7,071,803
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		829,499		2,427,570
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		14,779,174		15,158,631
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		2,565,311		3,472,816
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		68,004		308,629
The Principal Variable Annuity		3,769,963		3,543,144
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		195,429		2,168,262
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		8,897,930		5,929,373
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		2,024,322		1,137,728

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	$	840,616	$	36,562
The Principal Variable Annuity		12,882,206		8,979,110
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,873,895		4,487,085
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		20,915,771		13,902,080
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		5,730,855		2,823,961
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		26,879		6,707
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,701,360		4,745,090
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		126,650		982,353
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,824,065		5,117,958
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,246,268		908,828
Short-Term Income Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		369,496		475,434
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		337,290		322,942
The Principal Variable Annuity		9,731,010		10,327,532
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		981,028		4,309,723
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		27,260,095		20,314,451
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		7,232,089		5,610,902
SmallCap Blend Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		11,190		12,091
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		33,437		430,576
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		44,420		67,593
The Principal Variable Annuity		2,633,091		4,880,947
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		113,171		2,404,029
SmallCap Growth II Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		27,537		23,861
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		13,444		194,296
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		216		91,004
The Principal Variable Annuity		2,053,715		3,655,380
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		129,154		1,499,650
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,181,869		1,583,571
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		195,811		402,064
SmallCap Value I Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable		43,772		13,182
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		2,901		102,800
The Principal Variable Annuity		3,401,336		6,720,459
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		205,716		3,204,522
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		3,131,818		9,736,508
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		296,098		2,610,819
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,540,025		2,634,462
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		327,418		277,261

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division		Purchases		Sales
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$	5,388,300	$	3,948,155
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		817,999		612,949
Templeton Growth Securities Class 2 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		54,389		156,852
Van Eck Global Hard Assets Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity		1,389,222		933,502
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		152,399		246,161
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,285,281		2,058,178
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		340,244		246,604

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

5. Changes in Units Outstanding

Transactions in units were as follows for each of the periods ended December 31:

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed
AllianceBernstein Global Thematic Growth Class A Division:
Benefit Variable Universal Life II	79,387	85,447	216,438	214,336
Executive Variable Universal Life II	26,941	54,327	49,217	25,284
American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	3,491	25,702	10,095	54,396
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,647	2,089	31	798
The Principal Variable Annuity	142,375	231,254	181,237	308,487
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	1,530	109,420	11,360	184,651
American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,081,842	974,841	839,620	1,481,897
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	226,641	228,635	117,799	393,378
American Century VP MidCap Value Class II Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	24,991	34,706	66,296	20,283
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	1,946	6,918	6,958	1,606
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	120,543	65,835	54,847	15,142
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	3,225	617	15,327	6,764
American Century VP Ultra Class I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	93,855	114,320	76,626	128,115
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	3,081	58,634	6,323	55,456
American Century VP Ultra Class II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	360,738	817,606	400,495	509,278
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	103,077	276,458	97,175	169,086
American Century VP Value Class II Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	228,646	322,880	182,908	319,881
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	8,138	253,589	17,224	207,906
American Century VP Vista Class I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	59,579	64,735	57,693	85,957
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	286	17,577	3,384	7,850
Asset Allocation Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	4,129	–	6,689	14,382
The Principal Variable Annuity	84,734	203,313	89,906	292,754
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	2,144	66,738	5,135	56,553
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	89,456	89,778	30,668	37,983
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	10,789	21,248	10,448	19,776

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Balanced Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable	57,484	86,740	24,648	16,880
Premier Variable	96,229	88,057	159,229	262,537
The Principal Variable Annuity	133,632	267,958	144,799	368,340
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	2,081	103,620	15,630	141,152
Bond & Mortgage Securities Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable	16,780	50,196	15,303	10,257
Premier Variable	276,305	141,564	355,931	462,525
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	46,566	81,346	37,427	79,941
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	20,363	13,360	8,321	13,934
The Principal Variable Annuity	836,475	1,073,559	883,399	1,307,611
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	44,960	490,225	98,889	652,409
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	804,598	720,304	655,741	1,040,179
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	205,396	222,834	205,208	303,371
Diversified Balanced Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	18,979,080	2,835,954	14,561,948	1,676,776
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	1,671,337	222,760	1,322,521	85,280
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions	901,106	36,162	99,127	92
Diversified Growth Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	34,789,657	5,394,641	37,555,496	2,613,725
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	2,754,520	360,207	3,054,559	229,973
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions	432,918	14,726	9,052	–
Diversified Income Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	5,141,020	416,026	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	412,277	6,176	–	–
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions	93,997	357	–	–
Diversified International Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable	23,713	139,066	31,869	30,224
Premier Variable	132,333	198,343	165,602	545,866
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	9,176	36,231	29,951	63,919
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	9,695	36,684	12,988	19,158
The Principal Variable Annuity	688,351	1,191,781	661,337	1,344,330
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	36,067	544,380	63,362	548,644
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	181,812	383,983	247,813	284,996
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	41,387	106,197	63,977	92,825
Dreyfus IP Technology Growth Service Shares Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	63,923	50,833	97,619	154,131
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	11,900	12,876	6,487	2,090
Equity Income Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	15,594	18,742	15,179	33,987
The Principal Variable Annuity	953,222	1,527,612	4,429,781	1,491,927
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	53,512	693,929	1,133,229	620,270
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,244,506	3,290,109	8,291,479	1,996,595
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	186,277	862,613	2,553,922	702,810

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	273,524	762,517	418,338	866,998
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	10,331	205,207	34,049	295,090
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	357,836	572,582	435,894	378,499
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	37,847	101,108	77,452	86,662
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	417,766	523,325	434,203	591,801
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	10,663	420,402	38,539	468,642
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	172,358	183,456	156,189	156,700
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	28,035	33,756	38,404	24,508
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	166,255	299,055	221,379	469,277
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	2,981	112,203	10,151	168,662
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	97,482	136,805	100,141	187,979
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	7,282	27,086	27,251	45,825
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	63,573	86,416	143,856	194,786
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	10,915	39,872	29,435	27,993
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	287,407	526,069	479,201	360,669
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	81,261	197,336	148,961	112,345
Franklin Small Cap Value Securities Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	107,437	109,702	155,850	59,561
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	4,930	4,489	13,993	2,016
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Class I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	30,872	133,713	150,296	173,690
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	12,195	52,901	36,338	55,166
Goldman Sachs VIT Structured Small Cap Equity Service Class I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	54,729	126,660	173,436	150,972
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	6,384	12,729	13,917	17,656

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 Division:
Pension Builder Plus	–	2,786	–	378
Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA	–	45	–	47
Personal Variable	55,513	61,624	12,775	2,545
Premier Variable	279,514	294,188	452,101	697,426
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	43,556	73,302	43,083	58,809
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	8,255	6,292	7,203	9,428
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,688,821	2,289,840	1,844,454	2,984,724
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	116,796	751,848	335,145	1,283,631
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,486,108	1,034,179	1,280,394	1,650,184
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	432,126	189,873	314,750	321,215
International Emerging Markets Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	24,369	24,921	16,163	69,215
The Principal Variable Annuity	239,996	336,029	238,158	431,832
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	19,722	178,544	38,080	161,786
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	206,372	214,032	263,283	204,945
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	51,594	77,482	75,603	86,660
Invesco Core Equity Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	124,998	414,315	336,678	546,052
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	3,752	76,725	10,036	190,774
Invesco Global Health Care Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	132,012	116,246	178,328	158,093
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	5,413	61,844	21,258	112,824
Invesco International Growth Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	199,212	159,163	401,700	226,787
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	13,843	18,241	29,466	7,619
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	51,630	78,789	127,626	84,231
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	5,034	34,786	11,245	23,739
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	62,263	83,009	193,432	139,335
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	8,602	13,445	50,183	41,082
Invesco Technology Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	162,461	178,122	174,454	233,366
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	14,576	91,209	20,620	142,899
Invesco Van Kampen American Franchise Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	540,619	87,739	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	10,858	5,658	–	–
Invesco Van Kampen MidCap Growth Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	196,051	54,434	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	38,302	17,560	–	–

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Invesco Van Kampen Value Opportunities Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	105,528	143,106	77,042	51,439
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	5,562	16,724	21,029	15,859
Janus Aspen Enterprise Service Shares Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	115,655	245,302	145,105	367,467
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	1,789	68,130	18,611	106,698
LargeCap Blend II Class 1 Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	583,051	860,768	592,942	964,573
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	16,093	606,149	43,332	678,307
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	435,455	1,258,555	500,367	668,953
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	65,858	351,918	141,612	259,579
LargeCap Growth Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable	219,035	324,097	605,470	588,043
Premier Variable	953,441	1,017,596	740,102	1,083,348
The Principal Variable Annuity	99,794	330,659	115,119	475,049
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	5,690	52,267	9,783	60,574
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	100,714	155,039	98,337	119,277
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	15,155	21,224	24,371	29,034
LargeCap Growth I Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	6,097	3,040	42,961	43,289
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	14,254	30,265	16,562	45,178
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,508	2,626	1,268	1,573
The Principal Variable Annuity	154,200	426,148	201,907	597,839
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	8,275	126,484	12,011	145,485
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	63,914	61,830	86,321	80,309
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	9,016	16,349	17,066	21,511
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	44,833	29,278	65,275	94,859
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	16,164	139,161	36,682	157,557
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	19,300	41,113	23,060	27,402
The Principal Variable Annuity	569,328	963,192	685,846	1,100,354
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	12,944	468,004	57,905	602,312
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	536,406	833,283	540,568	434,367
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	44,122	104,419	104,510	75,372

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

LargeCap Value Class 1 Division:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	–	5,037	–	5,556
Pension Builder Plus	–	6,027	354	23,930
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	1,701	–	1,791
Personal Variable	15,924	90,463	21,159	16,744
Premier Variable	155,212	419,505	201,711	525,634
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	8,107	50,432	19,840	60,559
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	62	18,906	514	4,623
The Principal Variable Annuity	154,260	401,736	164,406	569,852
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	3,425	122,594	16,131	126,415
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	135,580	151,563	122,067	122,173
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	14,796	31,790	34,982	44,206
MFS VIT Utilities Service Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	178,216	97,360	302,670	209,044
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	26,097	7,438	22,082	15,230
MFS VIT Value Service Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	46,208	41,446	52,698	55,267
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	28,450	14,634	11,514	3,949
MidCap Blend Class 1 Division:
Personal Variable	13,768	96,956	19,445	12,826
Premier Variable	75,127	152,218	149,709	357,609
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	12,014	56,451	15,488	68,365
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	8,588	29,932	12,021	23,858
The Principal Variable Annuity	369,140	794,888	483,024	1,050,935
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	13,644	290,962	31,606	403,263
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	304,373	513,573	395,707	415,951
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	40,907	123,163	74,414	141,929
Money Market Class 1 Division:
Pension Builder Plus	–	4,300	–	1,308
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	–	–	–
Personal Variable	327,688	285,290	743,178	696,498
Premier Variable	2,212,880	2,274,723	1,926,605	2,127,443
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	38,816	56,461	65,763	110,836
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	4,078	38,368	23,445	29,875
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,656,911	2,282,332	3,485,891	3,831,040
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	53,665	346,921	236,549	649,809
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,580,361	2,986,429	3,339,445	3,296,123
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	745,893	805,563	776,509	881,852
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions	6,964	6,964	–	–
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value I Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	74,774	60,807	144,000	141,787
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	5,095	21,277	9,981	11,168
Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth S Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	30,916	46,730	174,009	175,436
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	6,130	12,821	6,249	14,103

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive I Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	30,973	57,835	130,573	103,016
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	6,328	14,044	11,454	14,529
PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	151,584	58,850	151,046	133,755
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	36,032	8,310	5,012	54,911
PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	523,523	657,496	1,255,256	757,703
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	82,980	161,678	488,699	361,482
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,534,310	450,487	1,429,872	709,439
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	309,352	67,534	297,990	186,280
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	967	4,415	1,373	1,464
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	311,360	202,290	365,912	190,702
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	37,861	41,481	53,631	46,744
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	–	5,693	8,148	8,801
The Principal Variable Annuity	79,601	73,075	116,264	62,382
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	358	21,400	6,464	15,955
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	152,437	222,653	229,983	259,227
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	29,935	32,959	17,913	32,332
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,319	43,022	16,620	115,605
The Principal Variable Annuity	18,748	32,120	58,649	57,094
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	–	8,494	3,955	10,086
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	145,059	306,446	182,467	346,234
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	11,786	59,525	23,459	45,458
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	39,667	90,507	17,577	80,827
The Principal Variable Annuity	120,868	100,483	144,704	92,759
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	17,628	32,708	14,319	40,728
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	274,184	963,357	270,684	820,787
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	70,713	268,879	56,488	203,669
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	2,301	25,699	9,126	48,909
The Principal Variable Annuity	22,458	40,853	61,862	26,900
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	867	796	532	3,372
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	160,803	227,674	194,209	273,292
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	21,108	150,419	53,955	142,296

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	2,326	–	55	8,764
The Principal Variable Annuity	9,559	1,801	8,702	475
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	–	4,292	39	878
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	118,304	131,989	82,267	65,397
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	9,800	23,107	21,795	33,184
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	3,349	–	–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity	11,294	12,036	9,491	10,138
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	1,075	3,802	2,694	2,310
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	78,071	40,434	49,350	53,368
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	2,610	24,069	14,734	9,353
Real Estate Securities Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	22,387	18,037	40,476	24,889
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	5,167	7,093	6,393	9,984
The Principal Variable Annuity	283,725	363,625	274,251	377,255
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	13,779	207,467	24,521	216,196
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	192,524	154,648	175,157	126,178
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	33,156	26,799	38,428	33,366
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,419	38,109	18,585	26,967
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,061,675	1,045,873	1,206,107	1,101,665
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	87,520	488,768	193,227	398,922
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,631,898	4,326,672	3,844,616	5,416,801
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	434,467	653,788	422,886	787,034
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	33,770	31,760	22,382	12,858
The Principal Variable Annuity	449,854	597,111	688,600	853,596
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	66,956	204,973	137,933	143,419
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,063,966	1,177,700	1,403,878	1,845,361
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	184,679	269,809	234,745	216,967
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	5,962	27,935	24,326	16,971
The Principal Variable Annuity	367,720	339,756	432,693	480,896
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	19,062	207,917	105,066	205,020
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	858,760	525,469	1,058,439	604,713
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	195,372	100,827	221,544	133,037
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	63,375	1,786	55,758	4,755
The Principal Variable Annuity	996,289	719,864	1,257,327	1,236,518
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	144,924	359,734	349,403	341,007
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,494,039	1,023,801	1,819,202	1,837,840
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	409,362	207,967	260,756	307,866

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	2,550	–	2,796	9,977
The Principal Variable Annuity	173,655	485,883	608,798	460,896
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	12,927	100,590	75,481	81,228
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	390,615	489,153	640,522	411,649
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	127,302	86,862	134,129	83,304
Short-Term Income Class 1 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	28,036	39,493	55,988	82,306
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	28,466	27,358	23,450	12,052
The Principal Variable Annuity	802,364	886,569	1,293,179	1,315,408
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	80,890	369,969	113,647	464,357
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,211,957	1,663,696	3,617,414	3,411,391
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	586,831	459,517	308,406	560,157
SmallCap Blend Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	8,200	8,567	7,145	60,613
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	1,994	23,980	8,479	27,548
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	4,224	6,371	4,883	5,861
The Principal Variable Annuity	200,045	361,346	294,452	584,940
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	8,598	177,975	14,931	250,688
SmallCap Growth II Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	30,590	28,392	63,120	123,510
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	1,349	17,869	15,377	20,267
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	22	8,753	-	459
The Principal Variable Annuity	184,232	317,317	230,700	469,281
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	11,586	130,182	15,865	152,699
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	105,161	136,268	273,383	331,000
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	17,423	34,598	28,514	35,038
SmallCap Value I Class 1 Division:
Premier Variable	22,229	6,625	19,977	79,810
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	138	9,980	1,679	6,763
The Principal Variable Annuity	135,216	278,948	168,275	353,493
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	8,178	133,011	15,595	178,968
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	119,192	399,150	268,081	217,537
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	11,269	107,031	77,300	73,860
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	179,848	178,994	211,486	178,443
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	23,183	18,838	17,624	23,380
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	242,375	175,685	253,712	229,048
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	36,795	27,275	35,634	18,134
Templeton Growth Securities Class 2 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	2,189	9,761	1,655	11,812

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	2012		2011
Division	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Van Eck Global Hard Assets Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	83,837	65,492	181,609	94,281
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	9,197	17,270	18,577	10,094
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	133,170	140,782	314,237	185,642
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	19,827	16,868	55,878	43,813

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

6. Financial Highlights

Principal Life sells a number of variable annuity products, which have unique combinations of features and fees that are charged against the contract owner’s account balance. Differences in the fee structures result in a variety of unit values, expense ratios, and total returns.

Separate Account B has presented the following disclosures for 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008 in accordance with AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies. The following table was developed by determining which products issued by Principal Life have the lowest and highest total return. Only product designs within each division that had units outstanding during the respective periods were considered when determining the lowest and highest total return. The summary may not reflect the minimum and maximum contract charges offered by Principal Life as contract owners may not have selected all available and applicable contract options as discussed in Note 2.    

		December 31				For the Year Ended December 31,
						Except as Noted
		Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)		Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
	Division
AllianceBernstein VP Series   Small Cap Growth Class A   Division:
	2012	227	$18.52 to $17.61		$4,148	–%	1.25% to 1.85%	13.62% to 12.88%
	2011	261	16.30 to 15.60	4,184		–	1.25 to 1.85	3.16 to 2.56
	2010	234	15.80 to 15.21	3,666		–	1.25 to 1.85	35.16 to 34.36
	2009	164	11.69 to 11.32	1,902		–	1.25 to 1.85	40.00 to 39.24
	2008	147	8.35 to 8.13	1,217		–	1.25 to 1.85	(46.23) to (46.58)
American Century VP Income &   Growth Class I Division:
	2012	1,079	12.26 to 10.97	12,745		2.07	0.85 to 1.85	13.73 to 12.63
	2011	1,298	10.78 to 9.74	13,458		1.53	0.85 to 1.85	2.28 to 1.25
	2010	1,644	10.54 to 9.62	16,653		1.52	0.85 to 1.85	13.09 to 12.12
	2009	1,954	9.32 to 8.58	17,506		4.89	0.85 to 1.85	17.09 to 15.95
	2008	2,330	7.96 to 7.40	17,876		2.11	0.85 to 1.85	(35.13) to (35.82)
American Century VP Inflation   Protection Class II Division:
	2012	6,324	14.25 to 13.55	89,160		2.43	1.25 to 1.85	6.03 to 5.37
	2011	6,219	13.44 to 12.86	82,771		4.11	1.25 to 1.85	10.44 to 9.73
	2010	7,137	12.17 to 11.72	86,144		1.68	1.25 to 1.85	3.75 to 3.17
	2009	6,976	11.73 to 11.36	81,192		1.75	1.25 to 1.85	8.91 to 8.29
	2008	6,325	10.77 to 10.49	67,684		4.86	1.25 to 1.85	(2.89) to (3.50)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

American Century VP Mid Cap   Value Class II Division:
	2012	200	$13.01 to $12.81		$2,592	1.87%	1.25% to 1.85%	14.73% to 14.07%
	2011	157	11.34 to 11.23	1,776		1.30	1.25 to 1.85	(2.07) to (2.69)
	2010 (9)	57	11.58 to 11.54	663		3.40	1.25 to 1.85	17.33 to 16.92
American Century VP Ultra   Class I Division:
	2012	350	10.68 to 9.96	3,716		–	1.25 to 1.85	12.54 to 11.78
	2011	426	9.49 to 8.91	3,993		–	1.25 to 1.85	(0.21) to (0.78)
	2010	526	9.51 to 8.98	4,935		0.55	1.25 to 1.85	14.58 to 13.96
	2009	629	8.30 to 7.88	5,126		0.29	1.25 to 1.85	32.80 to 31.99
	2008	715	6.25 to 5.97	4,393		–	1.25 to 1.85	(42.18) to (42.54)
American Century VP Ultra   Class II Division:
	2012	4,445	12.61 to 11.99	55,372		–	1.25 to 1.85	12.39 to 11.74
	2011	5,075	11.22 to 10.73	56,336		–	1.25 to 1.85	(0.36) to (1.01)
	2010	5,256	11.26 to 10.84	58,641		0.36	1.25 to 1.85	14.31 to 13.75
	2009	5,741	9.85 to 9.53	56,071		0.18	1.25 to 1.85	32.93 to 31.99
	2008	6,614	7.41 to 7.22	48,692		–	1.25 to 1.85	(42.38) to (42.74)
American Century VP Value   Class II Division:
	2012	1,294	14.69 to 13.78	18,873		1.75	1.25 to 1.85	13.09 to 12.40
	2011	1,634	12.99 to 12.26	20,924		1.86	1.25 to 1.85	(0.38) to (0.97)
	2010	1,961	13.04 to 12.38	25,180		2.05	1.25 to 1.85	11.64 to 11.03
	2009	2,252	11.68 to 11.15	25,912		5.58	1.25 to 1.85	18.22 to 17.49
	2008	2,665	9.88 to 9.49	25,960		2.38	1.25 to 1.85	(27.67) to (28.16)
American Century VP Vista   Class I Division:
	2012	163	14.47 to 13.76	2,328		–	1.25 to 1.85	14.21 to 13.53
	2011	186	12.67 to 12.12	2,318		–	1.25 to 1.85	(9.05) to (9.62)
	2010	219	13.93 to 13.41	3,007		–	1.25 to 1.85	22.41 to 21.69
	2009	197	11.38 to 11.02	2,219		–	1.25 to 1.85	20.94 to 20.17
	2008	203	9.41 to 9.17	1,892		–	1.25 to 1.85	(49.27) to (49.56)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Asset Allocation Class 1 Division:
	2012	1,633	$1.65 to $26.30		$42,832	2.53%	0.42% to 1.85%	13.06% to 11.44%
	2011	1,823	1.46 to 23.60	42,987		2.02	0.43 to 1.85	1.71 to 0.30
	2010	2,101	1.43 to 23.53	49,340		2.45	0.46 to 1.85	8.64 to 7.10
	2009	2,430	1.32 to 21.97	52,865		2.97	0.44 to 1.85	18.28 to 16.61
	2008	2,701	1.11 to 18.84	50,513		3.02	0.51 to 1.85	(25.15) to (26.20)
Balanced Class 1 Division:
	2012	2,633	2.46 to 20.92	35,867		2.04	0.42 to 1.85	12.33 to 10.92
	2011	2,890	2.27 to 18.86	36,779		2.30	0.43 to 1.85	3.62 to 2.17
	2010	3,334	2.19 to 18.46	42,696		2.76	0.42 to 1.85	13.15 to 11.54
	2009	3,884	1.94 to 16.55	44,052		4.94	0.41 to 1.85	20.65 to 18.98
	2008	4,571	1.61 to 13.91	44,975		3.67	0.41 to 1.85	(31.21) to (32.21)
Bond & Mortgage Securities   Class 1 Division:
	2012	11,477	2.63 to 21.76	236,260		3.77	0.41 to 1.85	6.86 to 5.58
	2011	12,019	2.56 to 20.61	235,718		0.10	0.40 to 1.85	6.63 to 5.10
	2010	13,628	2.40 to 19.61	253,669		5.27	0.43 to 1.85	11.19 to 9.61
	2009	15,157	2.16 to 17.89	251,405		11.41	0.40 to 1.85	20.41 to 18.71
	2008	16,901	1.79 to 15.07	238,616		6.18	0.44 to 1.85	(17.41) to (18.58)
Diversified Balanced Class 2    Division:
	2012	48,279	12.07 to 11.85	581,720		0.96	1.25 to 1.85	8.35 to 7.73
	2011	29,822	11.14 to 11.00	331,823		0.96	1.25 to 1.85	(0.71) to 1.66
	2010 (8)	15,601	10.88 to 10.82	169,723		–	1.25 to 1.85	7.94 to 7.34
Diversified Growth Class 2    Division:
	2012	99,357	12.28 to 12.06	1,218,656		0.85	1.25 to 1.85	10.23 to 9.54
	2011	67,150	11.14 to 11.01	747,474		0.75	1.25 to 1.85	(2.45) to 0.36
	2010 (8)	29,374	11.03 to 10.97	323,912		–	1.25 to 1.85	9.10 to 8.51
Diversified Income Class 2 Division:    Division:
	2012 (11)	5,225	10.49 to 10.45	54,791		–	1.25 to 1.85	4.38 to 3.98

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Diversified International Class 1    Division:
	2012	8,812	$2.70 to $22.54	$182,349	2.10%	0.38% to 1.85%	17.68% to 16.25%
	2011	10,327	2.39 to 19.39	182,722	0.44	0.44 to 1.85	(10.58) to (12.54)
	2010	11,979	2.67 to 22.17	237,656	2.09	0.41 to 1.85	13.25 to 11.63
	2009 (4)	10,543	2.36 to 19.86	176,753	5.22	0.40 to 1.85	27.22 to 26.50
	2008	11,444	1.85 to 15.70	151,539	1.79	0.41 to 1.85	(46.44) to (47.19)
Dreyfus IP Technology Growth   Service Shares Division:
	2012	203	16.41 to 15.60	3,300	–	1.25 to 1.85	13.96 to 13.21
	2011	191	14.40 to 13.78	2,726	–	1.25 to 1.85	(9.21) to (9.70)
	2010	243	15.86 to 15.26	3,834	–	1.25 to 1.85	28.01 to 27.27
	2009	197	12.39 to 11.99	2,425	0.12	1.25 to 1.85	55.26 to 54.11
	2008	90	7.98 to 7.78	710	–	1.25 to 1.85	(42.01) to (42.33)
Equity Income Class 1    Division:
	2012	26,639	1.38 to 10.32	282,998	3.01	0.38 to 1.85	12.54 to 10.97
	2011	30,579	1.23 to 9.30	291,224	0.55	0.54 to 1.85	5.00 to 3.45
	2010	19,001	1.17 to 8.99	173,784	3.26	0.29 to 1.85	15.69 to 14.09
	2009	20,376	1.01 to 7.88	162,644	5.86	0.55 to 1.85	19.23 to 17.79
	2008	21,213	0.85 to 6.69	142,949	2.55	0.48 to 1.85	(34.22) to (35.17)
Fidelity VIP Contrafund   Service Class Division:
	2012	2,843	16.65 to 15.48	47,183	1.16	1.25 to 1.85	14.91 to 14.16
	2011	3,527	14.49 to 13.56	50,818	0.85	1.25 to 1.85	(3.85) to (4.37)
	2010	4,237	15.07 to 14.18	63,341	1.05	1.25 to 1.85	15.66 to 14.91
	2009	5,121	13.03 to 12.34	66,028	1.28	1.25 to 1.85	33.92 to 33.26
	2008	5,998	9.73 to 9.26	57,669	0.83	1.25 to 1.85	(43.30) to (43.71)
Fidelity VIP Contrafund   Service Class 2 Division:
	2012	3,087	16.08 to 15.29	49,175	1.10	1.25 to 1.85	14.69 to 14.02
	2011	3,365	14.02 to 13.41	46,781	0.80	1.25 to 1.85	(3.97) to (4.56)
	2010	3,317	14.60 to 14.05	48,069	1.05	1.25 to 1.85	15.51 to 14.79
	2009	3,293	12.64 to 12.24	41,367	1.25	1.25 to 1.85	33.76 to 32.90
	2008	3,058	9.45 to 9.21	28,737	0.84	1.25 to 1.85	(43.41) to (43.70)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Fidelity VIP Equity-Income   Service Class 2 Division:
	2012	2,825	$13.18 to $12.37		$36,953	2.78%	1.25% to 1.85%	15.61% to 14.96%
	2011	3,357	11.40 to 10.76	37,791		2.15	1.25 to 1.85	(0.61) to (1.19)
	2010	3,931	11.47 to 10.89	44,413		1.59	1.25 to 1.85	13.45 to 12.85
	2009	4,491	10.11 to 9.65	44,737		2.08	1.25 to 1.85	28.30 to 27.48
	2008	4,936	7.88 to 7.57	38,384		2.15	1.25 to 1.85	(43.51) to (43.88)
Fidelity VIP Growth Service   Class Division:
	2012	1,469	9.92 to 9.23	14,548		0.47	1.25 to 1.85	13.11 to 12.42
	2011	1,711	8.77 to 8.21	14,924		0.24	1.25 to 1.85	(1.13) to (1.68)
	2010	2,117	8.87 to 8.35	18,620		0.17	1.25 to 1.85	22.51 to 21.90
	2009	2,477	7.24 to 6.85	17,734		0.33	1.25 to 1.85	26.57 to 25.69
	2008	2,945	5.72 to 5.45	16,640		0.68	1.25 to 1.85	(47.91) to (48.19)
Fidelity VIP Growth Service   Class 2 Division:
	2012	501	13.52 to 12.86	6,666		0.34	1.25 to 1.85	12.95 to 12.31
	2011	560	11.97 to 11.45	6,609		0.12	1.25 to 1.85	(1.24) to (1.89)
	2010	666	12.12 to 11.67	7,988		0.03	1.25 to 1.85	22.30 to 21.56
	2009	657	9.91 to 9.60	6,438		0.21	1.25 to 1.85	26.40 to 25.65
	2008	675	7.84 to 7.64	5,242		0.61	1.25 to 1.85	(47.98) to (48.27)
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service   Class 2 Division:
	2012	592	18.50 to 17.59	10,855		0.38	1.25 to 1.85	13.15 to 12.47
	2011	644	16.35 to 15.64	10,432		0.02	1.25 to 1.85	(11.95) to (12.48)
	2010	693	18.57 to 17.87	12,784		0.14	1.25 to 1.85	26.93 to 26.20
	2009	522	14.63 to 14.16	7,571		0.48	1.25 to 1.85	38.02 to 37.21
	2008	490	10.60 to 10.32	5,161		0.24	1.25 to 1.85	(40.35) to (40.72)
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service   Class 2 Division:
	2012	3,226	13.84 to 13.16	44,060		1.80	1.25 to 1.85	19.00 to 18.35
	2011	3,580	11.63 to 11.12	41,148		1.29	1.25 to 1.85	(18.27) to (18.83)
	2010	3,425	14.23 to 13.70	48,259		1.28	1.25 to 1.85	11.52 to 10.84
	2009	3,652	12.76 to 12.36	46,197		1.96	1.25 to 1.85	24.61 to 23.97
	2008	3,679	10.24 to 9.97	37,380		2.74	1.25 to 1.85	(44.65) to (45.01)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Franklin Small Cap Value   Securities Class 2 Division:
	2012	142	$14.07 to $13.82		$1,990	0.68%	1.25% to 1.85%	16.86% to 16.23%
	2011	144	12.04 to 11.89	1,726		0.62	1.25 to 1.85	(4.90) to (5.56)
	2010 (8)	35	12.66 to 12.59	447		0.42	1.25 to 1.85	23.75 to 23.07
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap   Value Institutional Class I   Division:
	2012	964	16.54 to 15.73	15,718		1.12	1.25 to 1.85	17.06 to 16.35
	2011	1,108	14.13 to 13.52	15,462		0.75	1.25 to 1.85	(7.59) to (8.09)
	2010	1,150	15.29 to 14.71	17,385		0.67	1.25 to 1.85	23.51 to 22.69
	2009	1,297	12.38 to 11.99	15,906		1.88	1.25 to 1.85	31.42 to 30.75
	2008	1,385	9.42 to 9.17	12,939		1.07	1.25 to 1.85	(37.82) to (38.25)
Goldman Sachs VIT Structured   Small Cap Equity Institutional   Class I Division:
	2012	457	13.00 to 12.37	5,868		1.15	1.25 to 1.85	11.40 to 10.74
	2011	535	11.67 to 11.17	6,184		0.80	1.25 to 1.85	(0.60) to (1.15)
	2010	516	11.74 to 11.30	6,007		0.57	1.25 to 1.85	28.59 to 27.83
	2009	487	9.13 to 8.84	4,414		1.30	1.25 to 1.85	26.10 to 25.21
	2008	460	7.24 to 7.06	3,310		0.71	1.25 to 1.85	(34.89) to (35.23)
Government & High Quality   Bond Class 1 Division:
	2012	17,413	2.58 to 11.65	196,166		3.99	0.40 to 1.85	3.25 to 1.92
	2011	18,006	2.61 to 11.43	197,866		0.18	0.39 to 1.85	5.78 to 4.29
	2010	20,724	2.47 to 10.96	216,707		5.00	0.44 to 1.85	5.71 to 3.98
	2009	1,180	10.66 to 10.54	12,511		8.98	0.85 to 1.85	5.54 to 103.87
	2008 (6)	26	10.10 to 5.17	259		–	0.85 to 1.85	1.20 to (48.20)
International Emerging Markets    Class 1 Division:
	2012	2,577	3.99 to 33.09	86,313		1.30	0.37 to 1.85	20.29 to 18.60
	2011	2,866	3.32 to 27.90	80,663		0.26	0.44 to 1.85	(17.77) to (19.01)
	2010	3,189	4.03 to 34.45	108,919		1.25	0.41 to 1.85	18.76 to 17.10
	2009 (4)	3,554	3.40 to 29.42	103,506		2.08	0.42 to 1.85	68.27 to 66.50
	2008	3,574	2.02 to 17.67	62,435		1.14	0.43 to 1.85	(55.05) to (55.69)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Invesco Core Equity   Series I Division:
	2012	1,934	$11.52 to $10.72		$22,263	0.95%	1.25% to 1.85%	12.39% to 11.78%
	2011	2,296	10.25 to 9.59	23,462		0.93	1.25 to 1.85	(1.25) to (1.84)
	2010	2,686	10.38 to 9.77	27,717		0.95	1.25 to 1.85	8.12 to 7.48
	2009	3,316	9.60 to 9.09	31,520		1.80	1.25 to 1.85	26.82 to 26.07
	2008	4,018	7.57 to 7.21	30,085		1.97	1.25 to 1.85	(31.06) to (31.46)
Invesco Global Health Care   Series I Division:
	2012	551	13.73 to 12.81	7,547		–	1.25 to 1.85	19.39 to 18.72
	2011	592	11.50 to 10.79	6,751		–	1.25 to 1.85	2.68 to 1.98
	2010	663	11.20 to 10.58	7,323		–	1.25 to 1.85	3.99 to 3.42
	2009	818	10.77 to 10.23	8,655		0.34	1.25 to 1.85	25.96 to 25.37
	2008	1,002	8.55 to 8.16	8,405		–	1.25 to 1.85	(29.46) to (29.96)
Invesco International Growth   Series I Division:
	2012	735	9.54 to 9.28	6,999		1.65	1.25 to 1.85	14.25 to 13.59
	2011	700	8.35 to 8.17	5,831		1.58	1.25 to 1.85	(7.73) to (8.20)
	2010	503	9.05 to 8.90	4,542		2.48	1.25 to 1.85	11.45 to 10.70
	2009	400	8.12 to 8.04	3,243		2.96	1.25 to 1.85	33.55 to 32.89
	2008 (5)	18	6.08 to 6.05	112		1.65	1.25 to 1.85	(39.14) to (39.44)
Invesco Small Cap Equity   Series I Division:
	2012	510	$16.79 to $15.97	8,502		–	1.25 to 1.85	12.46% to 11.83%
	2011	592	14.93 to 14.28	8,774		–	1.25 to 1.85	(1.97) to (2.59)
	2010	498	15.23 to 14.66	7,524		–	1.25 to 1.85	27.02 to 26.27
	2009	476	11.99 to 11.61	5,662		0.20	1.25 to 1.85	19.78 to 19.08
	2008	410	10.01 to 9.75	4,072		–	1.25 to 1.85	(32.18) to (32.62)
Invesco Technology   Series I Division:
	2012	498	6.78 to 6.32	3,350		–	1.25 to 1.85	9.89 to 9.15
	2011	591	6.17 to 5.79	3,591		0.17	1.25 to 1.85	(6.23) to (6.76)
	2010	772	6.58 to 6.21	4,981		–	1.25 to 1.85	19.85 to 19.19
	2009	1,000	5.49 to 5.21	5,388		–	1.25 to 1.85	55.52 to 54.60
	2008	807	3.53 to 3.37	2,798		–	1.25 to 1.85	(45.19) to (45.56)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Invesco Van Kampen American   Franchise Series I Division:
	2012 (10)	458	$9.68 to $9.64		$4,432	–%	1.25% to 1.85%	(3.30)% to (3.70)%
Invesco Van Kampen MidCap  Growth Series I Division:
	2012 (10)	162	9.79 to 9.75	1,589		–	1.25 to 1.85	(2.59) to (2.99)
Invesco Van Kampen Value    Opportunities Series I Division:
	2012 (12)	428	10.80 to 10.28	4,582		1.43	1.25 to 1.85	16.13 to 15.64
Janus Aspen Enterprise   Service Shares Division:
	2012	889	10.24 to 9.52	9,083		–	1.25 to 1.85	15.45 to 14.84
	2011	1,085	8.87 to 8.29	9,564		–	1.25 to 1.85	(2.85) to (3.49)
	2010	1,395	9.13 to 8.59	12,638		–	1.25 to 1.85	24.05 to 23.24
	2009	1,712	7.36 to 6.97	12,455		–	1.25 to 1.85	42.64 to 41.67
	2008	1,967	5.16 to 4.92	9,984		0.06	1.25 to 1.85	(44.58) to (44.84)
LargeCap Blend II Class 1   Division:
	2012	9,846	13.63 to 12.79	132,633		1.29	1.25 to 1.85	13.77 to 13.09
	2011	11,823	11.98 to 11.31	139,819		0.03	1.25 to 1.85	(1.40) to (1.99)
	2010	13,116	12.15 to 11.54	157,179		2.47	1.25 to 1.85	11.88 to 11.18
	2009	14,829	10.86 to 10.38	159,053		1.87	1.25 to 1.85	28.07 to 27.36
	2008	16,533	8.48 to 8.15	138,623		1.40	1.25 to 1.85	(37.23) to (37.60)
LargeCap Growth Class 1   Division:
	2012	3,916	2.16 to 18.76	48,013		0.29	0.41 to 1.85	16.10 to 14.67
	2011	4,423	1.93 to 16.36	47,766		–	0.44 to 1.85	(4.63) to (5.98)
	2010	5,184	2.02 to 17.40	59,163		0.06	0.42 to 1.85	17.88 to 16.23
	2009	6,145	1.72 to 14.97	58,964		0.76	0.40 to 1.85	26.48 to 24.65
	2008	6,697	1.36 to 12.01	49,772		0.52	0.41 to 1.85	(43.40) to (44.19)
LargeCap Growth I Class 1   Division:
	2012	2,847	1.41 to 35.39	97,185		0.07	0.44 to 1.85	15.89 to 14.23
	2011	3,256	1.22 to 30.98	97,585		–	0.44 to 1.85	(0.74) to (2.15)
	2010	3,814	1.23 to 31.66	116,970		0.13	0.53 to 1.85	19.10 to 17.43
	2009	4,745	1.03 to 26.96	118,873		0.05	0.49 to 1.85	52.05 to 49.86
	2008	4,983	0.68 to 17.99	89,910		0.17	0.49 to 1.85	(40.85) to (41.69)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

		December 31				For the Year Ended December 31,
						Except as Noted
		Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)		Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
	Division
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1   Division:
	2012	7,893	$1.34 to $10.27		$85,828	1.07%	0.41% to 1.85%	15.02% to 13.36%
	2011	9,228	1.17 to 9.06	88,077		0.05	0.50 to 1.85	1.31 to (0.11)
	2010	10,207	1.15 to 9.07	96,644		1.44	0.21 to 1.85	14.19 to 12.67
	2009	11,964	1.01 to 8.05	96,031		4.51	0.37 to 1.85	25.78 to 23.85
	2008	12,828	0.80 to 6.50	82,148		2.42	0.43 to 1.85	(37.36) to (38.21)
LargeCap Value Class 1   Division:
	2012	4,706	3.51 to 26.13	84,330		1.26	0.42 to 1.85	17.82 to 16.39
	2011	5,519	36.07 to 22.45	83,241		–	0.31 to 1.85	0.69 to (0.66)
	2010	6,439	35.82 to 22.60	97,515		1.77	0.29 to 1.85	13.54 to 11.99
	2009	7,449	31.55 to 20.18	99,153		5.02	0.35 to 1.85	15.90 to 14.14
	2008	8,481	2.34 to 17.68	97,288		2.36	0.41 to 1.85	(35.44) to (36.36)
MFS VIT Utilities Service Class   Division:
	2012	311	17.17 to 16.80	5,324		6.80	1.25 to 1.85	11.78 to 11.11
	2011	212	15.36 to 15.12	3,243		3.24	1.25 to 1.85	5.21 to 4.56
	2010	111	14.60 to 14.46	1,619		2.09	1.25 to 1.85	12.05 to 11.40
	2009 (7)	46	13.03 to 12.98	594		–	1.25 to 1.85	27.62 to 27.13
MFS VIT Value Service Class   Division:
	2012	133	15.01 to 14.69	1,987		1.32	1.25 to 1.85	14.41 to 13.79
	2011	114	13.12 to 12.91	1,498		1.29	1.25 to 1.85	(1.65) to (2.27)
	2010	109	13.34 to 13.21	1,459		1.08	1.25 to 1.85	9.79 to 9.17
	2009 (7)	38	12.15 to 12.10	467		–	1.25 to 1.85	18.31 to 17.82
MidCap Blend Class 1   Division:
	2012	7,660	6.06 to 51.47	362,857		0.87	0.42 to 1.85	18.68 to 17.24
	2011	8,881	5.30 to 43.90	355,563		–	0.44 to 1.85	7.84 to 6.32
	2010	10,174	4.92 to 41.29	378,975		2.61	0.44 to 1.85	23.58 to 21.84
	2009	8,467	3.98 to 33.89	245,427		0.86	0.40 to 1.85	33.20 to 31.31
	2008	9,635	2.99 to 25.81	211,731		0.63	0.44 to 1.85	(34.20) to (35.15)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Money Market Class 1   Division:
	2012	8,221	$2.19 to $12.82		$81,007	–%	0.00% to 1.85%	(1.49)% to (1.84)%
	2011	9,682	2.47 to 13.06	101,686		–	0.00 to 1.85	(0.99) to (1.88)
	2010	10,709	1.70 to 13.31	115,064		–	0.40 to 1.85	(0.42) to (1.84)
	2009	14,990	1.71 to 13.56	164,649		0.32	0.43 to 1.85	(0.20) to (1.60)
	2008	20,768	1.71 to 13.78	244,388		2.44	0.40 to 1.85	2.15 to 0.73
Neuberger Berman AMT Large Cap Value   I Class Division:
	2012 (13)	394	13.65 to 12.98	5,317		0.41	1.25 to 1.85	15.19 to 14.46
	2011	396	11.85 to 11.34	4,642		–	1.25 to 1.85	(12.48) to (12.97)
	2010	395	13.54 to 13.03	5,296		0.62	1.25 to 1.85	14.26 to 13.50
	2009	456	11.85 to 11.48	5,364		2.65	1.25 to 1.85	54.10 to 53.27
	2008	479	7.69 to 7.49	3,660		0.54	1.25 to 1.85	(53.00) to (53.28)
Neuberger Berman AMT Small   Cap Growth S Class Division:
	2012	299	10.33 to 9.82	3,038		–	1.25 to 1.85	7.49 to 6.74
	2011	321	9.61 to 9.20	3,046		–	1.25 to 1.85	(2.34) to (2.85)
	2010	330	9.84 to 9.47	3,211		–	1.25 to 1.85	18.13 to 17.49
	2009	338	8.33 to 8.06	2,780		–	1.25 to 1.85	21.25 to 20.48
	2008	288	6.87 to 6.69	1,961		–	1.25 to 1.85	(40.21) to (40.59)
Neuberger Berman AMT Socially   Responsive I Class Division:
	2012	460	14.30 to 13.60	6,518		0.23	1.25 to 1.85	9.66 to 8.97
	2011	495	13.04 to 12.48	6,401		0.35	1.25 to 1.85	(4.33) to (4.88)
	2010	470	13.63 to 13.12	6,359		0.04	1.25 to 1.85	21.37 to 20.59
	2009	477	11.23 to 10.88	5,324		2.33	1.25 to 1.85	29.83 to 29.06
	2008	413	8.65 to 8.43	3,555		2.30	1.25 to 1.85	(40.22) to (40.55)
PIMCO All Asset   Administrative Class Division:
	2012	322	14.67 to 14.35	4,703		5.79	1.25 to 1.85	13.54 to 12.81
	2011	201	12.92 to 12.72	2,597		6.77	1.25 to 1.85	0.70 to 0.08
	2010	234	12.83 to 12.71	2,994		9.57	1.25 to 1.85	11.66 to 11.00
	2009 (7)	45	11.49 to 11.45	519		15.41	1.25 to 1.85	14.21 to 13.82

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

PIMCO High Yield   Administrative Class Division:
	2012	1,126	$13.03 to $12.80		$14,597	5.82%	1.25% to 1.85%	12.91% to 12.18%
	2011	1,338	11.54 to 11.41	15,396		6.67	1.25 to 1.85	2.03 to 1.51
	2010 (8)	714	11.31 to 11.24	8,052		6.63	1.25 to 1.85	12.65 to 11.95
PIMCO Total Return   Administrative Class Division:
	2012	3,618	12.61 to 12.34	45,490		2.48	1.25 to 1.85	8.24 to 7.59
	2011	2,292	11.65 to 11.47	26,662		2.60	1.25 to 1.85	2.28 to 1.68
	2010	1,460	11.39 to 11.28	16,609		2.31	1.25 to 1.85	6.75 to 6.11
	2009 (7)	401	10.67 to 10.63	4,273		3.19	1.25 to 1.85	6.70 to 6.30
Principal Capital Appreciation   Class 1 Division:
	2012	1,038	11.26 to 10.70	11,418		1.13	0.95 to 1.85	12.71 to 11.69
	2011	936	9.99 to 9.58	9,164		–	0.95 to 1.85	(0.79) to (1.64)
	2010	754	10.07 to 9.74	7,466		1.80	0.95 to 1.85	14.30 to 13.26
	2009	537	8.81 to 8.60	4,670		1.68	0.95 to 1.85	28.61 to 27.41
	2008	306	6.85 to 6.75	2,080		1.08	0.95 to 1.85	(34.01) to (34.59)
Principal LifeTime Strategic   Class 1 Income Division:
	2012	1,977	11.81 to 12.46	25,654		1.77	0.95 to 1.85	8.65 to 7.60
	2011	2,070	10.87 to 11.58	24,819		3.13	0.95 to 1.85	2.45 to 1.58
	2010	2,070	10.61 to 11.40	24,280		4.80	0.95 to 1.85	10.29 to 9.20
	2009	2,006	9.62 to 10.44	21,415		5.09	0.95 to 1.85	17.75 to 16.78
	2008	1,811	8.17 to 8.94	16,446		3.91	0.95 to 1.85	(24.63) to (25.25)
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1   Division:
	2012	2,851	11.88 to 12.88	38,033		1.90	0.95 to 1.85	10.82 to 9.71
	2011	3,124	10.72 to 11.74	37,726		2.71	0.95 to 1.85	0.47 to (0.42)
	2010	3,413	10.67 to 11.79	41,055		4.30	0.95 to 1.85	12.79 to 11.86
	2009	3,536	9.46 to 10.54	37,830		4.27	0.95 to 1.85	23.98 to 22.84
	2008	3,489	7.63 to 8.58	30,145		4.31	0.95 to 1.85	(31.57) to (32.17)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1   Division:
	2012	12,377	$11.99 to $13.40		$171,673	1.71%	0.95% to 1.85%	13.65% to 12.61%
	2011	13,310	10.55 to 11.90	163,065		2.49	0.95 to 1.85	(1.95) to (2.86)
	2010	14,045	10.76 to 12.25	176,256		3.85	0.95 to 1.85	13.86 to 12.90
	2009	14,515	9.45 to 10.85	160,531		3.46	0.95 to 1.85	26.34 to 25.14
	2008	13,611	7.48 to 8.67	119,536		4.33	0.95 to 1.85	(34.79) to (35.35)
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1   Division:
	2012	4,718	11.71 to 13.09	63,923		1.60	0.95 to 1.85	14.47 to 13.43
	2011	4,956	10.23 to 11.54	58,812		1.96	0.95 to 1.85	(3.12) to (3.99)
	2010	5,131	10.56 to 12.02	63,026		2.32	0.95 to 1.85	14.29 to 13.29
	2009	4,758	9.24 to 10.61	51,252		1.78	0.95 to 1.85	26.92 to 25.86
	2008	2,269	7.28 to 8.43	18,995		4.09	0.95 to 1.85	(36.97) to (37.60)
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1   Division:
	2012	852	11.62 to 13.21	11,702		1.57	0.95 to 1.85	15.62 to 14.57
	2011	874	10.05 to 11.53	10,412		1.61	0.95 to 1.85	(4.10) to (5.02)
	2010	869	10.48 to 12.14	10,823		2.23	0.95 to 1.85	14.79 to 13.78
	2009	751	9.13 to 10.67	8,167		2.73	0.95 to 1.85	28.23 to 27.18
	2008	839	7.12 to 8.39	7,122		3.94	0.95 to 1.85	(38.73) to (39.33)
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1   Division:
	2012	486	11.50 to 13.14	6,618		1.45	0.95 to 1.85	16.04 to 14.96
	2011	470	9.91 to 11.43	5,533		1.50	0.95 to 1.85	(4.89) to (5.69)
	2010	469	10.42 to 12.12	5,830		2.13	0.95 to 1.85	15.14 to 14.02
	2009	464	9.05 to 10.63	5,018		2.41	0.95 to 1.85	28.73 to 27.76
	2008	458	7.03 to 8.32	3,856		4.05	0.95 to 1.85	(39.60) to (40.19)
Real Estate Securities Class 1   Division:
	2012	2,051	3.54 to 35.87	76,907		1.40	0.48 to 1.85	16.68 to 15.00
	2011	2,278	3.04 to 31.19	73,765		–	0.66 to 1.85	8.48 to 6.92
	2010	2,507	2.80 to 29.17	75,755		2.99	0.67 to 1.85	25.17 to 23.44
	2009	3,012	2.24 to 23.63	72,274		4.21	0.37 to 1.85	28.33 to 26.50
	2008	3,393	1.74 to 18.68	64,057		2.39	0.47 to 1.85	(33.14) to (34.09)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

SAM Balanced Portfolio   Class 1 Division:
	2012	61,098	$11.65 to $11.07		$697,358	0.69%	0.95% to 1.85%	11.70% to 10.70%
	2011	64,434	10.43 to 10.00	660,873		2.77	0.95 to 1.85	0.00 to (0.89)
	2010	66,480	10.43 to 10.09	684,067		3.60	0.95 to 1.85	12.51 to 11.49
	2009	62,913	9.27 to 9.05	577,353		3.66	0.95 to 1.85	22.62 to 21.64
	2008	30,551	7.56 to 7.44	229,327		3.52	0.95 to 1.85	(26.82) to (27.56)
SAM Conservative Balanced   Class 1 Portfolio Division:
	2012	13,568	12.24 to 11.63	162,474		0.82	0.95 to 1.85	10.17 to 9.20
	2011	14,050	11.11 to 10.65	153,302		3.19	0.95 to 1.85	1.37 to 0.38
	2010	14,635	10.96 to 10.61	158,220		4.32	0.95 to 1.85	10.71 to 9.83
	2009	14,160	9.90 to 9.66	138,649		3.08	0.95 to 1.85	20.00 to 18.97
	2008	7,346	8.25 to 8.12	60,144		3.11	0.95 to 1.85	(19.98) to (20.70)
SAM Conservative Growth   Class 1 Portfolio Division:
	2012	6,406	10.85 to 10.31	67,909		0.44	0.95 to 1.85	13.14 to 12.07
	2011	6,161	9.59 to 9.20	57,954		2.01	0.95 to 1.85	(1.44) to (2.23)
	2010	5,760	9.73 to 9.41	55,154		3.12	0.95 to 1.85	14.07 to 13.10
	2009	4,941	8.53 to 8.32	41,606		4.97	0.95 to 1.85	24.53 to 23.44
	2008	3,313	6.85 to 6.74	22,494		3.79	0.95 to 1.85	(33.75) to (34.37)
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio   Class 1 Division:
	2012	14,864	12.77 to 12.14	185,716		1.13	0.95 to 1.85	9.52 to 8.59
	2011	14,070	11.66 to 11.18	160,984		3.86	0.95 to 1.85	2.46 to 1.54
	2010	14,055	11.38 to 11.01	157,635		5.26	0.95 to 1.85	9.42 to 8.47
	2009	12,515	10.40 to 10.15	128,680		4.54	0.95 to 1.85	18.86 to 17.75
	2008	7,644	8.75 to 8.62	66,370		4.86	0.95 to 1.85	(14.55) to (15.32)
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio   Class 1 Division:
	2012	4,171	10.36 to 9.85	42,188		0.24	0.95 to 1.85	14.35 to 13.48
	2011	4,626	9.06 to 8.68	41,082		1.50	0.95 to 1.85	(2.79) to (3.77)
	2010	4,212	9.32 to 9.02	38,641		2.50	0.95 to 1.85	15.35 to 14.32
	2009	3,779	8.08 to 7.89	30,169		3.70	0.95 to 1.85	26.25 to 25.04
	2008	2,572	6.40 to 6.31	16,339		3.61	0.95 to 1.85	(38.04) to (38.56)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

Short-Term Income Class 1   Division:
	2012	14,402	$11.77 to $11.30		$166,187	2.09%	0.85% to 1.85%	4.07% to 3.10%
	2011	14,110	11.31 to 10.96	157,122		0.15	0.85 to 1.85	0.53 to (0.54)
	2010	14,544	11.25 to 11.02	161,858		2.79	0.85 to 1.85	3.31 to 2.32
	2009	2,174	10.89 to 10.77	23,551		7.36	0.85 to 1.85	9.01 to 110.35
	2008 (6)	28	9.99 to 5.12	261		–	0.85 to 1.85	0.30 to (48.59)
SmallCap Blend Class 1   Division:
	2012	1,931	1.41 to 12.76	26,674		–	0.32 to 1.85	14.22 to 12.62
	2011	2,287	1.24 to 11.33	27,780		0.35	0.34 to 1.85	(1.89) to (3.25)
	2010	2,886	1.26 to 11.71	33,079		0.50	0.20 to 1.85	23.74 to 21.98
	2009	3,419	1.02 to 9.60	33,829		0.73	0.33 to 1.85	21.60 to 19.85
	2008	3,928	0.84 to 8.01	32,501		0.45	0.43 to 1.85	(37.00) to (37.86)
SmallCap Growth II Class 1   Division:
	2012	2,316	0.89 to 10.66	25,716		–	0.37 to 1.85	15.80 to 14.13
	2011	2,639	0.77 to 9.34	25,540		–	0.46 to 1.85	(4.79) to (6.13)
	2010	3,144	0.81 to 9.95	31,722		–	0.23 to 1.85	26.40 to 24.69
	2009	3,540	0.64 to 7.98	28,675		–	0.72 to 1.85	31.00 to 29.34
	2008	3,794	0.49 to 6.17	24,055		–	0.43 to 1.85	(41.39) to (42.28)
SmallCap Value I Class 1   Division:
	2012	3,065	2.08 to 23.76	75,361		0.81	0.37 to 1.85	21.21 to 19.52
	2011	3,704	1.71 to 19.88	76,201		0.04	0.51 to 1.85	(4.06) to (5.42)
	2010	4,063	1.79 to 21.02	86,698		0.84	0.36 to 1.85	25.53 to 23.72
	2009	4,686	1.42 to 16.99	80,632		2.30	0.46 to 1.85	15.68 to 14.10
	2008	4,949	1.23 to 14.89	74,626		0.98	0.41 to 1.85	(32.10) to (33.08)
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth   Portfolio II Division:
	2012	567	14.70 to 13.98	8,278		–	1.25 to 1.85	16.48 to 15.73
	2011	562	12.62 to 12.08	7,052		–	1.25 to 1.85	0.08 to (0.49)
	2010	535	12.61 to 12.14	6,703		–	1.25 to 1.85	14.53 to 13.88
	2009	457	11.01 to 10.66	5,001		–	1.25 to 1.85	40.08 to 39.16
	2008	164	7.86 to 7.66	1,278		0.11	1.25 to 1.85	(43.37) to (43.68)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

	December 31			For the Year Ended December 31,
				Except as Noted
	Units (000's)	Unit Fair Value Corresponding to Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio	Net Assets (000's)	Investment Income Ratio (1)	Expense Ratio (2) Lowest to Highest	Total Return (3) Lowest to Highest
Division

T. Rowe Price Health Sciences   Portfolio II Division:
	2012	515	$23.07 to $21.94		$11,743	–%	1.25% to 1.85%	29.32% to 28.53%
	2011	439	17.84 to 17.07	7,738		–	1.25 to 1.85	9.05 to 8.38
	2010	396	16.36 to 15.75	6,429		–	1.25 to 1.85	13.85 to 13.23
	2009	342	14.37 to 13.91	4,869		–	1.25 to 1.85	29.69 to 28.92
	2008	339	11.08 to 10.79	3,736		–	1.25 to 1.85	(30.05) to (30.48)
Templeton Growth Securities   Class 2 Division:
	2012	61	16.90	1,032		2.23	0.85	20.28
	2011	69	14.05	964		1.35	0.85	(7.750)
	2010	79	15.23	1,200		1.41	0.85	6.43
	2009	92	14.31	1,315		3.15	0.85	29.97
	2008	105	11.01	1,158		1.81	0.85	(42.810)
Van Eck Global Hard Assets   Class Division:
	2012	565	14.02 to 13.72	7,902		0.68	1.25 to 1.85	1.82 to 1.18
	2011	559	13.77 to 13.56	7,688		0.73	1.25 to 1.85	(17.74) to (18.21)
	2010	323	16.74 to 16.58	5,397		0.14	1.25 to 1.85	27.11 to 41.23
	2009 (7)	82	13.17 to 13.12	1,081		–	1.25 to 1.85	26.63 to 26.28

(1)

These amounts represent the dividends, excluding distributions of capital gains, received by the division from the underlying mutual fund, net of management fees assessed by the fund manager, divided by the average net assets. These ratios exclude those expenses, such as mortality and expense charges, that result in direct reductions in the unit values. The recognition of investment income by the division is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying fund in which the divisions invest. These ratios are annualized for periods less than one year.

(2)

These ratios represent the annualized contract expenses of the separate account, consisting primarily of mortality and expense charges, for each period indicated. The ratios include only those expenses that result in a direct reduction to unit values. Charges made directly to contract owner accounts through the redemption of units and expenses of the underlying fund are excluded.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

(3)	These amounts represent the total return for the periods indicated, including changes in the value of the underlying fund, and reflect deductions for all items included in the expense ratio. The total return does not include any expenses assessed through the redemption of units; inclusion of these expenses in the calculation would result in a reduction in the total return presented. Investment options with a date notation indicate the effective date of that investment option in the variable account. For purposes of the total return calculation the beginning unit value is typically equal to an investment option with a similar expense structure and if no such similar investment option exists then a beginning unit value of ten would typically be used. The total return is calculated for the period indicated or from the effective date through the end of the reporting period. Total returns have not been annualized for periods less than one year. These percentages represent the range of total returns available as of the report date and correspond with the expense ratio lowest to highest.
(4)	These divisions received payment from affiliate as compensation for foreign income tax credits.  The total returns for these divisions would have been lower without the inclusion of the payment from affiliate.
(5)	Commencement of operations, May 19, 2008.
(6)	Commencement of operations, November 24, 2008.
(7)	Commencement of operations, May 18, 2009.
(8)	Commencement of operations, January 4, 2010.
(9)	Commencement of operations, May 24, 2010.
(10)	Commencement of operations, April 27, 2012.
(11)	Commencement of operations, May 21, 2012.
(12)	Represented the operations of Invesco Basic Value Series I Division until May 21, 2012 name change.
(13)	Represented the operations of Neuberger Berman AMT Partners I Class Division until May 21, 2012 name change.
There are divisions that have total return outside of the ranges indicated above. The following is a list of the divisions and corresponding lowest total return and highest total return.
Division		2012 Unit Value	2012 Total Return
Asset Allocation Class 1 Division		$28.28	–%
Balanced Class 1 Division		22.50	12.58
Bond & Mortgage Securities Class 1 Division		23.40	7.09
Diversified International Class 1 Division		24.24	16.93, 17.31, 17.47 and 17.94
Equity Income Class 1 Division		10.70	–
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 Division		11.94, 12.09 and 12.14	3.48
International Emerging Markets Class 1 Division		35.58	–
LargeCap Growth Class 1 Division		20.18	16.36
LargeCap Growth I Class 1 Division		38.05	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division		11.04, 11.66 and 11.79	–
LargeCap Value Class 1 Division		28.10 and 42.56	18.01 and 18.08
MidCap Blend Class 1 Division		55.35	18.94
Money Market Class 1 Division		13.79	(1.22), (1.00), (0.94), (0.82), (0.64) and (0.42)
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 Division		13.10	–
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division		13.54	–
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 Division		14.09	–

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division	2012 Unit Value	2012 Total Return
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 Division	$13.76	–%
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 Division	13.89	–
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division	13.81	–
Real Estate Securities Class 1 Division	38.58	–
Short-Term Income Class 1 Division	–	4.08
SmallCap Blend Class 1 Division	13.72 and 17.72	–
SmallCap Growth II Class 1 Division	10.80 and 11.46	–
SmallCap Value I Class 1 Division	25.55	–
Division	2011 Unit Value	2011 Total Return
Asset Allocation Class 1 Division	$25.22	–%
Balanced Class 1 Division	2.19 and 20.16	–
Bond & Mortgage Securities Class 1 Division	2.46 and 22.03	–
Diversified Balanced Class 2 Division	–	2.39
Diversified Growth Class 2 Division	–	1.00
Diversified International Class 1 Division	2.30 and 20.73	–
Equity Income Class 1 Division	9.59	–
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 Division	2.50, 11.64, 11.75 and 11.79	–
International Emerging Markets Class 1 Division	29.83	–
LargeCap Growth Class 1 Division	1.86 and 17.49	–
LargeCap Growth I Class 1 Division	33.11	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division	9.68, 10.18 and 10.30	–
LargeCap Value Class 1 Division	2.97, 3.10, 5.90, 6.97, 9.37 and 10.21	0.75
MidCap Blend Class 1 Division	5.11 and 46.92	–
Money Market Class 1 Division	1.62, 1.70, 2.23 and 13.96	(0.89), (0.78), (0.64) and (0.42)
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 Division	12.10	–
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division	12.27	–
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 Division	12.43	–
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 Division	12.06	–
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 Division	12.05	–
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division	11.95	–
Real Estate Securities Class 1 Division	33.34	–
SmallCap Blend Class 1 Division	12.11 and 15.58	–
SmallCap Growth II Class 1 Division	9.38 and 9.98	–
SmallCap Value I Class 1 Division	21.25	–

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division	2010 Unit Value	2010 Total Return
American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division	$9.55	13.15%
Asset Allocation Division	25.00	–
Balanced Division	2.12 and 19.61
Bond & Mortgage Securities Division	2.31 and 20.83	–
Diversified International Division	2.58 and 23.55	–
Equity Income Division	9.21	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.37, 11.10, 11.17 and 11.19	–
International Emerging Markets Division	36.60	–
LargeCap Growth Division	1.95 and 18.49	–
LargeCap Growth I Division	33.64	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division	9.63, 10.09 and 10.22	–
LargeCap Value Division	2.96, 3.08, 5.92, 6.96, 9.35 and 10.17	13.60
MidCap Blend Division	4.74 and 43.87	–
Money Market Division	1.63 and 14.14	–
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division	11.84	–
Principal LifeTime 2010 Division	12.24	–
Principal LifeTime 2020 Division	12.73	–
Principal LifeTime 2030 Division	12.49	–
Principal LifeTime 2040 Division	12.61	–
Principal LifeTime 2050 Division	12.59	–
Real Estate Securities Division	30.99	–
SmallCap Blend Division	12.45 and 15.95	–
SmallCap Growth II Division	10.57	–
SmallCap Value I Division	22.34	–
Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets Class Division	–	26.37 and 41.74
Division	2009 Unit Value	2009 Total Return
American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division	$8.44	–%
Asset Allocation Division	23.21	–
Balanced Division	1.88 and 17.48	–
Bond & Mortgage Securities Division	2.09 and 18.89	–
Diversified International Division	2.28 and 20.97	–
Equity Income Division	8.02	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.25 and 19.27	–
International Emerging Markets Division	31.08	–
International Small Cap Division	21.74	–
LargeCap Growth Division	1.66 and 15.81	–
LargeCap Growth I Division	28.48	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division	8.51, 8.88 and 9.00	–

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division	2009 Unit Value	2009 Total Return
LargeCap Value Division	$2.61, $2.71, $5.27, $6.16, $8.27 and $8.99	–%
MidCap Blend Division	3.85 and 35.80	–
MidCap Growth I Division	10.62 and 11.86	32.72, 33.42 and 33.94
MidCap Value II Division	12.17 and 18.45	–
Money Market Division	1.64 and 14.32	–
Mortgage Securities Division	–	5.15 and 5.45
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division	10.78	–
Principal LifeTime 2010 Division	10.88	–
Principal LifeTime 2020 Division	11.20	–
Principal LifeTime 2030 Division	10.96	–
Principal LifeTime 2040 Division	11.02	–
Principal LifeTime 2050 Division	10.97	–
Real Estate Securities Division	24.96	–
Short-Term Income Division	–	8.51 and 8.91
SmallCap Blend Division	10.14 and 12.95	–
SmallCap Growth II Division	8.43	–
SmallCap Value I Division	17.94	–
Division	2008 Unit Value	2008 Total Return
American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division	$7.22	–%
Asset Allocation Division	19.78	–
Balanced Division	1.56 and 14.61	–
Bond & Mortgage Securities Division	1.74 and 15.82	–
Diversified International Division	1.80 and 16.48	–
Equity Income Division	6.77	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.15 and 18.53	–
International Emerging Markets Division	18.55	–
International SmallCap Division	16.33	–
LargeCap Growth Division	1.32 and 12.61	–
LargeCap Growth I Division	18.88	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division	6.82, 7.09 and 7.19	–
LargeCap Value Division	2.26, 18.56 and 27.22	–
MidCap Blend Division	2.90 and 27.10	–
MidCap Growth I Division	7.96 and 8.85	–
MidCap Value II Division	9.19 and 13.88	–
Money Market Division	1.65 and 14.47	–
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division	9.17	(25.310)
Principal LifeTime 2010 Division	8.81	(32.230)
Principal LifeTime 2020 Division	8.90	(35.390)
Principal LifeTime 2030 Division	8.65	(37.650)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2012

Division	2008 Unit Value	2008 Total Return
Principal LifeTime 2040 Division	$8.61	(39.380)%
Principal LifeTime 2050 Division	8.54	(40.230)
Real Estate Securities Division	19.61	–
SAM Balanced Portfolio Division	–	(27.630)
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Division	–	(20.780)
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Division	–	(34.440)
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Division	–	(15.410)
SmallCap Blend Division	8.40 and 10.69	–
SmallCap Growth II Division	6.48	–
SmallCap Value I Division	15.63	–

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholder

Principal Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Principal Life Insurance Company (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Principal Life Insurance Company at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in response to new accounting standards, the Company changed its methods of accounting for the capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs effective January 1, 2012, for credit derivatives embedded in beneficial interests in securitized financial assets effective July 1, 2010 and for variable interest entities effective January 1, 2010. In addition, the Company has elected to change its methods of accounting for the cost of long duration universal life and variable universal life reinsurance contracts and for the estimated gross profits of these contracts effective January 1, 2012.

/s/Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa

March 20, 2013

Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
				(As adjusted)
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (2012 and 2011 include $194.6 million and $214.2 million related to consolidated
	variable interest entities)	$	47,396.3	$	45,877.3
Fixed maturities, trading (2012 and 2011 include $110.4 million and $132.4 million related to consolidated variable
	interest entities)		398.4		511.5
Equity securities, available-for-sale			131.3		73.5
Equity securities, trading (2012 and 2011 include $0.0 million and $207.6 million related to consolidated variable
	interest entities)		131.9		312.8
Mortgage loans			10,825.4		10,132.0
Real estate			1,172.5		1,083.9
Policy loans			834.0		859.2
Other investments (2012 and 2011 include $80.3 million and $97.8 million related to consolidated variable interest
	entities and $113.9 million and $97.5 million measured at fair value under the fair value option)		1,785.2		1,764.5
	Total investments		62,675.0		60,614.7
Cash and cash equivalents (2012 and 2011 include $0.0 million and $317.7 million related to consolidated variable
	interest entities)		2,359.1		2,454.9
Accrued investment income			576.0		604.4
Premiums due and other receivables			1,023.9		1,141.4
Deferred policy acquisition costs			2,394.7		2,197.3
Property and equipment			441.8		435.7
Goodwill			296.0		282.6
Other intangibles			158.1		157.0
Separate account assets			69,217.8		61,615.1
Other assets			929.6		883.5
	Total assets	$	140,072.0	$	130,386.6
Liabilities
Contractholder funds		$	36,774.6	$	37,089.7
Future policy benefits and claims			17,906.5		16,353.1
Other policyholder funds			677.8		520.4
Short-term debt			286.7		263.7
Long-term debt			128.9		119.9
Income taxes currently payable			11.5		2.8
Deferred income taxes			443.9		78.4
Separate account liabilities			69,217.8		61,615.1
Other liabilities (2012 and 2011 include $302.9 million and $565.2 million related to consolidated variable interest
	entities, of which $85.0 million and $88.4 million are measured at fair value under the fair value option)		7,023.8		6,726.3
Total liabilities			132,471.5		122,769.4
Redeemable noncontrolling interest			23.2		22.2
Stockholder's equity
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share - 5.0 million shares authorized, 2.5 million shares issued
	and outstanding (wholly owned indirectly by Principal Financial Group, Inc.)		2.5		2.5
Additional paid-in capital			5,747.6		5,718.1
Retained earnings			1,167.7		1,195.0
Accumulated other comprehensive income			642.6		328.6
	Total stockholder's equity attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company		7,560.4		7,244.2
Noncontrolling interest			16.9		350.8
	Total stockholder's equity		7,577.3		7,595.0
	Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	$	140,072.0	$	130,386.6
See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
				(As adjusted)		(As adjusted)
		(in millions)
Revenues
Premiums and other considerations		$	2,934.9	$	2,626.5	$	3,300.3
Fees and other revenues			1,934.8		1,929.9		1,794.1
Net investment income			2,811.8		2,918.0		3,085.8
Net realized capital gains (losses), excluding impairment losses on
	available-for-sale securities		190.7		91.9		(47.4)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale
	securities		(135.9)		(138.3)		(297.1)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale reclassified to (from) other comprehensive
	income		17.3		(52.3)		56.1
Net impairment losses on available-for-sale securities			(118.6)		(190.6)		(241.0)
Net realized capital gains (losses)			72.1		(98.7)		(288.4)
	Total revenues		7,753.6		7,375.7		7,891.8
Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses			4,556.6		4,034.9		4,706.5
Dividends to policyholders			197.7		210.2		219.9
Operating expenses			2,154.5		2,320.5		2,392.9
	Total expenses		6,908.8		6,565.6		7,319.3
Income before income taxes			844.8		810.1		572.5
Income taxes			151.5		225.0		102.8
Net income			693.3		585.1		469.7
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			18.4		36.4		16.6
Net income attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company		$	674.9	$	548.7	$	453.1
See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
				(As adjusted)		(As adjusted)
		(in millions)
Net income		$	693.3	$	585.1	$	469.7
Other comprehensive income, net:
	Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities		505.3		207.3		1,121.4
	Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale		(6.7)		33.0		(33.7)
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments		(47.0)		20.2		10.6
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		(9.1)		13.0		(4.5)
	Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation		(127.4)		(172.9)		208.0
Other comprehensive income			315.1		100.6		1,301.8
Comprehensive income			1,008.4		685.7		1,771.5
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest			19.5		36.4		16.6
Comprehensive income attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company		$	988.9	$	649.3	$	1,754.9
See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity
								Accumulated
				Additional				other				Total
		Common		paid-in		Retained		comprehensive		Noncontrolling		stockholder's
		stock		capital		earnings		income (loss)		interest		equity
		(in millions)
Balances at January 1, 2010 (as adjusted)		$	2.5	$	6,408.9	$	483.4	$	(1,109.9)	$	118.0	$	5,902.9
Capital contribution to parent			—		(301.8)		—		—		—		(301.8)
Stock-based compensation and
	additional related tax benefits		—		37.9		(1.8)		—		—		36.1
Distributions to noncontrolling interest			—		—		—		—		(7.8)		(7.8)
Contributions from noncontrolling
	interest		—		—		—		—		24.1		24.1
Effects of implementation of accounting
	change related to variable
	interest entities, net		—		—		(10.7)		10.7		—		—
Effects of electing fair value option for
	fixed maturities upon implementation
	of accounting change related to
	embedded credit derivatives, net		—		—		(25.4)		25.4		—		—
Net income			—		—		453.1		—		16.6		469.7
Other comprehensive income			—		—		—		1,301.8		—		1,301.8
Balances at December 31, 2010 (as adjusted)			2.5		6,145.0		898.6		228.0		150.9		7,425.0
Capital contribution to parent			—		(458.8)		—		—		—		(458.8)
Stock-based compensation and additional related
	tax benefits		—		31.9		(2.3)		—		—		29.6
Dividends to parent			—		—		(250.0)		—		—		(250.0)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest			—		—		—		—		(9.8)		(9.8)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest			—		—		—		—		174.6		174.6
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest			—		—		—		—		(1.1)		(1.1)
Net income (excludes $0.2 million attributable to redeemable
	noncontrolling interests)		—		—		548.7		—		36.2		584.9
Other comprehensive income			—		—		—		100.6		—		100.6
Balances at December 31, 2011 (as adjusted)			2.5		5,718.1		1,195.0		328.6		350.8		7,595.0
Capital contribution to parent			—		(14.4)		—		—		—		(14.4)
Stock-based compensation and additional related
	tax benefits		—		43.9		(2.2)		—		—		41.7
Dividends to parent			—		—		(700.0)		—		—		(700.0)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest			—		—		—		—		(10.7)		(10.7)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest			—		—		—		—		12.6		12.6
Deconsolidation of certain variable interest entities			—		—		—		—		(353.2)		(353.2)
Net income (excludes $1.0 million attributable to redeemable
	noncontrolling interests)		—		—		674.9		—		17.4		692.3
Other comprehensive income (excludes $1.1 million
	attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest)		—		—		—		314.0		—		314.0
Balances at December 31, 2012		$	2.5	$	5,747.6	$	1,167.7	$	642.6	$	16.9	$	7,577.3
See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
		For the year ended December 31,
		2012			2011		2010
				(As adjusted)			(As adjusted)
		(in millions)
Operating activities
Net income		$	693.3		$	585.1	$	469.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		82.3			262.9		265.0
	Additions to deferred policy acquisition costs		(393.6)			(316.9)		(300.9)
	Accrued investment income		28.4			51.3		26.0
	Net cash flows for trading securities		88.9			75.8		78.8
	Premiums due and other receivables		75.8			(129.8)		(91.4)
	Contractholder and policyholder liabilities and dividends		1,814.5			723.0		1,085.5
	Current and deferred income taxes		2.7			52.6		12.2
	Net realized capital (gains) losses		(72.1)			98.7		288.4
	Depreciation and amortization expense		103.1			93.0		139.1
	Mortgage loans held for sale, sold or repaid, net of gain		74.9			17.7		1.7
	Real estate acquired through operating activities		(46.4)			(37.4)		—
	Real estate sold through operating activities		41.2			138.5		116.5
	Stock-based compensation		41.9			29.6		36.2
	Other		663.0			1,506.7		621.2
Net adjustments			2,504.6			2,565.7		2,278.3
Net cash provided by operating activities			3,197.9			3,150.8		2,748.0
Investing activities
Available-for-sale securities:
	Purchases		(7,986.7)			(6,406.7)		(6,442.4)
	Sales		1,193.3			692.3		1,491.6
	Maturities		6,383.8			5,490.1		4,783.0
Mortgage loans acquired or originated			(2,442.9)			(1,397.7)		(1,189.8)
Mortgage loans sold or repaid			1,545.4			1,597.9		1,678.4
Real estate acquired			(151.8)			(129.9)		(53.8)
Net purchases of property and equipment			(29.6)			(50.3)		(9.8)
Net change in other investments			(31.0)			(50.5)		(15.1)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(1,519.5)			(254.8)		242.1
Financing activities
Proceeds from financing element derivatives			51.8			75.9		79.3
Payments for financing element derivatives			(49.9)			(46.5)		(46.5)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements			7.9			1.5		0.8
Capital distributions to parent			(14.8)			(506.5)		(301.8)
Dividends paid to parent			(700.0)			(250.0)		—
Issuance of long-term debt			9.4			—		—
Principal repayments of long-term debt			(0.4)			(0.5)		(0.4)
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings			23.0			(30.7)		(17.7)
Investment contract deposits			6,401.2			5,868.6		4,099.9
Investment contract withdrawals			(7,519.8)			(7,076.7)		(7,343.3)
Net increase (decrease) in banking operation deposits			32.0			(18.5)		46.2
Other			(14.6)			(4.5)		(4.3)
Net cash used in financing activities			(1,774.2)			(1,987.9)		(3,487.8)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(95.8)			908.1		(497.7)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			2,454.9			1,546.8		2,044.5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	2,359.1		$	2,454.9	$	1,546.8
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid for interest		$	10.1		$	37.3	$	10.7
Cash paid for income taxes		$	117.5		$	168.6	$	88.6
See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Principal Life Insurance Company (“Principal Life”) along with its consolidated subsidiaries is a diversified financial services organization engaged in promoting retirement savings and investment and insurance products and services in the U.S. We are a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc. (“PFSI”), which in turn is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“PFG”).

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Principal Life and all other entities in which we directly or indirectly have a controlling financial interest as well as those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which we are the primary beneficiary. Entities in which we have significant management influence over the operating and financing decisions but are not required to consolidate are reported using the equity method. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

We have evaluated subsequent events through March 20, 2013, which was the date our consolidated financial statements were issued.

Reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the December 31, 2012, presentation.

Closed Block

We operate a closed block (“Closed Block”) for the benefit of individual participating dividend‑paying policies in force at the time of the 1998 mutual insurance holding company (“MIHC”) formation. See 7, Closed Block, for further details.

Accounting Changes

In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance that modifies the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts. Capitalized costs should include incremental direct costs of contract acquisition, as well as certain costs related directly to acquisition activities such as underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection and sales force contract selling. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2012, and we adopted the guidance retrospectively.

Effective January 1, 2012, we elected to change our methods of accounting for the cost of long duration universal life and variable universal life reinsurance contracts and for the estimated gross profits (“EGPs”) of these contracts. These changes are collectively referred to as the “Reinsurance Accounting Change”. Under our previous method, we recognized all reinsurance cash flows as part of the net cost of reinsurance and amortized this balance over the estimated lives of the underlying policies in proportion to the pattern of EGPs on the underlying policies. Under the new method, any difference between actual and expected reinsurance cash flows is recognized in earnings immediately instead of being deferred and amortized over the life of the underlying policies. In conjunction with this change, we also changed our policy for determining EGPs relating to these contracts to include the difference between actual and expected reinsurance cash flows, where previously these effects had not been included. We adopted the new policies because we believe that they better reflect the economics of our reinsurance transactions by accounting for direct claims and related reinsurance recoveries in the same period. In addition, the new policies are consistent with our intent to purchase reinsurance to protect us against large and unexpected claims.

Comparative amounts from prior periods have been adjusted to apply the new deferred policy acquisition cost (“DPAC”) guidance (“DPAC Guidance”) and the Reinsurance Accounting Change retrospectively in these financial statements.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Our retrospective adoption of the DPAC Guidance and the Reinsurance Accounting Change resulted in reductions to the opening balances of retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) as of January 1, 2010, as shown in the following table.

				Attributed to
	Impact on opening balance as of January 1, 2010			DPAC Guidance			Reinsurance Accounting Change
	(in millions)
Retained earnings	$	(540.9	)	$	(520.1	)	$	(20.8	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(23.1)			(23.2)			0.1

The following tables show the prior period financial statement line items that were affected by the DPAC Guidance and the Reinsurance Accounting Change.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
		December 31, 2011
								Change attributed to
				As						Reinsurance
		As		originally		Effect of		DPAC		Accounting
		adjusted		reported		change		Guidance		Change (1)
		(in millions)
Assets
	Premiums due and other receivables	$	1,141.4	$	1,190.1	$	(48.7)	$	—	$	(48.7)
	Deferred policy acquisition costs		2,197.3		3,034.5		(837.2)		(836.1)		(1.1)
Liabilities
	Future policy benefits and claims		16,353.1		16,350.6		2.5		—		2.5
	Other policyholder funds		520.4		515.5		4.9		7.0		(2.1)
	Deferred income taxes		78.4		391.1		(312.7)		(295.1)		(17.6)
Stockholders' equity
	Retained earnings		1,195.0		1,826.0		(631.0)		(597.8)		(33.2)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		328.6		278.0		50.6		50.0		0.6
Consolidated Statements of Operations
		For the year ended December 31, 2011
								Change attributed to
				As						Reinsurance
		As		originally		Effect of		DPAC		Accounting
		adjusted		reported		change		Guidance		Change (1)
		(in millions)
Revenue
	Fees and other revenues	$	1,929.9	$	1,968.3	$	(38.4)	$	0.7	$	(39.1)
Expenses
	Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		4,034.9		3,872.4		162.5		(0.1)		162.6
	Operating expenses		2,320.5		2,433.4		(112.9)		8.8		(121.7)
Income before income taxes			810.1		898.1		(88.0)		(8.0)		(80.0)
Income taxes			225.0		255.8		(30.8)		(2.8)		(28.0)
Net income		$	585.1	$	642.3	$	(57.2)	$	(5.2)	$	(52.0)

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		For the year ended December 31, 2010
								Change attributed to
				As						Reinsurance
		As		originally		Effect of		DPAC		Accounting
		adjusted		reported		change		Guidance		Change
		(in millions)
Revenue
	Fees and other revenues	$	1,794.1	$	1,755.1	$	39.0	$	1.8	$	37.2
Expenses
	Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		4,706.5		4,840.6		(134.1)		0.1		(134.2)
	Operating expenses		2,392.9		2,169.4		223.5		112.9		110.6
Income before income taxes			572.5		622.9		(50.4)		(111.2)		60.8
Income taxes			102.8		120.4		(17.6)		(38.9)		21.3
Net income		$	469.7	$	502.5	$	(32.8)	$	(72.3)	$	39.5

(1) In the second quarter of 2011, we made various routine adjustments to our model and assumptions in our individual life insurance business. When we updated our actuarial models for the Reinsurance Accounting Change, several of the components of our integrated insurance accounting model were impacted, resulting in changes to various balance sheet and income statement line items. While the same model and assumptions were used to derive both the “as originally reported” and “as adjusted” balances, the financial statement impacts of the model and assumption changes upon adjustment were different than previously reported because of changes to the pattern of EGPs caused by the application of our Reinsurance Accounting Change. 

The following tables show the impact of the Reinsurance Accounting Change on the current period financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
		December 31, 2012
		New		Former		Effect of
		reinsurance		reinsurance		Reinsurance
		accounting		accounting		Accounting
		method		method		Change
		(in millions)
Assets
	Premiums due and other receivables	$	1,023.9	$	1,057.1	$	(33.2)
	Deferred policy acquisition costs		2,394.7		2,374.1		20.6
Liabilities
	Future policy benefits and claims		17,906.5		17,907.3		(0.8)
	Other policyholder funds		677.8		672.0		5.8
	Deferred income taxes		443.9		450.0		(6.1)
Stockholder's equity
	Retained earnings		1,167.7		1,206.4		(38.7)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		642.6		615.4		27.2

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Consolidated Statements of Operations
		For the year ended December 31, 2012
		New		Former		Effect of
		reinsurance		reinsurance		Reinsurance
		accounting		accounting		Accounting
		method		method		Change
		(in millions)
Revenue
	Fees and other revenues	$	1,934.8	$	1,943.8	$	(9.0)
Expenses
	Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		4,556.6		4,531.6		25.0
	Operating expenses		2,154.5		2,180.1		(25.6)
Income before income taxes			844.8		853.2		(8.4)
Income taxes			151.5		154.4		(2.9)
Net income		$	693.3	$	698.8	$	(5.5)

Certain of the current and prior period line items in the consolidated statements of cash flows, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income were affected by the DPAC Guidance and the Reinsurance Accounting Change. All of the line item changes in the consolidated statements of cash flows were included in the operating activities section and the changes in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statements of comprehensive income have largely been addressed through the preceding disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends how indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment. The amendments provide an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the annual fair value calculation impairment test. This new guidance is effective for our 2013 indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to balance sheet offsetting. The new guidance requires disclosures about assets and liabilities that are offset or have the potential to be offset. These disclosures are intended to address differences in the asset and liability offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This new guidance will be effective for us for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013, with retrospective application required and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Also in December 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires a reporting entity to follow the real estate sales guidance when the reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary that is in-substance real estate as a result of a default on the subsidiary’s nonrecourse debt. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2013, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends how goodwill is tested for impairment. The amendments provide an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the annual two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. This guidance was effective for our 2012 goodwill impairment test and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that changes the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. The new guidance eliminates the presentation options contained in current guidance and instead requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either a continuous statement of comprehensive income or two separate but consecutive statements that show the components of net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”), including adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income. The guidance does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. In December 2011, the FASB issued a final standard to defer the new requirement to present classification adjustments out of OCI to net income on the face of the financial statements. All other requirements contained in the original statement on comprehensive income are still effective. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2012, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The required disclosures are included in our consolidated financial statements.See Note 14, Stockholder’s Equity, for further details.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

In May 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that clarifies and changes fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. This guidance expands existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements and makes other amendments but does not require additional fair value measurements. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2012, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for further details.

In April 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that modifies the criteria for determining when repurchase agreements would be accounted for as secured borrowings as opposed to sales. The guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2012, for new transfers and modifications to existing transactions. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Also in April 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which clarifies when creditors should classify a loan modification as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). A TDR occurs when a creditor grants a concession to a debtor experiencing financial difficulties. Loans denoted as a TDR are considered impaired and are specifically reserved for when calculating the allowance for credit losses. This guidance also ended the indefinite deferral issued in January 2011 surrounding new disclosures on loans classified as a TDR required as part of the credit quality disclosures guidance issued in July 2010. This guidance was effective for us on July 1, 2011, and was applied retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 5, Investments, for further details.

In July 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires new and expanded disclosures related to the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. Reporting entities are required to provide qualitative and quantitative disclosures on the allowance for credit losses, credit quality, impaired loans, modifications and nonaccrual and past due financing receivables. The disclosures are required to be presented on a disaggregated basis by portfolio segment and class of financing receivable. Disclosures required by the guidance that relate to the end of a reporting period were effective for us in our December 31, 2010, consolidated financial statements. Disclosures required by the guidance that relate to an activity that occurs during a reporting period were effective for us on January 1, 2011, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 5, Investments, for further details.

In April 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance addressing how investments held through the separate accounts of an insurance entity affect the entity’s consolidation analysis. This guidance clarifies that an insurance entity should not consider any separate account interests held for the benefit of policyholders in an investment to be the insurer’s interests and should not combine those interests with its general account interest in the same investment when assessing the investment for consolidation. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2011, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends and clarifies the guidance on evaluation of credit derivatives embedded in beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, including asset-backed securities (“ABS”), credit-linked notes, collateralized loan obligations and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). This guidance eliminates the scope exception for bifurcation of embedded credit derivatives in interests in securitized financial assets, unless they are created solely by subordination of one financial instrument to another. We adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2010, and within the scope of this guidance reclassified fixed maturities with a fair value of $75.3 million from available-for-sale to trading. The cumulative change in accounting principle related to unrealized losses on these fixed maturities resulted in a net $25.4 million decrease to retained earnings, with a corresponding increase to AOCI.

In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires new disclosures related to fair value measurements and clarifies existing disclosure requirements about the level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques. Specifically, reporting entities now must disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. In addition, in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. The guidance clarifies that a reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities for disclosure of fair value measurement, considering the level of disaggregated information required by other applicable U.S. GAAP guidance and should also provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for each class of assets and liabilities. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2010, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements, which were effective for us on January 1, 2011. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for further details.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the accounting for VIEs, which amends prior guidance and requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise with (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In addition, this guidance requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Furthermore, we are required to enhance disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a VIE. We adopted this guidance prospectively effective January 1, 2010. Due to the implementation of this guidance, certain previously unconsolidated VIEs were consolidated and certain previously consolidated VIEs were deconsolidated. The cumulative change in accounting principle from adopting this guidance resulted in a net $10.7 million decrease to retained earnings and a net $10.7 million increase to AOCI. In February 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to this guidance. The amendment indefinitely defers the consolidation requirements for reporting enterprises’ interests in entities that have the characteristics of investment companies and regulated money market funds. This amendment was effective January 1, 2010, and did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. The required disclosures are included in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4, Variable Interest Entities, for further details.

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position,financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferredfinancial assets. The most significant change is the elimination of the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”). Therefore, former QSPEs, as defined under previous accounting standards, should be evaluated for consolidation by reporting entities on and after the effective date in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2010, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. These estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The most critical estimates include those used in determining:

• the fair value of investments in the absence of quoted market values;

• investment impairments and valuation allowances;

• the fair value of and accounting for derivatives;

• the DPAC and other actuarial balances where the amortization is based on estimated gross profits;

• the measurement of goodwill, indefinite lived intangible assets, finite lived intangible assets and related impairments or amortization, if any;

• the liability for future policy benefits and claims;

• the value of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and

• accounting for income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

A description of such critical estimates is incorporated within the discussion of the related accounting policies that follow. In applying these policies, management makes subjective and complex judgments that frequently require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. Many of these policies, estimates and related judgments are common in the insurance and financial services industries; others are specific to our businesses and operations. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments and other debt issues with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Investments

Fixed maturities include bonds, ABS, redeemable preferred stock and certain nonredeemable preferred stock. Equity securities include mutual funds, common stock and nonredeemable preferred stock. We classify fixed maturities and equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading at the time of the purchase and, accordingly, carry them at fair value. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for methodologies related to the determination of fair value. Unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities, excluding those in fair value hedging relationships, are reflected in stockholder’s equity, net of adjustments related to DPAC, sales inducements, unearned revenue reserves, policyholder liabilities, derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships and applicable income taxes. Unrealized gains and losses related to hedged portions of available-for-sale securities in fair value hedging relationships and mark-to-market adjustments on certain trading securities are reflected in net realized capital gains (losses). We also have a minimal amount of assets within trading securities portfolios that support investment strategies that involve the active and frequent purchase and sale of fixed maturities. Mark-to-market adjustments related to these trading securities are reflected in net investment income.

    The cost of fixed maturities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts, both computed using the interest method. The cost of fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for declines in value that are other than temporary. Impairments in value deemed to be other than temporary are primarily reported in net income as a component of net realized capital gains (losses), with noncredit impairment losses for certain fixed maturities, available-for-sale reported in OCI. Interest income, as well as prepayment fees and the amortization of the related premium or discount, is reported in net income.For loan-backed and structured securities, we recognize income using a constant effective yield based on currently anticipated cash flows.

Real estate investments are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. The initial cost basis of properties acquired through loan foreclosures are the lower of the fair market values of the properties at the time of foreclosure or the outstanding loan balance. Buildings and land improvements are generally depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of improvements and tenant improvement costs are depreciated on the straight-line method over the term of the related lease. We recognize impairment losses for properties when indicators of impairment are present and a property's expected undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the property's carrying value. In such cases, the cost basis of the properties are reduced to fair value. Real estate expected to be disposed is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less cost to sell, with valuation allowances established accordingly and depreciation no longer recognized. The carrying amount of real estate held for sale was $80.0 million and $36.6 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Any impairment losses and any changes in valuation allowances are reported in net income.

Commercial and residential mortgage loans are generally reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts, computed using the interest method, net of valuation allowances. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income, as well as prepayment of fees and the amortization of the related premium or discount, is reported in net investment income.Any changes in the valuation allowances are reported in net income as net realized capital gains (losses). We measure impairment based upon the difference between carrying value and estimated value less cost to sell. Estimated value is based on either the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. If foreclosure is probable, the measurement of any valuation allowance is based upon the fair value of the collateral.    

Net realized capital gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification. In general, in addition to realized capital gains and losses on investment sales and periodic settlements on derivatives not designated as hedges, we report gains and losses related to the following in net realized capital gains (losses): other-than-temporary impairments of securities and subsequent realized recoveries, mark-to-market adjustments on certain trading securities, mark-to-market adjustments on certain seed money investments, fair value hedge and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness, mark-to-market adjustments on derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in the mortgage loan valuation allowance provision and impairments of real estate held for investment. Investment gains and losses on sales of certain real estate held for sale that do not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation and mark-to-market adjustments on trading securities that support investment strategies that involve the active and frequent purchase and sale of fixed maturities are reported as net investment income and are excluded from net realized capital gains (losses).

Policy loans and other investments, excluding investments in unconsolidated entities and commercial mortgage loans of consolidated VIEs for which the fair value option was elected, are primarily reported at cost.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Derivatives

Overview. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, foreign exchange rates, financial indices or the values of securities. Derivatives generally used by us include interest rate swaps, interest rate collars, swaptions, futures, currency swaps, credit default swaps, options and total return swaps. Derivatives may be exchange traded or contracted in the over-the-counter market. Derivative positions are either assets or liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position and are measured at fair value, generally by obtaining quoted market prices or through the use of pricing models. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for policies related to the determination of fair value. Fair values can be affected by changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, financial indices, values of securities, credit spreads, and market volatility and liquidity.

Accounting and Financial Statement Presentation. We designate derivatives as either:

(a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, including those denominated in a foreign currency (“fair value hedge”);

(b) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the exposure to variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability, including those denominated in a foreign currency (“cash flow hedge”) or

(c) a derivative not designated as a hedging instrument.

Our accounting for the ongoing changes in fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and the designation, as described above, and is determined when the derivative contract is entered into or at the time of redesignation. Hedge accounting is used for derivatives that are specifically designated in advance as hedges and that reduce our exposure to an indicated risk by having a high correlation between changes in the value of the derivatives and the items being hedged at both the inception of the hedge and throughout the hedge period.

Fair Value Hedges. When a derivative is designated as a fair value hedge and is determined to be highly effective, changes in its fair value, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to the hedged risk, are reported in net realized capital gains (losses). Any difference between the net change in fair value of the derivative and the hedged item represents hedge ineffectiveness.

Cash Flow Hedges. When a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and is determined to be highly effective, changes in its fair value are recorded as a component of OCI. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded immediately in net income. At the time the variability of cash flows being hedged impacts net income, the related portion of deferred gains or losses on the derivative instrument is reclassified and reported in net income.

Non-Hedge Derivatives. If a derivative does not qualify or is not designated for hedge accounting, all changes in fair value are reported in net income without considering the changes in the fair value of the economically associated assets or liabilities.

Hedge Documentation and Effectiveness Testing. At inception, we formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes associating all derivatives designated as fair value or cash flow hedges with specific assets or liabilities on the statement of financial position or with specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. Effectiveness of the hedge is formally assessed at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship. Even if a derivative is highly effective and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, the hedge might have some ineffectiveness.

We use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess hedge effectiveness. Qualitative methods may include monitoring changes to terms and conditions and counterparty credit ratings. Quantitative methods may include statistical tests including regression analysis and minimum variance and dollar offset techniques.

Termination of Hedge Accounting. We prospectively discontinue hedge accounting when (1) the criteria to qualify for hedge accounting is no longer met, e.g., a derivative is determined to no longer be highly effective in offsetting the change in fair value or cash flows of a hedged item; (2) the derivative expires, is sold, terminated or exercised or (3) we remove the designation of the derivative being the hedging instrument for a fair value or cash flow hedge.

If it is determined that a derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative will continue to be carried on the consolidated statements of financial position at its fair value, with changes in fair value recognized prospectively in net realized capital gains (losses). The asset or liability under a fair value hedge will no longer be adjusted for changes in fair value pursuant to hedging rules and the existing basis adjustment is amortized to the consolidated statements of operations line associated with the asset or liability. The component of OCI related to discontinued cash flow hedges that are no longer highly effective is amortized to the consolidated statements of operations consistent with the net income impacts of the original hedged cash flows. If a cash flow hedge is discontinued because it is probable the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the deferred gain or loss is immediately reclassified from OCI into net income.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Embedded Derivatives. We purchase and issue certain financial instruments and products that contain a derivative that is embedded in the financial instrument or product. We assess whether this embedded derivative is clearly and closely related to the asset or liability that serves as its host contract. If we deem that the embedded derivative's terms are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, and a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the derivative is bifurcated from that contract and held at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial position, with changes in fair value reported in net income.

Contractholder and Policyholder Liabilities

Contractholder and policyholder liabilities (contractholder funds, future policy benefits and claims and other policyholder funds) include reserves for investment contracts and reserves for universal life, term life insurance, participating traditional individual life insurance, group life insurance, accident and health insurance and disability income policies, as well as a provision for dividends on participating policies.

Investment contracts are contractholders' funds on deposit with us and generally include reserves for pension and annuity contracts. Reserves on investment contracts are equal to the cumulative deposits less any applicable charges and withdrawals plus credited interest. Reserves for universal life insurance contracts are equal to cumulative deposits less charges plus credited interest, which represents the account balances that accrue to the benefit of the policyholders.

We hold additional reserves on certain long duration contracts where benefit features result in gains in early years followed by losses in later years, universal life/variable universal life contracts that contain no lapse guarantee features, or annuities with guaranteed minimum death benefits.

Reserves for nonparticipating term life insurance and disability income contracts are computed on a basis of assumed investment yield, mortality, morbidity and expenses, including a provision for adverse deviation, which generally varies by plan, year of issue and policy duration. Investment yield is based on our experience. Mortality, morbidity and withdrawal rate assumptions are based on our experience and are periodically reviewed against both industry standards and experience.

Reserves for participating life insurance contracts are based on the net level premium reserve for death and endowment policy benefits. This net level premium reserve is calculated based on dividend fund interest rates and mortality rates guaranteed in calculating the cash surrender values described in the contract.

Participating business represented approximately 13%, 15% and 16% of our life insurance in force and 47%, 50% and 53% of the number of life insurance policies in force at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Participating business represented approximately 61%, 65% and 67% of life insurance premiums for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The amount of dividends to policyholders is declared annually by our Board of Directors. The amount of dividends to be paid to policyholders is determined after consideration of several factors including interest, mortality, morbidity and other expense experience for the year and judgment as to the appropriate level of statutory surplus to be retained by us. At the end of the reporting period, we established a dividend liability for the pro rata portion of the dividends expected to be paid on or before the next policy anniversary date.

Some of our policies and contracts require payment of fees or other policyholder assessments in advance for services that will be rendered over the estimated lives of the policies and contracts. These payments are established as unearned revenue liabilities upon receipt and included in other policyholder funds in the consolidated statements of financial position. These unearned revenue reserves are amortized to operations over the estimated lives of these policies and contracts in relation to the emergence of estimated gross profit margins.

The liability for unpaid accident and health claims is an estimate of the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported losses not yet settled. This liability is estimated using actuarial analyses and case basis evaluations. Although considerable variability is inherent in such estimates, we believe that the liability for unpaid claims is adequate. These estimates are continually reviewed and, as adjustments to this liability become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in net income.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Recognition of Premiums and Other Considerations, Fees and Other Revenues and Benefits

Traditional individual life insurance products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits and consist principally of whole life and term life insurance policies. Premiums from these products are recognized as premium revenue when due. Related policy benefits and expenses for individual life products are associated with earned premiums and result in the recognition of profits over the expected term of the policies and contracts.

Immediate annuities with life contingencies include products with fixed and guaranteed annuity considerations and benefits and consist principally of group and individual single premium annuities with life contingencies. Annuity considerations from these products are recognized as revenue. However, the collection of these annuity considerations does not represent the completion of the earnings process, as we establish annuity reserves, using estimates for mortality and investment assumptions, which include provision for adverse deviation as required by U.S. GAAP. We anticipate profits to emerge over the life of the annuity products as we earn investment income, pay benefits and release reserves.

Group life and health insurance premiums are generally recorded as premium revenue over the term of the coverage. Certain group contracts contain experience premium refund provisions based on a pre-defined formula that reflects their claim experience. Experience premium refunds reduce revenue over the term of the coverage and are adjusted to reflect current experience. Related policy benefits and expenses for group life and health insurance products are associated with earned premiums and result in the recognition of profits over the term of the policies and contracts. Fees for contracts providing claim processing or other administrative services are recorded as revenue over the period the service is provided.

Universal life-type policies are insurance contracts with terms that are not fixed. Amounts received as payments for such contracts are not reported as premium revenues. Revenues for universal life-type insurance contracts consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy initiation and administration, surrender charges and other fees that have been assessed against policy account values and investment income. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include interest credited to contracts and benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy account balances.

Investment contracts do not subject us to significant risks arising from policyholder mortality or morbidity and consist primarily of guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), funding agreements and certain deferred annuities. Amounts received as payments for investment contracts are established as investment contract liability balances and are not reported as premium revenues. Revenues for investment contracts consist of investment income and policy administration charges. Investment contract benefits that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related investment contract liability balances and interest credited to investment contract liability balances.

Fees and other revenues are earned for asset management services provided to retail and institutional clients based largely upon contractual rates applied to the market value of the client's portfolio. Additionally, fees and other revenues are earned for administrative services performed including recordkeeping and reporting services for retirement savings plans. Fees and other revenues received for performance of asset management and administrative services are recognized as revenue when earned, typically when the service is performed.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Incremental direct costs of contract acquisition as well as certain costs directly related to acquisition activities (underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection and sales force contract selling) for the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance policies and investment contract business are capitalized to the extent recoverable. Maintenance costs and acquisition costs that are not deferrable are charged to operations as incurred.

DPAC for universal life-type insurance contracts, participating life insurance policies and certain investment contracts are being amortized over the lives of the policies and contracts in relation to the emergence of EGPs or, in certain circumstances, estimated gross revenues. This amortization is adjusted in the current period when EGPs or estimated gross revenues are revised. For individual variable life insurance, individual variable annuities and group annuities that have separate account U.S. equity investment options, we utilize a mean reversion method (reversion to the mean assumption), a common industry practice, to determine the future domestic equity market growth assumption used for the amortization of DPAC. The DPAC of nonparticipating term life insurance and individual disability policies are being amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policyholder liabilities.

DPAC are subject to recoverability testing at the time of policy issue and loss recognition testing on an annual basis, or when an event occurs that may warrant loss recognition. If loss recognition is necessary, DPAC would be written off to the extent that it is determined that future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits are not adequate to cover related losses and expenses.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs on Internal Replacements

All insurance and investment contract modifications and replacements are reviewed to determine if the internal replacement results in a substantially changed contract. If so, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue associated with the new contract are deferred and amortized over the lifetime of the new contract. In addition, the existing DPAC, sales inducement costs and unearned revenue balances associated with the replaced contract are written off. If an internal replacement results in a substantially unchanged contract, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue associated with the new contract are immediately recognized in the period incurred. In addition, the existing DPAC, sales inducement costs or unearned revenue balance associated with the replaced contract is not written off, but instead is carried over to the new contract.

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt includes notes payable, nonrecourse mortgages and other debt with a maturity date greater than one year at the date of issuance. Current maturities of long-term debt are classified as long-term debt in our statement of financial position.

Reinsurance

We enter into reinsurance agreements with other companies in the normal course of business. We may assume reinsurance from or cede reinsurance to other companies. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance ceded are reported on a gross basis. Premiums and expenses are reported net of reinsurance ceded. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies. We are contingently liable with respect to reinsurance ceded to other companies in the event the reinsurer is unable to meet the obligations it has assumed. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, our largest exposures to a single third-party reinsurer in our individual life insurance business was $29.7 billion and $25.3 billion of life insurance in force, representing 18% and 16% of total net individual life insurance in force, respectively. The reinsurance recoverable related to this single third party reinsurer recorded in our consolidated statements of financial position was $26.1 million and $22.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The effects of reinsurance on premiums and other considerations and policy and contract benefits were as follows:

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Premiums and other considerations:
	Direct	$	3,212.1	$	2,913.3	$	3,595.5
	Assumed		59.3		30.1		11.9
	Ceded		(336.5)		(316.9)		(307.1)
Net premiums and other considerations		$	2,934.9	$	2,626.5	$	3,300.3
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses:
	Direct		4,575.5		4,280.6		4,954.4
	Assumed		157.9		96.5		56.5
	Ceded		(176.8)		(342.2)		(304.4)
Net benefits, claims and settlement expenses		$	4,556.6	$	4,034.9	$	4,706.5

Separate Accounts

The separate account assets presented in the consolidated financial statements represent the fair value of funds that are separately administered by us for contracts with equity, real estate and fixed income investments. The separate account contract owner, rather than us, bears the investment risk of these funds. The separate account assets are legally segregated and are not subject to claims that arise out of any of our other business. We receive fees for mortality, withdrawal and expense risks, as well as administrative, maintenance and investment advisory services that are included in the consolidated statements of operations. Net deposits, net investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses on the separate accounts are not reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the separate accounts include a separate account valued at $148.3 million and $146.5 million, respectively, which primarily includes shares of PFG stock that were allocated and issued to eligible participants of qualified employee benefit plans administered by us as part of the policy credits issued under Principal Mutual Holding Company’s 2001 demutualization. The separate account shares are recorded at fair value and are reported as separate account assets with a corresponding separate account liability to eligible participants of the qualified plan. Changes in fair value of the separate account shares are reflected in both the separate account assets and separate account liabilities and do not impact our results of operations.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Income Taxes

Our ultimate parent, PFG, files a U.S. consolidated income tax return that includes all of our qualifying subsidiaries. In addition, we file income tax returns in all states in which we conduct business. PFG allocates income tax expenses and benefits to companies in the group generally based upon pro rata contribution of taxable income or operating losses. We are taxed at corporate rates on taxable income based on existing tax laws. Current income taxes are charged or credited to net income based upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. Deferred income taxes are provided for the tax effect of temporary differences in the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating losses using enacted income tax rates and laws. The effect on deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period in which the change is enacted.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and other intangible assets include the cost of acquired subsidiaries in excess of the fair value of the net tangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions. Goodwill and indefinite‑lived intangible assets are not amortized. Rather, they are tested for impairment during the fourth quarter each year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level to which it was assigned. A reporting unit is an operating segment or a business one level below that operating segment, if financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at that level. Once goodwill has been assigned to a reporting unit, it is no longer associated with a particular acquisition; therefore, all of the activities within a reporting unit, whether acquired or organically grown, are available to support the goodwill value. Impairment testing for indefinite‑lived intangible assets consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value.

Intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized as related benefits emerge and are reviewed periodically for indicators of impairment in value. If facts and circumstances suggest possible impairment, the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset is compared to the current carrying value of the asset. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of assets over their fair value.

2. Related Party Transactions

We have entered into various related party transactions with our ultimate parent and its other affiliates. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, we received $274.0 million, $212.9 million and $210.8 million, respectively, of expense reimbursements from affiliated entities.

We and our direct parent, PFSI, are parties to a cash advance agreement, which allows us, collectively, to pool our available cash in order to more efficiently and effectively invest our cash. The cash advance agreement allows (i) us to advance cash to PFSI in aggregate principal amounts not to exceed $1.0 billion, with such advanced amounts earning interest at the daily 30-day LIBOR rate (the “Internal Crediting Rate”); and (ii) PFSI to advance cash to us in aggregate principal amounts not to exceed $1.0 billion, with such advance amounts paying interest at the Internal Crediting Rate plus 10 basis points to reimburse PFSI for the costs incurred in maintaining short-term investing and borrowing programs. Under this cash advance agreement, we had a receivable from PFSI of $443.7 million and $556.1 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and earned interest of $1.0 million, $1.4 million and $1.4 million during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We have short-term affiliated debt and long-term affiliated debt with our parent. See Note 10, Debt, for additional information.

We and an affiliated entity, Principal National Life Insurance Company, are parties to a reinsurance agreement to reinsure certain life insurance business. Under this agreement, we had an assumed reinsurance liability of $1,116.2 million and $596.0 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, we recognized premiums and other fees of $168.4 million, $102.6 million and $35.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, associated with this agreement. Furthermore, we recognized expenses of $377.1 million, $244.8 million and $115.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, associated with this agreement.

We receive commission fees, distribution and services fees from Principal Funds for distributing proprietary products on their behalf. Furthermore, we receive management and administrative fees from Principal Funds for investments our products hold in the Principal Mutual Funds and Principal Variable Contracts. Fees and other revenue was $342.1 million, $317.6 million and $282.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, we pay commission expense to affiliated registered representatives to sell proprietary products. Commission expense was $77.5 million, $72.0 million and $61.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Pursuant to certain regulatory requirements or otherwise in the ordinary course of business, we guarantee certain payments of our subsidiaries and have agreements with affiliates to provide and/or receive management, administrative and other services, all of which, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to our business, financial condition and net income.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill reported in our segments were as follows:

		Retirement		Principal		U.S.
		and Investor		Global		Insurance
		Services		Investors		Solutions		Consolidated
		(in millions)
Balance at January 1, 2011		$	18.7	$	152.5	$	43.4	$	214.6
	Goodwill from acquisitions		—		68.0		—		68.0
Balance at December 31, 2011			18.7		220.5		43.4		282.6
	Goodwill from acquisitions		—		—		10.5		10.5
	Foreign currency		—		2.9		—		2.9
Balance at December 31, 2012		$	18.7	$	223.4	$	53.9	$	296.0

On September 30, 2010, we announced our decision to exit the group medical insurance business. This event constituted a substantive change in circumstances that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our group medical insurance reporting unit below its carrying amount. Accordingly, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2010. As a result of the shortened period of projected cash flows, we determined that the goodwill related to this reporting unit within our Corporate operating segment was impaired and it was written down to a value of zero. We recorded a $43.6 million pre-tax impairment loss as an operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Finite Lived Intangible Assets

Finite lived intangible assets that continue to be subject to amortization over a weighted average remaining expected life of 15 years were as follows:

	December 31,
	2012						2011
	Gross				Net		Gross				Net
	carrying		Accumulated		carrying		carrying		Accumulated		carrying
	value		amortization		value		value		amortization		value
	(in millions)
Total finite lived intangible assets	$	99.3	$	35.7	$	63.6	$	96.8	$	34.3	$	62.5

During 2012, we fully amortized other finite lived intangible assets of $5.0 million. We had no fully amortized other finite lived intangible assets in 2011 and 2010.

During 2010, we recorded a $1.6 million pre-tax impairment loss as an operating expense related to finite lived intangible assets with a gross carrying amount of $5.5 million and $3.9 million of accumulated amortization at the time of impairment resulting from our decision to exit the group medical insurance business. We had no significant impairments in 2012 and 2011.

The amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $6.3 million, $4.7 million and $4.5 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in millions):

Year ending December 31:
	2013	$	9.3
	2014		9.3
	2015		7.9
	2016		7.9
	2017		8.0

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

The net carrying amount of unamortized indefinite lived intangible assets was $94.5 million as of both December 31, 2012 and 2011. This represents our share of the purchase price from our parent’s December 31, 2006, acquisition of WM Advisors, Inc. related to investment management contracts that are not subject to amortization. We were allocated $99.9 million of the purchase price based on the fact that we will benefit from our parent’s acquisition, which also included $3.2 million related to goodwill and $2.2 million related to amortizable finite lived intangible assets that were subject to a three-year amortization period.

4. Variable Interest Entities

We have relationships with and may have a variable interest in various types of special purpose entities. Following is a discussion of our interest in entities that meet the definition of a VIE. When we are the primary beneficiary, we are required to consolidate the entity in our financial statements. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is defined as the enterprise with (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. On an ongoing basis, we assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs we have relationships with.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

Grantor Trusts

We contributed undated subordinated floating rate notes to three grantor trusts. The trusts separated the cash flows by issuing an interest-only certificate and a residual certificate related to each note contributed. Each interest-only certificate entitles the holder to interest on the stated note for a specified term, while the residual certificate entitles the holder to interest payments subsequent to the term of the interest-only certificate and to all principal payments. We retained the interest-only certificates and the residual certificates were subsequently sold to third parties. We have determined these grantor trusts are VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain them. We determined we are the primary beneficiary as a result of our contribution of securities into the trusts and our continuing interest in the trusts.

Collateralized Private Investment Vehicles

We invest in synthetic collateralized debt obligations, collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and other collateralized structures, which are VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain the entities (collectively known as “collateralized private investment vehicles”). The performance of the notes of these structures is primarily linked to a synthetic portfolio by derivatives; each note has a specific loss attachment and detachment point. The notes and related derivatives are collateralized by a pool of permitted investments. The investments are held by a trustee and can only be liquidated to settle obligations of the trusts. These obligations primarily include derivatives and the notes due at maturity or termination of the trusts. We determined we are the primary beneficiary for certain of these entities because we act as the investment manager of the underlying portfolio and we have an ownership interest.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

We sold commercial mortgage loans to a real estate mortgage investment conduit trust. The trust issued various commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) certificates using the cash flows of the underlying commercial mortgages it purchased. This is considered a VIE due to insufficient equity to sustain itself. We have determined we are the primary beneficiary as we retained the special servicing role for the assets within the trust as well as the ownership of the bond class that controls the unilateral kick out rights of the special servicer.

Hedge Funds

We are a general partner with insignificant equity ownership in various hedge funds. These entities were deemed VIEs due to the equity owners not having decision-making ability. Prior to the second quarter of 2012, we determined we were the primary beneficiary of these entities due to our control through our management relationships, related party ownership and our fee structure in certain of these funds.

In the second quarter of 2012, the hedge funds were no longer consolidated. We determined we were no longer the primary beneficiary due to the increase in external ownership in the funds. As a result of deconsolidation, total assets decreased $587.2 million and liabilities and noncontrolling interest decreased $586.1 million.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The carrying amounts of our consolidated VIE assets, which can only be used to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs, and liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse are as follows:

				Collateralized
				private investment
		Grantor trusts		vehicles		CMBS		Hedge funds (2)		Total
		(in millions)
December 31, 2012
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	194.6	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	194.6
Fixed maturities, trading			—		110.4		—		—		110.4
Other investments			—		—		80.3		—		80.3
Accrued investment income			0.5		—		0.6		—		1.1
	Total assets	$	195.1	$	110.4	$	80.9	$	—	$	386.4
Deferred income taxes		$	1.8	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1.8
Other liabilities (1)			152.4		104.8		45.7		—		302.9
	Total liabilities	$	154.2	$	104.8	$	45.7	$	—	$	304.7
December 31, 2011
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	199.2	$	15.0	$	—	$	—	$	214.2
Fixed maturities, trading			—		132.4		—		—		132.4
Equity securities, trading			—		—		—		207.6		207.6
Other investments			—		—		97.5		0.3		97.8
Cash and cash equivalents			—		—		—		317.7		317.7
Accrued investment income			1.2		0.1		0.6		—		1.9
Premiums due and other receivables			—		—		—		39.1		39.1
	Total assets	$	200.4	$	147.5	$	98.1	$	564.7	$	1,010.7
Deferred income taxes		$	2.2	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2.2
Other liabilities (1)			136.9		143.8		64.5		220.0		565.2
	Total liabilities	$	139.1	$	143.8	$	64.5	$	220.0	$	567.4

(1) Grantor trusts contain an embedded derivative of a forecasted transaction to deliver the underlying securities; collateralized private investment vehicles include derivative liabilities and obligation to redeem notes at maturity or termination of the trust; CMBS includes obligation to the bondholders; and hedge funds include liabilities to securities brokers.

(2) The consolidated statements of financial position included a $343.6 million noncontrolling interest for hedge funds as of December 31, 2011.

We did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Invested Securities

We hold a variable interest in a number of VIEs where we are not the primary beneficiary. Our investments in these VIEs are reported in fixed maturities, available-for-sale; fixed maturities, trading and other investments in the consolidated statements of financial position and are described below.

VIEs include CMBS, residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities (“RMBS”) and other asset-backed securities (“ABS”). All of these entities were deemed VIEs because the equity within these entities is insufficient to sustain them. We determined we are not the primary beneficiary in any of the entities within these categories of investments. This determination was based primarily on the fact we do not own the class of security that controls the unilateral right to replace the special servicer or equivalent function. 

As previously discussed, we invest in several types of collateralized private investment vehicles, which are VIEs. These include cash and synthetic structures that we do not manage. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary of these collateralized private investment vehicles primarily because we do not control the economic performance of the entities and were not involved with the design of the entities.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We have invested in various VIE trusts as a debt holder. All of these entities are classified as VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain them. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary primarily because we do not control the economic performance of the entities and were not involved with the design of the entities.

We have invested in partnerships, some of which are classified as VIEs. The partnership returns are in the form of income tax credits and investment income. These entities are classified as VIEs as the general partner does not have an equity investment at risk in the entity. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary because we are not the general partner, who makes all the significant decisions for the entity.

The carrying value and maximum loss exposure for our unconsolidated VIEs were as follows:

				Maximum exposure to
		Asset carrying value		loss (1)
		(in millions)
December 31, 2012
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Corporate	$	484.8	$	400.9
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities		3,199.7		2,997.8
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3,897.4		4,094.8
	Collateralized debt obligations		379.2		428.8
	Other debt obligations		3,779.2		3,756.9
Fixed maturities, trading:
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities		77.7		77.7
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		2.7		2.7
	Collateralized debt obligations		56.4		56.4
	Other debt obligations		2.2		2.2
Other investments:
	Other limited partnership interests		136.2		136.2
December 31, 2011
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Corporate	$	544.0	$	392.6
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities		3,315.7		3,130.8
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3,413.7		3,894.3
	Collateralized debt obligations		338.8		399.7
	Other debt obligations		3,570.2		3,606.9
Fixed maturities, trading:
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities		105.6		105.6
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3.6		3.6
	Collateralized debt obligations		51.4		51.4
	Other debt obligations		49.7		49.7
Other investments:
	Other limited partnership interests		122.1		122.1

(1) Our risk of loss is limited to our initial investment measured at amortized cost for fixed maturities, available-for-sale and other investments. Our risk of loss is limited to our initial investment measured at fair value for our fixed maturities, trading.

Sponsored Investment Funds

We provide asset management and other services to certain investment structures that are considered VIEs as we generally earn management fees and in some instances performance-based fees. We are not the primary beneficiary of these entities as we do not have the obligation to absorb losses of the entities that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from these entities that could be potentially significant.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

5. Investments

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, other-than-temporary impairments in AOCI and fair value of fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale are summarized as follows:

										Other-than-
				Gross		Gross				temporary
		Amortized		unrealized		unrealized				impairments in
		cost		gains		losses		Fair value		AOCI (1)
		(in millions)
December 31, 2012
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agencies	$	851.7	$	30.8	$	0.3	$	882.2	$	—
	Non-U.S. government and agencies		545.5		117.9		—		663.4		—
	States and political subdivisions		2,940.4		241.1		2.7		3,178.8		—
	Corporate		28,816.1		2,875.7		275.4		31,416.4		17.1
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities		2,997.8		202.3		0.4		3,199.7		—
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		4,094.8		241.7		439.1		3,897.4		195.4
	Collateralized debt obligations		428.8		7.0		56.6		379.2		4.3
	Other debt obligations		3,756.9		73.5		51.2		3,779.2		82.8
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	44,432.0	$	3,790.0	$	825.7	$	47,396.3	$	299.6
Total equity securities, available-for-sale		$	129.4	$	10.4	$	8.5	$	131.3
December 31, 2011
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agencies	$	722.3	$	30.8	$	—	$	753.1	$	—
	Non-U.S. government and agencies		580.7		96.4		0.9		676.2		—
	States and political subdivisions		2,670.0		218.2		5.5		2,882.7		—
	Corporate		29,437.2		2,155.6		665.9		30,926.9		17.1
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities		3,130.8		185.6		0.7		3,315.7		—
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3,894.3		117.0		597.6		3,413.7		168.2
	Collateralized debt obligations		399.7		1.9		62.8		338.8		7.0
	Other debt obligations		3,606.9		100.3		137.0		3,570.2		90.0
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	44,441.9	$	2,905.8	$	1,470.4	$	45,877.3	$	282.3
Total equity securities, available-for-sale		$	72.9	$	7.1	$	6.5	$	73.5

(1) Excludes $98.6 million and $28.9 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, of net unrealized gains on impaired fixed maturities, available-for-sale related to changes in fair value subsequent to the impairment date, which are included in gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses.

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities available-for-sale at December 31, 2012, by expected maturity, were as follows:

	Amortized cost		Fair value
	(in millions)
Due in one year or less	$	3,534.6	$	3,589.4
Due after one year through five years		12,523.0		13,232.5
Due after five years through ten years		8,643.0		9,702.7
Due after ten years		8,453.1		9,616.2
Subtotal		33,153.7		36,140.8
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities		11,278.3		11,255.5
Total	$	44,432.0	$	47,396.3

Actual maturities may differ because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Our portfolio is diversified by industry, issuer and asset class. Credit concentrations are managed to established limits.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Net Investment Income

Major categories of net investment income are summarized as follows:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$	2,228.5	$	2,342.1	$	2,500.1
Fixed maturities, trading		15.1		19.4		21.1
Equity securities, available-for-sale		8.3		10.4		11.4
Equity securities, trading		2.9		1.3		0.7
Mortgage loans		588.9		593.8		630.2
Real estate		70.6		73.4		57.1
Policy loans		47.1		51.7		54.9
Cash and cash equivalents		4.9		5.6		4.8
Derivatives		(129.8)		(156.7)		(153.2)
Other		54.5		57.9		47.1
Total		2,891.0		2,998.9		3,174.2
Investment expenses		(79.2)		(80.9)		(88.4)
Net investment income	$	2,811.8	$	2,918.0	$	3,085.8

Net Realized Capital Gains and Losses
			For the year ended December 31,
			2012		2011		2010
			(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Gross gains		$	26.4	$	23.0	$	56.9
	Gross losses			(143.9)		(147.5)		(339.5)
	Other-than-temporary impairment losses reclassified
		to (from) OCI		17.3		(52.3)		56.1
	Hedging, net			(27.5)		130.5		142.2
Fixed maturities, trading				4.9		(9.5)		7.4
Equity securities, available-for-sale:
	Gross gains			0.5		2.3		8.8
	Gross losses			(0.9)		(6.4)		(3.2)
Equity securities, trading				26.3		19.8		24.2
Mortgage loans				(51.0)		(42.8)		(150.7)
Derivatives				(21.7)		(159.5)		(142.0)
Other				241.7		143.7		51.4
Net realized capital gains (losses)			$	72.1	$	(98.7)	$	(288.4)

Proceeds from sales of investments (excluding call and maturity proceeds) in fixed maturities, available-for-sale were $1.1 billion, $0.6 billion and $1.4 billion in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

We have a process in place to identify fixed maturity and equity securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other than temporary. This process involves monitoring market events that could impact issuers’ credit ratings, business climate, management changes, litigation and government actions and other similar factors. This process also involves monitoring late payments, pricing levels, downgrades by rating agencies, key financial ratios, financial statements, revenue forecasts and cash flow projections as indicators of credit issues.

Each reporting period, all securities are reviewed to determinewhether an other-than-temporary decline in value exists and whether losses should be recognized. We consider relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest-related impairment of a security is other than temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1) the extent and length of

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

time the fair value has been below cost; (2) the reasons for the decline in value; (3) the financial position and access to capital of the issuer, including the current and future impact of any specific events; (4) for structured securities, the adequacy of the expected cash flows; (5) for fixed maturities, our intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity and (6) for equity securities, our ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time that allows for the recovery in value. To the extent we determine that a security is deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.

Impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in net income and are measured as the difference between amortized cost and fair value.The way in which impairment losses on fixed maturities are recognized in the financial statements is dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intend to sell a security or it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment in net income for the difference between amortized cost and fair value. If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. We recognize the credit loss portion in net income and the noncredit loss portion in OCI (“bifurcated OTTI”).

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses, net of recoveries from the sale of previously impaired securities, were as follows:

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale		$	(135.5)	$	(134.5)	$	(300.8)
Equity securities, available-for-sale			(0.4)		(3.8)		3.7
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses, net of recoveries from
	the sale of previously impaired securities		(135.9)		(138.3)		(297.1)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale reclassified to (from) OCI (1)		17.3		(52.3)		56.1
Net impairment losses on available-for-sale securities		$	(118.6)	$	(190.6)	$	(241.0)

(1) Represents the net impact of (a) gains resulting from reclassification of noncredit impairment losses for fixed maturities

with bifurcated OTTI from net realized capital gains (losses) to OCI and (b) losses resulting from reclassification of

previously recognized noncredit impairment losses from OCI to net realized capital gains (losses) for fixed maturities

with bifurcated OTTI that had additional credit losses or fixed maturities that previously had bifurcated OTTI that have

now been sold or are intended to be sold.

We estimate the amount of the credit loss component of a fixed maturity security impairment as the difference between amortized cost and the present value of the expected cash flows of the security. The present value is determined using the best estimate cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or the current yield to accrete an asset-backed or floating rate security. The methodology and assumptions for establishing the best estimate cash flows vary depending on the type of security. The ABS cash flow estimates are based on security specific facts and circumstances that may include collateral characteristics, expectations of delinquency and default rates, loss severity and prepayment speeds and structural support, including subordination and guarantees. The corporate security cash flow estimates are derived from scenario-based outcomes of expected corporate restructurings or liquidations using bond specific facts and circumstances including timing, security interests and loss severity.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated credit losses for fixed maturities with bifurcated credit losses. The purpose of the table is to provide detail of (1) additions to the bifurcated credit loss amounts recognized in net realized capital gains (losses) during the period and (2) decrements for previously recognized bifurcated credit losses where the loss is no longer bifurcated and/or there has been a positive change in expected cash flows or accretion of the bifurcated credit loss amount.

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Beginning balance		$	(428.0)	$	(325.7)	$	(204.7)
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was
	not previously recognized		(21.3)		(31.0)		(112.4)
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was
	previously recognized		(80.0)		(135.6)		(109.7)
Reduction for credit losses previously recognized on fixed maturities
	now sold, paid down or intended to be sold		191.9		68.2		53.2
Reduction for credit losses previously recognized on fixed maturities
	reclassified to trading (1)		—		—		44.4
Net reduction (increase) for positive changes in cash flows expected
	to be collected and amortization (2)		8.4		(3.9)		3.5
Ending balance		$	(329.0)	$	(428.0)	$	(325.7)

(1) Fixed maturities previously classified as available-for-sale have been reclassified to trading as a result of electing the

fair value option upon adoption of accounting guidance related to the evaluation of credit derivatives embedded in

beneficial interests in securitized financial assets.

(2) Amounts are recognized in net investment income.

Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

For fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale with unrealized losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses reported in OCI, the gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position are summarized as follows:

			December 31, 2012
			Less than				Greater than or
			twelve months				equal to twelve months				Total
					Gross				Gross				Gross
			Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized
			value		losses		value		losses		value		losses
			(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	115.4	$	0.3	$	—	$	—	$	115.4	$	0.3
	States and political subdivisions			235.3		2.1		8.8		0.6		244.1		2.7
	Corporate			554.3		7.2		1,692.4		268.2		2,246.7		275.4
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-
		through securities		70.4		0.3		2.4		0.1		72.8		0.4
	Commercial mortgage-backed
		securities		98.9		3.3		785.0		435.8		883.9		439.1
	Collateralized debt obligations			72.2		1.0		133.8		55.6		206.0		56.6
	Other debt obligations			235.6		2.0		414.9		49.2		650.5		51.2
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale			$	1,382.1	$	16.2	$	3,037.3	$	809.5	$	4,419.4	$	825.7
Total equity securities, available-for-sale			$	5.8	$	0.1	$	52.9	$	8.4	$	58.7	$	8.5

Our consolidated portfolio consists of fixed maturities where 71% were investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) with an average price of 84 (carrying value/amortized cost) at December 31, 2012. Gross unrealized losses in our fixed maturities portfolio decreased during the year ended December 31, 2012, due to a tightening of credit spreads, primarily in the corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities sectors.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

For those securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 224 securities with a carrying value of $1,382.1 million and unrealized losses of $16.2 million reflecting an average price of 99 at December 31, 2012. Of this portfolio, 89% was investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) at December 31, 2012, with associated unrealized losses of $13.3 million. The unrealized losses on these securities can primarily be attributed to changes in market interest rates and changes in credit spreads since the securities were acquired.

For those securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position greater than or equal to twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 488 securities with a carrying value of $3,037.3 million and unrealized losses of $809.5 million. The average rating of this portfolio was BBB- with an average price of 79 at December 31, 2012. Of the $809.5 million in unrealized losses, the commercial mortgage-backed securities sector accounts for $435.8 million in unrealized losses with an average price of 64 and an average credit rating of BB+. The remaining unrealized losses consist primarily of $268.1 million within the corporate sector at December 31, 2012. The average price of the corporate sector was 86 and the average credit rating was BBB. The unrealized losses on these securities can primarily be attributed to changes in market interest rates and changes in credit spreads since the securities were acquired.

Because we expected to recover our amortized cost, it was not our intent to sell the fixed maturityavailable-for-sale securities with unrealized losses and it was not more likely than not that we would be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost, which may be maturity, we did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2012.

			December 31, 2011
			Less than				Greater than or
			twelve months				equal to twelve months				Total
					Gross				Gross				Gross
			Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized		Fair		unrealized
			value		losses		value		losses		value		losses
			(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Non-U.S. governments		$	39.9	$	0.9	$	—	$	—	$	39.9	$	0.9
	States and political subdivisions			5.7		0.1		51.7		5.4		57.4		5.5
	Corporate			3,026.5		124.5		2,340.3		541.4		5,366.8		665.9
	Residential mortgage-backed pass-
		through securities		77.8		0.5		3.7		0.2		81.5		0.7
	Commercial mortgage-backed
		securities		608.4		57.3		858.9		540.3		1,467.3		597.6
	Collateralized debt obligations			107.2		2.5		204.4		60.3		311.6		62.8
	Other debt obligations			708.1		13.0		508.1		124.0		1,216.2		137.0
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale			$	4,573.6	$	198.8	$	3,967.1	$	1,271.6	$	8,540.7	$	1,470.4
Total equity securities, available-for-sale			$	14.3	$	3.2	$	15.6	$	3.3	$	29.9	$	6.5

Our consolidated portfolio consists of fixed maturities where 76% were investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) with an average price of 85 (carrying value/amortized cost) at December 31, 2011. Gross unrealized losses in our fixed maturities portfolio increased slightly during the year ended December 31, 2011, due to a widening of credit spreads primarily in the corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities sectors.

For those securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 477 securities with a carrying value of $4,573.6 million and unrealized losses of $198.8 million reflecting an average price of 96 at December 31, 2011. Of this portfolio, 86% was investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) at December 31, 2011, with associated unrealized losses of $128.5 million. The unrealized losses on these securities can primarily be attributed to changes in market interest rates and changes in credit spreads since the securities were acquired.

For those securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position greater than or equal to twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 628 securities with a carrying value of $3,967.1 million and unrealized losses of $1,271.6 million. The average rating of this portfolio was BBB with an average price of 76 at December 31, 2011. Of the $1,271.6 million in unrealized losses, the commercial mortgage-backed securities sector accounts for $540.3 million in unrealized losses with an average price of 61 and an average credit rating of BBB-. The remaining unrealized losses consist primarily of $541.4 million within the corporate sector at December 31, 2011. The average price of the corporate sector was 81 and the average credit rating was BBB. The unrealized losses on these securities can primarily be attributed to changes in market interest rates and changes in credit spreads since the securities were acquired.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Because we expected to recover our amortized cost, it was not our intent to sell the fixed maturity available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses and it was not more likely than not that we would be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost, which may be maturity, we did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2011.

Net Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities and Derivative Instruments

The net unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturities available-for-sale, equity securities available-for-sale and derivative instruments are reported as a separate component of stockholder’s equity. The cumulative amount of net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments net of adjustments related to DPAC, sales inducements, unearned revenue reserves, changes in policyholder liabilities and applicable income taxes was as follows:

		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)		$	3,300.4	$	1,717.7
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale			(299.6)		(282.3)
Net unrealized gains on equity securities, available-for-sale			1.9		0.6
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(515.2)		(376.1)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities			(990.3)		(278.0)
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments			148.4		176.8
Net unrealized gains on equity method subsidiaries and noncontrolling interest
	adjustments		91.3		88.3
Provision for deferred income taxes			(607.7)		(369.4)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments		$	1,129.2	$	677.6

(1) Excludes net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities, available-for-sale included in fair value hedging relationships.

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans consist of commercial and residential mortgage loans. We evaluate risks inherent in our commercial mortgage loans in two classes: (1) brick and mortar property loans, where we analyze the property's rent payments as support for the loan, and (2) credit tenant loans (“CTL”), where we rely on the credit analysis of the tenant for the repayment of the loan. We evaluate risks inherent in our residential mortgage loan portfolio in two classes: (1) home equity mortgages and (2) first lien mortgages. The carrying amount of our mortgage loan portfolio was as follows:

		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans		$	10,219.5	$	9,450.8
Residential mortgage loans			702.1		782.0
	Total amortized cost		10,921.6		10,232.8
Valuation allowance			(96.2)		(100.8)
Total carrying value		$	10,825.4	$	10,132.0

We periodically purchase mortgage loans as well as sell mortgage loans we have originated. We purchased $62.3 million, $2.2 million and $0.0 million of residential mortgage loans in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We purchased $149.1 million, $50.3 million and $0.0 million of commercial mortgage loans in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We sold $31.1 million, $0.0 million and $34.1 million commercial mortgage loans in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists primarily of non-recourse, fixed rate mortgages on fully or near fully leased properties. Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio is diversified by geographic region and specific collateral property type as follows:

	December 31, 2012					December 31, 2011
	Amortized		Percent			Amortized		Percent
	cost		of total			cost		of total
	(in millions)
Geographic distribution
New England	$	536.6		5.3	%	$	454.0		4.8	%
Middle Atlantic		2,233.4		21.9			1,744.4		18.5
East North Central		635.6		6.2			774.8		8.2
West North Central		377.3		3.7			407.8		4.3
South Atlantic		2,135.0		20.9			2,099.8		22.2
East South Central		244.8		2.4			231.8		2.4
West South Central		767.9		7.5			648.6		6.9
Mountain		726.6		7.1			643.2		6.8
Pacific		2,562.3		25.0			2,446.4		25.9
Total	$	10,219.5		100.0	%	$	9,450.8		100.0	%
Property type distribution
Office	$	3,078.8		30.1	%	$	2,753.8		29.1	%
Retail		2,928.3		28.6			2,580.2		27.3
Industrial		1,765.5		17.3			2,070.7		21.9
Apartments		1,685.9		16.5			1,242.9		13.2
Hotel		445.8		4.4			467.7		4.9
Mixed use/other		315.2		3.1			335.5		3.6
Total	$	10,219.5		100.0	%	$	9,450.8		100.0	%

Our residential mortgage loan portfolio is composed of home equity mortgages with an amortized cost of $495.7 million and $611.0 million and first lien mortgages with an amortized cost of $206.4 million and $171.0 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Our residential home equity mortgages are generally second lien mortgages comprised of closed-end loans and lines of credit.

Mortgage Loan Credit Monitoring

Commercial Credit Risk Profile Based on Internal Rating

We actively monitor and manage our commercial mortgage loan portfolio. All commercial mortgage loans are analyzed regularly and substantially all are internally rated, based on a proprietary risk rating cash flow model, in order to monitor the financial quality of these assets. The model stresses expected cash flows at various levels and at different points in time depending on the durability of the income stream, which includes our assessment of factors such as location (macro and micro markets), tenant quality and lease expirations. Our internal rating analysis presents expected losses in terms of a Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) bond equivalent rating. As the credit risk for commercial mortgage loans increases, we adjust our internal ratings downwards with loans in the category “B+ and below” having the highest risk for credit loss. Internal ratings on commercial mortgage loans are updated at least annually and potentially more often for certain loans with material changes in collateral value or occupancy and for loans on an internal “watch list”.

Commercial mortgage loans that require more frequent and detailed attention than other loans in our portfolio are identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that would indicate a potential problem are imbalances in ratios of loan to value or contract rents to debt service, major tenant vacancies or bankruptcies, borrower sponsorship problems, late payments, delinquent taxes and loan relief/restructuring requests.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The amortized cost of our commercial mortgage loan portfolio by credit risk, as determined by our internal rating system expressed in terms of an S&P bond equivalent rating, was as follows:

	December 31, 2012
	Brick and mortar		CTL		Total
	(in millions)
A- and above	$	7,255.0	$	231.3	$	7,486.3
BBB+ thru BBB-		1,792.6		294.9		2,087.5
BB+ thru BB-		266.8		1.6		268.4
B+ and below		375.0		2.3		377.3
Total	$	9,689.4	$	530.1	$	10,219.5
	December 31, 2011
	Brick and mortar		CTL		Total
	(in millions)
A- and above	$	5,680.0	$	308.6	$	5,988.6
BBB+ thru BBB-		2,105.7		238.8		2,344.5
BB+ thru BB-		403.7		16.4		420.1
B+ and below		691.8		5.8		697.6
Total	$	8,881.2	$	569.6	$	9,450.8

Residential Credit Risk Profile Based on Performance Status

Our residential mortgage loan portfolio is monitored based on performance of the loans. Monitoring on a residential mortgage loan increases when the loan is delinquent or earlier if there is an indication of impairment. We define non-performing residential mortgage loans as loans 90 days or greater delinquent or on non-accrual status.

The amortized cost of our performing and non-performing residential mortgage loans were as follows:

	December 31, 2012
	Home equity		First liens		Total
	(in millions)
Performing	$	472.6	$	197.2	$	669.8
Nonperforming		23.1		9.2		32.3
Total	$	495.7	$	206.4	$	702.1
	December 31, 2011
	Home equity		First liens		Total
	(in millions)
Performing	$	597.8	$	160.1	$	757.9
Nonperforming		13.2		10.9		24.1
Total	$	611.0	$	171.0	$	782.0

Non-Accrual Mortgage Loans

Commercial and residential mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status if we have concern regarding the collectability of future payments or if a loan has matured without being paid off or extended. Factors considered may include conversations with the borrower, loss of major tenant, bankruptcy of borrower or major tenant, decreased property cash flow for commercial mortgage loans or number of days past due and other circumstances for residential mortgage loans. Based on an assessment as to the collectability of the principal, a determination is made to apply any payments received either against the principal or according to the contractual terms of the loan. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, the accrued unpaid interest receivable is reversed against interest income. Accrual of interest resumes after factors resulting in doubts about collectability have improved.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The amortized cost of mortgage loans on non-accrual status were as follows:

		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Commercial:
	Brick and mortar	$	44.5	$	46.8
Residential:
	Home equity		23.1		13.2
	First liens		9.1		10.8
Total		$	76.7	$	70.8

The aging of mortgage loans, based on amortized cost, were as follows:

	December 31, 2012
					90 days or
	30-59 days		60-89 days		more past		Total past
	past due		past due		due		due		Current		Total loans
	(in millions)
Commercial-brick and mortar	$	32.8	$	13.7	$	—	$	46.5	$	9,642.9	$	9,689.4
Commercial-CTL		—		—		—		—		530.1		530.1
Residential-home equity		5.7		2.8		3.9		12.4		483.3		495.7
Residential-first liens		1.5		0.4		7.7		9.6		196.8		206.4
Total	$	40.0	$	16.9	$	11.6	$	68.5	$	10,853.1	$	10,921.6
	December 31, 2011
					90 days or
	30-59 days		60-89 days		more past		Total past
	past due		past due		due		due		Current		Total loans
	(in millions)
Commercial-brick and mortar	$	61.4	$	4.4	$	22.5	$	88.3	$	8,792.9	$	8,881.2
Commercial-CTL		—		—		—		—		569.6		569.6
Residential-home equity		7.8		2.6		6.2		16.6		594.4		611.0
Residential-first liens		1.3		1.3		9.8		12.4		158.6		171.0
Total	$	70.5	$	8.3	$	38.5	$	117.3	$	10,115.5	$	10,232.8

We did not have any mortgage loans that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest as of either December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowance

We establish a valuation allowance to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in our portfolio. The valuation allowance includes loan specific reserves for loans that are deemed to be impaired as well as reserves for pools of loans with similar risk characteristics where a property risk or market specific risk has not been identified but for which we anticipate a loss may occur. Mortgage loans on real estate are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to contractual terms of the loan agreement. When we determine that a loan is impaired, a valuation allowance is established equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value is based on either the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price or fair value of the collateral. Subsequent changes in the estimated value are reflected in the valuation allowance. Amounts on loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and removed from the valuation allowance. The change in the valuation allowance provision is included in net realized capital gains (losses) on our consolidated statements of operations.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The valuation allowance is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management's periodic evaluation and assessment of the valuation allowance adequacy is based on known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower's ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, portfolio delinquency information, underwriting standards, peer group information, current economic conditions, loss experience and other relevant factors. The evaluation of our impaired loan component is subjective, as it requires the estimation of timing and amount of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans.

We review our commercial mortgage loan portfolio and analyze the need for a valuation allowance for any loan that is delinquent for 60 days or more, in process of foreclosure, restructured, on the internal “watch list” or that currently has a valuation allowance. In addition to establishing allowance levels for specifically identified impaired commercial mortgage loans, management determines an allowance for all other loans in the portfolio for which historical experience and current economic conditions indicate certain losses exist. These loans are segregated by major product type and/or risk level with an estimated loss ratio applied against each product type and/or risk level. The loss ratio is generally based upon historic loss experience for each loan type as adjusted for certain environmental factors management believes to be relevant.

For our residential mortgage loan portfolio, we separate the loans into several homogeneous pools, each of which consist of loans of a similar nature including but not limited to loans similar in collateral, term and structure and loan purpose or type. We evaluate loan pools based on aggregated risk ratings, estimated specific loss potential in the different classes of credits, and historical loss experience by pool type. We adjust these quantitative factors for qualitative factors of present conditions. Qualitative factors include items such as economic and business conditions, changes in the portfolio, value of underlying collateral, and concentrations. Residential mortgage loan pools exclude loans that have been restructured or impaired, as those loans are evaluated individually.

A rollforward of our valuation allowance and ending balances of the allowance and loan balance by basis of impairment method was as follows:

		Commercial		Residential		Total
		(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Beginning balance		$	64.8	$	36.0	$	100.8
	Provision		13.5		39.9		53.4
	Charge-offs		(26.7)		(35.1)		(61.8)
	Recoveries		0.2		3.6		3.8
Ending balance		$	51.8	$	44.4	$	96.2
Allowance ending balance by basis of impairment method:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	2.4	$	9.8	$	12.2
	Collectively evaluated for impairment		49.4		34.6		84.0
Allowance ending balance		$	51.8	$	44.4	$	96.2
Loan balance by basis of impairment method:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	13.6	$	37.5	$	51.1
	Collectively evaluated for impairment		10,205.9		664.6		10,870.5
Loan ending balance		$	10,219.5	$	702.1	$	10,921.6
For the year ended December 31, 2011
Beginning balance		$	80.6	$	37.7	$	118.3
	Provision		17.0		28.5		45.5
	Charge-offs		(32.9)		(33.4)		(66.3)
	Recoveries		0.1		3.2		3.3
Ending balance		$	64.8	$	36.0	$	100.8
Allowance ending balance by basis of impairment method:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	16.3	$	2.4	$	18.7
	Collectively evaluated for impairment		48.5		33.6		82.1
Allowance ending balance		$	64.8	$	36.0	$	100.8
Loan balance by basis of impairment method:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	114.0	$	24.2	$	138.2
	Collectively evaluated for impairment		9,336.8		757.8		10,094.6
Loan ending balance		$	9,450.8	$	782.0	$	10,232.8

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

For the year ended December 31, 2010
Beginning balance		$	132.5	$	28.8	$	161.3
	Provision		54.1		97.5		151.6
	Charge-offs		(106.0)		(89.7)		(195.7)
	Recoveries		—		1.1		1.1
Ending balance		$	80.6	$	37.7	$	118.3
Allowance ending balance by basis of impairment method:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	9.1	$	3.0	$	12.1
	Collectively evaluated for impairment		71.5		34.7		106.2
Allowance ending balance		$	80.6	$	37.7	$	118.3
Loan balance by basis of impairment method:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	29.8	$	16.1	$	45.9
	Collectively evaluated for impairment		9,650.4		899.1		10,549.5
Loan ending balance		$	9,680.2	$	915.2	$	10,595.4

Impaired Mortgage Loans

Impaired mortgage loans are loans with a related specific valuation allowance, loans whose carrying amount has been reduced to the expected collectible amount because the impairment has been considered other than temporary or a loan modification has been classified as a TDR. Based on an assessment as to the collectability of the principal, a determination is made to apply any payments received either against the principal or according to the contractual terms of the loan. Our recorded investment in and unpaid principal balance of impaired loans along with the related loan specific allowance for losses, if any, and the average recorded investment and interest income recognized during the time the loans were impaired were as follows:

		December 31, 2012
				Unpaid
		Recorded		principal		Related
		investment		balance		allowance
		(in millions)
With no related allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar	$	22.9	$	25.3	$	—
	Residential-first liens		9.7		6.6		—
With an allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar		4.4		4.4		2.4
	Residential-home equity		20.8		20.7		9.1
	Residential-first liens		7.1		6.9		0.7
Total:
	Commercial	$	27.3	$	29.7	$	2.4
	Residential	$	37.6	$	34.2	$	9.8
		December 31, 2011
				Unpaid
		Recorded		principal		Related
		investment		balance		allowance
		(in millions)
With no related allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar	$	—	$	0.3	$	—
	Residential-first liens		4.4		4.2		—
With an allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar		114.0		114.0		16.3
	Residential-home equity		14.5		14.2		1.9
	Residential-first liens		5.3		5.3		0.5
Total:
	Commercial	$	114.0	$	114.3	$	16.3
	Residential	$	24.2	$	23.7	$	2.4

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		Average
		recorded		Interest income
		investment		recognized
		(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
With no related allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar	$	11.4	$	2.6
	Residential-first liens		7.0		—
With an allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar		15.3		0.2
	Residential-home equity		17.7		0.9
	Residential-first liens		6.2		0.1
Total:
	Commercial	$	26.7	$	2.8
	Residential	$	30.9	$	1.0
For the year ended December 31, 2011
With no related allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar	$	11.3	$	0.9
	Residential-first liens		4.4		—
With an allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar		79.0		1.0
	Residential-home equity		12.6		0.8
	Residential-first liens		5.6		0.2
Total:
	Commercial	$	90.3	$	1.9
	Residential	$	22.6	$	1.0
For the year ended December 31, 2010
With no related allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar	$	13.4	$	1.1
	Residential-first liens		5.3		—
With an allowance recorded:
	Commercial-brick and mortar		77.2		1.8
	Residential-home equity		12.2		—
	Residential-first liens		11.7		—
Total:
	Commercial	$	90.6	$	2.9
	Residential	$	29.2	$	—

Mortgage Loan Modifications

Our commercial and residential mortgage loan portfolios include loans that have been modified. We assess loan modifications on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether a TDR has occurred. The commercial mortgage loan TDRs were modified to delay or reduce principal payments and to increase, reduce or delay interest payments. For these TDR assessments, we have determined the loan rates are now considered below market based on current circumstances. The commercial mortgage loan modifications resulted in delayed cash receipts and a decrease in interest income. The residential mortgage loan TDRs include modifications of interest-only payment periods, delays in principal balloon payments, and interest rate reductions. Residential mortgage loan modifications resulted in delayed or decreased cash receipts and a decrease in interest income.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The following table includes information about outstanding loans that were modified and met the criteria of a TDR during the periods indicated. In addition, the table includes information for loans that were modified and met the criteria of a TDR within the past twelve months that were in payment default during the periods indicated:

	For the year ended December 31, 2012
	TDRs			TDRs in payment default
	Number of	Recorded		Number of	Recorded
	contracts	investment		contracts	investment
		(in millions)			(in millions)
Commercial-brick and mortar	2	$	18.0	1	$	13.7
Residential-home equity	324		15.0	12		—
Residential-first liens	12		2.1	—		—
Total	338	$	35.1	13	$	13.7
	For the year ended December 31, 2011
	TDRs			TDRs in payment default
	Number of	Recorded		Number of	Recorded
	contracts	investment		contracts	investment
		(in millions)			(in millions)
Commercial-brick and mortar	1	$	4.4	1	$	4.4
Residential-home equity	151		7.9	6		—
Residential-first liens	7		1.6	1		0.3
Total	159	$	13.9	8	$	4.7

Commercial mortgage loans that have been designated as a TDR have been previously reserved in the mortgage loan valuation allowance to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral reduced by the cost to sell.

Residential mortgage loans that have been designated as a TDR are specifically reserved for in the mortgage loan valuation allowance if losses result from the modification. Residential mortgage loans that have defaulted or have been discharged through bankruptcy are reduced to the expected collectible amount.

Real Estate

Depreciation expense on invested real estate was $45.1 million, $41.4 million and $41.2 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Accumulated depreciation was $332.8 million and $361.8 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Other Investments

Other investments include minority interests in unconsolidated entities, domestic and international joint ventures and partnerships and properties owned jointly with venture partners and operated by the partners. Such investments are generally accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method, we record our share of income or loss reported by the equity investees in net investment income. Summarized financial information for these unconsolidated entities was as follows:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions)
Total assets	$	8,296.1	$	8,331.5
Total liabilities		2,926.2		3,812.0
Total equity	$	5,369.9	$	4,519.5
Net investment in unconsolidated entities	$	375.8	$	251.9

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Total revenues	$	844.0	$	2,106.1	$	3,076.1
Total expenses		421.9		1,723.3		2,782.7
Net income		392.1		377.4		269.8
Our share of net income of unconsolidated entities		31.5		34.0		28.9

Derivative assets are carried at fair value and reported as a component of other investments. Certain seed money investments are also carried at fair value and reported as a component of other investments, with changes in fair value included in net realized capital gains (losses) on our consolidated statements of operations.

Securities Posted as Collateral

We posted $1,540.0 million in fixed maturities, available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2012, to satisfy collateral requirements primarily associated with a reinsurance arrangement, our derivative credit support annex (collateral) agreements and our obligation under funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLB Des Moines”). In addition, we posted $2,063.4 million in commercial mortgage loans as of December 31, 2012, to satisfy collateral requirements associated with our obligation under funding agreements with the FHLB Des Moines. Since we did not relinquish ownership rights on these instruments, they are reported as fixed maturities, available-for-sale and mortgage loans, respectively, on our consolidated statements of financial position.

6. Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivatives are generally used to hedge or reduce exposure to market risks associated with assets held or expected to be purchased or sold and liabilities incurred or expected to be incurred. Derivatives are used to change the characteristics of our asset/liability mix consistent with our risk management activities. Derivatives are also used in asset replication strategies.

Types of Derivative Instruments

Interest Rate Contracts

Interest rate risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Sources of interest rate risk include the difference between the maturity and interest rate changes of assets with the liabilities they support, timing differences between the pricing of liabilities and the purchase or procurement of assets and changing cash flow profiles from original projections due to prepayment options embedded within asset and liability contracts. We use various derivatives to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.

Interest rate swaps are contracts in which we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts based upon designated market rates or rate indices and an agreed upon notional principal amount. Generally, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract and no principal payments are made by either party. Cash is paid or received based on the terms of the swap. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty at each due date. We use interest rate swaps primarily to more closely match the interest rate characteristics of assets and liabilities and to mitigate the risks arising from timing mismatches between assets and liabilities (including duration mismatches). We also use interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in the value of assets we anticipate acquiring and other anticipated transactions and commitments. Interest rate swaps are used to hedge against changes in the value of the guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWB”) liability. The GMWB rider on our variable annuity products provides for guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits regardless of the actual performance of various equity and/or fixed income funds available with the product.

Interest rate caps and interest rate floors, which can be combined to form interest rate collars, are contracts that entitle the purchaser to pay or receive the amounts, if any, by which a specified market rate exceeds a cap strike interest rate, or falls below a floor strike interest rate, respectively, at specified dates. We have entered into interest rate collars whereby we receive amounts if a specified market rate falls below a floor strike interest rate, and we pay if a specified market rate exceeds a cap strike interest rate. We use interest rate collars to manage interest rate risk related to guaranteed minimum interest rate liabilities in our individual annuities contracts.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

A swaption is an option to enter into an interest rate swap at a future date. We purchase swaptions to offset or modify existing exposures. Swaptions provide us the benefit of theagreed-upon strike rate if the market rates for liabilities are higher, with the flexibility to enter into the current market rate swap if the market rates for liabilities are lower. Swaptions not only hedge against the downside risk, but also allow us to take advantage of any upside benefits.

In exchange‑traded futures transactions, we agree to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the values of which are determined by the values of designated classes of securities, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. We enter into exchange‑traded futures with regulated futures commissions merchants who are members of a trading exchange. We have used exchange‑traded futures to reduce market risks from changes in interest rates and to alter mismatches between the assets in a portfolio and the liabilities supported by those assets.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

Foreign currency risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. This risk arises from foreign currency-denominated funding agreements we issue and foreign currency-denominated fixed maturities we invest in. We may use currency swaps to hedge foreign currency risk.

Currency swaps are contracts in which we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, a series of principal and interest payments in one currency for that of another currency. Generally, the principal amount of each currency is exchanged at the beginning and termination of the currency swap by each party. The interest payments are primarily fixed-to-fixed rate; however, they may also be fixed-to-floating rate or floating-to-fixed rate. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty for payments made in the same currency at each due date. We use currency swaps to reduce market risks from changes in currency exchange rates with respect to investments or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that we either hold or intend to acquire or sell.

Equity Contracts

Equity risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse fluctuations in common stock. We use various derivatives to manage our exposure to equity risk, which arises from products in which the interest we credit is tied to an external equity index as well as products subject to minimum contractual guarantees.

We may sell an investment-type insurance contract with attributes tied to market indices (an embedded derivative as noted below), in which case we write an equity call option to convert the overall contract into a fixed-rate liability, essentially eliminating the equity component altogether. We purchase equity call spreads to hedge the equity participation rates promised to contractholders in conjunction with our fixed deferred annuity products that credit interest based on changes in an external equity index. We use exchange-traded futures and equity put options to hedge against changes in the value of the GMWB liability related to the GMWB rider on our variable annuity product, as previously explained. The premium associated with certain options is paid quarterly over the life of the option contract.

Credit Contracts

Credit risk relates to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make timely payments of principal and interest. We use credit default swaps to enhance the return on our investment portfolio by providing comparable exposure to fixed income securities that might not be available in the primary market. They are also used to hedge credit exposures in our investment portfolio. Credit derivatives are used to sell or buy credit protection on an identified name or names on an unfunded or synthetic basis in return for receiving or paying a quarterly premium. The premium generally corresponds to a referenced name's credit spread at the time the agreement is executed. In cases where we sell protection, we also buy a quality cash bond to match against the credit default swap, thereby entering into a synthetic transaction replicating a cash security. When selling protection, if there is an event of default by the referenced name, as defined by the agreement, we are obligated to pay the counterparty the referenced amount of the contract and receive in return the referenced security in a principal amount equal to the notional value of the credit default swap.

Total return swaps are contracts in which we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, an amount determined by the difference between the previous price and the current price of a reference asset based upon an agreed upon notional principal amount plus an additional amount determined by the financing spread.  We currently use total return swaps referencing asset is an equity indices to hedge our portfolio from potential credit losses related to systemic events.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Other Contracts

Embedded Derivatives. We purchase or issue certain financial instruments or products that contain a derivative instrument that is embedded in the financial instrument or product. When it is determined that the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly or closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is bifurcated from the host instrument for measurement purposes. The embedded derivative, which is reported with the host instrument in the consolidated statements of financial position, is carried at fair value.

We sell investment-type insurance contracts in which the return is tied to an external equity index or a leveraged inflation index. We economically hedge the risk associated with these investment-type insurance contracts.

We offer group benefit plan contracts that have guaranteed separate accounts as an investment option.

We have structured investment relationships with trusts we have determined to be VIEs, which are consolidated in our financial statements. The notes issued by these trusts include obligations to deliver an underlying security to residual interest holders and the obligations contain an embedded derivative of the forecasted transaction to deliver the underlying security.

We have fixed deferred annuities that credit interest based on changes in an external equity index. We also have certain variable annuity products with a GMWB rider, which provides that the contractholder will receive at least their principal deposit back through withdrawals of up to a specified annual amount, even if the account value is reduced to zero. Declines in the equity markets may increase our exposure to benefits under contracts with the GMWB. We economically hedge the exposure in these annuity contracts, as previously explained.

Exposure

Our risk of loss is typically limited to the fair value of our derivative instruments and not to the notional or contractual amounts of these derivatives. We are also exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance of the counterparties. Our current credit exposure is limited to the value of derivatives that have become favorable to us. This credit risk is minimized by purchasing such agreements from financial institutions with high credit ratings and by establishing and monitoring exposure limits. We also utilize various credit enhancements, including collateral and credit triggers to reduce the credit exposure to our derivative instruments.

Our derivative transactions are generally documented under International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements. Management believes that such agreements provide for legally enforceable set-off and close-out netting of exposures to specific counterparties. Under such agreements, in connection with an early termination of a transaction, we are permitted to set off our receivable from a counterparty against our payables to the same counterparty arising out of all included transactions. For reporting purposes, we do not offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparties under master netting agreements.

We posted $296.3 million and $502.4 million in cash and securities under collateral arrangements as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, to satisfy collateral requirements associated with our derivative credit support agreements.

Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain an investment grade rating from each of the major credit rating agencies on our debt. If the rating on our debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value, inclusive of accrued interest, of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a liability position without regard to netting under derivative credit support annex agreements as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, was $1,204.0 million and $1,483.7 million, respectively. With respect to these derivatives, we posted collateral of $296.3 million and $502.4 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, in the normal course of business, which reflects netting under derivative credit support annex agreements. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on December 31, 2012, we would be required to post an additional $79.7 million of collateral to our counterparties.

As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had received $192.4 million and $225.5 million, respectively, of cash collateral associated with our derivative credit support annex agreements, for which we recorded a corresponding liability reflecting our obligation to return the collateral.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Notional amounts are used to express the extent of our involvement in derivative transactions and represent a standard measurement of the volume of our derivative activity. Notional amounts represent those amounts used to calculate contractual flows to be exchanged and are not paid or received, except for contracts such as currency swaps. Credit exposure represents the gross amount owed to us under derivative contracts as of the valuation date. The notional amounts and credit exposure of our derivative financial instruments by type were as follows:

		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Notional amounts of derivative instruments
Interest rate contracts:
	Interest rate swaps	$	18,371.2	$	19,488.3
	Interest rate collars		500.0		500.0
	Swaptions		325.0		68.5
	Futures		82.0		484.2
Foreign exchange contracts:
	Foreign currency swaps		3,373.6		3,844.3
Equity contracts:
	Options		1,811.8		1,608.4
	Futures		373.6		270.3
Credit contracts:
	Credit default swaps		1,378.3		1,374.3
	Total return swaps		100.0		15.0
Other contracts:
	Embedded derivative financial instruments		5,344.7		4,394.3
Total notional amounts at end of period		$	31,660.2	$	32,047.6
Credit exposure of derivative instruments
Interest rate contracts:
	Interest rate swaps	$	683.9	$	752.2
	Interest rate collars		48.5		38.5
	Swaptions		0.7		—
Foreign exchange contracts:
	Foreign currency swaps		246.8		305.5
Equity contracts:
	Options		74.3		120.3
Credit contracts:
	Credit default swaps		6.8		12.8
Total gross credit exposure			1,061.0		1,229.3
Less: collateral received			232.6		225.5
Net credit exposure		$	828.4	$	1,003.8

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The fair value of our derivative instruments classified as assets and liabilities was as follows:

		Derivative assets (1)				Derivative liabilities (2)
		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging
	instruments
Interest rate contracts		$	10.3	$	0.2	$	440.5	$	500.9
Foreign exchange contracts			190.0		267.2		127.2		158.4
Total derivatives designated as hedging
	instruments	$	200.3	$	267.4	$	567.7	$	659.3
Derivatives not designated as hedging
	instruments
Interest rate contracts		$	677.1	$	731.0	$	493.4	$	651.3
Foreign exchange contracts			32.5		23.9		10.1		35.1
Equity contracts			74.3		120.3		27.6		0.8
Credit contracts			6.8		12.8		96.5		169.7
Other contracts			—		—		305.4		312.0
Total derivatives not designated as hedging
	instruments		790.7		888.0		933.0		1,168.9
Total derivative instruments		$	991.0	$	1,155.4	$	1,500.7	$	1,828.2

(1) The fair value of derivative assets is reported with other investments on the consolidated statements of financial position.

(2) The fair value of derivative liabilities is reported with other liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial position, with the exception of certain embedded derivative liabilities. Embedded derivative liabilities with a fair value of $148.1 million and $171.8 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, are reported with contractholder funds on the consolidated statements of financial position.

Credit Derivatives Sold

When we sell credit protection, we are exposed to the underlying credit risk similar to purchasing a fixed maturity security instrument. The majority of our credit derivative contracts sold reference a single name or reference security (referred to as “single name credit default swaps”). The remainder of our credit derivatives reference either a basket or index of securities. These instruments are either referenced in an over-the-counter credit derivative transaction, or embedded within an investment structure that has been fully consolidated into our financial statements.

These credit derivative transactions are subject to events of default defined within the terms of the contract, which normally consist of bankruptcy, failure to pay, or modified restructuring of the reference entity and/or issue. If a default event occurs for a reference name or security, we are obligated to pay the counterparty an amount equal to the notional amount of the credit derivative transaction. As a result, our maximum future payment is equal to the notional amount of the credit derivative. In certain cases, we also have purchased credit protection with identical underlyings to certain of our sold protection transactions. The effect of this purchased protection would reduce our total maximum future payments by $15.0 million as of December 31, 2012 and $20.0 million as of December 31, 2011. These purchased credit derivative transactions had a net asset (liability) fair value of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and zero as of December 31, 2011. In certain circumstances, our potential loss could also be reduced by any amount recovered in the default proceedings of the underlying credit name.

We purchased certain investment structures with embedded credit features that are fully consolidated into our financial statements. This consolidation results in recognition of the underlying credit derivatives and collateral within the structure, typically high quality fixed maturities that are owned by a special purpose vehicle. These credit derivatives reference a single name or several names in a basket structure. In the event of default, the collateral within the structure would typically be liquidated to pay the claims of the credit derivative counterparty.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The following tables show our credit default swap protection sold by types of contract, types of referenced/underlying asset class and external agency rating for the underlying reference security. The maximum future payments are undiscounted and have not been reduced by the effect of any offsetting transactions, collateral or recourse features described above.

			December 31, 2012
									Weighted
							Maximum		average
			Notional		Fair		future		expected life
			amount		value		payments		(in years)
			(in millions)
Single name credit default swaps
	Corporate debt
		AA	$	70.0	$	(0.2)	$	70.0		2.5
		A		572.0		2.4		572.0		2.4
		BBB		200.0		(1.6)		200.0		3.0
	Structured finance
		Near default		11.1		(11.0)		11.1		8.5
Total single name credit default swaps				853.1		(10.4)		853.1		2.6
Basket and index credit default swaps
	Corporate debt
		Near default		110.4		(65.2)		110.4		4.2
	Government/municipalities
		AA		30.0		(7.3)		30.0		4.7
	Structured finance
		BBB		25.0		(5.6)		25.0		4.5
Total basket and index credit default swaps				165.4		(78.1)		165.4		4.4
Total credit default swap protection sold			$	1,018.5	$	(88.5)	$	1,018.5		2.9

			December 31, 2011
									Weighted
							Maximum		average
			Notional		Fair		future		expected life
			amount		value		payments		(in years)
			(in millions)
Single name credit default swaps
	Corporate debt
		AA	$	85.0	$	(1.0)	$	85.0		4.0
		A		483.0		(1.4)		483.0		2.5
		BBB		110.0		(0.3)		110.0		1.7
		CCC		10.0		(0.1)		10.0		0.2
	Structured finance
		C		10.0		(8.9)		10.0		10.1
		Near default		12.9		(12.8)		12.9		1.2
Total single name credit default swaps				710.9		(24.5)		710.9		2.6
Basket and index credit default swaps
	Corporate debt
		CCC		132.4		(104.7)		132.4		5.2
		CC		15.0		(14.8)		15.0		1.0
	Government/municipalities
		A		40.0		(10.5)		40.0		4.4
	Structured finance
		BBB		25.0		(11.0)		25.0		5.5
Total basket and index credit default swaps				212.4		(141.0)		212.4		4.8
Total credit default swap protection sold			$	923.3	$	(165.5)	$	923.3		3.1

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We also have invested in fixed maturities classified as available-for-sale that contain credit default swaps that do not require bifurcation and fixed maturities classified as trading that contain credit default swaps. These securities are subject to the credit risk of the issuer, normally a special purpose vehicle, which consists of the underlying credit default swaps and high quality fixed maturities that serve as collateral. A default event occurs if the cumulative losses exceed a specified attachment point, which is typically not the first loss of the portfolio. If a default event occurs that exceeds the specified attachment point, our investment may not be fully returned. We would have no future potential payments under these investments. The following tables show, by the types of referenced/underlying asset class and external rating, our fixed maturities with embedded credit derivatives.

		December 31, 2012
						Weighted
						average
		Amortized		Carrying		expected life
		cost		value		(in years)
		(in millions)
Corporate debt
	BBB	$	20.5	$	20.5		4.0
	B		25.0		24.9		0.5
Total corporate debt			45.5		45.4		2.1
Structured finance
	AA		4.6		4.6		17.0
	BB		39.6		37.5		2.9
	B		4.0		4.0		4.4
	CCC		17.7		17.7		6.4
Total structured finance			65.9		63.8		4.9
Total fixed maturities with credit derivatives		$	111.4	$	109.2		3.8

		December 31, 2011
						Weighted
						average
		Amortized		Carrying		expected life
		cost		value		(in years)
		(in millions)
Corporate debt
	BB	$	14.7	$	14.7		5.0
	CCC		25.0		20.8		1.5
	CC		3.7		0.7		4.0
Total corporate debt			43.4		36.2		2.9
Structured finance
	AA		9.3		9.3		6.4
	BBB		27.4		24.5		4.5
	BB		15.0		13.9		2.5
	B		11.2		11.2		5.4
	CCC		3.5		3.6		4.8
	CC		0.7		0.7		5.3
	C		0.2		0.1		8.2
	Near default		0.2		0.2		4.7
Total structured finance			67.5		63.5		4.5
Total fixed maturities with credit derivatives		$	110.9	$	99.7		3.9

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Fair Value Hedges

We use fixed-to-floating rate interest rate swaps to more closely align the interest rate characteristics of certain assets and liabilities. In general, these swaps are used in asset and liability management to modify duration, which is a measure of sensitivity to interest rate changes.

We enter into currency exchange swap agreements to convert certain foreign denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollar floating-rate denominated instruments to eliminate the exposure to future currency volatility on those items.

We have sold callable investment-type insurance contracts and used cancellable interest rate swaps to hedge the changes in fair value of the callable feature.

The net interest effect of interest rate swap and currency swap transactions for derivatives in fair value hedges is recorded as an adjustment to income or expense of the underlying hedged item in our consolidated statements of operations.

Hedge effectiveness testing for fair value relationships is performed utilizing a regression analysis approach for both prospective and retrospective evaluations. This regression analysis will consider multiple data points for the assessment that the hedge continues to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. In certain periods, the comparison of the change in value of the derivative and the change in the value of the hedged item may not be offsetting at a specific period in time due to small movements in value. However, any amounts recorded as fair value hedges have shown to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value both for present and future periods.

The following table shows the effect of derivatives in fair value hedging relationships and the related hedged items on the consolidated statements of operations. All gains or losses on derivatives were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

		Amount of gain (loss)								Amount of gain (loss)
		recognized in net income on								recognized in net income on
		derivatives for the year						Hedged items in fair		related hedged item for the year ended
Derivatives in fair value		ended December 31, (1)						fair value hedging		December 31, (1)
hedging relationships		2012		2011		2010		relationships		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)								(in millions)
								Fixed maturities,
Interest rate contracts		$	38.6	$	(108.5)	$	(100.2)		available-for-sale	$	(34.1)	$	105.4	$	106.4
								Investment-type
Interest rate contracts			—		(2.2)		(19.2)		insurance contracts		—		2.4		20.6
Foreign exchange								Fixed maturities,
	contracts		0.7		1.1		6.9		available-for-sale		0.4		(1.3)		(5.6)
Foreign exchange								Investment-type
	contracts		9.3		(25.6)		(23.3)		insurance contracts		(12.6)		25.7		18.1
Total		$	48.6	$	(135.2)	$	(135.8)	Total		$	(46.3)	$	132.2	$	139.5

(1) The gain (loss) on both derivatives and hedged items in fair value relationships is reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. The net amount represents the ineffective portion of our fair value hedges.

The following table shows the periodic settlements on interest rate contracts and foreign exchange contracts in fair value hedging relationships.

	Amount of gain (loss) for the year
	ended December 31,
Hedged Item	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)	$	(134.3)	$	(158.9)	$	(161.9)
Investment-type insurance contracts (2)		37.1		44.0		76.3

(1) Reported in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

(2) Reported in benefits, claims and settlement expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Cash Flow Hedges

We utilize floating-to-fixed rate interest rate swaps to eliminate the variability in cash flows of recognized financial assets and liabilities and forecasted transactions.

We enter into currency exchange swap agreements to convert both principal and interest payments of certain foreign denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollar denominated fixed-rate instruments to eliminate the exposure to future currency volatility on those items.

The net interest effect of interest rate swap and currency swap transactions for derivatives in cash flow hedges is recorded as an adjustment to income or expense of the underlying hedged item in our consolidated statements of operations.

The maximum length of time we are hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those related to the payments of variable interest on existing financial assets and liabilities, is 7.5 years. At December 31, 2012, we had $120.6 million of net gains reported in AOCI on the consolidated statements of financial position related to active hedges of forecasted transactions. If a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued. If it is probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the deferred gain or loss is immediately reclassified from OCI into net income. No amounts were reclassified from AOCI into net realized capital gains (losses) as a result of the determination that hedged cash flows were probable of not occurring during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

The following table shows the effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of financial position. All gains or losses on derivatives were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

				Amount of gain (loss)								Amount of gain (loss)
				recognized in AOCI on								reclassified from AOCI on
Derivatives in				derivatives (effective portion)						Location of gain (loss)		derivatives (effective portion)
cash flow				for the year ended						reclassified from		for the year ended
hedging		Related		December 31,						AOCI into net income		December 31,
relationships		hedged item		2012		2011		2010		(effective portion)		2012		2011		2010
				(in millions)								(in millions)
Interest rate		Fixed maturities,								Net investment
	contracts		available-for-sale	$	16.2	$	107.1	$	(18.1)		income	$	8.9	$	7.2	$	7.1
										Net realized capital
											gains		—		(0.2)		8.0
Interest rate		Investment-type								Benefits, claims and
	contracts		insurance contracts		2.5		(1.0)		18.4		settlement expenses		—		(0.8)		(0.8)
Interest rate
Foreign exchange		Fixed maturities,								Net realized capital
	contracts		available-for-sale		(27.9)		29.9		136.7		losses		(6.4)		(20.4)		(41.6)
										Net investment
Foreign exchange		Investment-type								Benefits, claims and
	contracts		insurance contract		7.6		12.8		(24.0)		settlement expenses		—		(1.7)		(6.1)
										Net realized capital
											losses		—		—		(0.7)
Total				$	(1.6)	$	148.8	$	113.0	Total		$	2.5	$	(15.9)	$	(34.1)

The following table shows the periodic settlements on interest rate contracts and foreign exchange contracts in cash flow hedging relationships.

	Amount of gain (loss) for the year
	ended December 31,
Hedged Item	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)	$	8.0	$	9.3	$	11.1
Investment-type insurance contracts (2)		(13.4)		(13.1)		(12.5)

(1) Reported in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

(2) Reported in benefits, claims and settlement expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

The ineffective portion of our cash flow hedges is reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. The net gain resulting from the ineffective portion of foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships was $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We expect to reclassify net gains of $6.0 million from AOCI into net income in the next 12 months, which includes both net deferred gains on discontinued hedges and net losses on periodic settlements of active hedges. Actual amounts may vary from this amount as a result of market conditions.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Our use of futures, certain swaptions and swaps, collars and options are effective from an economic standpoint, but they have not been designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. As such, periodic changes in the market value of these instruments, which includes mark-to-market gains and losses as well as periodic and final settlements, primarily flow directly into net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses on certain derivatives used in relation to certain trading portfolios are reported in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

The following table shows the effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, including fair value changes of embedded derivatives that have been bifurcated from the host contract, on the consolidated statements of operations.

	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in
	net income on derivatives for the
	year ended December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Interest rate contracts	$	(7.7)	$	133.7	$	45.3
Foreign exchange contracts		40.0		(22.9)		(79.6)
Equity contracts		(100.5)		55.3		(24.0)
Credit contracts		12.0		(10.9)		5.3
Other contracts		35.7		(190.4)		(1.2)
Total	$	(20.5)	$	(35.2)	$	(54.2)

7. Closed Block

In connection with the 1998 MIHC formation, we formed a Closed Block to provide reasonable assurance to policyholders included therein that, after the formation of the MIHC, assets would be available to maintain dividends in aggregate in accordance with the 1997 policy dividend scales, if the experience underlying such scales continued. Certain of our assets were allocated to the Closed Block in an amount that produces cash flows which, together with anticipated revenue from policies and contracts included in the Closed Block, were expected to be sufficient to support the Closed Block policies, including, but not limited to, provisions for payment of claims, certain expenses, charges and taxes, and to provide for continuation of policy and contract dividends in aggregate in accordance with the 1997 dividend scales, if the experience underlying such scales continues, and to allow for appropriate adjustments in such scales, if such experience changes. Due to adjustable life policies being included in the Closed Block, the Closed Block is charged with amounts necessary to properly fund for certain adjustments, such as face amount and premium increases, that are made to these policies after the Closed Block inception date. These amounts are referred to as Funding Adjustment Charges and are treated as capital transfers from the Closed Block.

Assets allocated to the Closed Block inure solely to the benefit of the holders of policies included in the Closed Block. Closed Block assets and liabilities are carried on the same basis as other similar assets and liabilities. We will continue to pay guaranteed benefits under all policies, including the policies within the Closed Block, in accordance with their terms. If the assets allocated to the Closed Block, the investment cash flows from those assets and the revenues from the policies included in the Closed Block, including investment income thereon, prove to be insufficient to pay the benefits guaranteed under the policies included in the Closed Block, we will be required to make such payments from their general funds. No additional policies were added to the Closed Block, nor was the Closed Block affected in any other way, as a result of the demutualization.

A policyholder dividend obligation (“PDO”) is required to be established for earnings in the Closed Block that are not available to PFG stockholders. A model of the Closed Block was established to produce the pattern of expected earnings in the Closed Block, adjusted to eliminate the impact of related amounts in AOCI.

If actual cumulative earnings of the Closed Block are greater than the expected cumulative earnings of the Closed Block, only the expected cumulative earnings will be recognized in income with the excess recorded as a PDO. This PDO represents undistributed accumulated earnings that will be paid to Closed Block policyholders as additional policyholder dividends unless offset by future performance of the Closed Block that is less favorable than originally expected. If actual cumulative performance is less favorable than expected, only actual earnings will be recognized in income. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, cumulative actual earnings have been less than cumulative expected earnings. However, cumulative net unrealized gains were greater than expected, resulting in the recognition of a PDO of $131.0 million and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Closed Block liabilities and assets designated to the Closed Block were as follows:

		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Closed Block liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims		$	4,664.5	$	4,829.6
Other policyholder funds			10.7		11.2
Policyholder dividends payable			280.6		292.6
Policyholder dividends obligation			131.0		3.1
Other liabilities			31.3		32.6
	Total Closed Block liabilities		5,118.1		5,169.1
Assets designated to the Closed Block
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale			2,735.1		2,744.7
Fixed maturities, trading			17.0		23.2
Equity securities, available-for-sale			5.5		6.1
Mortgage loans			719.4		691.0
Policy loans			665.5		697.7
Other investments			158.0		172.5
	Total investments		4,300.5		4,335.2
Cash and cash equivalents			51.3		3.0
Accrued investment income			52.5		59.6
Premiums due and other receivables			13.2		13.8
Deferred tax asset			39.2		38.7
	Total assets designated to the Closed Block		4,456.7		4,450.3
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated to the Closed Block			661.4		718.8
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income			62.4		68.2
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from Closed Block assets and liabilities		$	723.8	$	787.0

Closed Block revenues and expenses were as follows:

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Revenues
Premiums and other considerations		$	397.4	$	428.8	$	459.3
Net investment income			222.8		238.2		257.6
Net realized capital gains			3.6		7.9		1.8
	Total revenues		623.8		674.9		718.7
Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses			325.7		370.7		385.5
Dividends to policyholders			192.6		204.2		215.1
Operating expenses			4.9		2.9		6.4
	Total expenses		523.2		577.8		607.0
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses, before income taxes			100.6		97.1		111.7
Income taxes			32.6		31.2		36.2
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses and income taxes			68.0		65.9		75.5
Funding adjustment charges			(4.8)		(5.3)		(9.6)
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses, income taxes and
	funding adjustment charges	$	63.2	$	60.6	$	65.9

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The change in maximum future earnings of the Closed Block was as follows:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Beginning of year	$	787.0	$	847.6	$	913.5
End of year		723.8		787.0		847.6
Change in maximum future earnings	$	(63.2)	$	(60.6)	$	(65.9)

We charge the Closed Block with federal income taxes, payroll taxes, state and local premium taxes and other state or local taxes, licenses and fees as provided in the plan of reorganization.

8. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized were as follows:

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year		$	2,197.3	$	2,281.3	$	2,614.8
Cost deferred during the year			393.6		316.9		300.9
Amortized to expense during the year (1)			(82.3)		(262.9)		(265.0)
Adjustment related to unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities and
	derivative instruments		(113.9)		(138.0)		(369.5)
Balance at end of year		$	2,394.7	$	2,197.3	$	2,281.2

(1) Includes adjustments for revisions to estimated gross profits.

9. Insurance Liabilities

Contractholder Funds

Major components of contractholder funds in the consolidated statements of financial position are summarized as follows:

		December 31,
		2012		2011
		(in millions)
Liabilities for investment-type insurance contracts:
	Liabilities for individual annuities	$	11,315.1	$	11,608.1
	GICs		10,943.1		11,355.0
	Funding agreements		9,077.1		8,850.1
	Other investment-type insurance contracts		749.6		765.6
Total liabilities for investment-type insurance contracts			32,084.9		32,578.8
Universal life and other reserves			4,689.7		4,510.9
Total contractholder funds		$	36,774.6	$	37,089.7

Our GICs and funding agreements contain provisions limiting or prohibiting early surrenders, which typically include penalties for early surrenders, minimum notice requirements or, in the case of funding agreements with survivor options, minimum pre-death holding periods and specific maximum amounts.

Funding agreements include those issued directly to nonqualified institutional investors, as well as under five separate programs where the funding agreements have been issued directly or indirectly to unconsolidated special purpose entities. Claims for principal and interest under funding agreements are afforded equal priority to claims of life insurance and annuity policyholders under insolvency provisions of Iowa Insurance Laws.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We were authorized to issue up to $4.0 billion of funding agreements under a program established in 1998 to support the prospective issuance of medium term notes by an unaffiliated entity in non-U.S. markets. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,189.5 million and $1,377.2 million, respectively, of liabilities are outstanding with respect to the issuance outstanding under this program. We were also authorized to issue up to Euro 4.0 billion (approximately USD$5.3 billion) of funding agreements under a program established in 2006 to support the prospective issuance of medium term notes by an unaffiliated entity in non-U.S. markets. The unaffiliated entity is an unconsolidated special purpose vehicle. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,251.1 million and $1,305.7 million, respectively, of liabilities are outstanding with respect to issuances outstanding under this program. We do not anticipate any new issuance activity under either of these programs due to the existence of the program established in 2011 described below.

In addition, we were authorized to issue up to $7.0 billion of funding agreements under a program established in 2001 to support the prospective issuance of medium term notes by an unaffiliated entity in both domestic and international markets. The unaffiliated entity is an unconsolidated special purpose entity. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,598.5 million and $2,205.0 million, respectively, of liabilities are being held with respect to issuances outstanding under this program. We do not anticipate any new issuance activity under this program, given our December 2005 termination of the dealership agreement for this program and the availability of the program established in 2011 described below.

Additionally, we were authorized to issue up to $4.0 billion of funding agreements under a program established in March 2004 to support the prospective issuance of medium term notes by unaffiliated entities in both domestic and international markets. In February 2006, this program was amended to authorize issuance of up to an additional $5.0 billion in recognition of the use of nearly all $4.0 billion of initial issuance authorization. In recognition of the use of nearly all $9.0 billion, this program was amended in November 2007 to authorize issuance of up to an additional $5.0 billion. Under this program, both the notes and the supporting funding agreements were registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,875.6 million and $2,452.5 million, respectively, of liabilities are being held with respect to issuances outstanding under this program. In contrast with direct funding agreements, GIC issuances and the other three funding agreement‑backed medium term note programs described above, our payment obligations on each funding agreement issued under this SEC-registered program are guaranteed by PFG. We do not anticipate any new issuance activity under this program due to the existence of the program established in 2011 described below.

We were authorized to issue up to $2.0 billion of funding agreements under a program established in 2011 to support the prospective issuance of medium term notes by an unaffiliated entity in both domestic and international markets. The unaffiliated entity is an unconsolidated special purpose entity. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, $1,352.3 million and $250.2 million of liabilities are being held with respect to any issuances outstanding under this program. Similar to the SEC-registered program, our payment obligations on each funding agreement issued under this program are guaranteed by PFG. The program established in 2011 is not registered with the SEC.

We had no medium term note issuances in 2010.

Future Policy Benefits and Claims

Activity associated with unpaid disability and health claims is summarized as follows:

		December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year		$	1,006.9	$	1,061.8	$	1,025.6
Incurred:
	Current year		711.8		1,074.0		1,611.9
	Prior years		9.7		(10.8)		11.1
Total incurred			721.5		1,063.2		1,623.0
Payments:
	Current year		446.3		820.8		1,269.4
	Prior years		216.1		297.3		317.4
Total payments			662.4		1,118.1		1,586.8
Balance at end of year:
	Current year		265.5		253.2		342.5
	Prior years		800.5		753.7		719.3
Total balance at end of year		$	1,066.0	$	1,006.9	$	1,061.8
Amounts not included in the rollforward above:
	Claim adjustment expense liabilities	$	46.6	$	42.9	$	40.1
	Reinsurance recoverables		211.0		177.7		156.2

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Incurred liability adjustments relating to prior years, which affected current operations during 2012, 2011 and 2010, resulted in part from developed claims for prior years being different than were anticipated when the liabilities for unpaid disability and health claims were originally estimated. These trends have been considered in establishing the current year liability for unpaid disability and health claims.

10. Debt

Short-Term Debt

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had credit facilities with various financial institutions in an aggregate amount of $845.0 million and $624.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had $286.7 million and $263.7 million, respectively, of outstanding borrowings related to our credit facilities, which consisted of a payable to PFSI, with zero assets pledged as support as of December 31, 2012. Interest paid on intercompany debt was $1.0 million, $1.0 million and $1.3 million during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The weighted‑average interest rate on short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, was 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively.

Long-Term Debt

The components of long-term debt were as follows:

	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions)
8.0% surplus notes payable, due 2044	$	99.3	$	99.3
Non-recourse mortgages and notes payable		29.6		20.6
Total long-term debt	$	128.9	$	119.9

The amounts included above are net of the discount and premium associated with issuing these notes, which are being amortized to expense over their respective terms using the interest method.

On March 10, 1994, we issued $100.0 million of surplus notes due March 1, 2044, at an 8% annual interest rate. None of our affiliates hold any portion of the notes. Each payment of interest and principal on the notes, however, may be made only with the prior approval of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Iowa (the “Commissioner”) and only to the extent that we have sufficient surplus earnings to make such payments. Interest of $8.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approved by the Commissioner, and charged to expense.

Subject to Commissioner approval, the notes due March 1, 2044, may be redeemed at our election on or after March 1, 2014, in whole or in part at a redemption price of approximately 102.3% of par. The approximate 2.3% premium is scheduled to gradually diminish over the following ten years. These notes may be redeemed on or after March 1, 2024, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount plus interest accrued to the date of redemption.

The non-recourse mortgages, other mortgages and notes payable are primarily financings for real estate developments. Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2012, ranged from $0.3 million to $9.2 million per development with interest rates generally ranging from 5.5% to 5.8%. Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2011, ranged from $5.6 million to $8.7 million per development with interest rates generally ranging from 5.5% to 5.8%. Outstanding debt is secured by the underlying real estate properties, which were reported as real estate on our consolidated statements of financial position with a carrying value of $54.2 million and $29.5 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

At December 31, 2012, future annual maturities of the long-term debt were as follows (in millions):

Year ending December 31:
	2013	$	8.8
	2014		6.0
	2015		14.8
	2016		—
	2017		—
	Thereafter		99.3
	Total future maturities of the long-term debt	$	128.9

11. Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense was as follows:

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Current income taxes (benefits):
	U.S. federal	$	(78.1)	$	163.3	$	120.0
	State and foreign		26.5		25.6		15.8
Total current income taxes (benefits)			(51.6)		188.9		135.8
Deferred income taxes (benefits)			203.1		36.1		(33.0)
Total income taxes		$	151.5	$	225.0	$	102.8

Effective Income Tax Rate

Our provision for income taxes may not have the customary relationship of taxes to income. A reconciliation between the U.S. corporate income tax rate and the effective income tax rate is as follows:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
U.S. corporate income tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
Dividends received deduction	(12)		(10)		(14)
Interest exclusion from taxable income	(3)		(3)		(5)
Impact of court ruling on some uncertain tax positions	—		7		—
Other	(2)		(1)		2
Effective income tax rate	18	%	28	%	18	%

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A summary of the changes in unrecognized tax benefits follows.

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011
		(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period		$	119.5	$	53.0
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		10.2		1.5
	Additions for tax positions of prior year		4.3		67.1
	Reductions for tax positions related to the current year		(4.2)		(1.8)
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(0.7)		(0.3)
Balance at end of period (1)		$	129.1	$	119.5

(1) Of this amount, $81.0 million, if recognized, would reduce the 2012 effective income tax rate. We recognize interest

and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in operating expenses.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had recognized $44.1 million and $43.8 million of accumulated pre-tax interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Net Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of our net deferred income taxes were as follows:

			December 31,
			2012		2011
			(in millions)
Deferred income tax assets:
	Insurance liabilities		$	195.1	$	111.2
	Investments, including derivatives			454.0		659.2
	Net operating and capital loss carryforwards			364.0		343.5
	Employee benefits			738.8		588.8
	Other deferred income tax assets			48.3		31.5
		Gross deferred income tax assets		1,800.2		1,734.2
		Total deferred income tax assets		1,800.2		1,734.2
Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Deferred policy acquisition costs			(602.5)		(540.6)
	Investments, including derivatives			(423.8)		(485.3)
	Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			(1,083.0)		(536.7)
	Real estate			(102.0)		(103.3)
	Intangible assets			(32.8)		(26.7)
	Other deferred income tax liabilities			—		(120.0)
		Total deferred income tax liabilities		(2,244.1)		(1,812.6)
		Total net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(443.9)	$	(78.4)

Net deferred income taxes by jurisdiction are as follows:

		December 31,
		2012		2011
		(in millions)
Deferred income tax liabilities:
	U.S.	$	(443.4)	$	(74.7)
	State		(0.5)		(3.7)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities		$	(443.9)	$	(78.4)

In management’s judgment, total deferred income tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. Included in the deferred income tax asset is the net operating loss carryforward for tax purposes available to offset future taxable income. We have net operating losses for federal income tax purposes of $274.5 million and $448.9 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, attributed to one of our captive reinsurance companies that joined the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return in 2012. Our other captive reinsurance company, temporarily excluded from the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, with net operating losses for federal income tax purposes of $710.6 million and $482.6 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, will join the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return in 2013. These federal net operating losses will expire between 2021 and 2027. All accumulated federal net operating losses are anticipated to be utilized before expiration. Therefore, no valuation allowance has been provided for the deferred income tax assets attributable to these net operating losses. 

Domestic state net operating loss carryforwards were $14.5 million as of December 31, 2012, and will expire between 2015 and 2032. We maintain valuation allowances by jurisdiction against the deferred income tax assets related to certain of these carryforwards, as utilization of these income tax benefits fail the more likely than not criteria in certain jurisdictions. A valuation allowance has been recorded on income tax benefits associated with state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards. Adjustments to the valuation allowance will be made if there is a change in management’s assessment of the amount of the deferred income tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Other Tax Information

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed examination of the consolidated federal income tax returns for years prior to 2004. We are contesting certain issues and have filed suit in the Court of Federal Claims, requesting refunds for the years 1995-2003. We had $333.5 million and $261.7 million of current income tax receivables associated with outstanding audit issues reported as other assets in our consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We do not expect the litigation to be resolved within the next twelve months.

The IRS has completed its examinations of tax years 2004 through 2005 and 2006 through 2008 during the second quarter of 2011 resulting in receipt of notices of deficiency dated April 6, 2011 and April 27, 2011, respectively. We paid the deficiencies (approximately $62.1 million for 2004 and 2005 and approximately $46.7 million for 2006 and 2008, including interest) in 2011. We filed claims for refund for tax years 2004 and 2005 during 2012 and will file claims for refund relating to disputed adjustments for tax years 2006 through 2008. The IRS commenced audit of our federal income tax return for 2009 during the fourth quarter of 2011 and for 2010 during the first quarter of 2012. We expect the IRS to commence audit of our federal income tax return for 2011 during 2013. We do not expect the results of these audits or developments in other tax areas for all open tax years to significantly change the possible increase in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, but the outcome of tax reviews is uncertain and unforeseen results can occur.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a decision in the case of Pritired 1, LLC (“Pritired”), and Principal Life Insurance Co. v. United States on September 30, 2011. The court ruled that the securities Pritired held should be characterized as debt, not equity, and thus we were not entitled to foreign tax credits for the years 2002 and 2003. We, along with Pritired, received favorable clarification from the court on September 12, 2012, that related partnership income should be reversed. No notice of appeal was filed by December 31, 2012, and the decision stands as modified by the post-trial motion as the time to file a notice of appeal expired in January 2013.

We believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by $0.0 million to $28.5 million within the next twelve months. This uncertainty is associated with our investment in a transaction that gave rise to foreign tax credits. We believe that we have adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, the contested issues, but final resolution of the contested issues could take several years while legal remedies are pursued. Consequently, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of issues from tax years 1995 - 2003 to have a material impact on our net income. Similarly, we believe there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, any challenges that might arise in tax years subsequent to 2003.

12. Employee and Agent Benefits

We have post-retirement benefit plans covering substantially all of our employees and certain agents, including employees of other companies affiliated with our ultimate parent, PFG ("affiliated companies"). Actuarial information regarding the status of the post-retirement benefit plans is calculated for the total plan only. The affiliated company portion of the actuarial present value of the accumulated or projected benefit obligations, or net assets available for benefits, is not separately determined. However, we are reimbursed for employee benefits related to the affiliated companies. The reimbursement is not reflected in our employee and agent benefits disclosures.

We have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our U.S. employees and certain agents. Some of these plans provide supplemental pension benefits to employees and agents with salaries and/or pension benefits in excess of the qualified plan limits imposed by federal tax law. The employees and agents are generally first eligible for the pension plans when they reach age 21. For plan participants employed prior to January 1, 2002, the pension benefits are based on the greater of a final average pay benefit or a cash balance benefit. The final average pay benefit is based on the years of service and generally the employee's or agent's average annual compensation during the last five years of employment. Partial benefit accrual of final average pay benefits is recognized from first eligibility until retirement based on attained service divided by potential service to age 65 with a minimum of 35 years of potential service. The cash balance portion of the plan started on January 1, 2002. An employee's account is credited with an amount based on the employee's salary, age and service. These credits accrue with interest. For plan participants hired on and after January 1, 2002, only the cash balance plan applies. Our policy is to fund the cost of providing pension benefits in the years that the employees and agents are providing service to us. Our funding policy for the qualified defined benefit plan is to contribute an amount annually at least equal to the minimum annual contribution required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), and, generally, not greater than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Our funding policy for the nonqualified benefit plan is to fund the plan in the years that the employees are providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust. While we designate assets to cover the computed liability of the nonqualified plan, the assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote as they do not qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We also provide certain health care, life insurance and long-term care benefits for retired employees. Subsidized retiree health benefits are provided for employees hired prior to January 1, 2002. Employees hired after December 31, 2001, have access to retiree health benefits but it is intended that they pay for the full cost of the coverage. The health care plans are contributory with participants' contributions adjusted annually. The contributions are based on the number of years of service and age at retirement for those hired prior to January 1, 2002, who retired prior to January 1, 2011. For employees hired prior to January 1, 2002, who retired on or after January 1, 2011, the contributions are 60% of the expected cost. As part of the substantive plan, the retiree health contributions are assumed to be adjusted in the future as claim levels change. The life insurance plans are contributory for a small group of previously grandfathered participants that have elected supplemental coverage and dependent coverage.

Covered employees are first eligible for the health and life postretirement benefits when they reach age 57 and have completed ten years of service with us. Retiree long-term care benefits are provided for employees whose retirement was effective prior to July 1, 2000. Our policy is to fund the cost of providing retiree benefits in the years that the employees are providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust.

Obligations and Funded Status

The plans' combined funded status, reconciled to amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position and consolidated statements of operations, was as follows:

					Other postretirement
	Pension benefits				benefits
	December 31,				December 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	(2,158.4)	$	(1,933.8)	$	(165.1)	$	(162.6)
Service cost		(47.0)		(44.0)		(1.3)		(1.2)
Interest cost		(109.1)		(108.5)		(8.2)		(8.9)
Actuarial gain (loss)		(407.1)		(151.3)		21.2		2.6
Participant contribution		—		—		(6.6)		(6.4)
Benefits paid		76.4		73.6		13.0		13.9
Amounts recognized due to special events		—		—		—		(0.4)
Early retiree reinsurance program reimbursement		—		—		—		(1.2)
Other		7.2		5.6		(0.8)		(0.9)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	(2,638.0)	$	(2,158.4)	$	(147.8)	$	(165.1)
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	1,429.0	$	1,417.7	$	466.6	$	471.7
Actual return on plan assets		222.6		4.1		58.6		1.3
Employer contribution		106.9		80.8		0.9		1.1
Participant contributions		—		—		6.6		6.4
Benefits paid		(76.4)		(73.6)		(13.0)		(13.9)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	1,682.1	$	1,429.0	$	519.7	$	466.6
Amount recognized in statement of financial position
Other assets	$	—	$	—	$	372.5	$	301.7
Other liabilities		(955.9)		(729.4)		(0.6)		(0.2)
Total	$	(955.9)	$	(729.4)	$	371.9	$	301.5
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
(income) loss
Total net actuarial (gain) loss	$	861.2	$	660.0	$	(7.1)	$	40.1
Prior service benefit		(20.4)		(30.5)		(82.1)		(114.1)
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	$	840.8	$	629.5	$	(89.2)	$	(74.0)

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $2,469.1 million and $2,027.8 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Employer contributions to the pension plans include contributions made directly to the qualified pension plan assets and contributions from corporate assets to pay nonqualified pension benefits. Benefits paid from the pension plans include both qualified and nonqualified plan benefits. Nonqualified pension plan assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote. The nonqualified pension plan assets are held in Rabbi trusts for the benefit of all nonqualified plan participants. The assets held in a Rabbi trust are available to satisfy the claims of general creditors only in the event of bankruptcy. Therefore, these assets are fully consolidated in our consolidated statements of financial position and are not reflected in our funded status as they do not qualify as plan assets under U.S. GAAP. The market value of assets held in these trusts was $300.8 million and $281.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Pension Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

On January 1, 2010, benefits under the Principal Pension Plan were frozen for certain participants.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the pension plans had a loss primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate, which was offset by higher than expected asset returns. The net result was an actuarial loss for the year ended December 31, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the pension plans had a loss primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate and less than expected asset returns. The net result was an actuarial loss for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Other Postretirement Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Medicare Modernization Act”) was signed into law. The Medicare Modernization Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (“Medicare Part D”) as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree medical benefit plans. During each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011and 2010, the Medicare subsidies we received and accrued for were $0.8 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

An actuarial gain occurred during 2012 for the other postretirement benefit plans. This was due to a decrease in the trend and claim cost assumptions. This was partially offset by the decrease in the discount rate. An actuarial gain occurred during 2011 for the other postretirement benefit plans. This was due to a decrease in the trend and claim cost assumptions and greater than expected increase in the medical premium equivalents. This was partially offset by the decrease in the discount rate.

Impact of Amendment to Retiree Health Benefits

In September 2010, an amendment to retiree health benefits was announced. This amendment, which is effective for individuals retiring on or after January 1, 2011, resulted in a plan remeasurement as of September 30, 2010. Under this amendment, the company-paid subsidy for pre-Medicare-eligible coverage will be 40% and the cost of coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees (or their dependents) will no longer be subsidized. Prior to amendment, the subsidy calculation was complex and varied based on age and service with the company at the time of retirement. In addition to the changes for individuals retiring on or after January 1, 2011, the plan was simplified to a single consolidated plan design, the coordination with Medicare was changed for certain post-1984 retirees and the method for determining the premium equivalent rate was changed to be based solely on retiree experience. For the remeasurement of the retiree health benefits as of September 30, 2010, the assumptions used were a 5.40% discount rate to determine the benefit obligation; a 7.25% weighted-average expected long-term return on plan assets used to determine the net periodic benefit cost; and a health care cost initial trend rate of 9.5% pre-Medicare and 9.0% post-Medicare, decreasing to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in the year 2022. The plan amendment resulted in a $153.6 million reduction to the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 2010. The plan amendment and remeasurement resulted in a $14.0 million reduction in the 2010 net periodic postretirement benefit cost, which was reflected in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Impact from Exit of Group Medical Insurance Business

On September 30, 2010, we announced our decision to exit the group medical insurance business and entered into an agreement with United Healthcare Services, Inc. to renew medical insurance coverage for our customers as the business transitions. Our exit from the group medical insurance business resulted in a curtailment gain associated with the pension and other postretirement benefits of the impacted employees, which was recognized in our consolidated financial statements as impacted employees were terminated. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the curtailment gain recognized was $0.9 million for the pension benefits and $2.6 million for the other postretirement benefits from the accelerated recognition of the existing prior service benefits. Also in the fourth quarter of 2010, the recognition of terminations resulted in a $0.2 million increase in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation resulting from losses associated with individuals who were retirement eligible at termination exceeding the gains associated with those individuals who were not retirement eligible at termination. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the curtailment gain recognized was $1.4 million for the pension benefits and $5.1 million for the other postretirement benefits, respectively, from the accelerated recognition of the existing prior service benefits. One final recognition of the curtailment in 2012 resulted in a curtailment gain of $0.7 million for the pension plan and $3.5 million for the other postretirement benefits.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Information for Pension Plans With an Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets

For 2012 and 2011, both the qualified and nonqualified plans had accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets. As noted previously, the nonqualified plans have assets that are deposited in trusts that fail to meet the U.S. GAAP requirements to be included in plan assets; however, these assets are included in our consolidated statements of financial position.

	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions)
Projected benefit obligation	$	2,638.0	$	2,158.4
Accumulated benefit obligation		2,469.1		2,027.8
Fair value of plan assets		1,682.1		1,429.0

Information for Other Postretirement Benefit Plans With an Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation
in Excess of Plan Assets
	December 31,
	2012		2011
	(in millions)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	1.7	$	1.5
Fair value of plan assets		1.1		1.3

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	Pension benefits						Other postretirement benefits
	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010		2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Service cost	$	47.0	$	44.0	$	45.6	$	1.3	$	1.2	$	8.8
Interest cost		109.1		108.5		105.7		8.2		8.9		18.1
Expected return on plan assets		(114.6)		(114.4)		(98.4)		(33.5)		(34.1)		(30.6)
Amortization of prior service benefit		(9.4)		(9.7)		(10.1)		(28.6)		(29.3)		(9.1)
Recognized net actuarial loss		90.9		65.8		67.6		0.9		0.4		4.1
Amounts recognized due to special events		(0.7)		(1.4)		(0.9)		(3.5)		(5.1)		(2.6)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	122.3	$	92.8	$	109.5	$	(55.2)	$	(58.0)	$	(11.3)

The pension plans' actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a straight-line amortization method over the average remaining service period of plan participants. For the qualified pension plan, gains and losses are amortized without use of the 10% allowable corridor. For the nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, the corridors allowed are used.

						Other postretirement
		Pension benefits				benefits
		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2012		2011
		(in millions)
Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss
Net actuarial (gain) loss		$	292.1	$	256.0	$	(46.4)	$	30.6
Amortization of net loss			(90.9)		(65.8)		(0.9)		(0.7)
Amortization of prior service benefit			10.1		11.1		32.1		34.7
Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss		$	211.3	$	201.3	$	(15.2)	$	64.6
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and pre-tax accumulated
	other comprehensive (income) loss	$	333.6	$	294.1	$	(70.4)	$	6.6

Net actuarial (gain) loss and net prior service cost benefit have been recognized in AOCI.

The estimated net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost (benefit) that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost for the pension benefits during the 2013 fiscal year are $118.5 million and $(8.7) million, respectively. The estimated net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost (benefit) for the postretirement benefits that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during the 2013 fiscal year are $1.0 million and $(25.9) million, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Assumptions

Weighted‑average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as disclosed under the Obligations and Funded Status section

					Other postretirement
	Pension benefits				benefits
	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Discount rate	4.00	%	5.15	%	4.00	%	5.15	%
Rate of compensation increase	4.80	%	5.00	%	4.83	%	5.00	%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
	Pension benefits						Other postretirement benefits
	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010		2012		2011		2010
Discount rate	5.15	%	5.65	%	6.00	%	5.15	%	5.65	%	6.00	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.00	%	8.00	%	8.00	%	7.30	%	7.30	%	7.30	%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%	5.00	%

For the pension benefits, the discount rate is determined by projecting future benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligation and discounting those cash flows using a spot yield curve for high quality corporate bonds. The plans’ expected benefit payments are discounted to determine a present value using the yield curve and the discount rate is the level rate that produces the same present value. The expected return on plan assets is the long-term rate we expect to be earned based on the plans’ investment strategy. Historical and expected future returns of multiple asset classes were analyzed to develop a risk free rate of return and risk premiums for each asset class. The overall rate for each asset class was developed by combining a long-term inflation component, the risk free real rate of return and the associated risk premium. A weighted average rate was developed based on those overall rates and the target asset allocation of the plans.

For other postretirement benefits, the 7.3% expected long-term return on plan assets for 2012 is based on the weighted average expected long-term asset returns for the medical, life and long-term care plans. The expected long-term rates for the medical, life and long-term care plans are 7.25%, 7.75% and 5.85%, respectively.

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates

	December 31,
	2012		2011
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year under age 65	8.0	%	9.5	%
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year age 65 and over	7.0	%	9.0	%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	4.5	%	5.0	%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (under age 65)	2019		2023
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (65 and older)	2017		2023

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

	1-percentage		1-percentage
	point increase		point decrease
		(in millions)
Effect on total of service cost and interest cost components	$	0.6	$	(0.5)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation		(6.6)		5.7

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Pension Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels.

• Level 1 – Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Our Level 1 assets include cash, fixed income investment funds and exchange traded equity securities.

• Level 2 – Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. Our Level 2 assets primarily include fixed income and equity investment funds and real estate investments.

• Level 3 – Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset. Our Level 3 assets include a general account investment of ours.

Our pension plan assets consist of investments in separate accounts. Net asset value (“NAV”) of the separate accounts is calculated in a manner consistent with U.S. GAAP for investment companies and is determinative of their fair value. Several of the separate accounts invest in publicly quoted mutual funds or actively managed stocks. The fair value of the underlying mutual funds or stock is used to determine the NAV of the separate account, which is not publicly quoted. Some of the separate accounts also invest in fixed income securities. The fair value of the underlying securities is based on quoted prices of similar assets and used to determine the NAV of the separate account. One separate account invests directly in commercial real estate properties. In 2010, this was categorized as Level 3, as the fund had restrictions on redemption of NAV at the measurement date. In 2011, the withdrawal limitations associated with this separate account were removed and the investments were being redeemed at NAV at the measurement date. Therefore, the fair value of the separate account is based on NAV and is considered a Level 2 asset in 2011 and going forward.

Our other postretirement benefit plan assets consist of cash, investments in fixed income security portfolios and investments in equity security portfolios. Because of the nature of cash, its carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed income investment funds, U.S. equity portfolios and international equity portfolios is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The fair value of our general account investment is the amount the plan would receive if withdrawing funds from this participating contract. The amount that would be received is calculated using a cash-out factor based on an associated pool of general account fixed income securities. The cash-out factor is a ratio of the asset investment value of these securities to asset book value. As the investment values change, the cash-out factor is adjusted, impacting the amount the plan receives at measurement date. To determine investment value for each category of assets, we project cash flows. This is done using contractual provisions for the assets, with adjustment for expected prepayments and call provisions. Projected cash flows are discounted to present value for each asset category. Interest rates for discounting are based on current rates on similar new assets in the general account based on asset strategy.

Pension Plan Assets

The fair value of the qualified pension plan’s assets by asset category as of the most recent measurement date is as follows:

		As of December 31, 2012
		Assets		Fair value hierarchy level
		measured at
		fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
U.S. large cap equity portfolios (1)		$	601.8	$	—	$	601.8	$	—
U.S. small/mid cap equity portfolios (2)			156.2		—		156.2		—
Balanced asset portfolios (3)			82.4		—		82.4		—
International equity portfolios (4)			273.9		—		273.9		—
Fixed income security portfolios (5)			486.6		—		486.6		—
Real estate investment portfolios:
	Direct real estate investments (7)		81.2		—		81.2		—
Total		$	1,682.1	$	—	$	1,682.1	$	—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		As of December 31, 2011
		Assets		Fair value hierarchy level
		measured at
		fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
U.S. large cap equity portfolios (1)		$	593.6	$	—	$	593.6	$	—
U.S. small/mid cap equity portfolios (2)			139.0		—		139.0		—
International equity portfolios (4)			216.5		—		216.5		—
Fixed income security portfolios (5)			347.8		—		347.8		—
Real estate investment portfolios:
	Real estate investment trusts (6)		37.4		—		37.4		—
	Direct real estate investments (7)		94.7		—		94.7		—
Total		$	1,429.0	$	—	$	1,429.0	$	—

(1) The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of large U.S. companies.

(2) The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of mid-sized and small U.S. companies.

(3) The portfolios are a combination of underlying fixed income and equity investment options. These investment options may include balanced, asset allocation, target-date and target-risk investment options. Although typically lower risk than investment options that invest solely in equities, all investment options in this category have the potential to lose value.

(4) The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of non-U.S. companies.

(5) The portfolios invest in various fixed income securities, primarily of U.S. origin. These include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities, agency securities, asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.

(6) The portfolio invests primarily in publicly traded securities of U.S. equity real estate investment trusts.

(7) The portfolio invests primarily in U.S. commercial real estate properties.

The reconciliation for all assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for 2011 and 2010 follow. We had no Level 3 assets in 2012.

For the year ended December 31, 2011

Actual return gains (losses)

Beginning

on plan assets

Ending

asset

Relating to

asset

balance

assets still

Relating to

Net

balance

as of

held at the

assets sold

purchases,

Transfers

Transfers

as of

December 31,

reporting

during the

sales and

into

out of

December 31,

2010

date

period

settlements

Level 3

Level 3

2011

(in millions)

Asset category

Direct real estate investments

$

84.7

$

1.6

$

—

$

1.0

$

—

$

(87.3)

$

—

For the year ended December 31, 2010

Actual return gains (losses)

Beginning

on plan assets

Ending

asset

Relating to

asset

balance

assets still

Relating to

Net

Net

balance

as of

held at the

assets sold

purchases,

transfers

as of

December 31,

reporting

during the

sales and

in (out)

December 31,

2009

date

period

settlements

Level 3

2010

(in millions)

Asset category

Direct real estate investments

$

54.0

$

10.7

$

—

$

20.0

$

—

$

84.7

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We have established an investment policy that provides the investment objectives and guidelines for the pension plan. Our investment strategy is to achieve the following:

• Obtain a reasonable long-term return consistent with the level of risk assumed and at a cost of operation within prudent levels. Performance benchmarks are monitored.

• Ensure sufficient liquidity to meet the emerging benefit liabilities for the plan.

• Provide for diversification of assets in an effort to avoid the risk of large losses and maximize the investment return to the pension plan consistent with market and economic risk.

In administering the qualified pension plan’s asset allocation strategy, we consider the projected liability stream of benefit payments, the relationship between current and projected assets of the plan and the projected actuarial liabilities streams, the historical performance of capital markets adjusted for the perception of future short‑ and long-term capital market performance and the perception of future economic conditions.

According to our investment policy, the target asset allocation for the qualified plan is:

Asset Category	Target allocation
U.S. equity portfolios	35% - 60%
International equity portfolios	5% - 20%
Fixed income security portfolios	20% - 40%
Real estate investment portfolios	3% - 10%
Other	0% - 7%

Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets

The fair value of the other postretirement benefit plans’ assets by asset category as of the most recent measurement date is as follows:

		As of December 31, 2012
		Assets		Fair value hierarchy level
		measured at
		fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1.9	$	1.9	$	—	$	—
Fixed income security portfolios:
	Fixed income investment funds (1)		163.5		163.5		—		—
	General account investment (2)		42.1		—		—		42.1
U.S. equity portfolios (3)			260.8		213.5		47.3		—
International equity portfolios (4)			51.4		39.3		12.1		—
Total		$	519.7	$	418.2	$	59.4	$	42.1
		As of December 31, 2011
		Assets		Fair value hierarchy level
		measured at
		fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1.8	$	1.8	$	—	$	—
Fixed income security portfolios:
	Fixed income investment funds (1)		153.0		153.0		—		—
	General account investment (2)		42.5		—		—		42.5
U.S. equity portfolios (3)			225.3		184.1		41.2
International equity portfolios (4)			44.0		33.6		10.4		—
Total		$	466.6	$	372.5	$	51.6	$	42.5

(1) The portfolios invest in various fixed income securities, primarily of U.S. origin. These include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities, agency securities, asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.

(2) The general account is invested in various fixed income securities.

(3) The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of large U.S. companies.

(4) The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of non-U.S. companies.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, $59.4 million and $51.6 million of assets in the U.S. equity and international equity portfolios were included in a trust owned life insurance contract.

The reconciliation for all assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2012

Actual return gains (losses)

Beginning

on plan assets

Ending

asset

Relating to

Net

asset

balance

assets still

Relating to

purchases,

balance

as of

held at the

assets sold

sales,

Transfers

Transfers

as of

December 31,

reporting

during the

and

into

out of

December 31,

2011

date

period

settlements

Level 3

Level 3

2012

(in millions)

Asset category

General account investment

$

42.5

$

3.1

$

—

$

(3.5)

$

—

$

—

$

42.1

For the year ended December 31, 2011

Actual return gains (losses)

Beginning

on plan assets

Ending

assets

Relating to

Net

assets

balance

assets still

Relating to

purchases,

balance

as of

held at the

assets sold

sales,

Transfers

Transfers

as of

December 31,

reporting

during the

and

into

out of

December 31,

2010

date

period

settlements

Level 3

Level 3

2011

(in millions)

Asset category

General account investment

$

44.5

$

3.0

$

—

$

(5.0)

$

—

$

—

$

42.5

For the year ended December 31, 2010

Actual return gains (losses)

Beginning

on plan assets

Ending

assets

Relating to

Net

assets

balance

assets still

Relating to

purchases,

Net

balance

as of

held at the

assets sold

sales,

transfers

as of

December 31,

reporting

during the

and

into (out)

December 31,

2009

date

period

settlements

Level 3

2010

(in millions)

Asset category

General account investment

$

45.5

$

4.3

$

—

$

(5.3)

$

—

$

44.5

According to our investment policy, the target asset allocation for the other postretirement benefit plans is:

Asset Category	Target allocation
U.S. equity portfolios	45% - 65%
International equity portfolios	5% - 15%
Fixed income security portfolios	30% - 50%

The investment strategies and policies for the other postretirement benefit plans are similar to those employed by the qualified pension plan.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Contributions

Our funding policy for the qualified pension plan is to fund the plan annually in an amount at least equal to the minimum annual contribution required under ERISA and, generally, not greater than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. We do not anticipate contributions will be needed to satisfy the minimum funding requirements of ERISA for our qualified plan. At this time, it is too early to estimate the amount that may be contributed, but it is possible that we may fund the plans in 2013 in the range of $75-$125 million. This includes funding for both our qualified and nonqualified pension plans. While we designate assets to cover the computed liability of the nonqualified plan, the assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote as they do not qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We may contribute to our other postretirement benefit plans in 2013 pending future analysis.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, and the expected amount of subsidy receipts under Medicare Part D are:

				Other postretirement
				benefits (gross benefit
				payments, including		Amount of Medicare
		Pension benefits		prescription drug benefits)		Part D subsidy receipts
	(in millions)
Year ending December 31:
2013	$	89.6	$	18.6	$	0.9
2014		94.1		19.1		0.9
2015		98.0		19.6		1.0
2016		102.8		19.9		1.0
2017		109.0		20.1		1.0
2018-2022		638.2		100.3		5.2

The above table reflects the total estimated future benefits to be paid from the plan, including both our share of the benefit cost and the participants' share of the cost, which is funded by their contributions to the plan.

The assumptions used in calculating the estimated future benefit payments are the same as those used to measure the benefit obligation for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The information that follows shows supplemental information for our defined benefit pension plans. Certain key summary data is shown separately for qualified and nonqualified plans.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012							2011
		Qualified		Nonqualified					Qualified		Nonqualified
		Plan			Plan		Total		Plan			Plan		Total
		(in millions)
Amount recognized in statement of financial position
Other assets		$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Other liabilities			(557.7)			(398.2)		(955.9)		(405.9)			(323.5)		(729.4)
Total		$	(557.7)		$	(398.2)	$	(955.9)	$	(405.9)		$	(323.5)	$	(729.4)
Amount recognized in accumulated other
	comprehensive loss
Total net actuarial loss		$	725.0		$	136.2	$	861.2	$	586.3		$	73.7	$	660.0
Prior service benefit			(12.5)			(7.9)		(20.4)		(19.2)			(11.3)		(30.5)
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss		$	712.5		$	128.3	$	840.8	$	567.1		$	62.4	$	629.5
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost		$	42.3		$	4.7	$	47.0	$	39.3		$	4.7	$	44.0
Interest cost			92.8			16.3		109.1		91.7			16.8		108.5
Expected return on plan assets			(114.6)			—		(114.6)		(114.4)			—		(114.4)
Amortization of prior service benefit			(6.3)			(3.1)		(9.4)		(6.5)			(3.2)		(9.7)
Recognized net actuarial loss			84.8			6.1		90.9		61.2			4.6		65.8
Amounts recognized due to special events			(0.4)			(0.3)		(0.7)		(0.9)			(0.5)		(1.4)
Net periodic benefit cost		$	98.6		$	23.7	$	122.3	$	70.4		$	22.4	$	92.8
Other changes recognized in accumulated other
	comprehensive loss
Net actuarial loss		$	223.5		$	68.6	$	292.1	$	243.3		$	12.7	$	256.0
Amortization of net loss			(84.8)			(6.1)		(90.9)		(61.2)			(4.6)		(65.8)
Amortization of prior service benefit			6.7			3.4		10.1		7.3			3.8		11.1
Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other
	comprehensive loss	$	145.4		$	65.9	$	211.3	$	189.4		$	11.9	$	201.3
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and
	pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	244.0		$	89.6	$	333.6	$	259.8		$	34.3	$	294.1

In addition, we have defined contribution plans that are generally available to all U.S. employees and agents. Eligible participants could not contribute more than $17,000 of their compensation to the plans in 2012. Effective January 1, 2006, we made several changes to the retirement programs. In general, the pension and supplemental executive retirement plan benefit formulas were reduced, and the 401(k) matching contribution was increased. Employees who were ages 47 or older with at least ten years of service on December 31, 2005, could elect to retain the prior benefit provisions and forgo receipt of the additional matching contributions. The employees who elected to retain the prior benefit provisions are referred to as “Grandfathered Choice Participants.” We match the Grandfathered Choice Participant's contribution at a 50% contribution rate up to a maximum contribution of 3% of the participant's compensation. For all other participants, we match the participant's contributions at a 75% contribution rate up to a maximum of 6% of the participant's compensation. The defined contribution plans allow employees to choose among various investment options, including PFG common stock. We contributed $37.3 million, $36.3 million and $35.7 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to our qualified defined contribution plans.

We also have nonqualified deferred compensation plans available to select employees and agents that allow them to defer compensation amounts in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law with respect to the qualified plans. In 2012, we matched the Grandfathered Choice Participant's deferral at a 50% match deferral rate up to a maximum matching deferral of 3% of the participant's compensation. For all other participants, we matched the participant's deferral at a 75% match deferral rate up to a maximum matching deferral of 6% of the participant's compensation. We contributed $4.6 million, $3.5 million and $2.8 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to our nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

13. Contingencies, Guarantees and Indemnifications

Litigation and Regulatory Contingencies

We are regularly involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff, but primarily as a defendant. Litigation naming us as a defendant ordinarily arises out of our business operations as a provider of asset management and accumulation products and services, life, health and disability insurance, and our investment activities. Some of the lawsuits may be class actions, or purport to be, and some may include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive and treble damages.

We may discuss such litigation in one of three ways. We accrue a charge to income and disclose legal matters for which the chance of loss is probable and for which the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We may disclose contingencies for which the chance of loss is reasonably possible, and provide an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made. Finally, we may voluntarily disclose loss contingencies for which the chance of loss is remote in order to provide information concerning matters that potentially expose us to possible losses.

In addition, regulatory bodies such as state insurance departments, the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Labor, the Federal Reserve Board and other regulatory agencies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, ERISA and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers. We receive requests from regulators and other governmental authorities relating to industry issues and may receive additional requests, including subpoenas and interrogatories, in the future.

On November 8, 2006, a trustee of Fairmount Park Inc. Retirement Savings Plan filed a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against us. Our motion to transfer venue was granted and the case is now pending in the Southern District of Iowa. The complaint alleged, among other things, that we breached our alleged fiduciary duties while performing services to 401(k) plans by failing to disclose, or adequately disclose, to employers or plan participants the fact that we receive “revenue sharing fees from mutual funds that are included in its pre-packaged 401(k) plans” and allegedly failed to use the revenue to defray the expenses of the services provided to the plans. Plaintiff further alleged that these acts constitute prohibited transactions under ERISA. Plaintiff sought to certify a class of all retirement plans to which we were a service provider and for which we received and retained “revenue sharing” fees from mutual funds. On August 27, 2008, the plaintiff's motion for class certification was denied. On June 13, 2011, the court entered a consent judgment resolving the claims of the plaintiff. On July 12, 2011, plaintiff filed a notice of appeal related to the issue of the denial of class certification. We continue to aggressively defend the lawsuit.

On October 28, 2009, Judith Curran filed a derivative action lawsuit on behalf of Principal Funds, Inc. Strategic Asset Management Portfolios in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against Principal Management Corporation; Principal Global Investors, LLC; and Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. (the “Curran Defendants”). The lawsuit alleges the Curran Defendants breached their fiduciary duty under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act by charging advisory fees and distribution fees that were excessive. The Curran Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the case on January 29, 2010. That motion was granted in part and overruled in part. Principal Global Investors, LLC was dismissed from the suit. The remaining Curran Defendants are aggressively defending the lawsuit.

On December 2, 2009 and December 4, 2009, two plaintiffs, Cruise and Mullaney, each filed putative class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us; PFG; Principal Global Investors, LLC; and Principal Real Estate Investors, LLC (the “Cruise/Mullaney Defendants”). The lawsuits alleged the Cruise/Mullaney Defendants failed to manage the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account (“PUSPSA”) in the best interests of investors, improperly imposed a “withdrawal freeze” on September 26, 2008, and instituted a “withdrawal queue” to honor withdrawal requests as sufficient liquidity became available. Plaintiffs allege these actions constitute a breach of fiduciary duties under ERISA. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class including all qualified ERISA plans and the participants of those plans that invested in PUSPSA between September 26, 2008, and the present that have suffered losses caused by the queue. The two lawsuits, as well as two subsequently filed complaints asserting similar claims, have been consolidated and are now known as In re Principal U.S. Property Account Litigation. On April 22, 2010, an order was entered granting the motion made by the Cruise/Mullaney Defendants for change of venue to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Plaintiffs filed an Amended Consolidated Complaint adding five new plaintiffs on November 22, 2010, and the Cruise/Mullaney Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint. The court denied the Cruise/Mullaney Defendants’ motion to dismiss on May 17, 2011. The Cruise/Mullaney Defendants are aggressively defending the lawsuit.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

We received approximately $440.0 million in connection with the termination of certain structured transactions and the resulting prepayment of our investment in those transactions. The transactions involved Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (collectively, “Lehman”) in various capacities. Subsequent to Lehman’s September 2008, bankruptcy filing, its bankruptcy estate has sought to recover from numerous sources significant amounts to which it claims entitlement under various theories. The estate is attempting to recover from us an unspecified amount, but possibly up to the amount paid to us, plus interest. We are one of numerous defendants to this action, which has been stayed by the bankruptcy court. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to Lehman’s claims and intend to aggressively defend against them once the stay is lifted and we are allowed to do so.

While the outcome of any pending or future litigation or regulatory matter cannot be predicted, management does not believe that any such matter will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial position.As of December 31, 2012, there were no estimated losses accrued related to the legal matters discussed above because we believe the loss from these matters is not probable and cannot be reasonably estimated.

We believe all of the litigation contingencies discussed above involve a chance of loss that is either remote or reasonably possible. All of these matters involve unspecified claim amounts, in which the respective plaintiffs seek an indeterminate amount of damages. To the extent such matters present a reasonably possible chance of loss, we are not able to estimate the possible loss or range of loss associated therewith.

The outcome of such matters is always uncertain, and unforeseen results can occur. It is possible that such outcomes could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures or establish accruals in amounts that we could not estimate at December 31, 2012.

Guarantees and Indemnifications

In the normal course of business, we have provided guarantees to third parties primarily related to a former subsidiary. These agreements generally expire through 2019. The maximum exposure under these agreements as of December 31, 2012, was approximately $152.0 million. At inception, the fair value of such guarantees was insignificant. In addition, we believe the likelihood is remote that material payments will be required. Therefore, any liability accrued within our consolidated statements of financial position is insignificant. Should we be required to perform under these guarantees, we generally could recover a portion of the loss from third parties through recourse provisions included in agreements with such parties, the sale of assets held as collateral that can be liquidated in the event that performance is required under the guarantees or other recourse generally available to us; therefore, such guarantees would not result in a material adverse effect on our business or financial position. While the likelihood is remote, such outcomes could materially affect net income in a particular quarter or annual period.

We are also subject to various other indemnification obligations issued in conjunction with divestitures, acquisitions and financing transactions whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. Certain portions of these indemnifications may be capped, while other portions are not subject to such limitations; therefore, the overall maximum amount of the obligation under the indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated. At inception, the fair value of such indemnifications was insignificant. In addition, we believe the likelihood is remote that material payments will be required. Therefore, any liability accrued within our consolidated statements of financial position is insignificant. While we are unable to estimate with certainty the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to these indemnifications, we believe that performance under these indemnifications would not result in a material adverse effect on our business or financial position. While the likelihood is remote, performance under these indemnifications could materially affect net income in a particular quarter or annual period.

Guaranty Funds

Under state insurance guaranty fund laws, insurers doing business in a state can be assessed, up to prescribed limits, for certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants. A state’s fund assesses its members based on their pro rata market share of written premiums in the state for the classes of insurance for which the insolvent insurer was engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets. We accrue liabilities for guaranty fund assessments when an assessment is probable, can be reasonably estimated and when the event obligating us to pay has occurred. While we cannot predict the amount and timing of any future assessments, we have established reserves we believe are adequate for assessments relating to insurance companies that are currently subject to insolvency proceedings. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the liability balance for guaranty fund assessments, which is not discounted, was $31.0 million and $38.7 million, respectively, and was reported within other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, $16.5 million and $22.6 million, respectively, related to premium tax offsets were included in premiums due and other receivables in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Operating Leases

As a lessee, we lease office space, data processing equipment, office furniture and office equipment under various operating leases. Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, was $33.2 million, $43.6 million and $45.0 million.

The following represents payments due by period for operating lease obligations (in millions):

Year ending December 31:
	2013		$	33.2
	2014			30.9
	2015			25.8
	2016			20.8
	2017			11.0
	2018 and thereafter			55.8
		Total operating lease obligations		177.5
		Less: Future sublease rental income on noncancelable leases		4.7
		Total future minimum lease payments	$	172.8

Capital Leases

We lease hardware storage equipment under capital leases. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, these leases had a gross asset balance of $35.5 million and $24.4 million and accumulated depreciation of $11.5 million and $13.7 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $7.0 million, $3.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

The following represents future minimum lease payments due by period for capital lease obligations (in millions).

Year ending December 31:
	2013		$	5.3
	2014			5.0
	2015			2.1
	2016			0.7
	2017			0.1
		Total		13.2
		Less: Amounts representing interest		0.5
		Net present value of minimum lease payments	$	12.7

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

14. Stockholder's Equity
Other Comprehensive Income
		For the year ended December 31, 2012
		Pre-Tax		Tax		After-Tax
		(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities during the period		$	1,475.4	$	(513.3)	$	962.1
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income			111.6		(39.1)		72.5
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(169.0)		59.1		(109.9)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities			(645.5)		226.1		(419.4)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			772.5		(267.2)		505.3
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale during the period		(17.3)		6.1		(11.2)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			4.0		(1.6)		2.4
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities			3.2		(1.1)		2.1
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale (1)		(10.1)		3.4		(6.7)
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments during the period			(25.9)		9.2		(16.7)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income			(2.5)		0.9		(1.6)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			25.9		(9.1)		16.8
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities			(70.0)		24.5		(45.5)
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments			(72.5)		25.5		(47.0)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(14.8)		5.7		(9.1)
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation during the period			(245.7)		86.0		(159.7)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial loss included in
	net periodic benefit cost		49.6		(17.3)		32.3
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation			(196.1)		68.7		(127.4)
Other comprehensive income		$	479.0	$	(163.9)	$	315.1

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		For the year ended December 31, 2011
		Pre-Tax		Tax		After-Tax
		(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities during the period		$	612.9	$	(213.1)	$	399.8
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income			104.4		(41.5)		62.9
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(114.9)		40.2		(74.7)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities			(278.0)		97.3		(180.7)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			324.4		(117.1)		207.3
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale during the period		52.3		(18.4)		33.9
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(1.4)		0.5		(0.9)
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale (1)		50.9		(17.9)		33.0
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments during the period			39.6		(13.9)		25.7
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income			15.4		(5.4)		10.0
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(23.9)		8.4		(15.5)
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments			31.1		(10.9)		20.2
Foreign currency translation adjustment			20.2		(7.2)		13.0
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation during the period			(286.7)		100.3		(186.4)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial loss included in
	net periodic benefit cost		20.7		(7.2)		13.5
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation			(266.0)		93.1		(172.9)
Other comprehensive income		$	160.6	$	(60.0)	$	100.6

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		For the year ended December 31, 2010
		Pre-Tax		Tax		After-Tax
		(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities during the period		$	1,873.4	$	(655.6)	$	1,217.8
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income			243.1		(85.4)		157.7
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(390.9)		136.8		(254.1)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities			1,725.6		(604.2)		1,121.4
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale during the period		(56.1)		19.7		(36.4)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			4.2		(1.5)		2.7
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale (1)		(51.9)		18.2		(33.7)
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments during the period			(1.2)		0.4		(0.8)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income			33.1		(11.6)		21.5
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns			(15.5)		5.4		(10.1)
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments			16.4		(5.8)		10.6
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(7.1)		2.6		(4.5)
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation during the period			271.0		(94.9)		176.1
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial loss included in
	net periodic benefit cost		49.0		(17.1)		31.9
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation			320.0		(112.0)		208.0
Other comprehensive income		$	2,003.0	$	(701.2)	$	1,301.8

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				Noncredit
		Net unrealized		component of		Net unrealized		Foreign		Unrecognized		Accumulated
		gains on		impairment losses		gains on		currency		postretirement		other
		available-for-sale		on fixed maturities		derivative		translation		benefit		comprehensive
		securities		available-for-sale		instruments		adjustment		obligation		income (loss)
		(in millions)
Balances at January 1, 2010		$	(596.5)	$	(164.5)	$	43.7	$	3.6	$	(396.2)	$	(1,109.9)
Effects of implementation of
	accounting change related to
	variable interest entities, net		11.1		—		(0.4)		—		—		10.7
Effects of electing fair value option for
	fixed maturities upon
	implementation of accounting
	change related to embedded
	credit derivatives, net		25.4		—		—				—		25.4
Other comprehensive income			1,121.4		(33.7)		10.6		(4.5)		208.0		1,301.8
Balances at December 31, 2010			561.4		(198.2)		53.9		(0.9)		(188.2)		228.0
Other comprehensive income			207.3		33.0		20.2		13.0		(172.9)		100.6
Balances at December 31, 2011			768.7		(165.2)		74.1		12.1		(361.1)		328.6
Other comprehensive income			505.3		(6.7)		(47.0)		(10.2)		(127.4)		314.0
Balances at December 31, 2012		$	1,274.0	$	(171.9)	$	27.1	$	1.9	$	(488.5)	$	642.6

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Noncontrolling Interest

Interest held by unaffiliated parties in consolidated entities are reflected in noncontrolling interest, which represents the noncontrolling partners’ share of the underlying net assets of our consolidated subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interest that is not redeemable is reported in the equity section of the consolidated statements of financial position.     

The noncontrolling interest holders in certain of our subsidiaries maintain an equity interest that is redeemable at the option of the holder, which may be exercised on varying dates beginning in 2014. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interest is outside of our control, this interest is presented on the consolidated statements of financial position line item titled “Redeemable noncontrolling interest.” If the interest were to be redeemed, we would be required to purchase such interest at a redemption value based on a formula that management intended to reasonably approximate fair value based on a fixed multiple of earnings over a measurement period. As such, the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is compared to the redemption value at each reporting period. Any adjustments to the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest for changes in redemption value prior to exercise of the redemption option are determined after the attribution of net income or loss of the subsidiary and are recorded in retained earnings.

Following is a reconciliation of the changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2012 (in millions):

Balance at January 1, 2011	$	—
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		0.2
Redeemable noncontrolling interest assumed related to acquisition		22.0
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	22.2
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		1.0
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest		(1.1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1.1
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	23.2

Dividend Limitations

Under Iowa law, we may pay stockholder dividends only from the earned surplus arising from our business and must receive the prior approval of the Commissioner to pay a stockholder dividend if such a stockholder dividend would exceed certain statutory limitations. In general, the current statutory limitation is the greater of 10% of our policyholder surplus as of the preceding year-end or the net gain from operations from the previous calendar year. Based on this limitation and 2012 statutory results, we could pay approximately $472.0 million in stockholder dividends in 2013 without exceeding the statutory limitation.

15. Fair Value Measurements

We use fair value measurements to record fair value of certain assets and liabilities and to estimate fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value but required to be disclosed at fair value. Certain financial instruments, particularly policyholder liabilities other than investment-type insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair value disclosure requirements.

Valuation Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

• Level 1 – Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Our Level 1 assets and liabilities primarily include exchange traded equity securities, mutual funds and U.S. Treasury bonds.

• Level 2 – Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Our Level 2 assets and liabilities primarily include fixed maturities (including public and private bonds), equity securities, over-the-counter derivatives and other investments for which public quotations are not available but that are priced by third-party pricing services or internal models using substantially all observable inputs.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

• Level 3 – Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Our Level 3 assets and liabilities include certain assets and liabilities priced using broker quotes or other valuation methods that utilize at least one significant unobservable input. These include fixed maturities, private equity securities, real estate and commercial mortgage loan investments of our separate accounts, commercial mortgage loan investments and obligations of consolidated VIEs for which the fair value option was elected, complex derivatives, embedded derivatives and an equity method real estate investment for which the fair value option was elected.

Determination of Fair Value

The following discussion describes the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis or disclosed at fair value. The techniques utilized in estimating the fair values of financial instruments are reliant on the assumptions used. Care should be exercised in deriving conclusions about our business, its value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial instruments presented below.

Fair value estimates are made based on available market information and judgments about the financial instrument at a specific point in time. Such estimates do not consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses. In addition, the disclosed fair value may not be realized in the immediate settlement of the financial instrument. We validate prices through an investment analyst review process, which includes validation through direct interaction with external sources, review of recent trade activity or use of internal models. In circumstances where broker quotes are used to value an instrument, we generally receive one non-binding quote. Broker quotes are validated through an investment analyst review process, which includes validation through direct interaction with external sources and use of internal models or other relevant information. We did not make any significant changes to our valuation processes during 2012.

Fixed Maturities

Fixed maturities include bonds, redeemable preferred stock, asset-backed securities and certain nonredeemable preferred stock. When available, the fair value of fixed maturities is based on quoted prices of identical assets in active markets. These are reflected in Level 1 and primarily include U.S. Treasury bonds and actively traded redeemable corporate preferred securities.

When quoted prices of identical assets in active markets are not available, our first priority is to obtain prices from third party pricing vendors. We have regular interaction with these vendors to ensure we understand their pricing methodologies and to confirm they are utilizing observable market information. Their methodologies vary by asset class and include inputs such as estimated cash flows, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker quotes, credit quality, industry events and economic events. Fixed maturities with validated prices from pricing services, which includes the majority of our public fixed maturities in all asset classes, are generally reflected in Level 2. Also included in Level 2 are corporate bonds where quoted market prices are not available, for which an internal model using substantially all observable inputs or a matrix pricing valuation approach is used. In the matrix approach, securities are grouped into pricing categories that vary by sector, rating and average life. Each pricing category is assigned a risk spread based on studies of observable public market data from the investment professionals assigned to specific security classes. The expected cash flows of the security are then discounted back at the current Treasury curve plus the appropriate risk spread. Although the matrix valuation approach provides a fair valuation of each pricing category, the valuation of an individual security within each pricing category may actually be impacted by company specific factors.

If we are unable to price a fixed maturity security using prices from third party pricing vendors or other sources specific to the asset class, we may obtain a broker quote or utilize an internal pricing model specific to the asset utilizing relevant market information, to the extent available and where at least one significant unobservable input is utilized, which are reflected in Level 3 and can include fixed maturities across all asset classes. As of December 31, 2012, less than 1% of our fixed maturities were valued using internal pricing models, which were classified as Level 3 assets accordingly.

The primary inputs, by asset class, for valuations of the majority of our Level 2 investments from third party pricing vendors or our internal pricing valuation approach are described below.

U.S. Government and Agencies/Non-U.S. Governments. Inputs include recently executed market transactions, interest rate yield curves, maturity dates, market price quotations and credit spreads relating to similar instruments.

State and Political Subdivisions. Inputs include Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board reported trades, U.S. Treasury and other benchmark curves, material event notices, new issue data and obligor credit ratings.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Corporate. Inputs include recently executed transactions, market price quotations, benchmark yields, issuer spreads and observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer. For private placement corporate securities valued through the matrix valuation approach inputs include the current U.S. Treasury curve and risk spreads based on sector, rating and average life of the issuance.

RMBS, CMBS, Collateralized Debt Obligations and Other Debt Obligations. Inputs include cash flows, priority of the tranche in the capital structure, expected time to maturity for the specific tranche, reinvestment period remaining and performance of the underlying collateral including prepayments, defaults, deferrals, loss severity of defaulted collateral and, for RMBS, prepayment speed assumptions. Other inputs include market indices and recently executed market transactions.

Equity Securities

Equity securities include mutual funds, common stock and nonredeemable preferred stock. Fair values of equity securities are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets when available, which are reflected in Level 1. When quoted prices are not available, we may utilize internal valuation methodologies appropriate for the specific asset that use observable inputs such as underlying share prices, which are reflected in Level 2. Fair values might also be determined using broker quotes or through the use of internal models or analysis that incorporate significant assumptions deemed appropriate given the circumstances and consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities, which are reflected in Level 3.

Derivatives

The fair values of exchange-traded derivatives are determined through quoted market prices, which are reflected in Level 1. Exchange-traded derivatives include interest rate and equity futures that are settled daily such that their fair value is not reflected in the consolidated statements of financial position. The fair values of over-the-counter derivative instruments are determined using either pricing valuation models that utilize market observable inputs or broker quotes. The majority of our over-the-counter derivatives are valued with models that use market observable inputs, which are reflected in Level 2. Significant inputs include contractual terms, interest rates, currency exchange rates, credit spread curves, equity prices, and volatilities. These valuation models consider projected discounted cash flows, relevant swap curves, and appropriate implied volatilities. Certain over-the-counter derivatives utilize unobservable market data, primarily independent broker quotes that are nonbinding quotes based on models that do not reflect the result of market transactions, which are reflected in Level 3.

Our derivative contracts are generally documented under ISDA Master Agreements, which provide for legally enforceable set-off and close-out netting of exposures to specific counterparties. Collateral arrangements are bilateral and based on current ratings of each entity. We utilize the LIBOR interest rate curve to value our positions, which includes a credit spread. This credit spread incorporates an appropriate level of nonperformance risk into our valuations given the current ratings of our counterparties, as well as the collateral agreements in place. Counterparty credit risk is routinely monitored to ensure our adjustment for non-performance risk is appropriate.

Interest Rate Contracts. We use discounted cash flow valuation techniques to determine the fair value of interest rate swaps using observable swap curves as the inputs. These are reflected in Level 2. In addition, we have a limited number of complex inflation-linked interest rate swaps, interest rate collars and swaptions that are valued using broker quotes. These are reflected in Level 3.

Foreign Exchange Contracts. We use discounted cash flow valuation techniques that utilize observable swap curves and exchange rates as the inputs to determine the fair value of foreign currency swaps. These are reflected in Level 2. In addition, we have a limited number of non-standard currency swaps that are valued using broker quotes. These are reflected within Level 3.

Equity Contracts. We use an option pricing model using observable implied volatilities, dividend yields, index prices and swap curves as the inputs to determine the fair value of equity options. These are reflected in Level 2.

Credit Contracts. We use either the ISDA Credit Default Swap Standard discounted cash flow model that utilizes observable default probabilities and recovery rates as inputs or broker prices to determine the fair value of credit default swaps. These are reflected in Level 3. In addition, we have a limited number of total return swaps that are valued based on the observable quoted price of underlying equity indices. These are reflected in Level 2.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Other Investments

Other investments reported at fair value primarily include seed money investments, for which the fair value is determined using the net asset value of the fund. The net asset value of the fund represents the price at which we feel we would be able to initiate a transaction. Seed money investments in mutual funds for which the net asset value is published are reflected in Level 1. Seed money investments in mutual funds or other investment funds in markets that do not have a published net asset value are reflected in Level 2.

Other investments reported at fair value also include commercial mortgage loans of consolidated VIEs and an equity method real estate investment for which the fair value option was elected, which are reflected in Level 3. Fair value of the commercial mortgage loans is computed utilizing a discount rate based on the current market. The market discount rate is then adjusted based on various factors that differentiate it from our pool of loans. The equity method real estate investment consists of underlying real estate and debt. The real estate fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow valuation model that utilizes public real estate market data inputs such as transaction prices, market rents, vacancy levels, leasing absorption, market cap rates and discount rates. The debt fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Certain cash equivalents are reported at fair value on a recurring basis and include money market instruments and other short-term investments with maturities of less than three months. Fair values of these cash equivalents may be determined using public quotations, when available, which are reflected in Level 1. When public quotations are not available, because of the highly liquid nature of these assets, carrying amounts may be used to approximate fair values, which are reflected in Level 2.

Separate Account Assets

Separate account assets include equity securities, debt securities and derivative instruments, for which fair values are determined as previously described, and are reflected in Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Separate account assets also include commercial mortgage loans, for which the fair value is estimated by discounting the expected total cash flows using market rates that are applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the loans. The market clearing spreads vary based on mortgage type, weighted average life, rating and liquidity. These are reflected in Level 3. Finally, separate account assets include real estate, for which the fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow valuation models that utilize public real estate market data inputs such as transaction prices, market rents, vacancy levels, leasing absorption, market cap rates and discount rates. In addition, each property is appraised annually by an independent appraiser. The real estate included in separate account assets is recorded net of related mortgage encumbrances for which the fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. The real estate within the separate accounts is reflected in Level 3.

Investment-Type Insurance Contracts

Certain annuity contracts and other investment-type insurance contracts include embedded derivatives that have been bifurcated from the host contract and that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which are reflected in Level 3. The key assumptions for calculating the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities are market assumptions (such as equity market returns, interest rate levels, market volatility and correlations) and policyholder behavior assumptions (such as lapse, mortality, utilization and withdrawal patterns). They are valued using a combination of historical data and actuarial judgment. Stochastic models are used to value the embedded derivatives that incorporate a spread reflecting our own creditworthiness and risk margins. 

The assumption for our own non-performance risk for investment-type insurance contracts and any embedded derivatives bifurcated from certain annuity and investment-type insurance contracts is based on the current market credit spreads for debt-like instruments that we have issued and are available in the market.

Other Liabilities

Certain obligations reported in other liabilities include embedded derivatives to deliver underlying securities of structured investments to third parties. The fair value of the embedded derivatives is calculated based on the value of the underlying securities that are valued based on prices obtained from third party pricing vendors as utilized and described in our discussion of how fair value is determined for fixed maturities, which are reflected in Level 2.

Additionally, obligations of consolidated VIEs for which the fair value option was elected are included in other liabilities. These obligations are valued either based on prices obtained from third party pricing vendors as utilized and described in our discussion of how fair value is determined for fixed maturities, which are reflected in Level 2, or broker quotes, which are reflected in Level 3.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.

	As of December 31, 2012
	Assets/
	(liabilities)		Fair value hierarchy level
	measured at
	fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$	882.2	$	146.2	$	736.0	$	—
Non-U.S. governments		663.4		—		650.5		12.9
States and political subdivisions		3,178.8		—		3,176.9		1.9
Corporate		31,416.4		85.9		31,212.7		117.8
Residential mortgage-backed securities		3,199.7		—		3,199.7		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3,897.4		—		3,897.4		—
Collateralized debt obligations		379.2		—		301.6		77.6
Other debt obligations		3,779.2		—		3,764.5		14.7
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale		47,396.3		232.1		46,939.3		224.9
Fixed maturities, trading		398.4		—		231.6		166.8
Equity securities, available-for-sale		131.3		52.9		63.1		15.3
Equity securities, trading		131.9		6.5		125.4		—
Derivative assets (1)		991.0		—		917.7		73.3
Other investments (2)		227.1		29.4		83.8		113.9
Cash equivalents (3)		1,394.9		304.9		1,090.0		—
Sub-total excluding separate account assets		50,670.9		625.8		49,450.9		594.2
Separate account assets		69,217.8		52,629.3		12,137.8		4,450.7
Total assets	$	119,888.7	$	53,255.1	$	61,588.7	$	5,044.9
Liabilities
Investments-type insurance contracts (4)	$	(148.1)	$	—	$	—	$	(148.1)
Derivative liabilities (1)		(1,200.2)		—		(1,098.5)		(101.7)
Other liabilities (4)		(237.4)		—		(197.8)		(39.6)
Total liabilities	$	(1,585.7)	$	—	$	(1,296.3)	$	(289.4)
Net assets (liabilities)	$	118,303.0	$	53,255.1	$	60,292.4	$	4,755.5

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

	As of December 31, 2011
	Assets/
	(liabilities)		Fair value hierarchy level
	measured at
	fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$	753.1	$	10.5	$	742.6	$	—
Non-U.S. governments		676.2		—		676.2		—
States and political subdivisions		2,882.7		—		2,882.7		—
Corporate		30,926.9		87.5		30,600.2		239.2
Residential mortgage-backed securities		3,315.7		—		3,315.7		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		3,413.7		—		3,413.7		—
Collateralized debt obligations		338.8		—		236.3		102.5
Other debt obligations		3,570.2		—		3,542.9		27.3
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale		45,877.3		98.0		45,410.3		369.0
Fixed maturities, trading		511.5		1.9		288.8		220.8
Equity securities, available-for-sale		73.5		55.5		—		18.0
Equity securities, trading		312.8		208.0		104.8		—
Derivative assets (1)		1,155.4		—		1,096.4		59.0
Other investments (2)		206.2		10.5		98.2		97.5
Cash equivalents (3)		1,040.3		405.4		634.9		—
Sub-total excluding separate account assets		49,177.0		779.3		47,633.4		764.3
Separate account assets		61,615.1		48,351.0		9,215.1		4,049.0
Total assets	$	110,792.1	$	49,130.3	$	56,848.5	$	4,813.3
Liabilities
Investments-type insurance contracts (4)	$	(171.8)	$	—	$	—	$	(171.8)
Derivative liabilities (1)		(1,519.5)		—		(1,342.4)		(177.1)
Other liabilities (4)		(225.3)		—		(201.1)		(24.2)
Total liabilities	$	(1,916.6)	$	—	$	(1,543.5)	$	(373.1)
Net assets (liabilities)	$	108,875.5	$	49,130.3	$	55,305.0	$	4,440.2

(1) Within the consolidated statements of financial position, derivative assets are reported with other investments and derivative liabilities are reported with other liabilities. Refer to Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further information on fair value by class of derivative instruments. Our derivatives are primarily Level 2, with the exception of certain credit default swaps and other swaps that are Level 3.

(2) Primarily includes seed money investments, commercial mortgage loans of consolidated VIEs reported at fair value and, beginning in 2012, an equity method investment reported at fair value.

(3) Includes money market instruments and short-term investments with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased.

(4) Includes bifurcated embedded derivatives that are reported at fair value within the same line item in the consolidated statements of financial position in which the host contract is reported. Other liabilities also include obligations of consolidated VIEs reported at fair value.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are summarized as follows:

				For the year ended December 31, 2012
						Total realized/unrealized
						gains (losses)												Changes in
				Beginning						Net						Ending		unrealized
				asset/						purchases,						asset/		gains (losses)
				(liability)						sales,						(liability)		included in
				balance		Included		Included in		issuances						balance		net income
				as of		in net		other		and		Transfers		Transfers		as of		relating to
				December 31,		income		comprehensive		settlements		into		out of		December 31,		positions still
				2011		(1)		income		(4)		Level 3		Level 3		2012		held (1)
				(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale:
	Non-U.S.
			governments	$	—	$	—	$	(0.5)	$	(1.1)	$	14.5	$	—	$	12.9	$	—
	States and political
		subdivisions			—		—		0.2		(0.1)		1.8		—		1.9		—
	Corporate				239.2		(8.8)		22.7		(77.6)		79.7		(137.4)		117.8		(2.2)
	Collateralized
			debt obligations		102.5		(3.3)		5.1		4.5		—		(31.2)		77.6		—
	Other debt
			obligations		27.3		(2.2)		0.5		(26.2)		15.3		—		14.7		(2.2)
Total fixed
	maturities,
	available-for-sale				369.0		(14.3)		28.0		(100.5)		111.3		(168.6)		224.9		(4.4)
Fixed maturities,
	trading				220.8		3.2		—		(66.7)		9.5		—		166.8		(4.4)
Equity securities,
	available-for-sale				18.0		(0.3)		(2.4)		—		—		—		15.3		—
Derivative assets					59.0		10.8		—		3.5		—		—		73.3		12.0
Other investments					97.5		2.1		—		14.3		—		—		113.9		2.2
Separate account
	assets (2)				4,049.0		423.2		—		(21.2)		1.6		(1.9)		4,450.7		414.6
Liabilities
Investments-type
	insurance
	contracts				(171.8)		37.4		—		(13.7)		—		—		(148.1)		34.5
Derivative liabilities					(177.1)		36.0		1.3		38.1		—		—		(101.7)		34.4
Other liabilities (3)					(24.2)		(23.5)		—		8.1		—		—		(39.6)		(20.2)

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

			For the year ended December 31, 2011
					Total realized/unrealized
					gains (losses)												Changes in
			Beginning						Net						Ending		unrealized
			asset/						purchases,						asset/		gains (losses)
			(liability)						sales,						(liability)		included in
			balance		Included		Included in		issuances						balance		net income
			as of		in net		other		and		Transfers		Transfers		as of		relating to
			December 31,		income		comprehensive		settlements		into		out of		December 31,		positions still
			2010		(1)		income		(4)		Level 3		Level 3		2011		held (1)
			(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale:
	Corporate		$	513.9	$	(4.4)	$	(17.7)	$	(55.0)	$	86.4	$	(284.0)	$	239.2	$	0.3
	Commercial
		mortgage-backed
		securities		16.2		(3.7)		5.1		(10.5)		—		(7.1)		—		—
	Collateralized
		debt obligations		109.3		(19.6)		13.8		0.3		—		(1.3)		102.5		(9.3)
	Other debt
		obligations		88.8		0.1		(1.1)		(30.5)		9.0		(39.0)		27.3		—
Total fixed
	maturities,
	available-for-sale			728.2		(27.6)		0.1		(95.7)		95.4		(331.4)		369.0		(9.0)
Fixed maturities,
	trading			269.1		(16.6)		—		(27.2)		20.5		(25.0)		220.8		(15.8)
Equity securities,
	available-for-sale			43.2		(6.1)		12.0		(28.0)		13.0		(16.1)		18.0		(4.5)
Derivative assets				33.3		37.8		(0.1)		(12.0)		—		—		59.0		34.8
Other investments				128.3		(2.5)		—		(28.3)		—		—		97.5		(2.6)
Separate account
	assets (2)			3,638.1		407.3		—		72.4		13.5		(82.3)		4,049.0		401.7
Liabilities
Investments-type
	insurance
	contracts			7.4		(190.4)		—		11.2		—		—		(171.8)		(190.9)
Derivative liabilities				(181.5)		(14.2)		0.2		18.4		—		—		(177.1)		(8.4)
Other liabilities (3)				(156.8)		(1.2)		13.4		(15.9)		—		136.3		(24.2)		(1.1)

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

				For the year ended December 31, 2010
						Total realized/unrealized
						gains (losses)													Changes in
				Beginning						Net							Ending		unrealized
				asset/						purchases,							asset/		gains (losses)
				(liability)						sales,							(liability)		included in
				balance		Included		Included in		issuances							balance		net income
				as of		in net		other		and		Transfers		Transfers			as of		relating to
				December 31,		income		comprehensive		settlements		into		out of		December 31,			positions still
				2009		(1)		income		(4)		Level 3		Level 3			2010		held (1)
				(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale:
	States and political
		subdivisions		$	11.5	$	—	$	1.0	$	—	$	11.5	$	(24.0)		$	—	$	—
	Corporate				663.7		(1.2)		26.9		(155.9)		152.2		(171.8)			513.9		(2.1)
	Commercial
			mortgage-backed
			securities		34.3		(0.1)		1.0		11.2		—		(30.2)			16.2		(0.1)
	Collateralized
			debt obligations		296.8		(14.9)		40.0		(125.2)		0.9		(88.3)			109.3		(1.9)
	Other debt
			obligations		76.6		—		4.5		36.9		32.9		(62.1)			88.8		—
Total fixed
	maturities,
	available-for-sale				1,082.9		(16.2)		73.4		(233.0)		197.5		(376.4)			728.2		(4.1)
Fixed maturities,
	trading				63.5		13.5		—		194.1		—		(2.0)			269.1		13.2
Equity securities,
	available-for-sale				71.7		2.6		(8.2)		(21.4)		0.1		(1.6)			43.2		3.3
Derivative assets					54.4		(18.3)		(0.1)		(2.7)		—		—			33.3		(17.1)
Other investments					—		25.9		—		102.4		—		—			128.3		25.9
Separate account
	assets (2)				3,997.0		305.9		—		(576.2)		28.5		(117.1)			3,638.1		250.9
Liabilities
Investments-type
	insurance
	contracts				(17.1)		(0.7)		—		25.2		—		—			7.4		(1.1)
Derivative liabilities					(93.7)		9.9		(1.4)		(96.3)		—		—			(181.5)		8.0
Other liabilities (3)					(89.1)		9.3		(28.3)		(48.7)		—		—			(156.8)		2.3

(1) Both realized gains (losses) and mark-to-market unrealized gains (losses) are generally reported in net realized capital gains (losses) within the consolidated statements of operations. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on certain fixed maturities, trading and certain derivatives used in relation to certain trading portfolios are reported in net investment income within the consolidated statements of operation.

(2) Gains and losses for separate account assets do not impact net income as the change in value of separate account assets is offset by a change in value of separate account liabilities.

(3) Certain embedded derivatives reported in other liabilities are part of a cash flow hedge, with the effective portion of the unrealized gains (losses) recorded in AOCI.

(4) Gross purchases, sales, issuances and settlements were:

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		For the year ended December 31, 2012
										Net purchases,
										sales, issuances
		Purchases		Sales		Issuances		Settlements		and settlements
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Non-U.S. governments	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(1.1)	$	(1.1)
	State and political subdivisions		—		—		—		(0.1)		(0.1)
	Corporate		0.3		(65.2)		—		(12.7)		(77.6)
	Collateralized debt obligations		5.1		(1.1)		—		0.5		4.5
	Other debt obligations		—		—		—		(26.2)		(26.2)
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale			5.4		(66.3)		—		(39.6)		(100.5)
Fixed maturities, trading			—		(24.6)		—		(42.1)		(66.7)
Derivative assets			3.7		(0.2)		—		—		3.5
Other investments			34.0		—		—		(19.7)		14.3
Separate account assets (5)			134.8		(120.8)		(208.4)		173.2		(21.2)
Liabilities
Investment-type insurance contracts			—		—		(16.6)		2.9		(13.7)
Derivative liabilities			(3.9)		42.0		—		—		38.1
Other liabilities			—		8.1		—		—		8.1

		For the year ended December 31, 2011
										Net purchases,
										sales, issuances
		Purchases		Sales		Issuances		Settlements		and settlements
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Corporate	$	7.3	$	(24.0)	$	—	$	(38.3)	$	(55.0)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		(10.5)		—		—		(10.5)
	Collateralized debt obligations		1.3		(0.4)		—		(0.6)		0.3
	Other debt obligations		—		—		—		(30.5)		(30.5)
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale			8.6		(34.9)		—		(69.4)		(95.7)
Fixed maturities, trading			10.0		(8.7)		—		(28.5)		(27.2)
Equity securities, available-for-sale			0.3		(28.3)		—		—		(28.0)
Derivative assets			4.8		(16.8)		—		—		(12.0)
Other investments			—		—		—		(28.3)		(28.3)
Separate account assets (5)			182.2		(47.8)		—		(62.0)		72.4
Liabilities
Investment-type insurance contracts			—		—		9.2		2.0		11.2
Derivative liabilities			(10.0)		28.4		—		—		18.4
Other liabilities			(2.1)		—		—		(13.8)		(15.9)

(5) Issuances and settlements include amounts related to mortgage encumbrances associated with real estate in our separate accounts.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Transfers

Transfers of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis between fair value hierarchy levels are summarized below.

		For the year ended December 31, 2012
		Transfers out		Transfers out		Transfers out		Transfers out		Transfers out		Transfers out
		of Level 1 into		of Level 1 into		of Level 2 into		of Level 2 into		of Level 3 into		of Level 3 into
		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-
	sale:
	Non-U.S. governments	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	14.5	$	—	$	—
	State and political subdivisions		—		—		—		1.8		—		—
	Corporate		—		—		—		79.7		—		137.4
	Collateralized debt obligations		—		—		—		—		—		31.2
	Other debt obligations		—		—		—		15.3		—		—
Total fixed maturities,
	available-for-sale		—		—		—		111.3		—		168.6
Fixed maturities, trading			—		—		—		9.5		—		—
Separate account assets			3,255.7		0.3		205.5		1.3		—		1.9

Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.

We had significant transfers of separate account assets between Level 1 and Level 2, primarily related to foreign equity securities. When these securities are valued at the local close price of the exchange where the assets traded, they are reflected in Level 1. When events materially affecting the value occur between the close of the local exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, we use adjusted prices determined by a third party pricing vendor to update the foreign market closing prices and the fair value is reflected in Level 2. During 2011 and 2010, $2,796.1 million and $6,600.6 million, respectively, of separate account assets transferred out of Level 2 into Level 1. During 2011 and 2010, $3,595.9 million and $3,128.3 million, respectively, of separate account assets transferred out of Level 1 into Level 2.

Assets transferred into Level 3 during 2012, 2011 and 2010, primarily included those assets for which we are now unable to obtain pricing from a recognized third party pricing vendor as well as assets that were previously priced using a matrix valuation approach that may no longer be relevant when applied to asset-specific situations.

Assets transferred out of Level 3 during 2012, 2011 and 2010, included those for which we are now able to obtain pricing from a recognized third party pricing vendor or from internal models using substantially all market observable information.

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following table provides quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs used for recurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3, excluding assets and liabilities for which significant quantitative unobservable inputs are not developed internally, which primarily consists of those valued using broker quotes. Refer to “Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis” for a complete valuation hierarchy summary.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

		As of December 31, 2012
		Assets /
		(liabilities)
		measured at		Valuation	Unobservable	Input/range	Weighted
		fair value		technique(s)	input description	of inputs	average
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
	Non-U.S. governments	$	12.9	Discounted cash   flow	Discount rate (1)	1.6%	1.6	%
					Illiquidity premium	50 basis points ("bps")	50bps
	Corporate		62.1	Discounted cash   flow	Discount rate (1)	1.7%-12.0%	6.9	%
					Illiquidity premium	0bps-100bps	42bps
					Earnings before   interest, taxes,   depreciation and   amortization multiple	0x-3.5x	0.2x
					Probability of default	0%-100%	6.9	%
					Potential loss   severity	0%-30%	2.1	%
	Collateralized debt obligations		38.2	Discounted cash   flow	Discount rate (1)	1.0%-19.8%	13.3	%
					Illiquidity premium	400bps- 1,000bps	791bps
	Other debt obligations		14.7	Discounted cash   flow	Discount rate (1)	6.5%-20.0%	11.8	%
					Illiquidity premium	0bps-50bps	30bps
Fixed maturities, trading			35.9	Discounted cash   flow	Discount rate (1)	1.2%-60.5%	4.1	%
					Illiquidity premium	0bps- 1,400bps	390bps
			110.4	See note (2)

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

	As of December 31, 2012
	Assets /
	(liabilities)
	measured at		Valuation	Unobservable		Input/range		Weighted
	fair value		technique(s)	input description		of inputs		average
	(in millions)
Other investments		80.3	Discounted cash   flow - commercial   mortgage loans of   consolidated VIEs	Discount rate (1)		3.5	%	3.5	%
				Illiquidity premium		287bps		287bps
		33.6	Discounted cash   flow - equity   method real estate   investment	Discount rate (1)		9.3	%	9.3	%
				Terminal   capitalization rate		5.5	%	5.5	%
				Average market rent   growth rate		3.6	%	3.6	%
			Discounted cash   flow - equity   method real estate   debt	Loan to value		49.4	%	49.4	%
				Credit spread rate		3.3	%	3.3	%
Separate account assets		4,449.0	Discounted cash   flow - mortgage   loans	Discount rate (1)		0.8%-10.4%		3.3	%
				Illiquidity premium		0bps-50bps
				Credit spread rate	65bps- 1,025bps			253bps
			Discounted cash   flow - real estate	Discount rate (1)		6.5%-16.0%		8.3	%
				Terminal   capitalization rate		4.8%-9.0%		7.2	%
				Average market rent   growth rate		2.3%-5.5%		3.3	%
			Discounted cash   flow - real estate   debt	Loan to value		17.0%-86.0%		54.8	%
				Credit spread rate		1.6%-5.3%		3.5	%

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

	As of December 31, 2012
	Assets /
	(liabilities)
	measured at		Valuation	Unobservable		Input/range	Weighted
	fair value		technique(s)	input description		of inputs	average
	(in millions)
Liabilities
Investment-type insurance   contracts		(148.1)	Discounted cash   flow	Long duration   interest rate	2.6%-2.8% (3)		See note (3)
				Long-term equity   market volatility	18.8%-38.3%
				Non-performance risk		0.3%-1.6%
				Utilization rate		See note (4)	See note (4)
				Lapse rate		0.5%-11.8%
				Mortality rate		See note (5)	See note (5)
Derivative liabilities		(65.1)	See note (2)
Other liabilities		(39.6)	See note (2)

(1) Represents market comparable interest rate or an index adjusted rate used as the base rate in the discounted cash flow analysis prior to any credit spread, illiquidity or other adjustments, where applicable.

(2) Relates to a consolidated collateralized private investment vehicle that is a VIE. Fixed maturity, trading represents the underlying collateral of the investment structure and consists of high-grade fixed maturity investments, which are over-collateralized based on outstanding notes priced at par. The derivative liability represents credit default swaps that are valued using a correlation model to the credit default swap (“CDS”) Index (“CDX”) and inputs to the valuation are based on observable market data such as the end of period swap curve, CDS constituents of the index and spread levels of the index, as well as CDX tranche spreads. The other liabilities represent obligations to third party note holders due at maturity or termination of the trust. The value of the obligations reflect the third parties’ interest in the investment structure.

(3) Represents the range of rate curves used in the valuation analysis that we have determined market participants would use when pricing the instrument. Derived from interpolation between observable 20 and 30-year swap rates.

(4) This input factor is the number of contractholders taking withdrawals as well as the amount and timing of the withdrawals and a range does not provide a meaningful presentation.

(5) This input is based on an appropriate industry mortality table and a range does not provide a meaningful presentation.

Market comparable discount rates are used as the base rate in the discounted cash flows used to determine the fair value of certain assets. Increases or decreases in the credit spreads on the comparable assets, could cause the fair value of the assets to significantly decrease or increase, respectively. Additionally, we may adjust the base discount rate or the modeled price by applying an illiquidity premium given the highly structured nature of certain assets. Increases or decreases in this illiquidity premium could cause significant decreases or increases, respectively, in the fair value of the asset.

Embedded derivatives can be either assets or liabilities within the investment-type insurance contracts line item, depending on certain inputs at the reporting date. Increases to an asset or decreases to a liability are described as increases to fair value. Increases or decreases in market volatilities could cause significant decreases or increases, respectively, in the fair value of embedded derivatives in investment-type insurance contracts. Long duration interest rates are used as the mean return when projecting the growth in the value of associated account value and impact the discount rate used in the discounted future cash flows valuation. The amount of claims will increase if account value is not sufficient to cover guaranteed withdrawals. Increases or decreases in risk free rates could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to significantly increase or decrease, respectively. Increases or decreases in our own credit risks, which impact the rates used to discount future cash flows, could significantly increase or decrease, respectively, the fair value of the embedded derivative. All of these changes in fair value would impact net income.

Decreases or increases in the mortality rate assumption could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. Decreases or increases in the overall lapse rate assumption could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. The lapse rate assumption varies dynamically based on the relationship of the guarantee and associated account value. A stronger or weaker dynamic lapse rate assumption could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. The utilization rate assumption includes how many contractholders will

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

take withdrawals, when they will take them and how much of their benefit they will take. Increases or decreases in the assumption of the number of contractholders taking withdrawals could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. Assuming contractholders take withdrawals earlier or later could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. Assuming contractholders take more or less of their benefit could cause the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. During 2012, certain mortgage loans had been marked to fair value of $171.2 million. The net impact of impairments and improvements in estimated fair value of previously impaired loans resulted in a net loss of $13.1 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) as part of the mortgage loan valuation allowance. This includes the impact of certain loans no longer on our books. These collateral-dependent mortgage loans are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is based on the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral, which is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs. The fair value of the underlying collateral is determined based on a discounted cash flow valuation either from an external broker opinion of value or an internal model. Significant inputs used in the discounted cash flow calculation include: a discount rate, terminal capitalization rate and average market rent growth. The ranges of inputs used in the fair value measurements for the mortgage loans marked to fair value during the three months ended December 31, 2012, were:

Discount rate = 8.0% - 20.0%

Terminal capitalization rate = 6.3% - 10.5%

Average market rent growth = 3.0% - 8.0%

During 2012, certain mortgage servicing rights had been marked to fair value of $7.0 million. The net impact of impairments and subsequent improvements in estimated fair value of previously impaired mortgage servicing rights resulted in a net gain of $0.4 million that was recorded in operating expenses. These mortgage servicing rights are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the future servicing cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans. The discount rate used in calculating the present value of the future servicing cash flows was 3.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

During 2012, certain real estate had been written down to fair value of $5.0 million, resulting in a loss of $0.1 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses). This is a Level 3 fair value measurement, as the fair value of real estate is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs that are not developed internally.

During 2011, mortgage loans had been marked to fair value of $201.7 million. The net impact of impairments and improvements in estimated fair value of previously impaired loans resulted in a net loss of $31.3 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) as part of the mortgage loan valuation allowance. This includes the impact of certain loans no longer on our books. These collateral-dependent mortgage loans are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is based on the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral, which is estimated using appraised values that involve at least one significant unobservable input.

During 2011, certain mortgage servicing rights had been marked to fair value of $4.4 million. The net impact of impairments and subsequent improvements in estimated fair value of previously impaired mortgage servicing rights resulted in a net loss of $1.1 million that was recorded in operating expenses. These mortgage servicing rights are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the future servicing cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans.

During 2010, certain mortgage loans had been impaired or written down to fair value of $245.3 million. The impairments resulted in a loss of $78.4 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) as part of the mortgage loan valuation allowance. These collateral-dependent mortgage loans are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is based on the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral, which is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs.

During 2010, certain real estate had been written down to fair value of $1.4 million. This write down resulted in a loss of $0.3 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses). This is a Level 3 fair value measurement, as the fair value of real estate is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs.

During 2010, certain mortgage servicing rights had been written down to fair value of $1.0 million, resulting in a charge of $0.6 million that was recorded in operating expenses. These mortgage servicing rights are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the future servicing cash flows from the underlying mortgage loans.

During 2010, we impaired goodwill and finite lived intangible assets. See Note 3, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for further details.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Fair Value Option

As a result of our implementation of new authoritative guidance related to the accounting for VIEs effective January 1, 2010, we elected fair value accounting for certain assets and liabilities of newly consolidated VIEs for which it was not practicable for us to determine the carrying value. The fair value option was elected for commercial mortgage loans reported with other investments and obligations reported with other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position. The changes in fair value of these items are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations.

The fair value and aggregate contractual principal amounts of commercial mortgage loans for which the fair value option has been elected were $80.3 million and $76.4 million as of December 31, 2012, and $97.5 million and $96.1 million as of December 31, 2011, respectively. The change in fair value of the loans resulted in a $2.6 million, $(2.6) million and $25.9 million pre-tax gain (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, none of which related to instrument-specific credit risk. None of these loans were more than 90 days past due or in nonaccrual status. Interest income on these commercial mortgage loans is included in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations and is recorded based on the effective interest rates as determined at the closing of the loan. Interest income recorded on these commercial mortgage loans was $6.9 million, $8.6 million and $10.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The fair value and aggregate unpaid principal amounts of obligations for which the fair value option has been elected were $85.0 million and $186.8 million as of December 31, 2012, and $88.4 million and $169.8 million as of December 31, 2011, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the change in fair value of the obligations resulted in a pre-tax gain (loss) of $(37.7) million, $1.2 million and $(2.9) million, which includes a pre-tax gain (loss) of $(37.4) million, $(1.1) million and $3.0 million related to instrument-specific credit risk that is estimated based on credit spreads and quality ratings, respectively. Interest expense recorded on these obligations is included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and was $5.3 million, $6.8 million and $8.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We invest in real estate ventures for the purpose of earning investment returns and for capital appreciation. We elected the fair value option for a venture entered into during the third quarter of 2012 that is accounted for under the equity method because the nature of the investment is to add value to the property and generate income from the operations of the property. Other equity method real estate investments are not fair valued because the investments mainly generate income from the operations of the underlying properties. This investment is reported with other investments in the consolidated statements of financial position. The change in fair value is reported in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the equity method investment for which the fair value option has been elected was $33.6 million as of December 31, 2012. The change in fair value of the investment resulted in a $0.4 million pre-tax loss for year ended December 31, 2012.

Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value

The carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis but required to be disclosed at fair value were as follows:

	December 31, 2012
					Fair value hierarchy level
	Carrying amount		Fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in millions)
Assets (liabilities)
Mortgage loans	$	10,825.4	$	11,459.2	$	—	$	—	$	11,459.2
Policy loans		834.0		1,030.2		—		—		1,030.2
Other investments		224.9		225.3		—		140.1		85.2
Cash and cash equivalents		964.2		964.2		924.2		40.0		—
Investments-type insurance contracts		(31,936.8)		(32,515.2)		—		(7,367.3)		(25,147.9)
Short-term debt		(286.7)		(286.7)		—		(286.7)		—
Long-term debt		(128.9)		(139.0)		—		(109.3)		(29.7)
Separate account liabilities		(60,858.9)		(60,175.4)		—		—		(60,175.4)
Bank deposits		(2,174.7)		(2,177.7)		(1,404.4)		(773.3)		—
Cash collateral payable		(190.8)		(190.8)		(190.8)		—		—

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

	December 31, 2011
	Carrying amount		Fair value
	(in millions)
Assets (liabilities)
Mortgage loans	$	10,132.0	$	10,619.4
Policy loans		859.2		1,088.4
Other investments		328.7		328.7
Cash and cash equivalents		1,414.6		1,414.6
Investments-type insurance contracts		(32,407.0)		(32,232.7)
Short-term debt		(263.7)		(263.7)
Long-term debt		(119.9)		(138.9)
Separate account liabilities		(54,429.2)		(53,614.9)
Bank deposits		(2,142.8)		(2,150.2)
Cash collateral payable		(222.5)		(222.5)

Mortgage Loans

Fair values of commercial and residential mortgage loans are primarily determined by discounting the expected cash flows at current treasury rates plus an applicable risk spread, which reflects credit quality and maturity of the loans. The risk spread is based on market clearing levels for loans with comparable credit quality, maturities and risk. The fair value of mortgage loans may also be based on the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral less cost to sell, which is estimated using appraised values. These are reflected in Level 3.

Policy Loans

Fair values of policy loans are estimated by discounting expected cash flows using a risk-free rate based on the U.S. Treasury curve. The expected cash flows reflect an estimate of timing of the repayment of the loans. These are reflected in Level 3.

Other Investments

The fair value of commercial loans and certain consumer loans included in other investments is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity date using market interest rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loans. The estimate of term to maturity is based on historical experience, adjusted as required, for current economic and lending conditions. The effect of nonperforming loans is considered in assessing the credit risk inherent in the fair value estimate. These are reflected in Level 3. The carrying value of the remaining investments reported in this line item approximate their fair value and are of a short-term nature. These are reflected in Level 2.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are not reported at fair value on a recurring basis approximate their fair value, which are reflected in Level 1 given the nature of cash.

Investment-Type Insurance Contracts

The fair values of our reserves and liabilities for investment-type insurance contracts are determined via a third party pricing vendor or using discounted cash flow analyses when we are unable to find a price from third party pricing vendors. Third party pricing on various outstanding medium-term notes and funding agreements is based on observable inputs such as benchmark yields and spreads based on reported trades for our medium-term notes and funding agreement issuances. These are reflected in Level 2. The discounted cash flow analyses for the remaining contracts is based on current interest rates, including non-performance risk, being offered for similar contracts with maturities consistent with those remaining for the investment-type contracts being valued. These are reflected in Level 3. Investment-type insurance contracts include insurance, annuity and other policy contracts that do not involve significant mortality or morbidity risk and are only a portion of the policyholder liabilities appearing in the consolidated statements of financial position. Insurance contracts include insurance, annuity and other policy contracts that do involve significant mortality or morbidity risk. The fair values for our insurance contracts, other than investment-type contracts, are not required to be disclosed.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Short-Term Debt

The carrying amount of short-term debt approximates its fair value because of the relatively short time between origination of the debt instrument and its maturity, which is reflected in Level 2.

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt primarily includes senior note issuances for which the fair values are determined using inputs that are observable in the market or that can be derived from or corroborated with observable market data. These are reflected in Level 2. Additionally, our long-term debt includes non-recourse mortgages and notes payable that are primarily financings for real estate developments for which the fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. These are reflected in Level 3.

Separate Account Liabilities

Fair values of separate account liabilities, excluding insurance-related elements, are estimated based on market assumptions around what a potential acquirer would pay for the associated block of business, including both the separate account assets and liabilities. As the applicable separate account assets are already reflected at fair value, any adjustment to the fair value of the block is an assumed adjustment to the separate account liabilities. To compute fair value, the separate account liabilities are originally set to equal separate account assets because these are pass-through contracts. The separate account liabilities are reduced by the amount of future fees expected to be collected that are intended to offset upfront acquisition costs already incurred that a potential acquirer would not have to pay. The estimated future fees are adjusted by an adverse deviation discount and the amount is then discounted at a risk-free rate as measured by the yield on U.S. Treasury securities at maturities aligned with the estimated timing of fee collection. These are reflected in Level 3.

Bank Deposits

The fair value of deposits of our Principal Bank subsidiary with no stated maturity, such as demand deposits, savings, and interest-bearing demand accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand (i.e., their carrying amounts). These are reflected in Level 1. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. These are reflected in Level 2.

Cash Collateral Payable

The carrying amount of the payable associated with our obligation to return the cash collateral received under derivative credit support annex (collateral) agreements approximates its fair value, which is reflected in Level 1.

16. Statutory Insurance Financial Information

We, the largest indirect subsidiary of PFG, prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce of the State of Iowa (the “State of Iowa”). The State of Iowa recognizes only statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Iowa for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company to determine its solvency under the Iowa Insurance Law. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (“NAIC”) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual has been adopted as a component of prescribed practices by the State of Iowa. The Commissioner has the right to permit other specific practices that deviate from prescribed practices. As of December 31, 2012, our use of prescribed and permitted statutory accounting practices has resulted in higher statutory capital and surplus of $211.1 million relative to the accounting practices and procedures of the NAIC primarily due to a state prescribed practice associated with reinsurance of our term life products and “secondary” or “no lapse” guarantee provisions on our universal life products. Statutory accounting practices differ from U.S. GAAP primarily due to charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing reserves using different actuarial assumptions, valuing investments on a different basis and not admitting certain assets, including certain net deferred income tax assets.

Life and health insurance companies are subject to certain risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements as specified by the NAIC. Under those requirements, the amount of capital and surplus maintained by a life and health insurance company is to be determined based on the various risk factors related to it. At December 31, 2012, we meet the minimum RBC requirements.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Our statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus were as follows:

	As of or for the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Statutory net income	$	576.1	$	326.8	$	404.6
Statutory capital and surplus		3,944.3		4,218.2		4,377.8

17. Segment Information

We provide financial products and services through the following segments: Retirement and Investor Services, Principal Global Investors and U.S. Insurance Solutions. In addition, there is a Corporate segment. The segments are managed and reported separately because they provide different products and services, have different strategies or have different markets and distribution channels.

The Retirement and Investor Services segment provides retirement and related financial products and services primarily to businesses, their employees and other individuals.

The Principal Global Investors segment provides asset management services to our asset accumulation business, our insurance operations, the Corporate segment and third‑party clients.

The U.S. Insurance Solutions segment provides individual life insurance and specialty benefits, which consists of group dental and vision insurance, individual and group disability insurance, group life insurance, wellness services and non-medical fee-for-service claims administration, throughout the United States.

The Corporate segment manages the assets representing capital that has not been allocated to any other segment. Financial results of the Corporate segment primarily reflect our financing activities (including interest expense), income on capital not allocated to other segments, inter‑segment eliminations, income tax risks and certain income, expenses and other after-tax adjustments not allocated to the segments based on the nature of such items.

Management uses segment operating earnings in goal setting, as a basis for determining employee compensation and in evaluating performance on a basis comparable to that used by securities analysts. We determine segment operating earnings by adjusting U.S. GAAP net income for net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, and other after-tax adjustments which management believes are not indicative of overall operating trends. Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, are net of income taxes, related changes in the amortization pattern of DPAC and sales inducements, recognition of deferred front-end fee revenues for sales charges on retirement and life insurance products and services, amortization of hedge accounting book value adjustments for certain discontinued hedges, net realized capital gains and losses distributed, noncontrolling interest capital gains and losses and certain market value adjustments to fee revenues. Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, exclude periodic settlements and accruals on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments and exclude certain market value adjustments of embedded derivatives and realized capital gains (losses) associated with our exited group medical insurance business. Segment operating revenues exclude net realized capital gains (losses) (except periodic settlements and accruals on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments), including their impact on recognition of front-end fee revenues, certain market value adjustments to fee revenues and amortization of hedge accounting book value adjustments for certain discontinued hedges, and revenue from our exited group medical insurance business. Segment operating revenues include operating revenues from real estate properties that qualify for discontinued operations. While these items may be significant components in understanding and assessing the consolidated financial performance, management believes the presentation of segment operating earnings enhances the understanding of our results of operations by highlighting earnings attributable to the normal, ongoing operations of the business.

The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with the accounting policies for the consolidated financial statements, with the exception of income tax allocation. The Corporate segment functions to absorb the risk inherent in interpreting and applying tax law. The segments are allocated tax adjustments consistent with the positions we took on tax returns. The Corporate segment results reflect any differences between the tax returns and the estimated resolution of any disputes.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The following tables summarize select financial information by segment and reconcile segment totals to those reported in the consolidated financial statements:

		December 31, 2012		December 31, 2011
		(in millions)
Assets:
Retirement and Investor Services		$	116,658.1	$	108,283.6
Principal Global Investors			1,056.2		1,603.6
U.S. Insurance Solutions			18,949.9		17,326.0
Corporate			3,407.8		3,173.4
	Total consolidated assets	$	140,072.0	$	130,386.6

			For the year ended December 31,
			2012		2011		2010
			(in millions)
Operating revenues by segment:
Retirement and Investor Services			$	4,321.0	$	3,613.1	$	3,706.7
Principal Global Investors				537.1		490.9		432.6
U.S. Insurance Solutions				2,983.1		2,929.1		2,807.1
Corporate				(91.7)		(78.9)		(82.1)
	Total segment operating revenues			7,749.5		6,954.2		6,864.3
Net realized capital losses, net of related revenue adjustments				(21.2)		(191.7)		(378.5)
Exited group medical insurance business				25.3		608.3		1,406.8
Terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation				—		—		(0.8)
Assumption change within our Individual Life business				—		4.9		—
	Total revenues per consolidated statements of operations		$	7,753.6	$	7,375.7	$	7,891.8
Operating earnings (loss) by segment, net of
	related income taxes:
Retirement and Investor Services			$	523.4	$	513.0	$	502.2
Principal Global Investors				66.9		59.6		48.1
U.S. Insurance Solutions				143.3		209.5		197.9
Corporate				(24.1)		(32.6)		(37.1)
	Total segment operating earnings, net of related
		income taxes		709.5		749.5		711.1
Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted (1)				14.8		(118.5)		(275.1)
Other after-tax adjustments (2)				(49.4)		(82.3)		17.1
	Net income attributable to PLIC		$	674.9	$	548.7	$	453.1

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

(1) Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, is derived as follows:

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Net realized capital gains (losses)		$	72.1	$	(98.7)	$	(288.4)
Certain derivative and hedging-related adjustments			(92.8)		(92.6)		(88.4)
Certain market value adjustments to fee revenues			(0.3)		(0.1)		(3.4)
Recognition of front-end fee revenue			(0.2)		(0.3)		1.7
	Net realized capital losses, net of related revenue adjustments		(21.2)		(191.7)		(378.5)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs			36.8		(22.7)		(22.9)
Capital gains distributed			(11.8)		(4.3)		(11.3)
Certain market value adjustments of embedded derivatives			(0.6)		65.6		7.2
Net realized capital (gains) losses associated with exited group
	medical insurance business		0.2		(0.2)		3.0
Noncontrolling interest capital gains			(8.1)		(31.6)		(11.3)
Income tax effect			19.5		66.4		138.7
	Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted	$	14.8	$	(118.5)	$	(275.1)

(2) For the year ended December 31, 2012, other after-tax adjustments included the negative effect resulting from (a) a contribution made to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. ($39.8 million), (b) losses associated with our exited group medical insurance business that does not yet qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($9.6 million).

For the year ended December 31, 2011, other after-tax adjustments included (1) the negative effect resulting from (a) the impact of a court ruling on some uncertain tax positions ($68.9 million), (b) an assumption change in our Individual Life business ($34.5 million), (c) a contribution made to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. ($19.5 million) and (d) our estimated obligation associated with Executive Life of New York’s liquidation petition ($10.3 million) and (2) the positive effect of gains associated with our exited group medical insurance business that does not yet qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($50.9 million).

For the year ended December 31, 2010, other after-tax adjustments included (1) the positive effect of gains associated with our exited group medical insurance business that does not yet qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($24.8 million) and (2) the negative effect resulting from: (a) the tax impact of healthcare reform, which eliminates the tax deductibility of retiree prescription drug expenses related to our employees incurred after 2012 ($7.2 million) and (b) losses associated with our terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation that has been exited but does not qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($0.5 million).

The following is a summary of income tax expense (benefit) allocated to our segments for purposes of determining operating earnings. Segment income taxes are reconciled to income taxes reported on our consolidated statements of operations.

		For the year ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Income tax expense by segment:
Retirement and Investor Services		$	113.5	$	130.6	$	119.9
Principal Global Investors			37.0		32.5		26.0
U.S. Insurance Solutions			64.4		98.5		93.8
Corporate			(17.3)		(15.2)		(19.3)
Total segment income taxes from operating earnings			197.6		246.4		220.4
	Tax benefit related to net realized capital losses, as adjusted		(19.5)		(66.4)		(138.7)
	Tax expense (benefit) related to other after-tax adjustments		(26.6)		45.0		21.1
Total income taxes expense per consolidated statements of
	operations	$	151.5	$	225.0	$	102.8

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

The following table summarizes operating revenues for our products and services:

		For the years ended December 31,
		2012		2011		2010
		(in millions)
Retirement and Investor Services:
	Full-service accumulation	$	1,353.7	$	1,334.7	$	1,334.8
	Individual annuities		1,162.4		1,119.2		1,018.6
	Bank and trust services		101.6		100.5		91.8
	Eliminations		(11.3)		(10.0)		(9.1)
	Total Accumulation		2,606.4		2,544.4		2,436.1
	Investment only		431.6		508.0		643.4
	Full-service payout		1,283.0		560.7		627.2
	Total Guaranteed		1,714.6		1,068.7		1,270.6
	Total Retirement and Investor Services		4,321.0		3,613.1		3,706.7
Principal Global Investors (1)			537.1		490.9		432.6
U.S. Insurance Solutions:
	Individual life insurance		1,421.9		1,431.0		1,395.1
	Specialty benefits insurance		1,561.2		1,498.1		1,412.0
	Total U.S. Insurance Solutions		2,983.1		2,929.1		2,807.1
Corporate			(91.7)		(78.9)		(82.1)
Total operating revenues		$	7,749.5	$	6,954.2	$	6,864.3
Total operating revenues		$	7,749.5	$	6,954.2	$	6,864.3
	Net realized capital losses, net of related
	revenue adjustments		(21.2)		(191.7)		(378.5)
	Exited group medical insurance business		25.3		608.3		1,406.8
	Terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation		—		—		(0.8)
	Assumption change within our Individual
	Life business		—		4.9		—
Total revenues per consolidated statements of
	operations	$	7,753.6	$	7,375.7	$	7,891.8

(1) Reflects inter-segment revenues of $214.3 million, $198.8 million and $189.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

18. Stock‑Based Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2012, our parent, PFG sponsors the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan and the Long-Term Performance Plan ("Stock‑Based Compensation Plans"), which resulted in an expense to us. As of May 17, 2005, no new grants will be made under the Stock Incentive Plan or the Long-Term Performance Plan. Under the terms of the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, grants may be nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options qualifying under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance units or other stock-based awards. To date, PFG has not granted any incentive stock options, restricted stock or performance units. The following Stock-Based Compensation Plans information represents all share based compensation data related to us and our subsidiaries’ employees.

For awards with graded vesting, we use an accelerated expense attribution method. The compensation cost that was charged against income for stock-based awards granted under the Stock-Based Compensation Plans was as follows:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(in millions)
Compensation cost	$	34.8	$	31.7	$	38.9
Related income tax benefit		11.4		10.8		12.4
Capitalized as part of an asset		2.3		2.2		2.2

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Nonqualified Stock Options

Nonqualified stock options were granted to certain employees under the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan. Options outstanding under the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of PFG common stock on the date of grant, and expire ten years after the grant date. These options have graded vesting over a three-year period, except in the case of approved retirement.

The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model. The following is a summary of the assumptions used in this model for the stock options granted during the period:

	For the year ended December 31,
Options	2012			2011			2010
Expected volatility		70.0	%		67.9	%		66.6	%
Expected term (in years)		6.0			6.0			6.0
Risk-free interest rate		1.1	%		2.5	%		2.8	%
Expected dividend yield		2.55	%		1.60	%		2.25	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	13.95		$	18.82		$	11.48

We determine expected volatility based on, among other factors, historical volatility using daily price observations. The expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. We determine expected term using historical exercise and employee termination data. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury risk-free interest rate in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield is based on historical dividend distributions compared to the closing price of PFG common shares on the grant date.

As of December 31, 2012, there was $2.6 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted‑average service period of approximately 1.8 years.

Performance Share Awards

Performance share awards were granted to certain employees under the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. The performance share awards are treated as an equity award and are paid in shares. Whether the performance shares are earned depends upon the participant's continued employment through the performance period (except in the case of an approved retirement) and PFG’s performance against three-year goals set at the beginning of the performance period. Performance goals based on various PFG factors, including return on common equity, operating income and book value per common share, must be achieved for any of the performance shares to be earned. If the performance requirements are not met, the performance shares will be forfeited, no compensation cost is recognized and any previously recognized compensation cost is reversed. There is no maximum contractual term on these awards. Dividend equivalents are credited on performance shares outstanding as of the record date. These dividend equivalents are only paid on the shares released.

The fair value of performance share awards is determined based on the closing stock price of PFG’s common shares on the grant date. The weighted‑average grant-date fair value of performance share awards granted during 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $27.46, $34.26 and $22.21, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012, there was $4.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested performance share awards granted. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted‑average service period of approximately 1.6 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units were granted to certain employees and agents under the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Incentive Plan. Restricted stock units are treated as equity awards and are paid in shares. Under these plans, awards have graded or cliff vesting over a three-year service period. When service for PFG ceases (except in the case of an approved retirement), all vesting stops and unvested units are forfeited. There is no maximum contractual term on these awards. Dividend equivalents are credited on restricted stock units outstanding as of the record date. These dividend equivalents are only paid on the shares released.

The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the closing stock price of PFG’s common shares on the grant date. The weighted‑average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $27.45, $33.24 and $22.42, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012, there was $23.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock unit awards granted under these plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted‑average period of approximately 1.8 years.

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsDecember 31, 2012

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, participating employees have the opportunity to purchase shares of PFG common stock on a semi-annual basis. Employees may purchase up to $25,000 worth of PFG common stock each year. Employees may purchase shares of PFG common stock at a price equal to 85% of the shares' fair market value as of the beginning or end of the purchase period, whichever is lower.

We recognize compensation expense for the fair value of the discount granted to employees participating in the employee stock purchase plan in the period of grant. Shares of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are treated as an equity award. The weighted‑average fair value of the discount on the stock purchased was $5.32, $4.20 and $7.37 during 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

19. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations.

	For the three months ended
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
	(in millions)
2012
Total revenues	$	1,899.3	$	2,352.4	$	1,800.3	$	1,701.6
Total expenses		1,617.6		2,223.5		1,591.2		1,476.5
Net income		222.4		148.0		155.0		167.9
Net income attributable to PLIC		218.8		145.1		152.4		158.6
2011
Total revenues	$	1,719.9	$	1,798.6	$	1,954.8	$	1,902.4
Total expenses		1,568.3		1,649.7		1,679.5		1,668.1
Net income		126.6		63.5		212.7		182.3
Net income attributable to PLIC		126.9		69.0		189.1		163.7