497 1 plisiifilingpackage.htm PLIS II DEFINITIVE SAI 497 2022 PLIS II filing package

PART B

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(the “Depositor”)

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B
(the “Registrant”)

PRINCIPAL® LIFETIME INCOME SOLUTIONS II
VARIABLE ANNUITY

Statement of Additional Information

dated May 1, 2022

This Statement of Additional Information provides information about the Principal ® Lifetime Income Solutions II Variable Annuity (the “Contract”) in addition to the information that is contained in the Contract’s Prospectus dated May 1, 2022.

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® Lifetime Income Solutions II Variable Annuity
The Principal Financial Group
P.O. Box 9382
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9382
Telephone: 1-800-852-4450



TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
TAXATION UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APPENDIX A - Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account BA-1
APPENDIX B - Principal Life Insurance CompanyB-1




GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
Principal Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) is the issuer of the Principal® Lifetime Income Solutions II 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 3100, 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 Principal Securities, Inc. ("PSI") which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc. and an affiliate of the Company. The address of PSI is the Principal Financial Group, 655 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392. PSI 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 PSI and applicable law to do so. Registered representatives of such broker-dealers may be paid on a different basis than described below.
The Contract’s offering to the public is continuous. As the principal underwriter, PSI is paid for the distribution of the Contract. For the last fiscal year PSI has received and retained the following commissions:
2021
received/retained
2020
received/retained
2019
received/retained
$14,004,267/$0$12,188,895/$0$17,397,375/$0
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 December 28, 2016. 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.
3


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 Fidelity VIP Government 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, 2021
For Contracts:
7-Day Annualized Yield
7-Day Effective Yield
without a surrender charge
-1.41%-1.40%
with a surrender charge
-7.41%-7.40%
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. 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” in the Prospectus for a discussion of surrender charges.
Following are the hypothetical average annual total returns for the period ending December 31, 2021 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 Surrender Charge
DivisionEffective
Date
One YearFive YearsTen YearsSince Inception
Diversified Balanced12/30/20099.28%8.16%6.95%
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility10/31/20138.40%7.67%5.91%
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control03/30/20178.54%6.45%
Diversified Growth12/30/200913.18%9.97%8.67%
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility10/31/201312.11%9.37%7.22%
Diversified Growth Volatility Control03/30/201712.29%7.77%
Diversified Income05/15/20125.46%6.29%5.22%
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market01/12/2000-1.40%-0.66%-1.07%
For Contracts with Surrender Charge
DivisionEffective
Date
One YearFive YearsTen YearsSince Inception
Diversified Balanced12/30/20093.28%7.72%6.95%
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility10/31/20132.40%7.22%5.91%
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control03/30/20172.54%5.94%
Diversified Growth12/30/20097.18%9.55%8.67%
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility10/31/20136.11%8.95%7.22%
Diversified Growth Volatility Control03/30/20176.29%7.29%
Diversified Income05/15/2012-0.54%5.81%5.22%
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market01/12/2000-7.40%-1.28%-1.07%
4


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.
Such individuals may establish a traditional IRA for a non-working spouse (if they file a joint return). 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.
Traditional IRA - Maximum Annual Contribution
Year
Individual IRA
Individual IRA + Spousal IRA
2021$6,000$12,000
2022$6,000$12,000
For succeeding years, limits are indexed for cost of living.
Individuals age 50 or over are also permitted to make additional “catch-up” contributions. The additional contribution is $1,000 in 2021 and 2022. These additional catch-up contributions can be applied for Spousal IRA purposes.
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 and tax filing status.
For individuals who are not active plan participants but whose spouses are, deductibility of traditional IRA contributions is phased out if the couple files a joint return and the Modified Adjusted Gross Income is between $204,000 and $214,000 in 2022.
Deductibility of Traditional IRA Contributions for Active Plan Participants
Married Individuals (Filing Jointly)
Single/Head of Household Individual
Year
Limited
Deduction
No
Deduction
Year
Limited
Deduction
No
Deduction
2021$105,000$125,0002021$66,000$76,000
2022$109,000$129,0002022$68,000$78,000
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.

A person whose filing status is "married, filing separately" may not make a full traditional IRA deduction contribution, unless the couple is separated and have been living apart for the entire year. Only a partial deductible contribution is allowed if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income is less than $10,000.
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. Exempted from this 10% tax penalty are the following types of distributions: distributions due to death; distributions due to 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 the Owner and the Owner's designated Beneficiary; distributions to pay deductible medical expenses; distributions for unemployed health insurance premiums; distributions for first-time home purchases (up to $10,000); distributions for higher education expenses; made on account of certain levies on income and payments; qualified reservist distributions; and distributions for certain natural disaster victims; qualified birth or adoption distributions (up to $5,000).
5


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 72 (“Required Beginning Date”), and such distributions must be made over a period that does not exceed the uniform lifetime distribution period or in certain instances under the joint life and last survivor period established by the IRS.
Upon the death of the Owner the required minimum distribution options available to the beneficiary will depend upon their status at the time of death. An eligible designated beneficiary must direct that payment of his/her benefits be made or started no later than December 31 of the year following the year of Owner’s death with annual distributions of at least the required minimum distribution. An eligible designated beneficiary is any designated beneficiary who is (1) the Owner’s spouse, (2) no more than ten (10) years younger than the Owner, (3) the Owner’s minor child who has not reached majority, (4) disabled, or chronically ill. If the surviving spouse is the eligible designated beneficiary on the IRA Contract, the surviving spouse may have additional distribution options.
A non-eligible individual designated beneficiary must distribute the entire balance of the IRA Contract by December 31 of the year in which occurs the tenth anniversary of the Owner’s death. An eligible designated beneficiary who is the Owner’s minor child ceases to retain the status upon reaching majority. Upon reaching majority the entire remaining balance of the Contract must be distributed by December 31 of the year in which occurs the tenth anniversary of the minor attaining majority.
If, Owner had not reached his or her Required Beginning Date and there is no designated beneficiary or Owner’s beneficiary is not an individual, the entire balance of the IRA Contract must be paid by December 31 of the year in which occurs the fifth anniversary of Owner’s death. If Owner had attained his or her Required Beginning Date prior to death, distributions must continue at least as rapidly as under the method in effect at the date of death. A penalty tax of 50% will be imposed on the amount by which the required minimum distribution in any year exceeds the amount actually distributed in that year.
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 indirect rollover of assets is completed within 60 days after the distribution from the qualified plan is received by the plan participant. 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 and the 60-day rollover rules. In addition, not more frequently than once every twelve months, an individual may execute one tax-free indirect rollover 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 or to Roth IRA conversions.
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 employee compensation or $61,000 for 2022.
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.
Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SAR/SEP)
Year
Elective Deferral
Catch-up Contribution
2021$19,500$6,500
2022$20,500$6,500
Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SEPs and SAR/SEPs are subject to the same distribution rules described above for traditional IRAs.
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Required Distributions. SEPs and SAR/SEPs are subject to the same minimum required distribution rules described above for traditional 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 traditional 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” in an amount equal to $3,000 for 2022.
Elective contribution amounts made under the salary reduction portions (i.e., those subject to the $14,000 limit in 2022) of a SIMPLE IRA plan are counted in the overall limit on elective deferrals by any individual. For example, if in 2022, an individual under age 50 defers the maximum of $14,000 to a SIMPLE IRA of one employer and also participates in a 401(k) plan of another employer, they would be limited to an elective deferral of $6,500 ($20,500 - $14,000) to the 401(k) plan for 2022.
The employer generally must match either 100% of the employee’s elective deferral, up to 3% of the employee’s compensation (subject to certain exceptions) or fixed nonelective contributions of 2% of compensation of all eligible employees.
Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA)
Year
Elective Deferral
Catch-up Contribution
401(k) Elective
Deferral
2021$13,500$3,000$19,500
2022$14,000$3,000$20,500
Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SIMPLE IRAs are subject to the same distribution rules described above for traditional 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 traditional 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 to other types of IRAs and certain qualified plans 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 permitted after two years of participation in the SIMPLE IRA.
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.
Roth IRA - Maximum Annual Contribution
Year
Individual Roth IRA
Catch-up Contribution
2021$6,000$1,000
2022$6,000$1,000
For succeeding years, individual Roth IRA limits are indexed for cost-of-living.
Individuals age 50 or over are also permitted to make additional “catch-up” contributions. The additional contribution is $1,000 for 2021 and 2022.
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For 2022, the maximum contribution is phased out for single taxpayers with adjusted gross income between $129,000 and $144,000 and for joint filers with adjusted gross income between $204,000 and $214,000 (see chart below).
Modified Adjusted Gross Income Limits - 2022
Single/Head of Household
Married Filing Joint
ROTH IRA Contribution
< $129,000< $204,000Full Contribution
> $125,000 but < $144,000> $198,000 but < $214,000Partial Contribution*
> $144,000> $214,000No Contribution
*    Those entitled to only a partial contribution should check with a tax advisor to determine the allowable contribution amount.
A person whose filing status is “married, filing separately” may not make a full Roth IRA contribution, unless the couple is separated and have been living apart for the entire year. Only a partial contribution is allowed if your 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 59½, dies, becomes disabled, or uses the funds for first-time home purchase at the time of distribution. The five-year period for owner contributions begins January 1 of the year the first contribution is made to any Roth IRA. The five-year period for converted amounts begins from January 1 of the year of the conversion for the purposes of the 10% penalty tax.
Required Distributions. Roth IRAs are not subject to lifetime minimum required distributions. Roth IRAs are subject to the same post-death minimum required distribution rules described above for IRAs.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APPENDIX A - Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Financials

A-1
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Board of Directors of Principal Life Insurance Company and Contract Owners of Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B


Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of each of the subaccounts listed in the Appendix that comprise Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (the Separate Account), as of December 31, 2021, the related statements of operations and the statements of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the Appendix, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each subaccount as of December 31, 2021, the results of its operations and changes in its net assets for each of the periods indicated in the Appendix, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Separate Account’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on each of the subaccounts’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Separate Account in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with the fund companies or their transfer agents, as applicable. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Separate Account’s auditor since 1970.
Des Moines, Iowa
April 6, 2022
A-2



Appendix:
Subaccounts comprising Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B

Sub AccountStatement of operationsStatements of changes in net assets
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A Division
AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A Division
Alps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio Class III Division
American Century VP Capital Appreciation Class I Division
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I Division (1)
American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II Division
American Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II Division
American Century VP Ultra Class I Division
American Century VP Ultra Class II Division
American Century VP Value Class II Division
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 2 Division
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 4 Division
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 2 Division (7)
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 4 Division (5)
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 2 Division
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 4 Division
American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust Class 2 Division (4)
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund Class P2 Division
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Growth Fund Class P2 Division
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk International Fund Class P2 Division
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 2 Division
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 4 Division
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III Division
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III Division (6)
BlackRock Global Allocation Class III Division
BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares Division
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth Service Shares Division
For the year ended December 31, 2021
For each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F Division
Calvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F Division
Calvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F Division
Calvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F Division
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Class II Division
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2 Division
Columbia Small Cap Value Class 2 Division
Core Plus Bond Class 1 Division
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class Division
Diversified Balanced Class 1 Division
Diversified Balanced Class 2 Division
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 2 Division
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 2 Division
Diversified Growth Class 2 Division
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 2 Division
Diversified Growth Volatility Control Class 2 Division
Diversified Income Class 2 Division
Diversified International Class 1 Division
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B Division
DWS Equity 500 Index Class B2 Division
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B Division
Equity Income Class 1 Division
A-3



Equity Income Class 2 Division
EQ Convertible Securities Class IB Division
EQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB Division
EQ Micro Cap Class IB Division
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB Division
EQ Socially Responsible Class IB Division
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class Division
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class Division
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class Division
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class Division
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 Division
Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 2 Division
Franklin Income VIP Class 4 Division
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4 Division
Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 2 Division
Franklin U.S. Government Fund Class 2 Division
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Shares Division
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares Division
Goldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio Service Shares Division
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Institutional Shares Division
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Service Shares Division
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 Division
Guggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F Division
Guggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures Strategy Division
Guggenheim Investments Long Short Equity Division
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies Division
International Emerging Markets Class 1 Division
Invesco American Franchise Series I Division
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II Division
Invesco Core Equity Series I Division
Invesco Health Care Series I Division
Invesco Health Care Series II Division
Invesco International Growth Series I Division
Invesco International Growth Series II Division
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II Division (3)
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I Division
Invesco Technology Series I Division
Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares Division
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares Division
Janus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Service Shares Division
LargeCap Growth I Class 1 Division
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2 Division
MFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class Division
MFS New Discovery Service Class Division
MFS Utilities Service Class Division
MFS Value Service Class Division
A-4



MidCap Class 1 Division
Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio Class S Division
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I Division
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S Division
PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class Division
PIMCO All Asset Advisor Class Division
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M Division
PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class Division
PIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class Division
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 1 Division
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 2 Division
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 Division
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 Division
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 Division
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 Division
Real Estate Securities Class 1 Division
Real Estate Securities Class 2 Division
Rydex Basic Materials Division
Rydex Commodities Strategy Division
Rydex NASDAQ 100 Division
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 2 Division
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Short-Term Income Class 1 Division
SmallCap Class 1 Division
SmallCap Class 2 Division
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II Division
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II Division
Templeton Global Bond VIP Class 4 Division
Templeton Growth VIP Class 2 Division
The Merger Fund Division
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
TOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
TOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
TOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
VanEck Global Resources Class S Division (2)
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I Division (8)
For the year ended December 31, 2021
For the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from April 30, 2020(commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020
MidCap Class 2 Division
For the year ended December 31, 2021
For the year ended December 31, 2021 and the period from June 8, 2020(commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020
A-5



Invesco American Value Series I Division
For the period from April 29, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares Division
PIMCO Emerging Markets Bond Administrative Class Division
Blue Chip Class 3 Division
For the period from June 7, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021

(1)     Represented the operations of American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division until June 7, 2021.
(2)     Represented the operations of VanEck Global Hard Assets Class S Division until June 7, 2021.
(3)     Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Main Street Small Cap Series II Division until June 7, 2021.
(4)     Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Bond Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(5)     Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 4 Division until June 7, 2021.
(6)     Represented the operations of BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Class III Division until June 7, 2021.
(7)     Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(8)     Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer VI Discovery Mid Cap Growth until June 7, 2021.






A-6



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A DivisionAllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A DivisionAlps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio Class III Division
American Century VP Capital Appreciation
Class I Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$4,755,110 $5,481,284 $1,341,471 $1,679,872 
Total assets47551105,481,2841,341,4711,679,872
Total liabilities
Net assets$4,755,110 $5,481,284 $1,341,471 $1,679,872 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$4,755,110 $5,481,284 $1,341,471 $1,679,872 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$4,755,110 $5,481,284 $1,341,471 $1,679,872 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$3,934,191 $4,484,808 $1,180,932 $1,265,936 
Shares of mutual funds owned189,221233,64477,09689,833
Accumulation units outstanding63,343258,79482,29165,799
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding63,343258,79482,29165,799
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A DivisionAllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A DivisionAlps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio Class III Division
American Century VP Capital Appreciation
Class I Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$40,586 $54,399 $
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks64,97363,6236,37222,642
Administrative charges7,7987,3861,4412,717
Separate account rider charges3,866
Net investment income (loss)(72,771)(34,289)46,586(25,359)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares732,48777,28649,188120,988
Capital gains distributions1,053,267227,646
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,785,75477,28649,188348,634
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,283,567)1,299,43691,897(142,223)
Net gains (losses) on investments429,4161,342,433187,671181,052
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$429,416 $1,342,433 $187,671 $181,052 
See accompanying notes.

A-7



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I Division (1)American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Ultra Class I Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$11,249,533 $34,357,712 $8,348,475 $4,765,718 
Total assets11,249,53334,357,7128,348,4754,765,718
Total liabilities
Net assets$11,249,533 $34,357,712 $8,348,475 $4,765,718 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$11,249,533 $34,357,712 $8,348,475 $4,765,718 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$11,249,533 $34,357,712 $8,348,475 $4,765,718 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$9,687,691 $31,363,114 $6,684,444 $2,964,933 
Shares of mutual funds owned1,049,3973,008,556333,272151,871
Accumulation units outstanding334,4172,307,762257,15390,558
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding334,4172,307,762257,15390,558
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I Division (1)American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Ultra Class I Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$118,802 $1,063,568 $85,074 $
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks126,756410,950105,98056,899
Administrative charges4,03550,73612,1092,276
Separate account rider charges574,166
Net investment income (loss)(11,989)601,825(37,181)(59,175)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares489,253525,362369,649471,788
Capital gains distributions1,640,429301,387
Total realized gains (losses) on investments2,129,682525,362369,649773,175
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments64,229506,6211,274,628174,550
Net gains (losses) on investments2,181,9221,633,8081,607,096888,550
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$2,181,922 $1,633,808 $1,607,096 $888,550 
(1) Represented the operations of American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-8



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
American Century VP Ultra Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Value Class II DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 4 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$26,603,287 $15,466,974 $2,535,657 $18,082,000 
Total assets26,603,28715,466,9742,535,65718,082,000
Total liabilities
Net assets$26,603,287 $15,466,974 $2,535,657 $18,082,000 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$26,603,287 $15,466,974 $2,535,657 $18,082,000 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$26,603,287 $15,466,974 $2,535,657 $18,082,000 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$15,773,603 $9,656,002 $2,121,707 $15,842,961 
Shares of mutual funds owned873,9581,129,80188,227633,123
Accumulation units outstanding438,528534,855147,4861,223,786
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding438,528534,855147,4861,223,786
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
American Century VP Ultra Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Value Class II DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 4 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$234,223 $37,261 $222,298 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks349,471176,81231,91997,310
Administrative charges41,9418,9243,52421,578
Separate account rider charges4,0523,100
Net investment income (loss)(395,464)48,487(1,282)103,410
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares3,822,5471,452,168195,264128,994
Capital gains distributions1,985,20175,328442,119
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,807,7481,452,168270,592571,113
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments7,0161,436,44265,3901,064,657
Net gains (losses) on investments5,419,3002,937,097334,7001,739,180
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$5,419,300 $2,937,097 $334,700 $1,739,180 
See accompanying notes.

A-9



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 4 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust Class 2 Division (1)American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund Class P2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$1,801,581 $3,932,478 $1,535,313 $6,678,026 
Total assets1,801,5813,932,4781,535,3136,678,026
Total liabilities
Net assets$1,801,581 $3,932,478 $1,535,313 $6,678,026 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$1,801,581 $3,932,478 $1,535,313 $6,678,026 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$1,801,581 $3,932,478 $1,535,313 $6,678,026 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$1,383,204 $3,504,093 $1,521,386 $5,938,437 
Shares of mutual funds owned54,693119,311153,839447,289
Accumulation units outstanding102,990247,223115,706498,577
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding102,990247,223115,706498,577
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 4 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust Class 2 Division (1)American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund Class P2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$$63,220 $74,037 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks24,88422,20717,48337,573
Administrative charges2,3694,9707008,372
Separate account rider charges1,165
Net investment income (loss)(28,418)(27,177)45,03728,092
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares188,176176,030(11,517)21,953
Capital gains distributions45,30776,229
Total realized gains (losses) on investments233,483252,259(11,517)21,953
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(89,676)(102,359)62,609535,002
Net gains (losses) on investments115,389122,72396,129585,047
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$115,389 $122,723 $96,129 $585,047 
(1) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Bond Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-10



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Growth Fund Class P2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk International Fund Class P2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 4 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$5,944,848 $384,964 $2,086,822 $6,200,873 
Total assets5,944,848384,9642,086,8226,200,873
Total liabilities
Net assets$5,944,848 $384,964 $2,086,822 $6,200,873 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$5,944,848 $384,964 $2,086,822 $6,200,873 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$5,944,848 $384,964 $2,086,822 $6,200,873 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$4,841,867 $388,271 $1,731,560 $5,499,197 
Shares of mutual funds owned322,73936,73366,290198,491
Accumulation units outstanding330,00337,030130,683437,708
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding330,00337,030130,683437,708
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Growth Fund Class P2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk International Fund Class P2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 4 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$28,698 $1,873 $18,084 $36,797 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks34,3222,59727,38433,931
Administrative charges7,4165162,6397,467
Separate account rider charges630
Net investment income (loss)(13,040)(1,240)(12,569)(4,601)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares81,435623146,655118,400
Capital gains distributions200,37971,367155,602
Total realized gains (losses) on investments281,814623218,022274,002
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments305,590(17,218)(131,773)(155,541)
Net gains (losses) on investments574,364(17,835)73,680113,860
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$574,364 $(17,835)$73,680 $113,860 
See accompanying notes.

A-11



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 2 Division (1)American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 4 Division (2)BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III DivisionBlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III Division (3)
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$4,239,983 $12,243,883 $6,037,414 $2,453,040 
Total assets4,239,98312,243,8836,037,4142,453,040
Total liabilities
Net assets$4,239,983 $12,243,883 $6,037,414 $2,453,040 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$4,239,983 $12,243,883 $6,037,414 $2,453,040 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$4,239,983 $12,243,883 $6,037,414 $2,453,040 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$3,222,405 $9,422,994 $6,059,489 $3,309,517 
Shares of mutual funds owned237,801691,354433,100232,076
Accumulation units outstanding226,752775,948416,023148,218
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding226,752775,948416,023148,218
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 2 Division (1)American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 4 Division (2)BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III DivisionBlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III Division (3)
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$56,712 $141,495 $100,085 $27,811 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks49,23874,50724,61214,800
Administrative charges4,90815,9115,6893,240
Separate account rider charges4,2999
Net investment income (loss)(1,733)51,07769,7759,771
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares92,113226,331101,978(43,594)
Capital gains distributions415,3101,126,046
Total realized gains (losses) on investments92,113226,331517,2881,082,452
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments815,2212,160,409(231,949)(868,280)
Net gains (losses) on investments905,6012,437,817355,114223,943
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$905,601 $2,437,817 $355,114 $223,943 
(1) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(2) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 4 Division until June 7, 2021.
(3) Represented the operations of BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Class III Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-12



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
BlackRock Global Allocation
Class III Division
Blue Chip Class 3 Division (1)BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares Division
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth
Service Shares Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$4,163,321 $6,984,897 $973,646 $11,866,529 
Total assets4,163,3216,984,897973,64611,866,529
Total liabilities
Net assets$4,163,321 $6,984,897 $973,646 $11,866,529 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$4,163,321 $6,984,897 $973,646 $11,866,529 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$4,163,321 $6,984,897 $973,646 $11,866,529 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$4,526,436 $6,917,266 $751,864 $8,598,907 
Shares of mutual funds owned289,522545,26939,515366,025
Accumulation units outstanding300,374624,90068,310156,687
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding300,374624,90068,310156,687
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
BlackRock Global Allocation
Class III Division
Blue Chip Class 3 Division (1)BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares Division
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth
Service Shares Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$31,501 $$3,565 $
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks29,25114,9196,215155,517
Administrative charges5,1592,9021,23718,664
Separate account rider charges6915,125
Net investment income (loss)(3,600)(17,821)(3,887)(179,306)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares105,26721,61911,3971,153,798
Capital gains distributions682,72846,7075,1171,804,514
Total realized gains (losses) on investments787,99568,32616,5142,958,312
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(627,100)67,631158,590(1,495,499)
Net gains (losses) on investments157,295118,136171,2171,283,507
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$157,295 $118,136 $171,217 $1,283,507 
(1) Commenced operations June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.

A-13



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F DivisionCalvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F DivisionCalvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F DivisionCalvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$3,162,999 $5,038,981 $6,437,873 $8,698,121 
Total assets3,162,9995,038,9816,437,8738,698,121
Total liabilities
Net assets$3,162,999 $5,038,981 $6,437,873 $8,698,121 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$3,162,999 $5,038,981 $6,437,873 $8,698,121 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$3,162,999 $5,038,981 $6,437,873 $8,698,121 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$2,759,740 $5,198,635 $5,581,982 $6,956,350 
Shares of mutual funds owned31,09292,27265,20760,099
Accumulation units outstanding262,867449,044429,858547,572
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding262,867449,044429,858547,572
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F DivisionCalvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F DivisionCalvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F DivisionCalvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$51,181 $115,843 $45,033 $65,247 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks16,74726,45537,04753,269
Administrative charges4,0936,4398,29211,289
Separate account rider charges
Net investment income (loss)30,34182,949(306)689
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares39,000(3,413)113,831261,405
Capital gains distributions165,954221,556
Total realized gains (losses) on investments39,000(3,413)279,785482,961
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments162,435(185,521)261,094993,671
Net gains (losses) on investments231,776(105,985)540,5731,477,321
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$231,776 $(105,985)$540,573 $1,477,321 
See accompanying notes.

A-14



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth
Class II Division
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2 DivisionColumbia Small Cap Value Class 2 DivisionCore Plus Bond Class 1 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$5,877,911 $5,303,971 $3,001,068 $110,485,363 
Total assets5,877,9115,303,9713,001,068110,485,363
Total liabilities
Net assets$5,877,911 $5,303,971 $3,001,068 $110,485,363 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$5,877,911 $5,303,971 $3,001,068 $110,485,363 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$5,877,911 $5,303,971 $3,001,068 $110,485,363 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$5,755,564 $5,386,685 $2,557,806 $110,108,075 
Shares of mutual funds owned173,851541,774145,8249,624,161
Accumulation units outstanding296,172486,336211,0564,798,719
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding296,172486,336211,0564,798,719
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth
Class II Division
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2 DivisionColumbia Small Cap Value Class 2 DivisionCore Plus Bond Class 1 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$64,163 $10,659 $2,986,194 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks31,76035,51413,9801,381,702
Administrative charges7,1386,0903,014115,565
Separate account rider charges8924,908
Net investment income (loss)(38,898)22,470(6,335)1,464,019
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares228,67910,35026,1051,381,745
Capital gains distributions717,1522,852,512
Total realized gains (losses) on investments945,83110,35026,1054,234,257
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(501,467)(124,054)347,204(7,822,161)
Net gains (losses) on investments405,466(91,234)366,974(2,123,885)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$405,466 $(91,234)$366,974 $(2,123,885)
See accompanying notes.

A-15



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class DivisionDiversified Balanced Class 1 DivisionDiversified Balanced Class 2 DivisionDiversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$2,931,741 $23,297,357 $963,138,474 $184,037,476 
Total assets2,931,74123,297,357963,138,474184,037,476
Total liabilities
Net assets$2,931,741 $23,297,357 $963,138,474 $184,037,476 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$2,931,741 $23,297,357 $963,138,474 $184,037,476 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$2,931,741 $23,297,357 $963,138,474 $184,037,476 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$2,358,213 $20,439,226 $779,054,140 $150,332,741 
Shares of mutual funds owned64,7761,286,43653,065,48012,753,810
Accumulation units outstanding143,3131,611,25344,423,50411,703,243
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding143,3131,611,25344,423,50411,703,243
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class DivisionDiversified Balanced Class 1 DivisionDiversified Balanced Class 2 DivisionDiversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$17,293 $501,895 $18,317,614 $3,179,820 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks34,646274,62212,213,9592,302,262
Administrative charges3,73910,4521,465,846279,149
Separate account rider charges1,651224,85246,697
Net investment income (loss)(22,743)216,8214,412,957551,712
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares25,451470,47141,578,2646,886,286
Capital gains distributions1,225,98050,492,9004,023,368
Total realized gains (losses) on investments25,4511,696,45192,071,16410,909,654
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments713,759291,852(9,861,190)3,544,005
Net gains (losses) on investments716,4672,205,12486,622,93115,005,371
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$716,467 $2,205,124 $86,622,931 $15,005,371 
See accompanying notes.

A-16



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Volatility Control Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$229,832,565 $3,973,660,862 $388,997,410 $1,277,224,858 
Total assets229,832,5653,973,660,862388,997,4101,277,224,858
Total liabilities
Net assets$229,832,565 $3,973,660,862 $388,997,410 $1,277,224,858 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$229,832,565 $3,973,660,862 $388,997,410 $1,277,224,858 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$229,832,565 $3,973,660,862 $388,997,410 $1,277,224,858 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$197,998,534 $2,912,911,357 $296,319,291 $1,049,034,629 
Shares of mutual funds owned17,319,711183,286,94024,840,19290,776,464
Accumulation units outstanding17,007,550157,551,45622,587,31888,928,498
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding17,007,550157,551,45622,587,31888,928,498
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Volatility Control Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$2,770,577 $68,289,856 $6,061,825 $13,791,266 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks2,606,28249,336,0564,781,40514,270,159
Administrative charges312,7905,921,018583,6391,712,619
Separate account rider charges620,830144,111
Net investment income (loss)(148,495)12,411,952552,670(2,191,512)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares1,430,952180,919,03114,589,4825,601,723
Capital gains distributions3,313,923182,438,5929,206,64417,234,779
Total realized gains (losses) on investments4,744,875363,357,62323,796,12622,836,502
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments12,371,027111,392,04020,001,377109,734,383
Net gains (losses) on investments16,967,407487,161,61544,350,173130,379,373
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$16,967,407 $487,161,615 $44,350,173 $130,379,373 
See accompanying notes.

A-17



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Diversified Income Class 2 Division
Diversified International
Class 1 Division
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B DivisionDWS Equity 500 Index Class B2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$326,041,854 $102,535,128 $108,264 $3,105,756 
Total assets326,041,854102,535,128108,2643,105,756
Total liabilities
Net assets$326,041,854 $102,535,128 $108,264 $3,105,756 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$326,041,854 $102,535,128 $108,264 $3,105,756 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$326,041,854 $102,535,128 $108,264 $3,105,756 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$292,759,562 $70,756,787 $98,261 $2,134,012 
Shares of mutual funds owned21,436,0195,348,7297,165102,738
Accumulation units outstanding21,020,3863,078,6318,988148,383
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding21,020,3863,078,6318,988148,383
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Diversified Income Class 2 Division
Diversified International
Class 1 Division
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B DivisionDWS Equity 500 Index Class B2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$6,078,264 $1,334,072 $1,353 $33,438 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks4,120,7081,272,50078827,990
Administrative charges494,54382,3261264,562
Separate account rider charges39,2453,666
Net investment income (loss)1,423,768(24,420)439886
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares13,231,0685,583,169250159,863
Capital gains distributions7,434,677489,448133,898
Total realized gains (losses) on investments20,665,7456,072,617250293,761
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(4,653,233)2,447,5127,126421,499
Net gains (losses) on investments17,436,2808,495,7097,815716,146
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$17,436,280 $8,495,709 $7,815 $716,146 
See accompanying notes.

A-18



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B DivisionEQ Convertible Securities Class IB DivisionEQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB DivisionEQ Micro Cap Class IB Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$1,968,215 $916,483 $261,599 $1,110,514 
Total assets1,968,215916,483261,5991,110,514
Total liabilities
Net assets$1,968,215 $916,483 $261,599 $1,110,514 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$1,968,215 $916,483 $261,599 $1,110,514 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$1,968,215 $916,483 $261,599 $1,110,514 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$1,686,868 $1,189,024 $231,227 $1,455,408 
Shares of mutual funds owned127,31087,2843,54798,537
Accumulation units outstanding128,60260,73617,87362,354
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding128,60260,73617,87362,354
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B DivisionEQ Convertible Securities Class IB DivisionEQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB DivisionEQ Micro Cap Class IB Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$12,819 $99,010 $1,537 $
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks17,0393,7001,17410,596
Administrative charges2,3597642791,360
Separate account rider charges631117
Net investment income (loss)(7,210)94,42984(11,956)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares(13,516)11,9194,771(9,387)
Capital gains distributions171,54316,839301,901
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(13,516)183,46221,610292,514
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments378,506(291,599)14,977(347,142)
Net gains (losses) on investments357,780(13,708)36,671(66,584)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$357,780 $(13,708)$36,671 $(66,584)
See accompanying notes.
A-19



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB Division
EQ Socially Responsible
Class IB Division
Equity Income Class 1 DivisionEquity Income Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$417,284 $759,637 $221,633,377 $13,075,836 
Total assets417,284759,637221,633,37713,075,836
Total liabilities
Net assets$417,284 $759,637 $221,633,377 $13,075,836 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$417,284 $759,637 $221,445,968 $13,075,836 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period187,409
Total net assets$417,284 $759,637 $221,633,377 $13,075,836 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$351,085 $674,264 $157,396,777 $10,587,173 
Shares of mutual funds owned22,99136,8766,471,048386,060
Accumulation units outstanding28,60944,5719,078,811799,320
Annuitized units outstanding12,288
Total units outstanding28,60944,5719,091,099799,320
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB Division
EQ Socially Responsible
Class IB Division
Equity Income Class 1 DivisionEquity Income Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$4,864 $3,162 $4,327,769 $208,479 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks2,3984,9282,711,67477,712
Administrative charges532707227,89615,975
Separate account rider charges8019,487
Net investment income (loss)1,934(3,274)1,378,712114,792
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares4,56345,27415,815,520220,059
Capital gains distributions23,1358,722124,8786,520
Total realized gains (losses) on investments27,69853,99615,940,398226,579
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments42,23068,32524,786,8541,616,973
Net gains (losses) on investments71,862119,04742,105,9641,958,344
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$71,862 $119,047 $42,105,964 $1,958,344 
See accompanying notes.

A-20



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class DivisionFidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$44,412,650 $70,396,734 $30,400,329 $2,554,911 
Total assets44,412,65070,396,73430,400,3292,554,911
Total liabilities
Net assets$44,412,650 $70,396,734 $30,400,329 $2,554,911 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$44,412,650 $70,396,734 $30,400,329 $2,554,911 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$44,412,650 $70,396,734 $30,400,329 $2,554,911 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$28,610,032 $48,818,408 $25,766,823 $2,447,939 
Shares of mutual funds owned822,4561,340,6351,203,021166,878
Accumulation units outstanding755,8301,906,597958,833192,279
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding755,8301,906,597958,833192,279
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class DivisionFidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$20,265 $17,332 $482,117 $21,209 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks522,642720,425368,39410,338
Administrative charges20,90896,84125,1112,585
Separate account rider charges8,2982,359
Net investment income (loss)(523,285)(808,232)86,2538,286
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares3,030,4033,026,584696,7778,435
Capital gains distributions5,180,6418,191,3033,345,11850,546
Total realized gains (losses) on investments8,211,04411,217,8874,041,89558,981
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,981,1404,441,5261,911,13954,256
Net gains (losses) on investments9,668,89914,851,1816,039,287121,523
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$9,668,899 $14,851,181 $6,039,287 $121,523 
See accompanying notes.

A-21



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$3,145,209 $2,641,857 $1,636,047 $31,672,306 
Total assets3,145,2092,641,8571,636,04731,672,306
Total liabilities
Net assets$3,145,209 $2,641,857 $1,636,047 $31,672,306 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$3,145,209 $2,641,857 $1,636,047 $31,672,306 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$3,145,209 $2,641,857 $1,636,047 $31,672,306 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$2,931,412 $2,222,802 $1,580,136 $31,672,288 
Shares of mutual funds owned176,59891,63662,49231,672,306
Accumulation units outstanding223,706172,901107,0058,088,645
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding223,706172,901107,0058,088,645
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$25,645 $17,729 $9,513 $3,654 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks12,28911,8895,082407,096
Administrative charges3,0732,9731,27131,382
Separate account rider charges5,508
Net investment income (loss)10,2832,8673,160(440,332)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares14,1114,12674,339
Capital gains distributions79,44979,29031,808
Total realized gains (losses) on investments93,56083,416106,147
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments101,502194,594(8,716)18
Net gains (losses) on investments205,345280,877100,591(440,314)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$205,345 $280,877 $100,591 $(440,314)
See accompanying notes.

A-22



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Growth Service Class DivisionFidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$19,568,998 $20,127,287 $15,813,851 $138,446 
Total assets19,568,99820,127,28715,813,851138,446
Total liabilities
Net assets$19,568,998 $20,127,287 $15,813,851 $138,446 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$19,568,998 $20,127,287 $15,813,851 $138,446 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$19,568,998 $20,127,287 $15,813,851 $138,446 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$19,568,998 $14,338,868 $11,526,868 $139,570 
Shares of mutual funds owned19,568,998197,908159,0613,407
Accumulation units outstanding1,974,977436,822259,7626,676
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding1,974,977436,822259,7626,676
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Growth Service Class DivisionFidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$1,906 $$$670 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks165,633243,325195,4771,255
Administrative charges28,6179,73423,460
Separate account rider charges7,980
Net investment income (loss)(192,344)(253,059)(226,917)(585)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares1,341,7031,146,25018,444
Capital gains distributions4,058,5453,278,41420,945
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,400,2484,424,66439,389
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,394,454)(1,200,531)(13,671)
Net gains (losses) on investments(192,344)3,752,7352,997,21625,133
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$(192,344)$3,752,735 $2,997,216 $25,133 
See accompanying notes.

A-23



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service
Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 DivisionFranklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 2 DivisionFranklin Income VIP Class 4 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$31,247,062 $24,906,237 $2,131,672 $3,670,686 
Total assets31,247,06224,906,2372,131,6723,670,686
Total liabilities
Net assets$31,247,062 $24,906,237 $2,131,672 $3,670,686 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$31,247,062 $24,906,237 $2,131,672 $3,670,686 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$31,247,062 $24,906,237 $2,131,672 $3,670,686 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$26,182,791 $17,749,473 $1,916,068 $3,391,735 
Shares of mutual funds owned793,274860,616122,019213,040
Accumulation units outstanding1,095,312997,561154,315293,447
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding1,095,312997,561154,315293,447
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 DivisionFranklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 2 DivisionFranklin Income VIP Class 4 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$107,023 $78,754 $16,056 $121,475 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks324,590296,51115,94716,952
Administrative charges44,74737,1142,5604,213
Separate account rider charges11,8191,56813
Net investment income (loss)(274,133)(256,439)(2,464)100,310
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares1,101,2531,828,346(5,256)(532)
Capital gains distributions4,868,2701,829,83241,310
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,969,5233,658,17836,054(532)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments553,301650,912367,540281,524
Net gains (losses) on investments6,248,6914,052,651401,130381,302
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$6,248,691 $4,052,651 $401,130 $381,302 
See accompanying notes.

A-24



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4 DivisionFranklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 2 DivisionFranklin U.S. Government Fund Class 2 DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Shares Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$7,326,383 $3,855,571 $2,443,680 $12,777,267 
Total assets7,326,3833,855,5712,443,68012,777,267
Total liabilities
Net assets$7,326,383 $3,855,571 $2,443,680 $12,777,267 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$7,326,383 $3,855,571 $2,443,680 $12,777,267 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$7,326,383 $3,855,571 $2,443,680 $12,777,267 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$5,726,483 $3,325,513 $2,531,162 $10,384,429 
Shares of mutual funds owned206,435219,816211,208654,573
Accumulation units outstanding389,848117,643239,555304,488
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding389,848117,643239,555304,488
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4 DivisionFranklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 2 DivisionFranklin U.S. Government Fund Class 2 DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Shares Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$44,734 $41,559 $59,108 $56,834 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks41,16550,21514,569157,271
Administrative charges8,3935,8143,63518,661
Separate account rider charges1,9223,286
Net investment income (loss)(4,824)(16,392)40,904(122,384)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares53,996(114,922)(14,275)231,003
Capital gains distributions176,585110,0431,672,590
Total realized gains (losses) on investments230,581(4,879)(14,275)1,903,593
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,048,899820,831(89,677)1,412,811
Net gains (losses) on investments1,274,656799,560(63,048)3,194,020
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$1,274,656 $799,560 $(63,048)$3,194,020 
See accompanying notes.

A-25



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio Service Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Institutional Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Service Shares Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$2,648,683 $604,408 $6,058,366 $1,224,758 
Total assets2,648,683604,4086,058,3661,224,758
Total liabilities
Net assets$2,648,683 $604,408 $6,058,366 $1,224,758 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$2,648,683 $604,408 $6,058,366 $1,224,758 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$2,648,683 $604,408 $6,058,366 $1,224,758 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$2,269,887 $590,314 $5,782,923 $1,266,048 
Shares of mutual funds owned134,31461,927463,17794,722
Accumulation units outstanding158,75053,872177,21880,557
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding158,75053,872177,21880,557
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio Service Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Institutional Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Service Shares Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$5,063 $8,974 $27,741 $2,774 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks16,9942,79876,8626,760
Administrative charges3,3066809,0011,408
Separate account rider charges1,614
Net investment income (loss)(15,237)5,496(59,736)(5,394)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares27,7731,586189,00415,937
Capital gains distributions337,4881,308,618259,959
Total realized gains (losses) on investments365,2611,5861,497,622275,896
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments201,8657,863(229,174)(112,112)
Net gains (losses) on investments551,88914,9451,208,712158,390
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$551,889 $14,945 $1,208,712 $158,390 
See accompanying notes.
A-26



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 DivisionGuggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F DivisionGuggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures Strategy DivisionGuggenheim Investments Long Short Equity Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$73,053,777 $3,508,955 $180,772 $305,432 
Total assets73,053,7773,508,955180,772305,432
Total liabilities
Net assets$73,053,777 $3,508,955 $180,772 $305,432 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$73,053,777 $3,508,955 $180,772 $305,432 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$73,053,777 $3,508,955 $180,772 $305,432 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$77,520,053 $3,617,447 $185,493 $246,624 
Shares of mutual funds owned7,706,095143,81011,12417,246
Accumulation units outstanding6,566,751324,63818,54024,240
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding6,566,751324,63818,54024,240
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 DivisionGuggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F DivisionGuggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures Strategy DivisionGuggenheim Investments Long Short Equity Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$1,728,828 $74,403 $$1,585 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks925,15131,8231,7942,118
Administrative charges69,9374,077280352
Separate account rider charges7,35513828
Net investment income (loss)726,38538,365(2,074)(913)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares(638,521)(49,050)2981,003
Capital gains distributions2,348
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(638,521)(49,050)2,6461,003
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(2,095,875)49,204(631)52,092
Net gains (losses) on investments(2,008,011)38,519(59)52,182
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$(2,008,011)$38,519 $(59)$52,182 
See accompanying notes.

A-27



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies DivisionInternational Emerging Markets Class 1 DivisionInvesco American Franchise Series I DivisionInvesco American Value Series I Division (1)
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$711,487 $39,901,341 $5,220,893 $3,908,584 
Total assets711,48739,901,3415,220,8933,908,584
Total liabilities
Net assets$711,487 $39,901,341 $5,220,893 $3,908,584 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$711,487 $39,901,341 $5,220,893 $3,908,584 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$711,487 $39,901,341 $5,220,893 $3,908,584 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$659,436 $32,677,798 $3,909,135 $3,696,262 
Shares of mutual funds owned26,3422,028,53858,907194,167
Accumulation units outstanding63,3581,177,628138,929374,216
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding63,3581,177,628138,929374,216
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies DivisionInternational Emerging Markets Class 1 DivisionInvesco American Franchise Series I DivisionInvesco American Value Series I Division (1)
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$185,594 $$17,068 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks7,122524,89969,31433,041
Administrative charges99747,0442,7733,965
Separate account rider charges1062,692497
Net investment income (loss)(8,225)(389,041)(72,087)(20,435)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares5,2131,707,539579,5948,604
Capital gains distributions16,565629,650634,564
Total realized gains (losses) on investments21,7782,337,1891,214,1588,604
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments27,507(2,033,774)(574,815)212,322
Net gains (losses) on investments41,060(85,626)567,256200,491
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$41,060 $(85,626)$567,256 $200,491 
(1) Commenced operations April 29, 2021.
See accompanying notes.

A-28



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II DivisionInvesco Core Equity Series I Division
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I
Division (1)
Invesco Health Care Series I Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$927,784 $15,437,434 $1,126,444 $7,332,083 
Total assets927,78415,437,4341,126,4447,332,083
Total liabilities
Net assets$927,784 $15,437,434 $1,126,444 $7,332,083 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$927,784 $15,437,434 $1,126,444 $7,332,083 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$927,784 $15,437,434 $1,126,444 $7,332,083 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$932,138 $13,227,788 $790,602 $6,151,724 
Shares of mutual funds owned87,942408,5069,827216,541
Accumulation units outstanding71,533539,01064,428225,044
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding71,533539,01064,428225,044
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II DivisionInvesco Core Equity Series I Division
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I
Division (1)
Invesco Health Care Series I Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$26,452 $98,168 $$14,433 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks6,394185,87115,19589,369
Administrative charges1,1717,4366084,525
Separate account rider charges324
Net investment income (loss)18,887(95,139)(15,803)(79,785)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares(1,627)543,039112,39519,436
Capital gains distributions28,460336,233121,956750,738
Total realized gains (losses) on investments26,833879,272234,351770,174
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments11,5462,641,322(22,757)51,063
Net gains (losses) on investments57,2663,425,455195,791741,452
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$57,266 $3,425,455 $195,791 $741,452 
(1) Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.

A-29



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Invesco Health Care Series II DivisionInvesco International Growth Series I DivisionInvesco International Growth Series II Division
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II
Division (1)
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$8,307,958 $6,122,558 $3,000,907 $487,114 
Total assets8,307,9586,122,5583,000,907487,114
Total liabilities
Net assets$8,307,958 $6,122,558 $3,000,907 $487,114 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$8,307,958 $6,122,558 $3,000,907 $487,114 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$8,307,958 $6,122,558 $3,000,907 $487,114 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$7,727,274 $5,328,325 $2,826,541 $379,693 
Shares of mutual funds owned262,744147,85273,69615,800
Accumulation units outstanding491,521387,142227,97920,204
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding491,521387,142227,97920,204
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Invesco Health Care Series II DivisionInvesco International Growth Series I DivisionInvesco International Growth Series II Division
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II
Division (1)
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$218 $81,830 $29,617 $877 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks44,95081,87519,8056,016
Administrative charges9,6289,8264,072241
Separate account rider charges2,028
Net investment income (loss)(54,360)(11,899)5,740(5,380)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares118,495213,18953,65225,267
Capital gains distributions840,049432,157190,81030,681
Total realized gains (losses) on investments958,544645,346244,46255,948
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(201,161)(342,551)(134,939)40,519
Net gains (losses) on investments703,023290,896115,26391,087
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$703,023 $290,896 $115,263 $91,087 
(1) Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Series II Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.

A-30



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I Division
Invesco Technology
Series I Division
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares Division (1)Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$6,720,371 $3,677,031 $4,580,994 $10,355,419 
Total assets6,720,3713,677,0314,580,99410,355,419
Total liabilities
Net assets$6,720,371 $3,677,031 $4,580,994 $10,355,419 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$6,720,371 $3,677,031 $4,580,994 $10,355,419 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$6,720,371 $3,677,031 $4,580,994 $10,355,419 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$5,275,236 $2,760,822 $4,425,519 $7,234,409 
Shares of mutual funds owned286,09596,56186,206111,963
Accumulation units outstanding162,612135,470418,418278,083
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding162,612135,470418,418278,083
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I Division
Invesco Technology
Series I Division
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares Division (1)Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$11,161 $$11,512 $24,703 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks86,92047,7649,744129,578
Administrative charges8,5951,9112,0655,184
Separate account rider charges3,064
Net investment income (loss)(87,418)(49,675)(297)(110,059)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares423,561400,6931,984595,438
Capital gains distributions353,255343,835931,864
Total realized gains (losses) on investments776,816744,5281,9841,527,302
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments498,680(226,597)155,47537,948
Net gains (losses) on investments1,188,078468,256157,1621,455,191
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$1,188,078 $468,256 $157,162 $1,455,191 
(1) Commenced operations June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.

A-31



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares DivisionJanus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Service Shares Division
LargeCap
Growth I Class 1 Division
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$9,275,362 $8,081,814 $210,316,503 $115,615,572 
Total assets9,275,3628,081,814210,316,503115,615,572
Total liabilities
Net assets$9,275,362 $8,081,814 $210,316,503 $115,615,572 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$9,275,362 $8,081,814 $210,316,503 $115,615,572 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$9,275,362 $8,081,814 $210,316,503 $115,615,572 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$9,527,557 $7,616,143 $141,902,073 $75,704,667 
Shares of mutual funds owned698,973386,5054,007,5554,528,616
Accumulation units outstanding803,313396,7342,860,9323,459,885
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding803,313396,7342,860,9323,459,885
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares DivisionJanus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Service Shares Division
LargeCap
Growth I Class 1 Division
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$195,795 $36,700 $$1,499,154 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks69,31136,3392,450,8531,314,768
Administrative charges11,6868,701144,249100,899
Separate account rider charges7939,97616,394
Net investment income (loss)114,005(8,340)(2,605,078)67,093
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares22,120193,62314,435,70210,236,894
Capital gains distributions151,371684,95824,118,8588,998,776
Total realized gains (losses) on investments173,491878,58138,554,56019,235,670
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(437,566)(99,018)2,042,0376,592,230
Net gains (losses) on investments(150,070)771,22337,991,51925,894,993
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$(150,070)$771,223 $37,991,519 $25,894,993 
See accompanying notes.


A-32



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2 DivisionMFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class DivisionMFS New Discovery Service Class DivisionMFS Utilities Service Class Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$46,636,053 $10,791,311 $7,906,838 $16,805,569 
Total assets46,636,05310,791,3117,906,83816,805,569
Total liabilities
Net assets$46,636,053 $10,791,311 $7,906,838 $16,805,569 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$46,636,053 $10,791,311 $7,906,838 $16,805,569 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$46,636,053 $10,791,311 $7,906,838 $16,805,569 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$38,410,620 $8,608,333 $7,870,558 $13,668,952 
Shares of mutual funds owned1,855,792291,973398,530447,194
Accumulation units outstanding2,485,273660,788378,229746,520
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding2,485,273660,788378,229746,520
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2 DivisionMFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class DivisionMFS New Discovery Service Class DivisionMFS Utilities Service Class Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$509,651 $14,166 $$234,944 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks250,44498,89967,399164,850
Administrative charges56,26614,15512,06122,823
Separate account rider charges7342,1643,096
Net investment income (loss)202,941(99,622)(81,624)44,175
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares770,575418,495359,833260,445
Capital gains distributions3,352,891274,6931,506,515529,553
Total realized gains (losses) on investments4,123,466693,1881,866,348789,998
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments4,522,618292,724(1,745,048)989,483
Net gains (losses) on investments8,849,025886,29039,6761,823,656
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$8,849,025 $886,290 $39,676 $1,823,656 
See accompanying notes.
A-33



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
MFS Value Service Class DivisionMidCap Class 1 DivisionMidCap Class 2 Division (1)Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio Class S Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$4,416,030 $369,568,432 $13,298,615 $4,638,714 
Total assets4,416,030369,568,43213,298,6154,638,714
Total liabilities
Net assets$4,416,030 $369,568,432 $13,298,615 $4,638,714 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$4,416,030 $369,568,432 $13,298,615 $4,638,714 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$4,416,030 $369,568,432 $13,298,615 $4,638,714 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$3,498,974 $276,949,302 $12,013,834 $3,693,315 
Shares of mutual funds owned182,7834,943,398179,979128,782
Accumulation units outstanding112,6392,177,069915,973222,846
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding112,6392,177,069915,973222,846
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
MFS Value Service Class DivisionMidCap Class 1 DivisionMidCap Class 2 Division (1)Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio Class S Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$49,031 $459,751 $$
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks55,4534,320,16947,55145,151
Administrative charges6,655272,56311,1096,869
Separate account rider charges7662,223282
Net investment income (loss)(13,843)(4,135,204)(58,660)(52,302)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares217,44911,560,47158,684266,144
Capital gains distributions96,37423,180,018564,315531,162
Total realized gains (losses) on investments313,82334,740,489622,999797,306
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments640,97245,478,9471,006,680(263,250)
Net gains (losses) on investments940,95276,084,2321,571,019481,754
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$940,952 $76,084,232 $1,571,019 $481,754 
See accompanying notes.

A-34



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I DivisionNeuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S DivisionPIMCO All Asset Administrative Class DivisionPIMCO All Asset Advisor Class Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$6,992,997 $99,217 $2,317,141 $265,218 
Total assets6,992,99799,2172,317,141265,218
Total liabilities
Net assets$6,992,997 $99,217 $2,317,141 $265,218 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$6,992,997 $99,217 $2,317,141 $265,218 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$6,992,997 $99,217 $2,317,141 $265,218 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$4,945,172 $82,350 $2,102,962 $248,094 
Shares of mutual funds owned188,8472,673201,31522,746
Accumulation units outstanding161,3866,202114,78420,278
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding161,3866,202114,78420,278
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I DivisionNeuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S DivisionPIMCO All Asset Administrative Class DivisionPIMCO All Asset Advisor Class Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$25,443 $163 $263,548 $23,182 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks86,18148029,6601,540
Administrative charges10,3431203,560318
Separate account rider charges1,741272
Net investment income (loss)(72,822)(437)230,05621,324
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares360,8641,47652,619563
Capital gains distributions130,0981,789
Total realized gains (losses) on investments490,9623,26552,619563
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments933,09611,11535,7804,756
Net gains (losses) on investments1,351,23613,943318,45526,643
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$1,351,236 $13,943 $318,455 $26,643 
See accompanying notes.

A-35



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M DivisionPIMCO Emerging Market Bond Administrative Class Division (1)PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class DivisionPIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$422,876 $293,056 $23,370,194 $4,900,906 
Total assets422,876293,05623,370,1944,900,906
Total liabilities
Net assets$422,876 $293,056 $23,370,194 $4,900,906 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$422,876 $293,056 $23,370,194 $4,900,906 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$422,876 $293,056 $23,370,194 $4,900,906 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$397,941 $300,608 $22,959,382 $4,941,379 
Shares of mutual funds owned55,13323,4072,943,350479,072
Accumulation units outstanding37,94629,8541,557,712475,413
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding37,94629,8541,557,712475,413
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M DivisionPIMCO Emerging Market Bond Administrative Class Division (1)PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class DivisionPIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$10,248 $2,993 $959,906 $18,354 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks1,460399228,73230,555
Administrative charges2769932,3746,212
Separate account rider charges2,494
Net investment income (loss)8,5122,495696,306(18,413)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares1,287(71)205,4242,586
Capital gains distributions
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,287(71)205,4242,586
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments23,549(7,552)(388,982)(69,113)
Net gains (losses) on investments33,348(5,128)512,748(84,940)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$33,348 $(5,128)$512,748 $(84,940)
(1) Commenced operations June 7, 2021
See accompanying notes.

A-36



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division
Principal Capital Appreciation
Class 1 Division
Principal Capital Appreciation
Class 2 Division
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$30,374,822 $101,111,700 $12,807,579 $14,299,347 
Total assets30,374,822101,111,70012,807,57914,299,347
Total liabilities
Net assets$30,374,822 $101,111,700 $12,807,579 $14,299,347 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$30,374,822 $101,111,700 $12,807,579 $14,299,347 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$30,374,822 $101,111,700 $12,807,579 $14,299,347 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$31,374,922 $63,008,071 $10,045,381 $13,495,831 
Shares of mutual funds owned2,822,9392,414,896310,9391,066,320
Accumulation units outstanding2,380,6183,265,459664,110690,047
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding2,380,6183,265,459664,110690,047
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division
Principal Capital Appreciation
Class 1 Division
Principal Capital Appreciation
Class 2 Division
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$533,388 $822,569 $80,243 $249,636 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks290,9771,239,23167,778188,890
Administrative charges43,873114,57915,40420,492
Separate account rider charges2,60513,2571,732
Net investment income (loss)195,933(544,498)(2,939)38,522
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares(12,523)8,292,718236,354496,382
Capital gains distributions1,246,2233,716,940428,323789,085
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,233,70012,009,658664,6771,285,467
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(2,124,101)11,470,2671,730,771(652,736)
Net gains (losses) on investments(694,468)22,935,4272,392,509671,253
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$(694,468)$22,935,427 $2,392,509 $671,253 
See accompanying notes.

A-37



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$75,498,375 $59,022,903 $16,395,629 $11,673,751 
Total assets75,498,37559,022,90316,395,62911,673,751
Total liabilities
Net assets$75,498,375 $59,022,903 $16,395,629 $11,673,751 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$75,498,375 $59,022,903 $16,395,629 $11,673,751 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$75,498,375 $59,022,903 $16,395,629 $11,673,751 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$66,269,368 $47,272,523 $12,413,193 $8,626,087 
Shares of mutual funds owned4,970,2683,783,519822,248595,600
Accumulation units outstanding3,068,9412,227,767571,061413,255
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding3,068,9412,227,767571,061413,255
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$1,263,492 $797,115 $208,699 $130,217 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks962,352736,865202,433141,183
Administrative charges108,25485,26223,40817,252
Separate account rider charges6,4755,3401,684422
Net investment income (loss)186,411(30,352)(18,826)(28,640)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares3,233,1581,501,551861,735478,938
Capital gains distributions4,361,1002,066,201528,666364,058
Total realized gains (losses) on investments7,594,2583,567,7521,390,401842,996
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,938,203)2,921,190785,756878,648
Net gains (losses) on investments5,842,4666,458,5902,157,3311,693,004
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$5,842,466 $6,458,590 $2,157,331 $1,693,004 
See accompanying notes.

A-38



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 DivisionReal Estate Securities Class 1 DivisionReal Estate Securities Class 2 DivisionRydex Basic Materials Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$9,167,218 $68,804,820 $11,374,862 $798,907 
Total assets9,167,21868,804,82011,374,862798,907
Total liabilities
Net assets$9,167,218 $68,804,820 $11,374,862 $798,907 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$9,167,218 $68,804,820 $11,374,862 $798,907 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$9,167,218 $68,804,820 $11,374,862 $798,907 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$8,623,279 $56,856,833 $9,508,699 $632,251 
Shares of mutual funds owned726,4042,772,152457,5577,540
Accumulation units outstanding507,977746,406645,35851,117
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding507,977746,406645,35851,117
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 DivisionReal Estate Securities Class 1 DivisionReal Estate Securities Class 2 DivisionRydex Basic Materials Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$174,133 $892,859 $110,760 $3,592 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks118,693781,41062,2084,983
Administrative charges12,65562,12812,922910
Separate account rider charges8399,225
Net investment income (loss)41,94640,09635,630(2,301)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares215,3101,862,69128,0495,660
Capital gains distributions386,1854,042,479570,58415,923
Total realized gains (losses) on investments601,4955,905,170598,63321,583
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(348,436)14,500,7932,200,88388,418
Net gains (losses) on investments295,00520,446,0592,835,146107,700
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$295,005 $20,446,059 $2,835,146 $107,700 
See accompanying notes.

A-39



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Rydex Commodities Strategy Division
Rydex
NASDAQ 100 Division
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$1,261,500 $14,216,715 $414,419,215 $38,820,113 
Total assets1,261,50014,216,715414,419,21538,820,113
Total liabilities
Net assets$1,261,500 $14,216,715 $414,419,215 $38,820,113 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$1,261,500 $14,216,715 $414,419,215 $38,820,113 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$1,261,500 $14,216,715 $414,419,215 $38,820,113 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$1,146,295 $10,786,373 $351,744,976 $34,359,618 
Shares of mutual funds owned14,485195,07022,883,4462,176,015
Accumulation units outstanding157,557583,40718,730,9432,697,888
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding157,557583,40718,730,9432,697,888
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Rydex Commodities Strategy Division
Rydex
NASDAQ 100 Division
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$$6,420,124 $468,398 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks9,92582,4795,239,920239,160
Administrative charges1,31117,810578,23548,925
Separate account rider charges31742,622
Net investment income (loss)(11,553)(100,289)559,347180,313
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares55,933491,5803,536,104225,286
Capital gains distributions936,4478,656,011724,746
Total realized gains (losses) on investments55,9331,428,02712,192,115950,032
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments202,1311,281,40735,443,2452,522,564
Net gains (losses) on investments246,5112,609,14548,194,7073,652,909
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$246,511 $2,609,145 $48,194,707 $3,652,909 
See accompanying notes.

A-40



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$95,296,005 $16,588,125 $87,461,092 $29,662,831 
Total assets 95,296,005 16,588,125 87,461,092 29,662,831
Total liabilities
Net assets$95,296,005 $16,588,125 $87,461,092 $29,662,831 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$95,296,005 $16,588,125 $87,461,092 $29,662,831 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$95,296,005 $16,588,125 $87,461,092 $29,662,831 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$84,365,910 $15,194,257 $65,105,546 $24,319,362 
Shares of mutual funds owned 7,001,911 1,237,920 3,523,815 1,216,188
Accumulation units outstanding 4,795,933 1,244,468 3,601,516 1,902,871
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding 4,795,933 1,244,468 3,601,516 1,902,871
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1 Division
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$1,767,068 $255,099 $1,034,526 $279,161 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks 1,225,760 106,636 1,101,318 187,497
Administrative charges 136,556 21,662 118,229 38,348
Separate account rider charges 18,231 —  24,390 —
Net investment income (loss) 386,521 126,801 (209,411) 53,316
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares 419,403 183,227 3,023,202 344,108
Capital gains distributions 1,245,315 201,688 1,706,843 545,881
Total realized gains (losses) on investments 1,664,718 384,915 4,730,045 889,989
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments 5,706,477 607,749 8,727,794 2,755,447
Net gains (losses) on investments 7,757,716 1,119,465 13,248,428 3,698,752
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$7,757,716 $1,119,465 $13,248,428 $3,698,752 
See accompanying notes.
A-41



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 2 DivisionSAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$106,959,642 $33,155,068 $55,573,185 $23,377,291 
Total assets106,959,64233,155,06855,573,18523,377,291
Total liabilities
Net assets$106,959,642 $33,155,068 $55,573,185 $23,377,291 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$106,959,642 $33,155,068 $55,573,185 $23,377,291 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$106,959,642 $33,155,068 $55,573,185 $23,377,291 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$102,427,772 $32,342,207 $39,779,876 $19,004,729 
Shares of mutual funds owned8,121,4612,550,3901,978,397846,390
Accumulation units outstanding5,790,2622,650,3382,186,2091,430,428
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding5,790,2622,650,3382,186,2091,430,428
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 2 DivisionSAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$2,521,560 $671,713 $516,351 $167,069 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks1,365,266197,436676,584137,775
Administrative charges138,91641,29272,50826,854
Separate account rider charges15,62436,696
Net investment income (loss)1,001,754432,985(269,437)2,440
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares(6,023)207,3371,516,863344,476
Capital gains distributions1,642,263474,1371,167,496464,489
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,636,240681,4742,684,359808,965
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments3,160,298307,9716,561,0362,002,467
Net gains (losses) on investments5,798,2921,422,4308,975,9582,813,872
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$5,798,292 $1,422,430 $8,975,958 $2,813,872 
See accompanying notes.

A-42



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
Short-Term Income Class 1 DivisionSmallCap Class 1 DivisionSmallCap Class 2 DivisionT. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$64,485,405 $100,279,428 $5,281,838 $43,230,327 
Total assets64,485,405100,279,4285,281,83843,230,327
Total liabilities
Net assets$64,485,405 $100,279,428 $5,281,838 $43,230,327 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$64,485,405 $100,279,428 $5,281,838 $43,230,327 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$64,485,405 $100,279,428 $5,281,838 $43,230,327 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$65,428,987 $74,736,827 $4,439,960 $32,827,359 
Shares of mutual funds owned25,488,3025,001,468265,019856,555
Accumulation units outstanding5,399,8882,577,861326,0351,422,406
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding5,399,8882,577,861326,0351,422,406
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
Short-Term Income Class 1 DivisionSmallCap Class 1 DivisionSmallCap Class 2 DivisionT. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$1,028,722 $315,062 $6,998 $
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks838,5231,280,31833,316417,595
Administrative charges90,29790,9476,80259,797
Separate account rider charges2,71312,60214,689
Net investment income (loss)97,189(1,068,805)(33,120)(492,081)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares78,0184,727,603249,1983,495,279
Capital gains distributions306,8123,100,210143,4614,738,514
Total realized gains (losses) on investments384,8307,827,813392,6598,233,793
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,884,009)10,941,581311,342(1,991,142)
Net gains (losses) on investments(1,401,990)17,700,589670,8815,750,570
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$(1,401,990)$17,700,589 $670,881 $5,750,570 
See accompanying notes.

A-43



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II DivisionTempleton Global Bond VIP Class 4 DivisionTempleton Growth VIP Class 2 DivisionThe Merger Fund Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$26,785,423 $2,781,797 $611,513 $401,354 
Total assets26,785,4232,781,797611,513401,354
Total liabilities
Net assets$26,785,423 $2,781,797 $611,513 $401,354 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$26,785,423 $2,781,797 $611,513 $401,354 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$26,785,423 $2,781,797 $611,513 $401,354 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$18,938,412 $3,154,911 $573,070 $396,931 
Shares of mutual funds owned437,742206,67152,76234,100
Accumulation units outstanding276,268322,06223,22834,054
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding276,268322,06223,22834,054
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II DivisionTempleton Global Bond VIP Class 4 DivisionTempleton Growth VIP Class 2 DivisionThe Merger Fund Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$$$7,172 $
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks348,36126,2995,4272,607
Administrative charges41,8084,105595
Separate account rider charges8,58443
Net investment income (loss)(398,753)(30,447)1,745(3,202)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares1,832,271(203,875)(12,571)4,392
Capital gains distributions1,697,85518,594
Total realized gains (losses) on investments3,530,126(203,875)(12,571)22,986
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(119,333)54,13736,418(18,644)
Net gains (losses) on investments3,012,040(180,185)25,5921,140
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$3,012,040 $(180,185)$25,592 $1,140 
See accompanying notes.

A-44



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$1,181,722 $2,083,501 $1,216,205 $1,395,333 
Total assets1,181,7222,083,5011,216,2051,395,333
Total liabilities
Net assets$1,181,722 $2,083,501 $1,216,205 $1,395,333 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$1,181,722 $2,083,501 $1,216,205 $1,395,333 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$1,181,722 $2,083,501 $1,216,205 $1,395,333 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$920,673 $1,907,739 $1,158,581 $1,198,868 
Shares of mutual funds owned56,006135,73387,87666,603
Accumulation units outstanding84,206167,170102,890102,566
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding84,206167,170102,890102,566
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$4,632 $10,427 $8,403 $4,572 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks6,4178,0926,2726,206
Administrative charges1,5652,0131,2461,448
Separate account rider charges381,139254
Net investment income (loss)(3,350)284(254)(3,336)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares42,8432,6421,27110,121
Capital gains distributions
Total realized gains (losses) on investments42,8432,6421,27110,121
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments135,05295,86634,060114,058
Net gains (losses) on investments174,54598,79235,077120,843
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$174,545 $98,792 $35,077 $120,843 
See accompanying notes.

A-45



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2021
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionVanEck Global Resources Class S Division (1)
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at fair value$514,878 $4,588,547 
Total assets514,8784,588,547
Total liabilities
Net assets$514,878 $4,588,547 
Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units$514,878 $4,588,547 
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period
Total net assets$514,878 $4,588,547 
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost$444,226 $3,687,098 
Shares of mutual funds owned31,395180,014
Accumulation units outstanding39,115407,303
Annuitized units outstanding
Total units outstanding39,115407,303
Statements of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2021
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionVanEck Global Resources Class S Division (1)
Net investment income (loss)
Investment income:
Dividends$3,414 $14,323 
Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks2,47755,149
Administrative charges6026,199
Separate account rider charges1,435
Net investment income (loss)335(48,460)
Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares1,261323,073
Capital gains distributions
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,261323,073
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments39,362444,308
Net gains (losses) on investments40,958718,921
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$40,958 $718,921 
(1) Represented the operations of VanEck Global Hard Assets Class S Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.

A-46



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A DivisionAllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A DivisionAlps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio Class III Division
American Century VP Capital Appreciation
Class I Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$4,548,893 $4,879,162 $527,254 $1,666,093 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(63,662)(15,164)72,450(23,482)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments843,793(104,643)10,396245,945
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,209,13253,716(6,599)362,525
Net gains (losses) on investments1,989,263(66,091)76,247584,988
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,989,263(66,091)76,247584,988
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes467,009407,450287,796206,109
Administration charges(95)(1,769)(865)
Contingent sales charges(3,482)(1,337)(7)(453)
Contract terminations(705,772)(289,623)(350)(91,807)
Death benefit payments(233)(45,972)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(27,215)(21,600)(1,590)(15,167)
Transfers to other contracts(914,241)(827,930)(141,053)(425,295)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,184,029)(779,012)143,027(327,478)
Total increase (decrease)805,234(845,103)219,274257,510
Net assets as of December 31, 20205,354,1274,034,059746,5281,923,603
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(72,771)(34,289)46,586(25,359)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,785,75477,28649,188348,634
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,283,567)1,299,43691,897(142,223)
Net gains (losses) on investments429,4161,342,433187,671181,052
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations429,4161,342,433187,671181,052
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes588,7021,740,028567,22761,440
Administration charges(66)(2,800)(792)
Contingent sales charges(1,971)(2,003)(161)(241)
Contract terminations(703,122)(718,268)(20,781)(85,831)
Death benefit payments(23,318)(10,665)(18,451)(41,089)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(28,301)(44,764)(3,783)(18,475)
Transfers to other contracts(860,357)(859,536)(113,979)(339,795)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,028,433)104,792407,272(424,783)
Total increase (decrease)(599,017)1,447,225594,943(243,731)
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$4,755,110 $5,481,284 $1,341,471 $1,679,872 
See accompanying notes.
A-47



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I Division (1)American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Ultra Class I Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$9,811,230 $32,718,900 $9,130,144 $3,723,090 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)70,800(14,362)15,573(51,496)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments804,159(94,748)(58,688)807,734
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments58,6722,395,285(67,152)845,013
Net gains (losses) on investments933,6312,286,175(110,267)1,601,251
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations933,6312,286,175(110,267)1,601,251
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes394,3237,508,804724,134887,702
Administration charges(429)(133,182)(172)(520)
Contingent sales charges(816)(9,514)(3,032)(336)
Contract terminations(491,295)(1,958,363)(667,894)(407,803)
Death benefit payments(140,564)(301,310)(94,331)(52,817)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(114,015)(1,224,209)(62,394)(35,754)
Transfers to other contracts(292,999)(4,647,808)(955,036)(965,358)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(645,795)(765,582)(1,058,725)(574,886)
Total increase (decrease)287,8361,520,593(1,168,992)1,026,365
Net assets as of December 31, 202010,099,06634,239,4937,961,1524,749,455
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(11,989)601,825(37,181)(59,175)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments2,129,682525,362369,649773,175
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments64,229506,6211,274,628174,550
Net gains (losses) on investments2,181,9221,633,8081,607,096888,550
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations2,181,9221,633,8081,607,096888,550
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes507,6286,333,021714,697220,383
Administration charges(505)(127,286)(143)(543)
Contingent sales charges604(7,574)(3,133)(391)
Contract terminations(804,239)(2,609,897)(1,231,761)(710,761)
Death benefit payments(119,533)(416,521)(38,553)(3,153)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(126,681)(1,212,303)(68,997)(34,921)
Transfers to other contracts(488,729)(3,475,029)(591,883)(342,901)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,031,455)(1,515,589)(1,219,773)(872,287)
Total increase (decrease)1,150,467118,219387,32316,263
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$11,249,533 $34,357,712 $8,348,475 $4,765,718 
(1) Represented the operations of American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-48



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
American Century VP Ultra Class II DivisionAmerican Century VP Value Class II DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 4 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$26,467,436 $14,004,030 $2,711,263 $8,179,899 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(375,396)109,82656356,295
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,591,982997,59220,87138,206
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments5,060,975(1,180,404)214,903861,657
Net gains (losses) on investments10,277,561(72,986)236,337956,158
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations10,277,561(72,986)236,337956,158
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,744,1471,461,711369,2971,952,186
Administration charges(94,741)(4,324)(382)(18,517)
Contingent sales charges(9,199)(1,954)(515)(2,200)
Contract terminations(1,864,481)(842,929)(104,815)(130,187)
Death benefit payments(297,386)(53,106)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(938,893)(117,013)(13,794)(79,583)
Transfers to other contracts(6,969,567)(1,121,299)(518,465)(779,270)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(8,430,120)(678,914)(268,674)942,429
Total increase (decrease)1,847,441(751,900)(32,337)1,898,587
Net assets as of December 31, 202028,314,87713,252,1302,678,92610,078,486
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(395,464)48,487(1,282)103,410
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,807,7481,452,168270,592571,113
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments7,0161,436,44265,3901,064,657
Net gains (losses) on investments5,419,3002,937,097334,7001,739,180
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations5,419,3002,937,097334,7001,739,180
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,238,9241,600,1121,272,6397,072,139
Administration charges(83,089)(5,901)(401)(30,177)
Contingent sales charges(7,146)(786)(2,192)(2,290)
Contract terminations(2,549,678)(930,748)(782,378)(219,514)
Death benefit payments(399,135)(148,519)(75,532)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(889,916)(134,096)(28,856)(143,972)
Transfers to other contracts(4,440,850)(1,102,315)(936,781)(336,320)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(7,130,890)(722,253)(477,969)6,264,334
Total increase (decrease)(1,711,590)2,214,844(143,269)8,003,514
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$26,603,287 $15,466,974 $2,535,657 $18,082,000 
See accompanying notes.
A-49



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 4 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust Class 2 Division (1)American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund Class P2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$1,573,419 $1,433,725 $1,237,229 $2,153,368 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(19,356)(11,930)87,46115,387
Total realized gains (losses) on investments134,45288,669(20,913)84,864
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments309,690401,380745110,394
Net gains (losses) on investments424,786478,11967,293210,645
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations424,786478,11967,293210,645
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes127,517858,529156,6882,593,367
Administration charges(90)(4,310)(5,456)
Contingent sales charges(99)(286)(19)(206)
Contract terminations(20,812)(26,037)(23,495)(14,867)
Death benefit payments(226,302)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(8,899)(5,738)(9,653)(26,084)
Transfers to other contracts(165,641)(352,008)(119,163)(135,918)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(68,024)470,1504,3582,184,534
Total increase (decrease)356,762948,26971,6512,395,179
Net assets as of December 31, 20201,930,1812,381,9941,308,8804,548,547
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(28,418)(27,177)45,03728,092
Total realized gains (losses) on investments233,483252,259(11,517)21,953
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(89,676)(102,359)62,609535,002
Net gains (losses) on investments115,389122,72396,129585,047
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations115,389122,72396,129585,047
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes210,8062,058,392755,7271,815,614
Administration charges(58)(8,811)(7,474)
Contingent sales charges(370)(947)(134)(285)
Contract terminations(235,058)(74,332)(243,122)(28,719)
Death benefit payments(33,070)(66,071)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(19,659)(12,836)(7,769)(41,984)
Transfers to other contracts(199,650)(500,635)(374,398)(126,649)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(243,989)1,427,761130,3041,544,432
Total increase (decrease)(128,600)1,550,484226,4332,129,479
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$1,801,581 $3,932,478 $1,535,313 $6,678,026 
(1) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Bond Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-50



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Growth Fund Class P2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk International Fund Class P2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 2 DivisionAmerican Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 4 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$2,093,014 $200,535 $1,786,844 $2,183,210 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(2,458)789(22,600)(21,937)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments251,626(376)54,06623,284
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments656,1875,663329,663649,385
Net gains (losses) on investments905,3556,076361,129650,732
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations905,3556,076361,129650,732
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,836,977134,802486,1141,359,797
Administration charges(6,828)(714)(6,192)
Contingent sales charges(501)(207)(650)(608)
Contract terminations(30,954)(10,264)(142,185)(39,239)
Death benefit payments(4,894)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(25,286)(509)(10,645)(7,859)
Transfers to other contracts(837,676)(37,808)(367,440)(456,014)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions935,73280,406(34,806)849,885
Total increase (decrease)1,841,08786,482326,3231,500,617
Net assets as of December 31, 20203,934,101287,0172,113,1673,683,827
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(13,040)(1,240)(12,569)(4,601)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments281,814623218,022274,002
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments305,590(17,218)(131,773)(155,541)
Net gains (losses) on investments574,364(17,835)73,680113,860
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations574,364(17,835)73,680113,860
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,681,234140,219451,9112,954,574
Administration charges(9,995)(952)(11,814)
Contingent sales charges(498)(4)(565)(1,257)
Contract terminations(58,465)(837)(270,683)(94,151)
Death benefit payments(14,727)(13,963)(27,221)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(28,737)(2,630)(21,983)(14,541)
Transfers to other contracts(147,156)(5,287)(244,742)(402,404)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,436,383115,782(100,025)2,403,186
Total increase (decrease)2,010,74797,947(26,345)2,517,046
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$5,944,848 $384,964 $2,086,822 $6,200,873 
See accompanying notes.

A-51



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 2 Division (1)American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 4 Division (2)BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III DivisionBlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III Division (3)
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$3,398,913 $6,584,481 $799,242 $1,002,094 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)7,34955,36510,56113,867
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(89,181)(106,619)28,13698,799
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments277,225638,296151,377113,119
Net gains (losses) on investments195,393587,042190,074225,785
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations195,393587,042190,074225,785
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes819,1892,637,065717,536808,122
Administration charges(103)(16,103)(1,831)(2,718)
Contingent sales charges(286)(2,804)(175)(1,492)
Contract terminations(75,005)(213,224)(17,396)(74,788)
Death benefit payments(31,889)(7,112)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(13,778)(67,985)(2,218)(9,589)
Transfers to other contracts(729,662)(895,536)(110,460)(93,812)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(31,534)1,434,301585,456625,723
Total increase (decrease)163,8592,021,343775,530851,508
Net assets as of December 31, 20203,562,7728,605,8241,574,7721,853,602
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(1,733)51,07769,7759,771
Total realized gains (losses) on investments92,113226,331517,2881,082,452
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments815,2212,160,409(231,949)(868,280)
Net gains (losses) on investments905,6012,437,817355,114223,943
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations905,6012,437,817355,114223,943
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes727,3362,478,6894,727,4721,036,308
Administration charges(137)(24,967)(4,731)(5,968)
Contingent sales charges(1,079)(2,516)(811)(1,739)
Contract terminations(405,874)(202,884)(97,663)(145,165)
Death benefit payments(15,459)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(17,355)(71,220)(39,936)(13,672)
Transfers to other contracts(515,822)(976,860)(476,803)(494,269)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(228,390)1,200,2424,107,528375,495
Total increase (decrease)677,2113,638,0594,462,642599,438
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$4,239,983 $12,243,883 $6,037,414 $2,453,040 
(1) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(2) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 4 Division until June 7, 2021.
(3) Represented the operations of BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Class III Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-52



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
BlackRock Global Allocation
Class III Division
Blue Chip Class 3 Division (1)BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares Division
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth
Service Shares Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$2,139,796 $$546,882 $8,637,728 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)2,785(2,254)(142,530)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments146,363(34,631)2,124,565
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments174,35492,1863,469,118
Net gains (losses) on investments323,50255,3015,451,153
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations323,50255,3015,451,153
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes463,047162,4781,858,278
Administration charges(2,314)(1,227)(1,031)
Contingent sales charges(2,434)(227)(5,307)
Contract terminations(162,370)(14,478)(1,075,742)
Death benefit payments(8,338)(88,142)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(15,378)(4,521)(61,970)
Transfers to other contracts(387,922)(71,727)(1,957,267)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(107,371)61,960(1,331,181)
Total increase (decrease)216,131117,2614,119,972
Net assets as of December 31, 20202,355,927664,14312,757,700
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(3,600)(17,821)(3,887)(179,306)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments787,99568,32616,5142,958,312
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(627,100)67,631158,590(1,495,499)
Net gains (losses) on investments157,295118,136171,2171,283,507
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations157,295118,136171,2171,283,507
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,561,0827,079,824225,9881,300,768
Administration charges(5,466)(4,817)(1,790)(808)
Contingent sales charges(1,800)(344)(366)(3,263)
Contract terminations(425,519)(23,930)(25,784)(1,164,284)
Death benefit payments(6,143)(54,362)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(26,913)(17,824)(9,750)(80,581)
Transfers to other contracts(445,142)(166,148)(50,012)(2,172,148)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,650,0996,866,761138,286(2,174,678)
Total increase (decrease)1,807,3946,984,897309,503(891,171)
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$4,163,321 $6,984,897 $973,646 $11,866,529 
(1) Commenced operations June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-53



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F DivisionCalvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F DivisionCalvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F DivisionCalvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$1,308,483 $943,274 $2,707,946 $4,488,888 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)44,72155,4589,31120,517
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(34,595)18,74963,44171,235
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments194,70532,384631,363713,572
Net gains (losses) on investments204,831106,591704,115805,324
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations204,831106,591704,115805,324
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes836,0012,944,9881,077,9861,641,819
Administration charges(4,596)(3,310)(6,844)(9,563)
Contingent sales charges(80)(109)(1,123)(1,896)
Contract terminations(5,751)(7,892)(81,370)(183,126)
Death benefit payments(37,173)(28,750)(59,058)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(9,661)(20,198)(24,095)(35,335)
Transfers to other contracts(236,628)(341,684)(373,417)(585,404)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions579,2852,534,622562,387767,437
Total increase (decrease)784,1162,641,2131,266,5021,572,761
Net assets as of December 31, 20202,092,5993,584,4873,974,4486,061,649
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)30,34182,949(306)689
Total realized gains (losses) on investments39,000(3,413)279,785482,961
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments162,435(185,521)261,094993,671
Net gains (losses) on investments231,776(105,985)540,5731,477,321
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations231,776(105,985)540,5731,477,321
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,166,0372,217,2582,501,2962,273,255
Administration charges(6,881)(8,794)(11,668)(14,685)
Contingent sales charges(1,275)(958)(793)(1,300)
Contract terminations(89,861)(64,208)(59,217)(115,755)
Death benefit payments(156,713)(26,495)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(21,909)(34,090)(39,638)(50,359)
Transfers to other contracts(207,487)(392,016)(467,128)(905,510)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions838,6241,560,4791,922,8521,159,151
Total increase (decrease)1,070,4001,454,4942,463,4252,636,472
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$3,162,999 $5,038,981 $6,437,873 $8,698,121 
See accompanying notes.

A-54



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth
Class II Division
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2 DivisionColumbia Small Cap Value Class 2 DivisionCore Plus Bond Class 1 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$2,018,227 $404,751 $1,033,855 $116,174,195 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(19,231)18,155(5,386)2,659,352
Total realized gains (losses) on investments250,0983,045(38,633)1,391,012
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments668,13231,540165,9814,884,040
Net gains (losses) on investments898,99952,740121,9628,934,404
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations898,99952,740121,9628,934,404
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,374,7133,964,418423,08521,406,137
Administration charges(6,005)(2,128)(1,733)(171,368)
Contingent sales charges(1,171)(342)(448)(24,870)
Contract terminations(76,391)(82,770)(38,550)(7,800,682)
Death benefit payments(5,130)(45,032)(1,255,577)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(25,464)(22,366)(7,567)(2,609,143)
Transfers to other contracts(616,539)(643,470)(208,081)(12,631,616)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions649,1433,208,212121,674(3,087,119)
Total increase (decrease)1,548,1423,260,952243,6365,847,285
Net assets as of December 31, 20203,566,3693,665,7031,277,491122,021,480
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(38,898)22,470(6,335)1,464,019
Total realized gains (losses) on investments945,83110,35026,1054,234,257
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(501,467)(124,054)347,204(7,822,161)
Net gains (losses) on investments405,466(91,234)366,974(2,123,885)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations405,466(91,234)366,974(2,123,885)
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,782,4053,263,9031,559,42613,227,480
Administration charges(12,064)(7,877)(3,686)(153,849)
Contingent sales charges(1,568)(1,290)(312)(17,326)
Contract terminations(143,294)(251,022)(23,061)(12,093,342)
Death benefit payments(103,146)(10,718)(1,016,307)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(31,668)(73,414)(10,033)(2,749,923)
Transfers to other contracts(584,589)(1,190,080)(165,731)(6,608,965)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,906,0761,729,5021,356,603(9,412,232)
Total increase (decrease)2,311,5421,638,2681,723,577(11,536,117)
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$5,877,911 $5,303,971 $3,001,068 $110,485,363 
See accompanying notes.

A-55



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class DivisionDiversified Balanced Class 1 DivisionDiversified Balanced Class 2 DivisionDiversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$2,562,571 $24,944,021 $988,423,394 $176,257,628 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(8,327)249,4795,975,251783,012
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(34,051)1,127,13067,345,5719,698,186
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(93,627)1,122,59524,377,8746,867,915
Net gains (losses) on investments(136,005)2,499,20497,698,69617,349,113
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(136,005)2,499,20497,698,69617,349,113
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes239,994951,01442,057,56013,890,998
Administration charges(30)(7,022)(9,714,658)(1,980,693)
Contingent sales charges(716)(775)(287,063)(45,961)
Contract terminations(169,625)(2,272,180)(58,586,644)(6,236,313)
Death benefit payments(1,854,929)(7,531,806)(1,996,791)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(14,301)(365,717)(24,119,232)(4,498,014)
Transfers to other contracts(217,565)(549,178)(48,230,975)(7,628,068)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(162,243)(4,098,787)(106,412,818)(8,494,842)
Total increase (decrease)(298,248)(1,599,583)(8,714,122)8,854,271
Net assets as of December 31, 20202,264,32323,344,438979,709,272185,111,899
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(22,743)216,8214,412,957551,712
Total realized gains (losses) on investments25,4511,696,45192,071,16410,909,654
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments713,759291,852(9,861,190)3,544,005
Net gains (losses) on investments716,4672,205,12486,622,93115,005,371
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations716,4672,205,12486,622,93115,005,371
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes842,967781,28456,561,30022,380,180
Administration charges(6,378)(9,456,348)(1,924,019)
Contingent sales charges(987)(660)(207,759)(40,055)
Contract terminations(363,000)(1,901,838)(73,741,527)(14,270,462)
Death benefit payments(9,088)(681,672)(6,618,487)(1,066,457)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(24,157)(377,702)(24,660,432)(4,745,458)
Transfers to other contracts(494,784)(65,239)(45,070,476)(16,413,523)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(49,049)(2,252,205)(103,193,729)(16,079,794)
Total increase (decrease)667,418(47,081)(16,570,798)(1,074,423)
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$2,931,741 $23,297,357 $963,138,474 $184,037,476 
See accompanying notes.

A-56



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 2 DivisionDiversified Growth Volatility Control Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$145,328,454 $3,772,917,463 $353,685,077 $765,294,482 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)271,86418,547,3261,293,0611,220,899
Total realized gains (losses) on investments2,722,123264,031,04322,799,49615,684,125
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments9,487,684136,168,13315,208,69654,505,944
Net gains (losses) on investments12,481,671418,746,50239,301,25371,410,968
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations12,481,671418,746,50239,301,25371,410,968
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes38,098,855134,103,66420,796,977193,552,624
Administration charges(2,099,836)(38,052,271)(3,710,306)(10,919,945)
Contingent sales charges(98,140)(1,037,638)(50,363)(261,114)
Contract terminations(2,786,893)(205,225,396)(10,014,768)(7,414,881)
Death benefit payments(766,099)(12,508,780)(865,298)(913,050)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,308,593)(69,900,179)(5,822,348)(5,531,267)
Transfers to other contracts(4,319,287)(146,227,825)(15,150,828)(9,776,620)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions26,720,007(338,848,425)(14,816,934)158,735,747
Total increase (decrease)39,201,67879,898,07724,484,319230,146,715
Net assets as of December 31, 2020184,530,1323,852,815,540378,169,396995,441,197
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(148,495)12,411,952552,670(2,191,512)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments4,744,875363,357,62323,796,12622,836,502
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments12,371,027111,392,04020,001,377109,734,383
Net gains (losses) on investments16,967,407487,161,61544,350,173130,379,373
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations16,967,407487,161,61544,350,173130,379,373
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes38,800,032181,298,26128,466,508204,163,284
Administration charges(2,673,207)(38,740,579)(3,846,678)(14,379,145)
Contingent sales charges(36,548)(796,062)(88,946)(295,449)
Contract terminations(1,870,298)(263,551,649)(28,283,984)(15,119,142)
Death benefit payments(476,664)(21,487,704)(2,538,661)(3,108,973)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,910,593)(76,552,643)(6,712,382)(8,185,161)
Transfers to other contracts(3,497,696)(146,485,917)(20,518,016)(11,671,126)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions28,335,026(366,316,293)(33,522,159)151,404,288
Total increase (decrease)45,302,433120,845,32210,828,014281,783,661
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$229,832,565 $3,973,660,862 $388,997,410 $1,277,224,858 
See accompanying notes.

A-57



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Diversified Income Class 2 Division
Diversified International
Class 1 Division
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B DivisionDWS Equity 500 Index Class B2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$279,863,718 $103,483,807 $44,280 $2,490,658 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,591,2191,274,0774865,328
Total realized gains (losses) on investments12,143,1184,062,681(131)154,720
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments14,193,2577,882,9351,560245,783
Net gains (losses) on investments27,927,59413,219,6931,915405,831
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations27,927,59413,219,6931,915405,831
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes89,973,3563,949,9474,408200,822
Administration charges(3,226,449)(54,065)(94)(4,301)
Contingent sales charges(163,951)(17,960)(886)
Contract terminations(28,878,389)(7,900,815)(105,877)
Death benefit payments(589,872)(728,145)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(5,711,543)(1,011,055)(1,440)(28,969)
Transfers to other contracts(35,713,866)(6,242,676)(149)(96,769)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions15,689,286(12,004,769)2,725(35,980)
Total increase (decrease)43,616,8801,214,9244,640369,851
Net assets as of December 31, 2020323,480,598104,698,73148,9202,860,509
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,423,768(24,420)439886
Total realized gains (losses) on investments20,665,7456,072,617250293,761
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(4,653,233)2,447,5127,126421,499
Net gains (losses) on investments17,436,2808,495,7097,815716,146
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations17,436,2808,495,7097,815716,146
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes82,873,4684,365,86653,22622,086
Administration charges(3,521,827)(52,216)(156)(5,326)
Contingent sales charges(124,096)(10,264)(643)
Contract terminations(36,319,732)(8,922,884)(61,945)
Death benefit payments(3,822,298)(1,071,967)(40,472)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(6,482,492)(1,168,072)(1,440)(34,501)
Transfers to other contracts(47,478,047)(3,799,775)(101)(350,098)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(14,875,024)(10,659,312)51,529(470,899)
Total increase (decrease)2,561,256(2,163,603)59,344245,247
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$326,041,854 $102,535,128 $108,264 $3,105,756 
See accompanying notes.
A-58



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B DivisionEQ Convertible Securities Class IB DivisionEQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB DivisionEQ Micro Cap Class IB Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$1,469,414 $$55,294 $10,480 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(975)1,527295(122)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(59,304)6,9952,6127,606
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments21,98119,05614,4562,657
Net gains (losses) on investments(38,298)27,57817,36310,141
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(38,298)27,57817,36310,141
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes193,921154,39059,05074,684
Administration charges(1,088)(126)(205)(56)
Contingent sales charges(1,602)
Contract terminations(147,181)
Death benefit payments
Flexible withdrawal option payments(8,087)
Transfers to other contracts(159,893)(1,031)(531)(2,306)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(123,930)153,23358,31472,322
Total increase (decrease)(162,228)180,81175,67782,463
Net assets as of December 31, 20201,307,186180,811130,97192,943
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(7,210)94,42984(11,956)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(13,516)183,46221,610292,514
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments378,506(291,599)14,977(347,142)
Net gains (losses) on investments357,780(13,708)36,671(66,584)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations357,780(13,708)36,671(66,584)
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes691,868863,710136,5942,285,134
Administration charges(1,416)(1,029)(388)(1,402)
Contingent sales charges(365)(117)(4)(335)
Contract terminations(108,427)(16,367)(1,787)(99,237)
Death benefit payments(19,163)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(11,797)(2,886)(743)(7,787)
Transfers to other contracts(247,451)(93,931)(39,715)(1,092,218)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions303,249749,38093,9571,084,155
Total increase (decrease)661,029735,672130,6281,017,571
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$1,968,215 $916,483 $261,599 $1,110,514 
See accompanying notes.
A-59



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB Division
EQ Socially Responsible
Class IB Division
Equity Income Class 1 DivisionEquity Income Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$62,178 $16,581 $229,474,830 $7,664,804 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(259)4501,329,98758,104
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(3,237)4,92118,629,425222,929
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments22,36816,216(9,771,960)85,192
Net gains (losses) on investments18,87221,58710,187,452366,225
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations18,87221,58710,187,452366,225
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes267,224144,06416,274,3992,446,895
Administration charges(326)(245)(374,722)(15,966)
Contingent sales charges(88)(47,588)(4,443)
Contract terminations(17,783)(17,140,719)(251,235)
Death benefit payments(2,591,237)(60,290)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(436)(4,807,423)(53,844)
Transfers to other contracts(13,786)(11,682)(15,227,238)(1,638,227)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions234,805132,137(23,914,528)422,890
Total increase (decrease)253,677153,724(13,727,076)789,115
Net assets as of December 31, 2020315,855170,305215,747,7548,453,919
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,934(3,274)1,378,712114,792
Total realized gains (losses) on investments27,69853,99615,940,398226,579
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments42,23068,32524,786,8541,616,973
Net gains (losses) on investments71,862119,04742,105,9641,958,344
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations71,862119,04742,105,9641,958,344
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes50,639650,9688,440,7563,696,949
Administration charges(746)(657)(341,158)(23,574)
Contingent sales charges(6)(12)(33,439)(1,695)
Contract terminations(10,170)(21,184)(18,713,342)(158,452)
Death benefit payments(2,843,174)(173,189)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(570)(4,725,805)(66,044)
Transfers to other contracts(9,580)(158,830)(18,004,179)(610,422)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions29,567470,285(36,220,341)2,663,573
Total increase (decrease)101,429589,3325,885,6234,621,917
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$417,284 $759,637 $221,633,377 $13,075,836 
See accompanying notes.
A-60



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class DivisionFidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$35,859,605 $50,632,508 $28,580,830 $142,053 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(419,146)(655,248)69,1012,017
Total realized gains (losses) on investments3,046,7563,699,9761,013,18215,824
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments6,695,25410,214,633104,45146,873
Net gains (losses) on investments9,322,86413,259,3611,186,73464,714
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations9,322,86413,259,3611,186,73464,714
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes787,6885,828,0091,968,064365,903
Administration charges(5,975)(74,433)(4,000)(873)
Contingent sales charges(2,291)(22,515)(5,396)(1,125)
Contract terminations(2,784,301)(4,093,983)(1,913,890)(81,305)
Death benefit payments(700,686)(304,527)(138,135)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(367,543)(666,381)(279,737)(1,765)
Transfers to other contracts(2,630,580)(5,983,256)(1,834,617)(3,477)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(5,703,688)(5,317,086)(2,207,711)277,358
Total increase (decrease)3,619,1767,942,275(1,020,977)342,072
Net assets as of December 31, 202039,478,78158,574,78327,559,853484,125
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(523,285)(808,232)86,2538,286
Total realized gains (losses) on investments8,211,04411,217,8874,041,89558,981
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,981,1404,441,5261,911,13954,256
Net gains (losses) on investments9,668,89914,851,1816,039,287121,523
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations9,668,89914,851,1816,039,287121,523
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes440,5027,734,7581,241,1211,990,021
Administration charges(4,435)(89,103)(4,163)(5,707)
Contingent sales charges(1,548)(18,165)(4,045)(217)
Contract terminations(2,812,481)(4,537,387)(2,623,883)(14,552)
Death benefit payments(513,319)(276,570)(136,590)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(414,476)(718,541)(312,293)(18,307)
Transfers to other contracts(1,429,273)(5,124,222)(1,358,958)(1,975)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(4,735,030)(3,029,230)(3,198,811)1,949,263
Total increase (decrease)4,933,86911,821,9512,840,4762,070,786
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$44,412,650 $70,396,734 $30,400,329 $2,554,911 
See accompanying notes.
A-61



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$298,182 $719,516 $177,737 $31,462,445 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)4,9571,943693(361,744)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments22,44840,03011,886
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments108,454198,01059,728
Net gains (losses) on investments135,859239,98372,307(361,744)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations135,859239,98372,307(361,744)
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes830,694448,350469,13937,292,998
Administration charges(2,113)(2,873)(729)(27,639)
Contingent sales charges(1)(22)(106)(35,892)
Contract terminations(77)(1,573)(7,646)(11,321,620)
Death benefit payments(185,984)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(8,132)(600)(719,601)
Transfers to other contracts(88,799)(4,367)(266,306)(14,223,229)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions731,572438,915194,35210,779,033
Total increase (decrease)867,431678,898266,65910,417,289
Net assets as of December 31, 20201,165,6131,398,414444,39641,879,734
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)10,2832,8673,160(440,332)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments93,56083,416106,147
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments101,502194,594(8,716)18
Net gains (losses) on investments205,345280,877100,591(440,314)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations205,345280,877100,591(440,314)
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,852,704977,9691,271,5859,840,780
Administration charges(5,706)(5,825)(2,266)(23,197)
Contingent sales charges(82)(277)(14,327)
Contract terminations(5,524)(18,593)(9,324,731)
Death benefit payments(160,527)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(20,249)(4,347)(3,874)(803,796)
Transfers to other contracts(46,892)(5,231)(155,515)(9,281,316)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,774,251962,5661,091,060(9,767,114)
Total increase (decrease)1,979,5961,243,4431,191,651(10,207,428)
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$3,145,209 $2,641,857 $1,636,047 $31,672,306 
See accompanying notes.

A-62



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Growth Service Class DivisionFidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 DivisionFidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$8,849,989 $14,563,181 $12,286,792 $95,250 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(103,742)(195,875)(186,196)(342)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments2,987,9171,873,573(98)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments2,863,8222,909,08116,555
Net gains (losses) on investments(103,742)5,655,8644,596,45816,115
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(103,742)5,655,8644,596,45816,115
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes23,767,144974,1951,333,222
Administration charges(65,974)(3,559)(1,642)
Contingent sales charges(38,121)(710)(4,191)
Contract terminations(1,434,763)(862,955)(849,371)
Death benefit payments(209,492)(76,783)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(42,053)(100,907)(116,582)
Transfers to other contracts(16,505,205)(1,459,240)(2,060,042)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions5,681,028(1,662,668)(1,775,389)
Total increase (decrease)5,577,2863,993,1962,821,06916,115
Net assets as of December 31, 202014,427,27518,556,37715,107,861111,365
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(192,344)(253,059)(226,917)(585)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,400,2484,424,66439,389
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,394,454)(1,200,531)(13,671)
Net gains (losses) on investments(192,344)3,752,7352,997,21625,133
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(192,344)3,752,7352,997,21625,133
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes37,133,033338,247690,498111,172
Administration charges(114,453)(3,824)(1,744)
Contingent sales charges(15,639)(824)(3,806)
Contract terminations(995,895)(1,497,480)(1,358,116)
Death benefit payments(162,797)(60,519)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(112,462)(109,974)(118,566)
Transfers to other contracts(30,560,517)(745,173)(1,438,973)(109,224)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions5,334,067(2,181,825)(2,291,226)1,948
Total increase (decrease)5,141,7231,570,910705,99027,081
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$19,568,998 $20,127,287 $15,813,851 $138,446 
See accompanying notes.
A-63



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service
Class 2 Division
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 DivisionFranklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 2 DivisionFranklin Income VIP Class 4 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$25,934,340 $23,490,425 $1,397,210 $1,252,718 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(209,408)(254,371)29,04980,783
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(914,651)1,417,017117,688(34,698)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments4,815,5491,740,282(239,951)(30,655)
Net gains (losses) on investments3,691,4902,902,928(93,214)15,430
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations3,691,4902,902,928(93,214)15,430
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,641,6281,897,523327,7051,019,563
Administration charges(17,233)(58,558)(1,761)(2,642)
Contingent sales charges(9,548)(7,435)(358)(122)
Contract terminations(1,552,586)(1,483,840)(36,823)(8,847)
Death benefit payments(110,989)(156,638)(6,921)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(198,026)(552,553)(9,178)(15,205)
Transfers to other contracts(2,867,608)(1,863,036)(114,421)(287,594)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(2,114,362)(2,224,537)165,164698,232
Total increase (decrease)1,577,128678,39171,950713,662
Net assets as of December 31, 202027,511,46824,168,8161,469,1601,966,380
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(274,133)(256,439)(2,464)100,310
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,969,5233,658,17836,054(532)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments553,301650,912367,540281,524
Net gains (losses) on investments6,248,6914,052,651401,130381,302
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations6,248,6914,052,651401,130381,302
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes3,048,0162,341,864416,0581,418,494
Administration charges(24,430)(57,581)(2,287)(5,107)
Contingent sales charges(9,211)(7,841)(207)(153)
Contract terminations(2,397,067)(2,196,485)(53,635)(10,270)
Death benefit payments(55,902)(233,880)(7,058)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(227,985)(530,362)(18,810)(24,805)
Transfers to other contracts(2,846,518)(2,630,945)(72,679)(55,155)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(2,513,097)(3,315,230)261,3821,323,004
Total increase (decrease)3,735,594737,421662,5121,704,306
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$31,247,062 $24,906,237 $2,131,672 $3,670,686 
See accompanying notes.
A-64



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4 DivisionFranklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 2 DivisionFranklin U.S. Government Fund Class 2 DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Shares Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$2,841,969 $4,044,350 $322,631 $11,835,201 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)12,2461,78513,904(80,726)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments135,417(151,549)(1,109)(205,423)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments449,713186,9381,873997,928
Net gains (losses) on investments597,37637,17414,668711,779
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations597,37637,17414,668711,779
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,481,092396,6042,454,194979,079
Administration charges(7,952)(5)(2,713)(433)
Contingent sales charges(1,079)(1,403)(2,053)(4,078)
Contract terminations(84,475)(293,266)(98,572)(826,582)
Death benefit payments(49,577)(87,428)(36,863)(28,234)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(12,490)(16,806)(1,001)(66,614)
Transfers to other contracts(626,262)(578,181)(261,746)(728,204)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions699,257(580,485)2,051,246(675,066)
Total increase (decrease)1,296,633(543,311)2,065,91436,713
Net assets as of December 31, 20204,138,6023,501,0392,388,54511,871,914
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(4,824)(16,392)40,904(122,384)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments230,581(4,879)(14,275)1,903,593
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,048,899820,831(89,677)1,412,811
Net gains (losses) on investments1,274,656799,560(63,048)3,194,020
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,274,656799,560(63,048)3,194,020
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,167,653916,593446,904437,084
Administration charges(13,440)(65)(4,463)(605)
Contingent sales charges(444)(1,948)(122)(4,073)
Contract terminations(40,600)(695,999)(8,166)(1,460,853)
Death benefit payments(11,725)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(15,406)(27,922)(1,188)(71,291)
Transfers to other contracts(184,638)(635,687)(314,782)(1,177,204)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,913,125(445,028)118,183(2,288,667)
Total increase (decrease)3,187,781354,53255,135905,353
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$7,326,383 $3,855,571 $2,443,680 $12,777,267 
See accompanying notes.

A-65



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio Service Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Institutional Shares DivisionGoldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Service Shares Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$1,444,925 $67,712 $5,915,884 $626,867 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(7,240)1,690(59,988)(5,126)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(5,929)25,456(195,543)(9,203)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments125,7746,890560,28471,204
Net gains (losses) on investments112,60534,036304,75356,875
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations112,60534,036304,75356,875
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes461,442343,013457,46679,234
Administration charges(3,682)(333)(100)(1,119)
Contingent sales charges(144)(1,527)(128)
Contract terminations(17,257)(352,504)(24,472)
Death benefit payments(11,652)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(4,460)(372)(52,900)(3,058)
Transfers to other contracts(195,208)(278,159)(529,219)(61,073)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions240,69164,149(490,436)(10,616)
Total increase (decrease)353,29698,185(185,683)46,259
Net assets as of December 31, 20201,798,221165,8975,730,201673,126
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(15,237)5,496(59,736)(5,394)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments365,2611,5861,497,622275,896
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments201,8657,863(229,174)(112,112)
Net gains (losses) on investments551,88914,9451,208,712158,390
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations551,88914,9451,208,712158,390
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes442,982435,566470,889475,005
Administration charges(4,868)(1,036)(151)(2,041)
Contingent sales charges(447)(132)(1,631)(24)
Contract terminations(34,014)(8,813)(631,246)(3,678)
Death benefit payments(9,604)(95,163)(10,760)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(6,096)(2,019)(52,475)(1,730)
Transfers to other contracts(89,380)(570,770)(63,530)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions298,573423,566(880,547)393,242
Total increase (decrease)850,462438,511328,165551,632
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$2,648,683 $604,408 $6,058,366 $1,224,758 
See accompanying notes.
A-66



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1 DivisionGuggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F DivisionGuggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures Strategy DivisionGuggenheim Investments Long Short Equity Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$81,189,558 $3,212,995 $178,140 $144,280 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,034,481135,1995,288(177)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(894,931)(58,514)(653)(2,715)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,062,854(133,041)(2,249)12,812
Net gains (losses) on investments1,202,404(56,356)2,3869,920
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,202,404(56,356)2,3869,920
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes18,721,812374,172113,56765,415
Administration charges(97,613)(1,346)(277)(484)
Contingent sales charges(20,713)(477)(55)(24)
Contract terminations(7,131,126)(72,856)(10,917)(4,817)
Death benefit payments(947,507)(17,434)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,845,357)(33,334)(1,415)(1,293)
Transfers to other contracts(9,497,488)(529,567)(93,960)(5,761)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(817,992)(280,842)6,94353,036
Total increase (decrease)384,412(337,198)9,32962,956
Net assets as of December 31, 202081,573,9702,875,797187,469207,236
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)726,38538,365(2,074)(913)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(638,521)(49,050)2,6461,003
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(2,095,875)49,204(631)52,092
Net gains (losses) on investments(2,008,011)38,519(59)52,182
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(2,008,011)38,519(59)52,182
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes9,053,2831,273,80226,90153,319
Administration charges(87,679)(1,366)(356)(712)
Contingent sales charges(11,896)(439)(72)
Contract terminations(7,924,458)(149,887)(23,174)(163)
Death benefit payments(1,008,487)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,841,045)(39,741)(850)(1,489)
Transfers to other contracts(4,691,900)(487,730)(9,087)(4,941)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(6,512,182)594,639(6,638)46,014
Total increase (decrease)(8,520,193)633,158(6,697)98,196
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$73,053,777 $3,508,955 $180,772 $305,432 
See accompanying notes.
A-67



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies DivisionInternational Emerging Markets Class 1 DivisionInvesco American Franchise Series I DivisionInvesco American Value Series I Division (1)
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$558,944 $43,067,771 $4,306,376 $
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)570419,136(56,730)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments8,639759,304733,620
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments22,4395,253,715929,464
Net gains (losses) on investments31,6486,432,1551,606,354
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations31,6486,432,1551,606,354
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes246,0272,337,041369,631
Administration charges(569)(9,722)(1,073)
Contingent sales charges(218)(11,618)(212)
Contract terminations(43,975)(3,660,142)(257,890)
Death benefit payments(491,665)(13,741)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,686)(300,483)(54,892)
Transfers to other contracts(196,532)(3,807,701)(428,793)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions3,047(5,944,290)(386,970)
Total increase (decrease)34,695487,8651,219,384
Net assets as of December 31, 2020593,63943,555,6365,525,760
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(8,225)(389,041)(72,087)(20,435)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments21,7782,337,1891,214,1588,604
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments27,507(2,033,774)(574,815)212,322
Net gains (losses) on investments41,060(85,626)567,256200,491
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations41,060(85,626)567,256200,491
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes116,5374,235,08078,9854,236,570
Administration charges(811)(11,304)(983)(6,895)
Contingent sales charges(62)(7,399)(275)(508)
Contract terminations(19,083)(3,822,801)(500,476)(181,251)
Death benefit payments(404,832)(44,614)(17,248)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,088)(342,431)(65,520)(41,491)
Transfers to other contracts(18,705)(3,214,982)(339,240)(281,084)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions76,788(3,568,669)(872,123)3,708,093
Total increase (decrease)117,848(3,654,295)(304,867)3,908,584
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$711,487 $39,901,341 $5,220,893 $3,908,584 
(1) Commenced operations April 29, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-68



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II DivisionInvesco Core Equity Series I Division
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I
Division (1)
Invesco Health Care Series I Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$488,758 $13,547,364 $$7,018,218 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)41,3264,299(9,540)(64,479)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments19,6743,347,18961,392(80,558)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(6,553)(1,836,432)358,599873,416
Net gains (losses) on investments54,4471,515,056410,451728,379
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations54,4471,515,056410,451728,379
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes164,861382,5251,063,813481,982
Administration charges(1,378)(1,687)(125)(933)
Contingent sales charges(39)(650)(113)(442)
Contract terminations(2,081)(789,802)(137,795)(380,366)
Death benefit payments(176,211)(13,308)(16,064)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(3,750)(171,263)(4,649)(65,420)
Transfers to other contracts(88,947)(669,204)(160,273)(659,316)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions68,666(1,426,292)747,550(640,559)
Total increase (decrease)123,11388,7641,158,00187,820
Net assets as of December 31, 2020611,87113,636,1281,158,0017,106,038
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)18,887(95,139)(15,803)(79,785)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments26,833879,272234,351770,174
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments11,5462,641,322(22,757)51,063
Net gains (losses) on investments57,2663,425,455195,791741,452
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations57,2663,425,455195,791741,452
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes291,633332,51453,490432,050
Administration charges(1,773)(1,661)(191)(832)
Contingent sales charges(285)(656)(57)(354)
Contract terminations(20,098)(1,191,856)(104,211)(589,986)
Death benefit payments(181,936)(39,762)(27,286)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(10,313)(174,368)(9,084)(79,429)
Transfers to other contracts(517)(406,186)(127,533)(249,570)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions258,647(1,624,149)(227,348)(515,407)
Total increase (decrease)315,9131,801,306(31,557)226,045
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$927,784 $15,437,434 $1,126,444 $7,332,083 
(1) Commenced operations April 30, 2020 and represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I
Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-69



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Invesco Health Care Series II DivisionInvesco International Growth Series I DivisionInvesco International Growth Series II Division
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II
Division (1)
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$2,876,696 $6,938,872 $1,691,600 $447,973 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(28,136)54,58325,351(3,780)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments151,664167,42039,5969,727
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments438,144511,790225,42967,223
Net gains (losses) on investments561,672733,793290,37673,170
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations561,672733,793290,37673,170
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,062,865502,909595,46925,059
Administration charges(8,404)(10,136)(3,888)(51)
Contingent sales charges(861)(3,518)(295)(10)
Contract terminations(76,049)(713,022)(22,110)(11,906)
Death benefit payments(6,009)(14,279)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(32,011)(73,246)(18,256)(1,346)
Transfers to other contracts(312,210)(698,336)(110,490)(70,402)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,627,321(1,009,628)440,430(58,656)
Total increase (decrease)2,188,993(275,835)730,80614,514
Net assets as of December 31, 20205,065,6896,663,0372,422,406462,487
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(54,360)(11,899)5,740(5,380)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments958,544645,346244,46255,948
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(201,161)(342,551)(134,939)40,519
Net gains (losses) on investments703,023290,896115,26391,087
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations703,023290,896115,26391,087
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes3,119,390349,103745,66924,254
Administration charges(14,964)(9,712)(6,011)(108)
Contingent sales charges(1,080)(2,373)(593)
Contract terminations(80,032)(846,640)(46,772)(495)
Death benefit payments(143,625)(34,213)(40,479)(5,252)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(42,761)(78,592)(19,418)(722)
Transfers to other contracts(297,682)(208,948)(169,158)(84,137)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions2,539,246(831,375)463,238(66,460)
Total increase (decrease)3,242,269(540,479)578,50124,627
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$8,307,958 $6,122,558 $3,000,907 $487,114 
(1) Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer Main Street Small Cap Series II Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-70



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I Division
Invesco Technology
Series I Division
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares Division (1)Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$6,547,810 $3,038,459 $$10,067,295 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(62,001)(42,418)(114,370)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments17,601673,1731,487,598
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,367,033528,700141,201
Net gains (losses) on investments1,322,6331,159,4551,514,429
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,322,6331,159,4551,514,429
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes478,111561,746188,625
Administration charges(7,522)(327)(1,269)
Contingent sales charges(2,753)(176)(724)
Contract terminations(609,281)(213,961)(879,797)
Death benefit payments(15,748)(97,289)(98,379)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(69,281)(18,975)(43,553)
Transfers to other contracts(1,102,673)(601,551)(593,625)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,329,147)(370,533)(1,428,722)
Total increase (decrease)(6,514)788,92285,707
Net assets as of December 31, 20206,541,2963,827,38110,153,002
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(87,418)(49,675)(297)(110,059)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments776,816744,5281,9841,527,302
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments498,680(226,597)155,47537,948
Net gains (losses) on investments1,188,078468,256157,1621,455,191
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,188,078468,256157,1621,455,191
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes867,793213,9594,535,058120,707
Administration charges(7,404)(349)(3,277)(1,115)
Contingent sales charges(2,125)(154)(211)(395)
Contract terminations(943,709)(279,872)(29,574)(717,654)
Death benefit payments(14,175)(34,836)(184,905)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(72,065)(21,729)(550)(43,095)
Transfers to other contracts(837,318)(495,625)(77,614)(426,317)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,009,003)(618,606)4,423,832(1,252,774)
Total increase (decrease)179,075(150,350)4,580,994202,417
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$6,720,371 $3,677,031 $4,580,994 $10,355,419 
(1) Commenced operations June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-71



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares DivisionJanus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Service Shares Division
LargeCap
Growth I Class 1 Division
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$3,115,567 $348,192 $168,969,535 $99,605,055 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)70,922(11,663)(2,173,322)459,392
Total realized gains (losses) on investments162,797120,78821,734,17915,239,642
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments143,581539,68933,666,453(232,127)
Net gains (losses) on investments377,300648,81453,227,31015,466,907
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations377,300648,81453,227,31015,466,907
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes7,904,2432,689,9068,780,25410,965,708
Administration charges(6,990)(3,346)(78,910)(37,267)
Contingent sales charges(1,496)(129)(27,831)(22,682)
Contract terminations(198,771)(10,125)(16,163,633)(9,155,325)
Death benefit payments(8,827)(8,530)(2,192,786)(976,039)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(32,278)(4,792)(1,608,301)(1,276,826)
Transfers to other contracts(3,810,475)(359,647)(13,595,946)(9,995,961)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions3,845,4062,303,337(24,887,153)(10,498,392)
Total increase (decrease)4,222,7062,952,15128,340,1574,968,515
Net assets as of December 31, 20207,338,2733,300,343197,309,692104,573,570
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)114,005(8,340)(2,605,078)67,093
Total realized gains (losses) on investments173,491878,58138,554,56019,235,670
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(437,566)(99,018)2,042,0376,592,230
Net gains (losses) on investments(150,070)771,22337,991,51925,894,993
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(150,070)771,22337,991,51925,894,993
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes4,039,3584,993,7976,694,4076,191,751
Administration charges(15,972)(13,582)(80,403)(35,061)
Contingent sales charges(2,179)(740)(20,992)(11,144)
Contract terminations(349,885)(49,804)(18,476,211)(11,652,345)
Death benefit payments(60,804)(19,512)(2,949,916)(1,198,539)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(48,238)(20,027)(1,822,977)(1,403,601)
Transfers to other contracts(1,475,121)(879,884)(8,328,616)(6,744,052)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions2,087,1594,010,248(24,984,708)(14,852,991)
Total increase (decrease)1,937,0894,781,47113,006,81111,042,002
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$9,275,362 $8,081,814 $210,316,503 $115,615,572 
See accompanying notes.
A-72



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2 DivisionMFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class DivisionMFS New Discovery Service Class DivisionMFS Utilities Service Class Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$15,836,448 $7,484,906 $4,806,641 $15,284,102 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)190,001(32,548)(58,306)123,876
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,409,259355,566448,537271,979
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments2,330,3091,090,3471,874,65542,454
Net gains (losses) on investments3,929,5691,413,3652,264,886438,309
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations3,929,5691,413,3652,264,886438,309
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes11,398,4092,316,4593,019,9571,900,123
Administration charges(43,666)(6,465)(9,828)(8,954)
Contingent sales charges(6,147)(3,118)(1,590)(5,239)
Contract terminations(413,098)(388,675)(241,800)(928,464)
Death benefit payments(82,174)(21,408)(84,462)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(105,498)(34,301)(48,459)(154,112)
Transfers to other contracts(2,713,822)(1,435,100)(2,260,745)(1,789,164)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions8,034,004448,800436,127(1,070,272)
Total increase (decrease)11,963,5731,862,1652,701,013(631,963)
Net assets as of December 31, 202027,800,0219,347,0717,507,65414,652,139
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)202,941(99,622)(81,624)44,175
Total realized gains (losses) on investments4,123,466693,1881,866,348789,998
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments4,522,618292,724(1,745,048)989,483
Net gains (losses) on investments8,849,025886,29039,6761,823,656
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations8,849,025886,29039,6761,823,656
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes15,173,1592,159,7762,494,3572,225,381
Administration charges(81,442)(10,451)(16,889)(12,550)
Contingent sales charges(12,126)(1,865)(1,959)(3,619)
Contract terminations(947,280)(644,615)(352,862)(990,999)
Death benefit payments(291,250)(208,289)(130,717)(93,371)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(172,474)(42,749)(59,159)(152,643)
Transfers to other contracts(3,681,580)(693,857)(1,573,263)(642,425)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions9,987,007557,950359,508329,774
Total increase (decrease)18,836,0321,444,240399,1842,153,430
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$46,636,053 $10,791,311 $7,906,838 $16,805,569 
See accompanying notes.

A-73



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
MFS Value Service Class DivisionMidCap Class 1 DivisionMidCap Class 2 Division (1)Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio Class S Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$5,292,259 $338,479,545 $$3,506,104 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(4,539)(1,815,981)(1,052)(41,812)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments183,21441,378,330155,591319,099
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(237,955)9,607,032278,099903,934
Net gains (losses) on investments(59,280)49,169,381432,6381,181,221
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(59,280)49,169,381432,6381,181,221
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes614,49512,341,2963,380,401589,433
Administration charges(89)(185,708)(2,083)(6,127)
Contingent sales charges(2,356)(58,138)(32)(1,813)
Contract terminations(477,629)(25,498,930)(2,276)(227,541)
Death benefit payments(346)(4,107,656)1(1,047)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(53,090)(3,947,174)(588)(32,802)
Transfers to other contracts(1,016,856)(25,754,437)(241,469)(625,126)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(935,871)(47,210,747)3,133,954(305,023)
Total increase (decrease)(995,151)1,958,6343,566,592876,198
Net assets as of December 31, 20204,297,108340,438,1793,566,5924,382,302
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(13,843)(4,135,204)(58,660)(52,302)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments313,82334,740,489622,999797,306
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments640,97245,478,9471,006,680(263,250)
Net gains (losses) on investments940,95276,084,2321,571,019481,754
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations940,95276,084,2321,571,019481,754
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes262,1999,169,9968,736,141514,093
Administration charges(90)(172,477)(15,855)(7,918)
Contingent sales charges(1,936)(31,242)(926)(1,380)
Contract terminations(690,840)(28,231,827)(63,433)(287,599)
Death benefit payments(47,509)(3,777,682)(134,345)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(52,850)(4,271,539)(42,354)(37,105)
Transfers to other contracts(291,004)(19,639,208)(318,224)(405,433)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(822,030)(46,953,979)8,161,004(225,342)
Total increase (decrease)118,92229,130,2539,732,023256,412
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$4,416,030 $369,568,432 $13,298,615 $4,638,714 
(1) Commenced operations June 8, 2020.
See accompanying notes.
A-74



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I DivisionNeuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S DivisionPIMCO All Asset Administrative Class DivisionPIMCO All Asset Advisor Class Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$6,633,874 $15,562 $2,418,683 $112,386 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(51,285)(73)72,1935,899
Total realized gains (losses) on investments453,2131,149(42,629)1,120
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments602,7085,44677,3377,973
Net gains (losses) on investments1,004,6366,522106,90114,992
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,004,6366,522106,90114,992
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes160,25429,611142,69184,502
Administration charges(11,888)(82)(440)
Contingent sales charges(1,926)(1,096)(8)
Contract terminations(390,329)(222,146)(598)
Death benefit payments(73,599)(14,103)(47,030)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(70,324)(35,982)
Transfers to other contracts(636,354)(1,755)(269,415)(518)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,024,166)27,774(400,051)35,908
Total increase (decrease)(19,530)34,296(293,150)50,900
Net assets as of December 31, 20206,614,34449,8582,125,533163,286
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(72,822)(437)230,05621,324
Total realized gains (losses) on investments490,9623,26552,619563
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments933,09611,11535,7804,756
Net gains (losses) on investments1,351,23613,943318,45526,643
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,351,23613,943318,45526,643
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes199,80541,884323,63579,740
Administration charges(11,346)(206)(90)(695)
Contingent sales charges(1,557)(915)(16)
Contract terminations(555,529)(326,304)(1,074)
Death benefit payments(27,866)(1,997)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(79,169)(623)(43,071)(390)
Transfers to other contracts(496,921)(5,639)(78,105)(2,276)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(972,583)35,416(126,847)75,289
Total increase (decrease)378,65349,359191,608101,932
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$6,992,997 $99,217 $2,317,141 $265,218 
See accompanying notes.
A-75



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M DivisionPIMCO Emerging Market Bond Administrative Class Division (1)PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class DivisionPIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$51,476 $$19,995,082 $1,525,804 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)2,335681,385(87)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(1,217)(149,296)6,703
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments2,360211,03125,410
Net gains (losses) on investments3,478743,12032,026
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations3,478743,12032,026
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes22,8454,789,1962,749,628
Administration charges(185)(11,880)(4,558)
Contingent sales charges(4)(7,710)(378)
Contract terminations(174)(1,345,434)(65,855)
Death benefit payments(240,039)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(1,639)(240,771)(12,451)
Transfers to other contracts(3,575)(3,114,336)(841,790)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions17,268(170,974)1,824,596
Total increase (decrease)20,746572,1461,856,622
Net assets as of December 31, 202072,22220,567,2283,382,426
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)8,5122,495696,306(18,413)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,287(71)205,4242,586
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments23,549(7,552)(388,982)(69,113)
Net gains (losses) on investments33,348(5,128)512,748(84,940)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations33,348(5,128)512,748(84,940)
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes338,875299,8296,403,2862,261,720
Administration charges(310)(173)(19,877)(10,161)
Contingent sales charges(6)(7,659)(536)
Contract terminations(1,117)(2,239,001)(66,900)
Death benefit payments(346,464)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,276)(1,472)(259,712)(33,369)
Transfers to other contracts(17,860)(1,240,355)(547,334)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions317,306298,1842,290,2181,603,420
Total increase (decrease)350,654293,0562,802,9661,518,480
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$422,876 $293,056 $23,370,194 $4,900,906 
(1) Commenced operations June 7, 2021
See accompanying notes.
A-76



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division
Principal Capital Appreciation
Class 1 Division
Principal Capital Appreciation
Class 2 Division
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$22,921,307 $97,426,768 $5,277,728 $16,849,543 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)217,006(92,359)16,993174,877
Total realized gains (losses) on investments418,6498,743,754388,960685,836
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments1,087,6045,689,670695,821626,630
Net gains (losses) on investments1,723,25914,341,0651,101,7741,487,343
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,723,25914,341,0651,101,7741,487,343
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes13,737,8573,495,7772,947,936309,434
Administration charges(15,661)(125,078)(15,721)(40,468)
Contingent sales charges(14,174)(25,297)(4,065)(3,998)
Contract terminations(2,498,760)(6,837,156)(216,126)(1,187,289)
Death benefit payments(518,529)(882,911)(240,321)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(368,773)(1,707,781)(45,060)(740,726)
Transfers to other contracts(6,054,923)(9,132,361)(886,992)(298,138)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions4,267,037(15,214,807)1,779,972(2,201,506)
Total increase (decrease)5,990,296(873,742)2,881,746(714,163)
Net assets as of December 31, 202028,911,60396,553,0268,159,47416,135,380
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)195,933(544,498)(2,939)38,522
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,233,70012,009,658664,6771,285,467
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(2,124,101)11,470,2671,730,771(652,736)
Net gains (losses) on investments(694,468)22,935,4272,392,509671,253
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(694,468)22,935,4272,392,509671,253
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes8,826,0393,258,9043,957,825604,559
Administration charges(31,923)(112,706)(26,966)(32,476)
Contingent sales charges(7,265)(19,587)(3,841)(3,897)
Contract terminations(1,788,611)(9,118,569)(307,621)(1,483,475)
Death benefit payments(159,185)(1,029,292)(38,865)(140,491)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(422,787)(1,691,244)(54,185)(696,703)
Transfers to other contracts(4,258,581)(9,664,259)(1,270,751)(754,803)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions2,157,687(18,376,753)2,255,596(2,507,286)
Total increase (decrease)1,463,2194,558,6744,648,105(1,836,033)
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$30,374,822 $101,111,700 $12,807,579 $14,299,347 
See accompanying notes.

A-77



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2030 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2040 Class 1 DivisionPrincipal LifeTime 2050 Class 1 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$82,586,232 $57,570,462 $15,574,030 $11,861,338 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)944,008379,82686,74743,389
Total realized gains (losses) on investments5,025,3801,615,789745,748445,040
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments2,003,1764,943,9191,228,601976,197
Net gains (losses) on investments7,972,5646,939,5342,061,0961,464,626
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations7,972,5646,939,5342,061,0961,464,626
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,634,8781,482,012711,009333,701
Administration charges(296,924)(232,925)(8,057)(8,206)
Contingent sales charges(22,094)(16,497)(7,475)(8,192)
Contract terminations(4,639,558)(3,295,659)(1,411,292)(1,526,289)
Death benefit payments(2,214,339)(74,212)(40,232)(24,348)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,737,856)(1,175,070)(36,521)(35,850)
Transfers to other contracts(3,604,898)(1,281,532)(396,989)(386,480)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(10,880,791)(4,593,883)(1,189,557)(1,655,664)
Total increase (decrease)(2,908,227)2,345,651871,539(191,038)
Net assets as of December 31, 202079,678,00559,916,11316,445,56911,670,300
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)186,411(30,352)(18,826)(28,640)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments7,594,2583,567,7521,390,401842,996
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,938,203)2,921,190785,756878,648
Net gains (losses) on investments5,842,4666,458,5902,157,3311,693,004
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations5,842,4666,458,5902,157,3311,693,004
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,233,9802,185,590637,128242,916
Administration charges(263,041)(221,968)(7,694)(8,646)
Contingent sales charges(13,418)(14,285)(5,559)(4,140)
Contract terminations(5,181,065)(5,651,768)(1,929,461)(1,374,221)
Death benefit payments(625,548)(950,471)(1,744)(8,903)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,648,582)(1,208,160)(39,091)(68,621)
Transfers to other contracts(3,524,422)(1,490,738)(860,850)(467,938)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(10,022,096)(7,351,800)(2,207,271)(1,689,553)
Total increase (decrease)(4,179,630)(893,210)(49,940)3,451
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$75,498,375 $59,022,903 $16,395,629 $11,673,751 
See accompanying notes.
A-78



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1 DivisionReal Estate Securities Class 1 DivisionReal Estate Securities Class 2 DivisionRydex Basic Materials Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$10,633,375 $67,480,063 $6,105,983 $606,375 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)83,699326,00849,685(480)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments249,2504,699,003209,339767
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments507,510(8,777,765)(508,908)34,610
Net gains (losses) on investments840,459(3,752,754)(249,884)34,897
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations840,459(3,752,754)(249,884)34,897
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,855,8224,751,7582,692,25776,133
Administration charges(24,639)(10,241)(15,031)(613)
Contingent sales charges(2,976)(18,714)(1,311)
Contract terminations(734,253)(5,753,053)(106,585)
Death benefit payments(366,668)(487,558)(38,966)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(488,910)(652,035)(35,583)(2,192)
Transfers to other contracts(1,683,326)(5,217,349)(1,630,453)(278,602)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,444,950)(7,387,192)864,328(205,274)
Total increase (decrease)(604,491)(11,139,946)614,444(170,377)
Net assets as of December 31, 202010,028,88456,340,1176,720,427435,998
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)41,94640,09635,630(2,301)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments601,4955,905,170598,63321,583
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(348,436)14,500,7932,200,88388,418
Net gains (losses) on investments295,00520,446,0592,835,146107,700
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations295,00520,446,0592,835,146107,700
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes538,4963,480,5162,953,220280,703
Administration charges(21,114)(9,856)(22,023)(1,135)
Contingent sales charges(1,622)(10,868)(2,356)(16)
Contract terminations(695,105)(6,230,164)(217,853)(1,225)
Death benefit payments(369,400)(452,586)(75,600)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(438,457)(671,109)(44,455)(2,317)
Transfers to other contracts(169,469)(4,087,289)(771,644)(20,801)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(1,156,671)(7,981,356)1,819,289255,209
Total increase (decrease)(861,666)12,464,7034,654,435362,909
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$9,167,218 $68,804,820 $11,374,862 $798,907 
See accompanying notes.

A-79



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Rydex Commodities Strategy Division
Rydex
NASDAQ 100 Division
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$499,045 $3,094,997 $427,977,306 $22,821,199 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(1,671)(35,138)3,079,910249,344
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(29,523)912,8976,475,962746,852
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(63,410)1,562,86525,867,9351,416,053
Net gains (losses) on investments(94,604)2,440,62435,423,8072,412,249
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(94,604)2,440,62435,423,8072,412,249
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes168,6434,997,59310,621,6226,245,640
Administration charges(431)(12,418)(2,092,437)(49,125)
Contingent sales charges(190)(1,441)(109,156)(8,643)
Contract terminations(13,330)(113,034)(25,290,685)(1,023,296)
Death benefit payments(97,312)(5,161,877)(262,065)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,602)(22,566)(11,216,316)(368,651)
Transfers to other contracts(34,447)(818,816)(15,532,944)(2,284,077)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions117,6433,932,006(48,781,793)2,249,783
Total increase (decrease)23,0396,372,630(13,357,986)4,662,032
Net assets as of December 31, 2020522,0849,467,627414,619,32027,483,231
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(11,553)(100,289)559,347180,313
Total realized gains (losses) on investments55,9331,428,02712,192,115950,032
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments202,1311,281,40735,443,2452,522,564
Net gains (losses) on investments246,5112,609,14548,194,7073,652,909
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations246,5112,609,14548,194,7073,652,909
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes1,162,9284,295,60411,219,4599,633,269
Administration charges(679)(27,696)(2,022,154)(70,551)
Contingent sales charges(228)(2,439)(71,544)(5,336)
Contract terminations(66,917)(181,900)(29,540,387)(495,651)
Death benefit payments(187,581)(5,294,890)(95,152)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(12,526)(31,639)(11,607,280)(485,860)
Transfers to other contracts(589,673)(1,724,406)(11,078,016)(796,746)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions492,9052,139,943(48,394,812)7,683,973
Total increase (decrease)739,4164,749,088(200,105)11,336,882
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$1,261,500 $14,216,715 $414,419,215 $38,820,113 
See accompanying notes.

A-80



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2 DivisionSAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$102,121,678 $8,927,893 $89,362,293 $15,671,496 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)883,410147,554362,258117,530
Total realized gains (losses) on investments720,844202,4371,786,903347,506
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments5,514,695614,2746,493,2841,660,868
Net gains (losses) on investments7,118,949964,2658,642,4452,125,904
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations7,118,949964,2658,642,4452,125,904
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes4,086,4434,567,6613,963,1603,646,157
Administration charges(290,311)(28,781)(7,586)(51,526)
Contingent sales charges(26,517)(1,996)(28,114)(6,317)
Contract terminations(5,929,445)(199,966)(6,699,300)(625,902)
Death benefit payments(858,063)(225,159)(826,951)(7,021)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,784,391)(114,865)(993,171)(128,602)
Transfers to other contracts(4,536,224)(798,514)(6,016,164)(1,015,474)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(10,338,508)3,198,380(10,608,126)1,811,315
Total increase (decrease)(3,219,559)4,162,645(1,965,681)3,937,219
Net assets as of December 31, 202098,902,11913,090,53887,396,61219,608,715
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)386,521126,801(209,411)53,316
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,664,718384,9154,730,045889,989
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments5,706,477607,7498,727,7942,755,447
Net gains (losses) on investments7,757,7161,119,46513,248,4283,698,752
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations7,757,7161,119,46513,248,4283,698,752
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes3,945,7625,123,1582,198,1747,850,143
Administration charges(272,618)(41,352)(6,728)(85,397)
Contingent sales charges(21,468)(2,992)(24,943)(11,332)
Contract terminations(8,665,006)(279,527)(10,001,949)(876,590)
Death benefit payments(1,119,722)(78,831)(512,859)(60,626)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,613,147)(188,025)(1,180,142)(223,688)
Transfers to other contracts(2,617,631)(2,154,309)(3,655,501)(237,146)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(11,363,830)2,378,122(13,183,948)6,355,364
Total increase (decrease)(3,606,114)3,497,58764,48010,054,116
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$95,296,005 $16,588,125 $87,461,092 $29,662,831 
See accompanying notes.

A-81



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 2 DivisionSAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1 DivisionSAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2 Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$121,789,147 $16,832,897 $53,899,787 $9,817,608 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,549,246351,921145,54281,033
Total realized gains (losses) on investments237,246359,5181,035,044386,927
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments3,963,733537,6984,710,1151,710,461
Net gains (losses) on investments5,750,2251,249,1375,890,7012,178,421
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations5,750,2251,249,1375,890,7012,178,421
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes10,408,6196,768,0422,882,4243,946,072
Administration charges(154,407)(50,933)(6,538)(24,485)
Contingent sales charges(49,892)(4,816)(23,271)(5,576)
Contract terminations(11,160,553)(412,795)(5,470,879)(324,401)
Death benefit payments(1,737,243)(390,230)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(3,453,796)(307,704)(383,370)(55,114)
Transfers to other contracts(9,317,983)(1,376,301)(3,966,266)(1,188,084)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(15,465,255)4,615,493(7,358,130)2,348,412
Total increase (decrease)(9,715,030)5,864,630(1,467,429)4,526,833
Net assets as of December 31, 2020112,074,11722,697,52752,432,35814,344,441
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,001,754432,985(269,437)2,440
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,636,240681,4742,684,359808,965
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments3,160,298307,9716,561,0362,002,467
Net gains (losses) on investments5,798,2921,422,4308,975,9582,813,872
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations5,798,2921,422,4308,975,9582,813,872
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes9,808,58513,838,1603,421,0217,881,945
Administration charges(134,850)(80,360)(5,975)(34,957)
Contingent sales charges(22,831)(12,041)(13,344)(1,836)
Contract terminations(10,023,065)(1,032,615)(4,911,695)(279,876)
Death benefit payments(1,267,270)(439,047)(113,992)(96,199)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(3,297,043)(381,076)(475,939)(117,470)
Transfers to other contracts(5,976,293)(2,857,910)(3,735,207)(1,132,629)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(10,912,767)9,035,111(5,835,131)6,218,978
Total increase (decrease)(5,114,475)10,457,5413,140,8279,032,850
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$106,959,642 $33,155,068 $55,573,185 $23,377,291 
See accompanying notes.

A-82



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
Short-Term Income Class 1 DivisionSmallCap Class 1 DivisionSmallCap Class 2 DivisionT. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$70,426,988 $94,321,287 $2,452,075 $25,128,752 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)518,148(704,477)(16,727)(384,617)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments(115,650)5,665,015170,3563,942,467
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments831,83612,112,650545,7764,468,651
Net gains (losses) on investments1,234,33417,073,188699,4058,026,501
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations1,234,33417,073,188699,4058,026,501
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes20,590,7285,399,0771,196,4699,750,278
Administration charges(209,314)(60,691)(6,752)(24,856)
Contingent sales charges(19,648)(19,579)(954)(10,125)
Contract terminations(4,551,225)(7,903,426)(86,446)(2,012,279)
Death benefit payments(660,081)(879,171)(6,484)(178,017)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,506,745)(1,210,901)(16,949)(246,853)
Transfers to other contracts(10,775,347)(8,727,896)(500,771)(5,499,872)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions1,868,368(13,402,587)578,1131,778,276
Total increase (decrease)3,102,7023,670,6011,277,5189,804,777
Net assets as of December 31, 202073,529,69097,991,8883,729,59334,933,529
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)97,189(1,068,805)(33,120)(492,081)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments384,8307,827,813392,6598,233,793
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(1,884,009)10,941,581311,342(1,991,142)
Net gains (losses) on investments(1,401,990)17,700,589670,8815,750,570
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations(1,401,990)17,700,589670,8815,750,570
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes10,994,0714,887,5611,934,81310,379,742
Administration charges(188,897)(56,598)(10,917)(43,852)
Contingent sales charges(16,737)(10,872)(1,338)(10,531)
Contract terminations(6,921,668)(8,296,751)(115,441)(2,782,446)
Death benefit payments(1,509,523)(1,025,407)(74,867)(861,337)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(2,302,192)(1,295,184)(20,357)(293,237)
Transfers to other contracts(7,697,349)(9,615,798)(830,529)(3,842,111)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(7,642,295)(15,413,049)881,3642,546,228
Total increase (decrease)(9,044,285)2,287,5401,552,2458,296,798
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$64,485,405 $100,279,428 $5,281,838 $43,230,327 
See accompanying notes.
A-83



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II DivisionTempleton Global Bond VIP Class 4 DivisionTempleton Growth VIP Class 2 DivisionThe Merger Fund Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$26,161,281 $5,135,868 $661,321 $303,906 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(366,903)193,02612,432(2,866)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments2,989,544(281,824)(32,865)935
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments3,555,423(218,205)57,85724,659
Net gains (losses) on investments6,178,064(307,003)37,42422,728
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations6,178,064(307,003)37,42422,728
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,312,258735,382120,847107,323
Administration charges(8,699)(3,586)(1,148)
Contingent sales charges(12,234)(1,115)(115)(226)
Contract terminations(2,479,575)(133,246)(17,820)(12,107)
Death benefit payments(169,053)(41,860)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(208,090)(23,538)(6,680)(882)
Transfers to other contracts(3,647,571)(2,360,105)(135,855)(21,109)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(4,212,964)(1,786,208)(81,483)71,851
Total increase (decrease)1,965,100(2,093,211)(44,059)94,579
Net assets as of December 31, 202028,126,3813,042,657617,262398,485
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(398,753)(30,447)1,745(3,202)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments3,530,126(203,875)(12,571)22,986
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments(119,333)54,13736,418(18,644)
Net gains (losses) on investments3,012,040(180,185)25,5921,140
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations3,012,040(180,185)25,5921,140
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes2,864,293768,21415,45747,875
Administration charges(7,545)(4,843)(1,393)
Contingent sales charges(9,555)(674)77(300)
Contract terminations(3,409,253)(122,545)(17,402)(32,791)
Death benefit payments(131,637)(64,971)(3,039)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(225,758)(25,486)(6,663)(736)
Transfers to other contracts(3,433,543)(630,370)(19,771)(10,926)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(4,352,998)(80,675)(31,341)1,729
Total increase (decrease)(1,340,958)(260,860)(5,749)2,869
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$26,785,423 $2,781,797 $611,513 $401,354 
See accompanying notes.
A-84



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionTOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class Division
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$624,179 $1,016,846 $294,919 $1,043,513 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)4,4915,722413(1,801)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments10,424(17,994)5898,957
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments96,22361,68715,52226,042
Net gains (losses) on investments111,13849,41516,52433,198
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations111,13849,41516,52433,198
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes362,507336,02938,561147,468
Administration charges(2,352)(347)(513)(1,752)
Contingent sales charges(15)(7)
Contract terminations(1,075)(494)
Death benefit payments
Flexible withdrawal option payments(7,652)(1,760)
Transfers to other contracts(85,439)(348,730)(526,351)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions274,716(21,790)38,048(382,896)
Total increase (decrease)385,85427,62554,572(349,698)
Net assets as of December 31, 20201,010,0331,044,471349,491693,815
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)(3,350)284(254)(3,336)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments42,8432,6421,27110,121
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments135,05295,86634,060114,058
Net gains (losses) on investments174,54598,79235,077120,843
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations174,54598,79235,077120,843
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes193,307952,205835,140633,680
Administration charges(2,738)(219)(603)(2,886)
Contingent sales charges(2,808)(94)(3)(564)
Contract terminations(188,154)(6,271)(1,033)(37,766)
Death benefit payments
Flexible withdrawal option payments(400)(5,315)(989)(1,032)
Transfers to other contracts(2,063)(68)(875)(10,757)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions(2,856)940,238831,637580,675
Total increase (decrease)171,6891,039,030866,714701,518
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$1,181,722 $2,083,501 $1,216,205 $1,395,333 
See accompanying notes.
A-85



Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class DivisionVanEck Global Resources Class S Division (1)
Net assets as of January 1, 2020$237,263 $3,957,008 
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1,847(22,510)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments455(208,463)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments25,816894,908
Net gains (losses) on investments28,118663,935
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations28,118663,935
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes60,034553,489
Administration charges(1,008)(701)
Contingent sales charges(2)(1,543)
Contract terminations(148)(280,002)
Death benefit payments(37,767)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(659)(19,995)
Transfers to other contracts(232)(583,846)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions57,985(370,365)
Total increase (decrease)86,103293,570
Net assets as of December 31, 2020323,3664,250,578
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)335(48,460)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments1,261323,073
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
of investments39,362444,308
Net gains (losses) on investments40,958718,921
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations40,958718,921
Policy related transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and
applicable premium taxes155,2631,022,468
Administration charges(1,406)(1,219)
Contingent sales charges(1,130)
Contract terminations(486,939)
Death benefit payments(6,264)
Flexible withdrawal option payments(3,286)(28,643)
Transfers to other contracts(17)(879,225)
Annuity payments
Increase (decrease) in net assets from policy related transactions150,554(380,952)
Total increase (decrease)191,512337,969
Net assets as of December 31, 2021$514,878 $4,588,547 
(1) Represented the operations of VanEck Global Hard Assets Class S Division until June 7, 2021.
See accompanying notes.
A-86

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

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, 2021, contractholder investment options included the following diversified open–end management investment companies:

Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 1: (1)
Core Plus Bond Account
Diversified Balanced Account (3)
Diversified International Account
Equity Income Account
Government & High Quality Bond Account
International Emerging Markets Account
LargeCap Growth Account I
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account
MidCap Account
Principal Capital Appreciation Account
Principal LifeTime 2010 Account
Principal LifeTime 2020 Account
Principal LifeTime 2030 Account
Principal LifeTime 2040 Account
Principal LifeTime 2050 Account
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Account
Real Estate Securities Account
Short-Term Income Account
SmallCap Account
Strategic Asset Management (“SAM”) Portfolios:
Balanced Portfolio
Conservative Balanced Portfolio
Conservative Growth Portfolio
Flexible Income Portfolio
Strategic Growth Portfolio
Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 2: (1)
Diversified Balanced Account
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility Account
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Account (2)
Diversified Growth Account
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility Account
Diversified Growth Volatility Control Account (2)
Diversified Income Account
Equity Income Account
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account
MidCap Account (7)
Principal Capital Appreciation Account
Real Estate Securities Account
SmallCap Account

A-87

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
SAM Portfolios:
Balanced Portfolio
Conservative Balanced Portfolio
Conservative Growth Portfolio
Flexible Income Portfolio
Strategic Growth Portfolio
Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 3: (1)
Blue Chip Account (9)    
AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund, Inc.:
Small Cap Growth Portfolio – Class A
Small/Mid Cap Value Portfolio – Class A
Alps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio – Class III
American Century:
VP Capital Appreciation Fund – Class I
VP Disciplined Core Value Fund – Class I (10)
VP Inflation Protection Fund – Class II
VP Mid Cap Value Fund – Class II
VP Ultra® Fund – Class I
VP Ultra® Fund – Class II
VP Value Fund – Class II
American Funds Insurance Series:
Asset Allocation Fund – Class 2
Asset Allocation Fund – Class 4
Global Small Capitalization Fund – Class 2
Global Small Capitalization Fund – Class 4
High-Income Trust Fund – Class 2 (13)
Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund – Class P2
Managed Risk Growth Fund – Class P2
Managed Risk International Fund – Class P2
New World Fund – Class 2
New World Fund – Class 4
Washington Mutual Investors Fund – Class 2 (11)
Washington Mutual Investors Fund – Class 4 (12)
BlackRock Variable Insurance Funds:
60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund – Class III
Advantage SMID Cap V.I. Fund – Class III (14)
Global Allocation V.I. Fund – Class III
BNY Mellon IP:
MidCap Stock Portfolio – Service Shares
Technology Growth Portfolio – Service Shares
Calvert VP Portfolio:
EAFE International Index – Class F
Investment Grade Bond – Class F (4)
Russell 2000 Small Cap Index – Class F
S&P MidCap 400 Index – Class F
ClearBridge Variable Small Cap Growth Portfolio – Class II
Columbia Variable Portfolio:
Limited Duration Credit – Class 2
Small Cap Value – Class 2
Delaware VIP® Trust Series:
Small Cap Value – Service Class
A-88

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
DWS Variable Series II:
Alternative Asset Allocation VIP – Class B
Equity 500 Index VIP – Class B2
Small Mid Cap Value VIP – Class B
EQ Advisors Trust:(SM)
1290 VT Convertible Securities Portfolio – Class IB (5)
1290 VT GAMCO Small Company Value Portfolio – Class IB (5)
1290 VT Micro Cap Portfolio – Class IB (5)
1290 VT SmartBeta Equity Portfolio – Class IB (5)
1290 VT Socially Responsible Portfolio – Class IB (5)
Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products:
Contrafund® Portfolio – Service Class
Contrafund® Portfolio – Service Class 2
Equity-Income Portfolio – Service Class 2
Freedom 2020 – Service Class 2 (5)
Freedom 2030 – Service Class 2 (5)
Freedom 2040 – Service Class 2 (5)
Freedom 2050 – Service Class 2 (5)
Government Money Market Portfolio – Initial Class
Government Money Market Portfolio – Service Class 2
Growth Portfolio – Service Class
Growth Portfolio – Service Class 2
Mid Cap Portfolio – Service Class
Mid Cap Portfolio – Service Class 2
Overseas Portfolio – Service Class 2
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust:
Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Fund – Class 2
Franklin Income VIP – Class 4 (4)
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Fund – Class 4
Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Fund – Class 2
Franklin U.S. Government Securities VIP Fund – Class 2 (5)
Templeton Global Bond VIP Fund – Class 4
Templeton Growth VIP Fund – Class 2
Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust:
Mid Cap Value Fund – Institutional Shares
Mid Cap Value Fund – Service Shares
Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio – Service Shares
Small Cap Equity Insights Fund – Institutional Shares
Small Cap Equity Insights Fund – Service Shares
Guggenheim Investments Variable Insurance Funds:
Floating Rate Strategies – Series F
Global Managed Futures Strategy Fund
Long Short Equity Fund
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
Invesco V.I. Fund:
American Franchise Fund – Series I Shares
American Value Fund – Series I Shares (8)
Balanced-Risk Allocation Fund – Series II Shares
Core Equity Fund – Series I Shares
Discovery Mid Cap Growth Fund – Series I Shares (6) (15)
Health Care Fund – Series I Shares
Health Care Fund – Series II Shares
A-89

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
International Growth Fund – Series I Shares
International Growth Fund – Series II Shares
Main Street Small Cap Fund – Series II Shares (16)
Small Cap Equity Fund – Series I Shares
Technology Fund – Series I Shares
Janus Henderson Series:
Balanced Portfolio – Service Shares (9)
Enterprise Portfolio – Service Shares
Flexible Bond Portfolio – Service Shares
Global Technology and Innovation Portfolio – Service Shares (5)
MFS®:
International Intrinsic Value Portfolio – Service Class
New Discovery Portfolio – Service Class
Utilities Series – Service Class
Value Series – Service Class
Neuberger Berman Advisors Management Trust:
Mid Cap Growth Portfolio – Class S
Sustainable Equity Portfolio – Class I
Sustainable Equity Portfolio – Class S (4)
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust:
All Asset Portfolio – Administrative Class
All Asset Portfolio – Advisor Class
Commodity Real Return Strategy Portfolio – Class M
Emerging Markets Bond Portfolio – Administrative Class (9)
High Yield Portfolio – Administrative Class
Low Duration Portfolio – Advisor Class
Total Return Portfolio – Administrative Class
Rydex V.I. Fund:
Basic Materials Fund
Commodities Strategy Fund
NASDAQ 100 Fund
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.:
Blue Chip Growth Portfolio – II
Health Sciences Portfolio – II
The Merger Fund VL
TOPS Managed Risk Series:
Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class (4)
Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class (4)
Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class (4)
Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class (4)
Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class (4)
VanEck VIP Global Resources Fund – Class S Shares (17)

(1)    Organized by Principal Life.
(2)    Commenced operations April 6, 2017.
(3)    Commenced operations May 26, 2017.
(4)    Commenced operations June 11, 2018.
(5)    Commenced operations June 7, 2019.
(6)    Commenced operations April 30, 2020.
(7)    Commenced operations June 8, 2020.
(8)    Commenced operations April 29, 2021.
(9)    Commenced operations June 7, 2021.
A-90

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
(10) Represented the operations of American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division until June 7, 2021.
(11) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(12) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 4 Division until June 7, 2021.
(13) Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Bond Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(14) Represented the operations of BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Class III Division until June 7, 2021.
(15) Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer VI Discovery Mid Cap Growth until June 7, 2021.
(16) Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Main Street Small Cap Series II Division until June 7, 2021.
(17) Represented the operations of VanEck Global Hard Assets Class S Division until June 7, 2021.

                Commenced operations date is the date the division became available to contractholders.

                During 2021, the following divisions were liquidated and subsequently reinvested:

DateLiquidation DivisionReinvested DivisionTransferred Assets
May 1, 2021
 Delaware Limited Term Diversified Income
   Service Class
Lincoln Delaware Limited Term Diversified Income$1,196,764
May 1, 2021Invesco Value Opportunities Series IInvesco American Value Series I4,074,317
July 24, 2021Lincoln Delaware Limited Term Diversified IncomeColumbia Limited Duration Credit Class 21,230,974

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;
Principal® Investment Plus Variable Annuity;
Principal® Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider;
Principal® Lifetime Income Solutions;
Principal® Lifetime Income Solutions II;
Principal® Pivot Series Variable Annuity;
Principal® Pivot Series Variable Annuity with Liquidity Max Rider;
Principal® Pivot Series Variable Annuity v2;
Principal® Pivot Series Variable Annuity v3;
Principal® Variable Annuity and
Principal® Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider.

Principal Life no longer accepts contributions for Bankers Flexible Annuity contracts, Pension Builder Plus contracts and Pension Builder Plus-Rollover IRA contracts. Contractholders are given the option of withdrawing their funds or transferring to another contract at any time. Contributions to the Personal Variable contracts are no longer accepted from new customers, only from existing customers.


A-91

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
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.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) in many countries continues to adversely impact global commercial activity and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. These events present material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Separate Account performance and financial results.

Investments

Investments are stated at the closing net asset value (“NAV”) per share on December 31, 2021. Net realized capital gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification under the first-in, first-out method. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Dividends and realized gains (losses) on investments are recognized on an accrual basis as of the ex-dividend date and are automatically reinvested in shares of the funds on the payable date.

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. 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.

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 at least one significant unobservable input 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.

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.




A-92

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
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% (1.00% for a Rollover IRA) of the asset value of each contract. A contingent sales charge of up to 7.00% 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 the number of participants under the retirement plan and their participant investment account values.

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 the annual average balance of investment account values that 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 contract account balance.

Principal® Freedom 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 0.85% of the asset value of each contract. Principal Life reserves the right to increase this charge but guarantees it will not exceed 1.25% per year. A surrender charge up to 6.00% 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 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 0.95% of the asset value of each contract. Principal Life reserves the right to increase this charge but guarantees it will not exceed 1.25% per year. A surrender charge up to 3.00% 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.

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 6.00% 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 2.00% 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. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.15% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value. The product also contains an optional premium payment credit rider, which charges an annual rate of 0.60%. 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 8.00% from withdrawals made during the first eight years.


A-93

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
Principal® Lifetime Income Solutions – 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 6.00% 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. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.15% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value.

Principal® Lifetime Income Solutions II – 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 6.00% 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 0.50% of the average daily net asset value of each division. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.15% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value.

Principal® Pivot Series 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 1.00% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to 6.00% 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 2.00% 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 0.30% of the asset value of each division. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.15% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value. The product also contains an optional liquidity max rider, which charges an annual rate of 0.25%. For electing participants, the rider is deducted from the daily unit value.

Principal® Pivot Series Variable Annuity v2 – 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 0.85% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to 6.00% 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 2.00% 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 0.30% of the asset value of each division. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.15% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value.

Principal® Pivot Series Variable Annuity v3 – 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 0.60% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to 6.00% 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 2.00% 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 0.30% of the asset value of each division. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.15% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value.

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 6.00% 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. Currently, Principal Life is charging an annual rate of 0.05% of the asset value of each contract. This charge is deducted from the daily unit value. The product also contains an optional purchase payment credit rider, which charges an annual rate of 0.60%. 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 8.00% from withdrawals made during the first eight years.

A-94

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
During the year ended December 31, 2021, investment advisory and management fees were paid indirectly to Principal Global Investors, LLC (“Manager”) (wholly owned indirectly by Principal Financial Services, Inc.) in its capacity as advisor to Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. These fees are computed at an annual percentage rate of each division’s average daily net assets. A portion of the management fee is paid by the Manager to the sub-advisor of each of the divisions, some of which are affiliates of the Manager. 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. The Principal LifeTime Accounts do not pay investment advisory and management fees.

The annual rates used in this calculation for each of the other divisions are shown in the following tables:

Net Assets
(in millions)
First $100Next $100Next $100Next $100Thereafter
Core Plus Bond0.50%0.45%0.40%0.35%0.30%
Equity Income0.60 0.55 0.50 0.45 0.40 
Government & High Quality Bond0.500.480.460.450.44
LargeCap Growth I0.800.750.700.650.60
MidCap0.65 0.60 0.55 0.50 0.45 
Real Estate Securities0.83 0.78 0.73 0.70 0.68 
SmallCap0.85 0.80 0.75 0.70 0.65 
Net Assets
(in millions)
First $250Next $250Next $250Next $250Thereafter
Diversified International0.85%0.80%0.75%0.70%0.65%
International Emerging Markets1.101.051.000.950.90

Net Assets
(in millions)
First $500Over $500
Blue Chip0.600%0.550%
Principal Capital Appreciation0.6250.500
Short-Term Income0.4500.390


A-95

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

All Net Assets
Diversified Balanced0.05%
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility0.05
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control0.12
Diversified Growth0.05
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility0.05
Diversified Growth Volatility Control0.12
Diversified Income0.05
LargeCap S&P 500 Index0.25

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive certain of the divisions’ management and investment advisory fees. The expense waiver will reduce the divisions’ management and investment advisory fees. The waivers are expressed as a percentage of average daily net assets on an annualized basis during the reported period. The waivers were as follows:

From January 1, 2021 through
December 31, 2021
Expiration
LargeCap Growth I0.016%April 30, 2022

The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses (excluding interest expense, expenses related to division, acquired division fees and expenses, and tax reclaim recovery expenses and other extraordinary expenses) for certain classes of shares of certain of the divisions. 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 expenses borne by the Manager are subject to reimbursement by the divisions through the fiscal year end, provided no reimbursement will be made if it would result in the divisions exceeding the total operating expense limits. Any amounts outstanding at the end of the year are shown as an expense reimbursement from Manager or expense reimbursement to Manager on the statements of assets and liabilities. The operating expense limits were as follows:
From January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
Class 1Class 2Class 3Expiration
Blue ChipN/AN/A1.05%April 30, 2022
Diversified Balanced Managed VolatilityN/A0.31%N/AApril 30, 2022
International Emerging Markets1.20%N/AN/AApril 30, 2022
LargeCap Growth I0.69N/AN/AApril 30, 2022


A-96

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

In addition, the Manager has voluntarily agreed to limit the expenses (excluding interest expense, expenses related to division investments, acquired fund fees and expenses and tax reclaim recovery expenses and other extraordinary expenses) attributable to Class 2 shares of certain of the divisions. 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 were as follows:

From January 1, 2021 through
December 31, 2021
Diversified Income0.31%

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.
A-97

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
4. Purchases and Sales of Investments

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments were as follows for the year ended December 31, 2021:

DivisionPurchasesSales
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A$1,641,969$1,689,906
AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A$1,780,614$1,710,111
Alps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio Class III$621,626$167,768
American Century VP Capital Appreciation Class I$289,086$511,582
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I$2,266,859$1,669,874
American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II$7,396,589$8,310,353
American Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II$799,771$2,056,725
American Century VP Ultra Class I$521,770$1,151,845
American Century VP Ultra Class II$3,224,125$8,765,278
American Century VP Value Class II$1,834,335$2,508,101
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 2$1,385,228$1,789,151
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 4$7,736,556$926,693
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 2$256,113$483,213
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 4$2,134,621$657,808
American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust Class 2$818,947$643,606
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund Class P2$1,889,651$317,127
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Growth Fund Class P2$1,910,311$286,589
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk International Fund Class P2$142,092$27,550
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 2$541,362$582,589
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 4$3,146,973$592,786
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 2$784,048$1,014,171
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 4$2,620,184$1,368,865
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III$5,242,867$650,254
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III$2,190,165$678,853
BlackRock Global Allocation Class III$3,275,311$946,084
A-98

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
DivisionPurchasesSales
Blue Chip Class 3$7,126,531$230,884
BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares$234,670$95,154
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth Service Shares$3,105,282$3,654,752
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F$1,217,218$348,253
Calvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F$2,333,101$689,673
Calvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F$2,712,283$623,783
Calvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F$2,560,058$1,178,662
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Class II$3,499,557$915,227
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2$3,328,066$1,576,094
Columbia Small Cap Value Class 2$1,570,085$219,817
Core Plus Bond Class 1$19,066,186$24,161,887
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class$860,260$932,052
Diversified Balanced Class 1$2,509,159$3,318,563
Diversified Balanced Class 2$125,371,814$173,659,686
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 2$29,583,368$41,088,082
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 2$44,884,532$13,384,078
Diversified Growth Class 2$432,026,709$603,492,458
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 2$43,734,977$67,497,822
Diversified Growth Volatility Control Class 2$235,189,329$68,741,774
Diversified Income Class 2$96,386,409$102,402,988
Diversified International Class 1$6,189,386$16,383,670
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B$54,579$2,611
DWS Equity 500 Index Class B2$189,422$525,537
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B$704,687$408,648
EQ Convertible Securities Class IB$1,134,263$118,911
EQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB$154,970$44,090
EQ Micro Cap Class IB$2,587,035$1,212,935
A-99

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
DivisionPurchasesSales
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB$78,638$24,002
EQ Socially Responsible Class IB$662,852$187,119
Equity Income Class 1$12,893,403$47,610,154
Equity Income Class 2$3,911,948$1,127,063
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class$5,641,408$5,719,082
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2$15,943,393$11,589,552
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2$5,068,356$4,835,796
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2$2,061,776$53,681
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2$1,957,798$93,815
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 2$1,074,988$30,265
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 2$1,312,906$186,878
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class$9,844,434$20,051,880
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service Class 2$37,134,939$31,993,216
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class$4,396,792$2,773,131
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2$3,968,912$3,208,641
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class$132,787$110,479
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2$8,023,309$5,942,269
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2$4,250,450$5,992,287
Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 2$473,424$173,196
Franklin Income VIP Class 4$1,539,969$116,655
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4$2,388,972$304,086
Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 2$1,068,195$1,419,572
Franklin U.S. Government Fund Class 2$506,012$346,925
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Shares$2,166,508$2,904,969
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares$785,533$164,709
Goldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio Service Shares$444,540$15,478
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Institutional Shares$1,807,248$1,438,913
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Service Shares$737,738$89,931
A-100

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
DivisionPurchasesSales
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1$10,782,111$16,567,908
Guggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F$1,348,205$715,201
Guggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures Strategy$29,249$35,613
Guggenheim Investments Long Short Equity$54,904$9,803
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies$133,102$47,974
International Emerging Markets Class 1$5,050,324$8,378,384
Invesco American Franchise Series I$713,549$1,023,195
Invesco American Value Series I$4,253,638$565,980
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II$346,545$40,551
Invesco Core Equity Series I$766,915$2,149,970
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I$175,446$296,641
Invesco Health Care Series I$1,197,221$1,041,675
Invesco Health Care Series II$3,959,657$634,722
Invesco International Growth Series I$863,090$1,274,207
Invesco International Growth Series II$966,096$306,308
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II$55,812$96,971
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I$1,232,209$1,975,375
Invesco Technology Series I$557,794$882,240
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares$4,546,570$123,035
Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares$1,077,274$1,508,243
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares$4,386,524$2,033,989
Janus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Service Shares$5,715,455$1,028,589
LargeCap Growth I Class 1$30,813,265$34,284,193
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1$16,689,681$22,476,803
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2$19,035,701$5,492,862
MFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class$2,448,635$1,715,614
MFS New Discovery Service Class$4,000,872$2,216,473
A-101

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
DivisionPurchasesSales
MFS Utilities Service Class$2,989,878$2,086,376
MFS Value Service Class$407,604$1,147,103
MidCap Class 1$32,809,765$60,718,930
MidCap Class 2$9,300,456$633,797
Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio Class S$1,045,255$791,737
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I$355,346$1,270,653
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S$43,836$7,068
PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class$587,183$483,974
PIMCO All Asset Advisor Class$102,922$6,309
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M$349,123$23,305
PIMCO Emerging Market Bond Administrative Class$302,822$2,143
PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class$7,363,192$4,376,668
PIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class$2,280,074$695,067
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class$10,605,650$7,005,807
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 1$7,798,413$23,002,724
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 2$4,466,391$1,785,411
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1$1,643,280$3,322,959
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1$7,858,572$13,333,157
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1$5,048,906$10,364,857
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1$1,374,493$3,071,924
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1$737,191$2,091,326
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1$1,098,814$1,827,354
Real Estate Securities Class 1$8,415,854$12,314,635
Real Estate Securities Class 2$3,634,564$1,209,061
Rydex Basic Materials$300,218$31,387
Rydex Commodities Strategy$1,162,928$681,576
Rydex NASDAQ 100$5,232,051$2,255,950
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1$26,295,594$65,475,048
A-102

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
DivisionPurchasesSales
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2$10,826,413$2,237,381
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1$6,958,145$16,690,139
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2$5,579,945$2,873,334
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1$4,939,543$16,626,059
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2$8,675,185$1,720,624
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1$13,972,408$22,241,158
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 2$14,984,010$5,041,777
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1$5,104,868$10,041,940
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2$8,513,503$1,827,596
Short-Term Income Class 1$12,329,605$19,567,899
SmallCap Class 1$8,302,833$21,684,477
SmallCap Class 2$2,085,272$1,093,567
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II$15,118,256$8,325,595
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II$4,562,148$7,616,044
Templeton Global Bond VIP Class 4$768,214$879,336
Templeton Growth VIP Class 2$22,629$52,225
The Merger Fund$66,469$49,348
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class$197,939$204,145
TOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class$962,632$22,110
TOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class$843,543$12,160
TOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class$638,252$60,913
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class$158,677$7,788
VanEck Global Resources Class S$1,036,791$1,466,203
A-103

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
5. Changes in Units Outstanding

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

20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A8,01121,648(13,637)9,65832,281(22,623)
AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A86,62583,5273,09833,50892,830(59,322)
Alps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio
   Class III
37,75510,92926,82626,43912,59613,843
American Century VP Capital Appreciation Class I2,59419,383(16,789)12,04629,941(17,895)
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I15,89448,442(32,548)16,72443,411(26,687)
American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II471,946534,027(62,081)567,816611,743(43,927)
American Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II22,97763,632(40,655)32,74475,549(42,805)
American Century VP Ultra Class I4,84924,007(19,158)25,45142,951(17,500)
American Century VP Ultra Class II23,701151,456(127,755)46,131260,270(214,139)
American Century VP Value Class II104,67678,84825,82885,425120,491(35,066)
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation
   Fund Class 2
80,620111,015(30,395)27,39048,598(21,208)
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation
   Fund Class 4
512,54157,732454,809167,08285,40381,679
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small
   Capitalization Fund Class 2
11,78424,418(12,634)10,02115,172(5,151)
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small
   Capitalization Fund Class 4
130,01438,68891,32672,49033,86138,629
American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust
   Class 2
58,27648,13610,14013,49114,241(750)
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset
   Allocation Fund Class P2
142,04820,650121,398230,37937,360193,019
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk
    Growth Fund Class P2
103,40514,40489,001146,84268,39578,447
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk
   International Fund Class P2
13,3632,10011,26313,4425,1288,314
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund
   Class 2
28,12234,356(6,234)37,51941,604(4,085)
A-104

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund
   Class 4
210,31338,765171,548125,51048,54076,970
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual
   Investors Class 2
45,11758,927(13,810)62,70167,705(5,004)
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual
   Investors Class 4
178,52286,86791,655247,136117,243129,893
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III341,01044,271296,73961,54810,64250,906
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III68,33744,50523,83262,65014,67547,975
BlackRock Global Allocation Class III189,11266,741122,37139,45353,018(13,565)
Blue Chip Class 3643,69418,794624,900
BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares17,4816,51610,96518,60410,9757,629
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth Service Shares17,96648,849(30,883)35,88561,044(25,159)
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F100,36027,55972,80192,67328,84463,829
Calvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F196,44957,853138,596259,44735,793223,654
Calvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F171,96039,086132,874113,62152,24661,375
Calvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F157,40671,82585,581168,76782,28186,486
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Class II142,56945,64396,92696,75354,61642,137
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2295,569140,462155,107364,65471,984292,670
Columbia Small Cap Value Class 2114,28914,80899,48149,98433,40316,581
Core Plus Bond Class 1753,2951,277,945(524,650)1,109,8231,123,337(13,514)
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class44,16647,492(3,326)19,40432,807(13,403)
Diversified Balanced Class 156,265216,189(159,924)80,394420,883(340,489)
Diversified Balanced Class 22,815,0517,664,402(4,849,351)2,424,2608,260,341(5,836,081)
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 21,500,1282,529,578(1,029,450)1,064,6471,699,330(634,683)
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 22,988,227803,8572,184,3703,279,262982,7732,296,489
Diversified Growth Class 28,210,17622,809,987(14,599,811)7,288,55723,619,815(16,331,258)
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 21,803,0833,773,728(1,970,645)1,623,0572,568,202(945,145)
A-105

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
Diversified Growth Volatility Control Class 214,952,5523,860,31911,092,23316,482,4742,949,39513,533,079
Diversified Income Class 25,459,9736,246,968(786,995)6,485,8925,245,7561,240,136
Diversified International Class 1170,730499,353(328,623)216,449691,041(474,592)
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B4,4741524,322436178258
DWS Equity 500 Index Class B21,29524,199(22,904)14,06517,407(3,342)
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B47,88125,88921,99224,12835,389(11,261)
EQ Convertible Securities Class IB55,9997,26948,73012,0928612,006
EQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB9,9583,1676,7916,067705,997
EQ Micro Cap Class IB120,18963,56956,6204,9942184,776
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB3,7441,5842,16024,2333,53120,702
EQ Socially Responsible Class IB42,50210,74331,75912,3831,04611,337
Equity Income Class 1649,3871,849,073(1,199,686)1,507,3042,850,569(1,343,265)
Equity Income Class 2249,65264,337185,315216,148175,34540,803
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class8,64299,765(91,123)20,910164,383(143,473)
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2395,856297,85298,004324,070347,979(23,909)
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 241,654152,136(110,482)92,250188,406(96,156)
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2155,9233,156152,76734,2277,91626,311
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2137,2645,776131,48873,8488,94164,907
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 267,2331,06366,17042,68680941,877
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 286,30313,19973,10442,30424,41617,888
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class2,406,0683,403,283(997,215)5,356,5904,066,1481,290,442
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service
   Class 2
3,736,6653,206,784529,8812,371,5731,806,606564,967
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class8,05460,519(52,465)30,27385,832(55,559)
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 212,34353,288(40,945)32,72078,364(45,644)
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class6,0836,0831(1)
A-106

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2160,568187,784(27,216)192,657239,040(46,383)
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2155,829257,116(101,287)134,283215,137(80,854)
Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 234,07512,65221,42330,67215,88114,791
Franklin Income VIP Class 4119,5948,009111,58599,68033,48266,198
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4134,15314,630119,523127,49263,59463,898
Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 228,46642,997(14,531)19,67445,956(26,282)
Franklin U.S. Government Fund Class 243,40732,00011,407235,23838,848196,390
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional
   Shares
11,48172,509(61,028)37,79161,947(24,156)
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares30,01110,13019,88141,09321,02520,068
Goldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives
   Portfolio Service Shares
39,5491,07638,47336,15227,4168,736
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights
   Institutional Shares
14,02541,441(27,416)21,68143,494(21,813)
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights
   Service Shares
32,9545,30327,6518,7178,016701
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1903,5691,520,686(617,117)1,765,8821,751,44614,436
Guggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F120,05563,07356,98235,91563,575(27,660)
Guggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures
   Strategy
2,6723,804(1,132)11,86411,454410
Guggenheim Investments Long Short Equity4,7686274,1416,8091,3305,479
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies10,3113,6016,71023,54023,666(126)
International Emerging Markets Class 1140,554209,300(68,746)129,396310,234(180,838)
Invesco American Franchise Series I2,22025,744(23,524)12,71228,152(15,440)
Invesco American Value Series I426,75952,543374,216
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II23,4812,61720,86415,4918,2487,243
Invesco Core Equity Series I12,96974,254(61,285)20,74990,658(69,909)
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I3,40816,849(13,441)103,82225,95377,869
A-107

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
Invesco Health Care Series I14,28229,401(15,119)21,11445,132(24,018)
Invesco Health Care Series II195,76936,977158,792154,35134,929119,422
Invesco International Growth Series I22,20775,072(52,865)42,865118,633(75,768)
Invesco International Growth Series II57,84621,05536,79157,05514,39542,660
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II1,0423,988(2,946)1,9605,289(3,329)
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I21,38247,179(25,797)21,45970,094(48,635)
Invesco Technology Series I8,46132,238(23,777)26,67849,717(23,039)
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares429,00810,590418,418
Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares3,40938,972(35,563)7,95960,173(52,214)
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares348,443169,428179,015694,460360,464333,996
Janus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation
   Service Shares
258,04450,616207,428190,85831,424159,434
LargeCap Growth I Class 1309,262614,486(305,224)751,8421,251,842(500,000)
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1400,5331,088,700(688,167)1,075,4601,422,993(347,533)
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2945,257325,302619,955921,099277,154643,945
MFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class148,23999,08149,158184,901142,32942,572
MFS New Discovery Service Class114,90293,30421,598201,627146,36755,260
MFS Utilities Service Class134,09073,07861,012124,710148,036(23,326)
MFS Value Service Class7,08429,862(22,778)22,00156,561(34,560)
MidCap Class 172,884378,687(305,803)136,753561,853(425,100)
MidCap Class 2654,30743,588610,719328,91723,663305,254
Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
   Class S
25,96136,053(10,092)43,36462,846(19,482)
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I4,96329,681(24,718)6,35140,537(34,186)
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S2,8464542,3922,5571552,402
PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class17,37923,293(5,914)8,98334,959(25,976)
PIMCO All Asset Advisor Class6,3193565,9638,6374,4924,145
A-108

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M31,8311,89729,9342,8776242,253
PIMCO Emerging Market Bond Administrative Class30,02116729,854
PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class494,272258,126236,146354,351329,74424,607
PIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class215,36063,257152,103264,64990,726173,923
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class740,366520,759219,6071,107,414717,654389,760
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 1105,475738,320(632,845)161,900864,458(702,558)
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 2239,436107,158132,278225,34990,247135,102
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 129,342152,456(123,114)16,907138,377(121,470)
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 198,911509,559(410,648)123,415655,758(532,343)
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 191,735368,246(276,511)67,807287,044(219,237)
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 122,061101,444(79,383)31,00685,507(54,501)
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 18,50269,380(60,878)15,34690,689(75,343)
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 130,12795,588(65,461)112,296201,006(88,710)
Real Estate Securities Class 174,118152,644(78,526)102,183254,966(152,783)
Real Estate Securities Class 2195,61574,042121,573228,066145,41182,655
Rydex Basic Materials19,6071,70817,8997,76428,017(20,253)
Rydex Commodities Strategy162,811100,31162,50037,0239,98927,034
Rydex NASDAQ 100212,137105,509106,628338,27762,921275,356
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1594,3232,799,703(2,205,380)630,1033,427,410(2,797,307)
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2712,280142,510569,770554,965345,326209,639
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1205,587797,133(591,546)242,722869,245(626,523)
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2406,229216,498189,731405,911125,051280,860
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 196,634678,660(582,026)222,731809,490(586,759)
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2555,163104,022451,141325,731151,974173,757
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1546,5101,157,181(610,671)643,8361,606,003(962,167)
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 21,134,006390,902743,104615,017198,793416,224
A-109

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
20212020
Net increaseNet increase
DivisionPurchasesRedemptions(decrease)PurchasesRedemptions(decrease)
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1145,686401,805(256,119)166,203581,377(415,174)
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2527,350113,314414,036374,410130,653243,757
Short-Term Income Class 1910,8661,538,064(627,198)1,706,8811,568,508138,373
SmallCap Class 1198,666550,801(352,135)390,055827,161(437,106)
SmallCap Class 2125,69768,11157,586115,53756,90558,632
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II540,021192,860347,161560,815236,087324,728
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II31,06378,565(47,502)32,32392,696(60,373)
Templeton Global Bond VIP Class 485,98796,245(10,258)78,828274,968(196,140)
Templeton Growth VIP Class 25991,751(1,152)6,3329,353(3,021)
The Merger Fund4,0123,8471659,6333,2196,414
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor
   Class
14,48315,311(828)34,8898,44326,446
TOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class77,24897276,27631,69635,740(4,044)
TOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class71,71130071,4113,553493,504
TOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class47,9044,22343,68113,72852,597(38,869)
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class12,03837011,6685,6151995,416
VanEck Global Resources Class S91,988129,859(37,871)83,617122,397(38,780)
A-110

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
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 contractholder’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 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 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 accumulation 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 the contractholder may not have selected all available and applicable contract options as discussed in Note 2. Additionally, the unit values, expense ratios and total returns are presented as a range of minimum to maximum values. Therefore, some individual contract unit values may not be within the ranges presented.

December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A:
202163$75.08 to$67.65 $4,755 —%1.40%to2.00%7.94%to7.30%
202077$69.56 to$63.05 $5,354 —%1.40%to2.00%51.84%to50.91%
2019100$45.81 to$41.78 $4,549 —%1.40%to2.00%34.50%to33.70%
2018132$34.06 to$31.25 $4,471 —%1.40%to2.00%(2.29)%to(2.86)%
2017138$34.86 to$32.17 $4,775 —%1.40%to2.00%32.30%to31.47%
AllianceBernstein Small/Mid Cap Value Class A:
2021259$21.47 to$20.21 $5,481 0.80%1.30%to2.00%34.19%to33.22%
2020256$16.00 to$15.17 $4,034 1.09%1.30%to2.00%2.04%to1.34%
2019315$15.68 to$14.97 $4,879 0.58%1.30%to2.00%18.52%to17.69%
2018316$13.23 to$12.72 $4,134 0.48%1.30%to2.00%(16.11)%to(16.70)%
2017332$15.77 to$15.27 $5,184 0.45%1.30%to2.00%11.69%to10.89%
Alps/Red Rocks Global Opportunity Portfolio Class III:
202182$15.96 to$18.42 $1,341 5.54%0.75%to1.40%23.05%to22.23%
202055$12.97 to$15.07 $747 12.55%0.75%to1.40%8.44%to7.72%
201942$11.96 to$13.99 $527 —%0.75%to1.40%38.75%to37.83%
201824$8.62 to$10.15 $225 8.17%0.75%to1.40%(12.75)%to(13.76)%
201710$11.65 to$11.77 $114 3.34%1.00%to1.40%16.50%to23.25%
American Century VP Capital Appreciation Class I:
202166$25.53 to$24.38 $1,680 —%1.40%to2.00%9.62%to8.99%
202083$23.29 to$22.37 $1,924 —%1.40%to2.00%40.47%to39.64%
2019100$16.58 to$16.02 $1,666 —%1.40%to2.00%33.71%to32.84%
2018149$12.4 to$12.06 $1,846 —%1.40%to2.00%(6.56)%to(7.09)%
2017177$13.27 to$12.98 $2,339 —%1.40%to2.00%20.09%to19.41%
A-111

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
American Century VP Disciplined Core Value Class I:
2021 (12)334$35.75 to$29.09 $11,250 1.07%0.85%to1.90%22.60%to21.31%
2020367$29.16 to$23.98 $10,099 1.97%0.85%to1.90%10.87%to9.70%
2019394$26.30 *to$21.86 $9,811 2.06%0.85%to1.90%22.90%to21.65%
2018443$21.40 to$17.97 $9,023 1.92%0.85%to1.90%(7.68)%to(8.64)%
2017500$23.18 to$19.67 $11,044 2.34%0.85%to1.90%19.48%to18.21%
American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II:
20212,308$12.18 to$13.93 $34,358 3.10%0.75%to2.00%5.45%to4.19%
20202,370$11.55 to$13.37 $34,239 1.33%0.75%to2.00%8.76%to7.39%
20192,414$10.62 to$12.45 $32,719 2.29%0.75%to2.00%8.04%to6.78%
20182,719$9.83 to$11.66 $34,370 2.83%0.75%to2.00%(1.50)%to(4.82)%
20173,220$10.13 to$12.25 $42,539 2.56%1.00%to2.00%1.40%to1.66%
American Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II:
2021257$32.87 to$30.4 $8,348 1.01%1.30%to2.00%21.43%to20.59%
2020298$27.07 to$25.21 $7,961 1.68%1.30%to2.00%(0.22)%to(0.90)%
2019341$27.13 to$25.44 $9,130 1.90%1.30%to2.00%27.37%to26.44%
2018366$21.3 to$20.12 $7,714 1.27%1.30%to2.00%(14.11)%to(14.71)%
2017407$24.8 to$23.59 $9,988 1.39%1.30%to2.00%10.03%to9.26%
American Century VP Ultra Class I:
202191$52.62 to$46.5 $4,766 —%1.30%to1.90%21.55%to20.84%
2020110$43.29 to$38.48 $4,749 —%1.30%to1.90%47.90%to47.04%
2019127$29.27 to$26.17 $3,723 —%1.30%to1.90%32.86%to32.04%
2018157$22.03 to$19.82 $3,467 0.25%1.30%to1.90%(0.54)%to(1.15)%
2017171$22.15 to$20.05 $3,782 0.36%1.30%to1.90%30.52%to29.77%
American Century VP Ultra Class II:
2021439$60.79 to$54.78 $26,603 —%1.40%to2.00%21.29%to20.58%
2020566$50.12 to$45.43 $28,315 —%1.40%to2.00%47.46%to46.55%
2019780$33.99 to$31 $26,467 —%1.40%to2.00%32.57%to31.80%
20181,018$25.64 to$23.52 $26,046 0.12%1.40%to2.00%(0.77)%to(1.38)%
20171,286$25.84 to$23.85 $33,153 0.25%1.40%to2.00%30.18%to29.41%
A-112

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
American Century VP Value Class II:
2021535$14.24 to$31.2 $15,467 1.59%0.75%to1.90%23.40%to21.97%
2020509$11.54 to$25.58 $13,252 2.23%0.75%to1.90%%*to(1.08)%*
2019544$11.54 to$25.86 $14,004 1.95%0.75%to1.90%25.98%to24.57%
2018608$9.16 to$20.76 $12,705 1.51%0.75%to1.90%(8.22)%to(11.02)%
2017663$10.63 to$23.33 $16,007 1.50%1.00%to1.90%5.88%to6.53%
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 2:
2021147$17.36 to$16.69 $2,536 1.46%1.30%to2.00%13.61%to12.77%
2020178$15.28 to$14.8 $2,679 1.65%1.30%to2.00%10.97%to10.28%
2019199$13.77 to$13.42 $2,711 1.88%1.30%to2.00%19.64%to18.76%
2018214$11.51 to$11.3 $2,447 2.06%1.30%to2.00%(5.81)%to(6.46)%
2017150$12.22 to$12.08 $1,827 1.75%1.30%to2.00%14.74%to13.85%
American Funds Insurance Series Asset Allocation Fund Class 4:
20211,224$14.53 to$16.71 $18,082 1.52%0.75%to1.40%13.96%to13.21%
2020769$12.75 to$14.76 $10,078 1.53%0.75%to1.40%11.35%to10.64%
2019687$11.45 to$13.34 $8,180 2.04%0.75%to1.40%20.02%to19.21%
2018353$9.54 to$11.19 $3,674 1.81%0.75%to1.40%(4.70)%to(6.20)%
2017162$10.93 to$11.93 $1,852 1.91%1.00%to1.40%9.19%to14.38%
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 2:
2021103$19.62 to$16.17 $1,802 —%1.30%to2.00%5.37%to4.66%
2020116$18.62 to$15.45 $1,930 0.16%1.30%to2.00%28.06%to27.16%
2019121$14.54 to$12.15 $1,573 0.16%1.30%to2.00%29.82%to28.84%
2018132$11.2 to$9.43 $1,321 0.08%1.30%to2.00%(11.74)%to(12.28)%
2017105$12.69 to$10.75 $1,211 0.42%1.30%to2.00%24.29%to23.42%
American Funds Insurance Series Global Small Capitalization Fund Class 4:
2021247$15.45 to$18.42 $3,932 —%0.75%to1.40%5.60%to4.96%
2020156$14.63 to$17.55 $2,382 0.12%0.75%to1.40%28.45%to27.54%
2019117$11.39 to$13.76 $1,434 0.01%0.75%to1.40%30.32%to29.44%
201872$8.74 to$10.63 $701 0.02%0.75%to1.40%(12.95)%to(12.08)%
201732$11.67 to$12.09 $374 0.35%1.00%to1.40%16.35%to23.87%
A-113

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Trust Class 2:
2021 (15)116$13.27 to$12.68 $1,535 4.49%1.30%to1.90%7.02%to6.38%
2020106$12.4 to$11.92 $1,309 8.86%1.30%to1.90%6.53%to5.96%
2019106$11.64 to$11.25 $1,237 6.05%1.30%to1.90%11.07%to10.40%
2018114$10.48 to$10.19 $1,195 5.82%1.30%to1.90%(3.59)%to(4.23)%
2017132$10.87 to$10.64 $1,439 6.53%1.30%to1.90%5.53%to4.93%
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Asset Allocation Fund Class P2:
2021499$13.25 to$14.62 $6,678 1.31%0.75%to1.40%11.72%to10.93%
2020377$11.86 to$13.18 $4,549 1.37%0.75%to1.40%5.05%to4.44%
2019184$11.29 to$12.62 $2,153 2.10%0.75%to1.40%17.12%to16.31%
2018107$9.64 to$10.85 $1,092 1.42%0.75%to1.40%(3.70)%to(6.22)%
201771$10.86 to$11.57 $794 0.64%1.00%to1.40%8.38%to13.21%
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk Growth Fund Class P2:
2021330$17.3 to$20.84 $5,945 0.57%0.75%to1.40%12.05%to11.32%
2020241$15.44 to$18.72 $3,934 0.78%0.75%to1.40%31.07%to30.18%
2019163$11.78 to$14.38 $2,093 0.86%0.75%to1.40%20.82%to20.03%
2018140$9.75 to$11.98 $1,520 0.44%0.75%to1.40%(2.79)%to(1.72)%
201756$11.53 to$12.19 $658 0.29%1.00%to1.40%14.96%to24.26%
American Funds Insurance Series Managed Risk International Fund Class P2:
202137$10.03 to$10.34 $385 0.54%0.75%to1.40%(4.84)%to(5.48)%
202026$10.54 to$10.94 $287 1.20%0.75%to1.40%2.03%to1.39%
201917$10.33 to$10.79 $201 1.65%0.75%to1.40%16.72%to16.02%
201813$8.85 to$9.3 $135 1.67%0.75%to1.40%(11.32)%to(11.76)%
201711$11.78 to$10.54 $120 0.44%1.00%to1.40%17.80%to26.84%
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 2:
2021131$15.77 to$15.47 $2,087 0.83%1.30%to2.00%3.55%to2.86%
2020137$15.23 to$15.04 $2,113 0.07%1.30%to2.00%22.04%to21.10%
2019141$12.48 to$12.42 $1,787 0.98%1.30%to2.00%27.48%to26.61%
2018134$9.79 to$9.81 $1,332 0.77%1.30%to2.00%(15.16)%to(15.72)%
2017148$11.54 to$11.64 $1,738 0.97%1.30%to2.00%27.80%to26.80%
A-114

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
American Funds Insurance Series New World Fund Class 4:
2021438$13.85 to$15.23 $6,201 0.73%0.75%to1.40%3.90%to3.18%
2020266$13.33 to$14.76 $3,684 0.04%0.75%to1.40%22.29%to21.58%
2019189$10.9 to$12.14 $2,183 0.92%0.75%to1.40%27.93%to26.99%
2018117$8.52 to$9.56 $1,091 0.84%0.75%to1.40%(14.63)%to(15.40)%
201761$11.65 to$11.3 $703 1.02%1.00%to1.40%16.62%to27.25%
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 2:
2021 (13)227$18.89 to$18.16 $4,240 1.44%1.30%to2.00%26.19%to25.24%
2020241$14.97 to$14.5 $3,563 1.79%1.30%to2.00%7.23%to6.54%
2019246$13.96 to$13.61 $3,399 2.03%1.30%to2.00%19.83%to18.97%
2018247$11.65 to$11.44 $2,860 1.99%1.30%to2.00%(9.83)%to(10.49)%
2017234$12.92 to$12.78 $3,017 2.04%1.30%to2.00%15.46%to14.72%
American Funds Insurance Series Washington Mutual Investors Class 4:
2021 (14)776$15.3 to$18.91 $12,244 1.33%0.75%to1.40%26.55%to25.73%
2020684$12.09 to$15.04 $8,606 1.68%0.75%to1.40%7.66%to6.97%
2019554$11.23 to$14.06 $6,584 2.23%0.75%to1.40%20.11%to19.35%
2018342$9.35 to$11.78 $3,493 2.36%0.75%to1.40%(6.97)%to(10.21)%
2017169$11.15 to$13.12 $2,076 2.33%1.00%to1.40%11.39%to15.09%
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Class III:
2021416$14.43 $6,037 2.54%0.75%to2.00%10.91%to9.48%
2020119$13.01 to$13.18 $1,575 1.81%0.75%to2.00%13.53%to12.07%
201968$11.46 to$11.76 $799 2.53%0.75%to2.00%20.25%to18.79%
201855$9.53 to$9.9 $553 1.02%0.75%to2.00%(4.70)%to(7.04)%
201725$11 to$10.65 $266 2.33%1.00%to2.00%9.67%to12.46%
BlackRock Advantage SMID Cap Class III:
2021 (16)148$16.01 to$18.91 $2,453 1.28%0.75%to1.40%12.51%to11.76%
2020124$14.23 to$16.92 $1,854 2.00%0.75%to1.40%18.78%to17.99%
201976$11.98 to$14.34 $1,002 2.17%0.75%to1.40%27.72%to26.90%
201879$9.38 to$11.3 $814 2.49%0.75%to1.40%(6.76)%to(7.98)%
201713$11.64 to$12.28 $150 2.43%*1.00%to1.40%15.02%to12.25%
BlackRock Global Allocation Class III:
2021300$13.72 to$13.54 $4,163 0.90%0.75%to2.00%5.62%to4.31%
2020178$12.99 to$12.98 $2,356 1.36%0.75%to2.00%19.83%to18.32%
2019192$10.84 to$10.97 $2,140 1.39%0.75%to2.00%16.81%to15.35%
2018167$9.28 to$9.51 $1,618 0.99%0.75%to2.00%(7.11)%to(9.34)%
2017119$10.83 to$10.49 $1,268 1.34%1.00%to2.00%8.19%to11.36%
A-115

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Blue Chip Class 3:
2021 (11)625$11.19 to$11.11 $6,985 —%0.75%to2.00%12.01%to11.21%
BNY Mellon IP MidCap Stock Service Shares:
202168$13.77 to$15.44 $974 0.43%0.75%to1.40%24.62%to23.82%
202057$11.05 to$12.47 $664 0.50%0.75%to1.40%7.07%to6.31%
201950$10.32 to$11.73 $547 0.38%0.75%to1.40%18.89%to18.25%
201846$8.68 to$9.92 $429 0.24%0.75%to1.40%(13.46)%*to(16.85)%*
201714$11.23 to$11.93 $162 0.69%1.00%to1.40%11.41%to13.40%
BNY Mellon IP Technology Growth Service Shares:
2021157$76.15 to$68.61 $11,867 —%1.40%to2.00%11.07%to10.41%
2020188$68.56 to$62.14 $12,758 0.07%1.40%to2.00%67.22%to66.19%
2019213$41 to$37.39 $8,638 —%1.40%to2.00%23.75%to23.03%
2018261$33.13 to$30.39 $8,555 —%1.40%to2.00%(2.64)%to(3.22)%
2017305$34.03 to$31.4 $10,254 —%1.40%to2.00%40.39%to39.56%
Calvert EAFE International Index Class F:
2021263$12 to$12.74 $3,163 1.86%0.75%to1.40%9.89%to9.08%
2020190$10.92 to$11.68 $2,093 3.70%0.75%to1.40%6.74%to6.09%
2019126$10.23 to$11.01 $1,308 3.18%0.75%to1.40%20.07%to19.28%
201865$8.52 to$9.23 $565 7.15%0.75%to1.40%(14.54)%to(15.01)%
201710$11.56 to$10.86 $111 1.76%1.00%to1.40%15.60%to22.71%
Calvert Investment Grade Bond Portfolio Class F:
2021449$11.23 to$10.97 $5,039 2.66%0.75%to1.40%(2.77)%to(3.43)%
2020310$11.55 to$11.36 $3,584 3.01%0.75%to1.40%6.26%to5.58%
201987$10.87 to$10.76 $943 5.01%0.75%to1.40%7.31%to6.64%
2018 (6)16$10.13 to$10.09 $164 8.71%0.75%to1.40%1.40%to1.00%
Calvert Russell 2000 Small Cap Index Class F:
2021430$14.59 to$18.64 $6,438 0.81%0.75%to1.40%13.45%to12.70%
2020297$12.86 to$16.54 $3,974 1.17%0.75%to1.40%18.53%to17.72%
2019236$10.85 to$14.05 $2,708 1.01%0.75%to1.40%23.86%to23.14%
2018155$8.76 to$11.41 $1,479 1.27%0.75%to1.40%(12.84)%to(12.70)%
201766$11.34 to$13.07 $773 1.15%1.00%to1.40%12.39%to12.48%
A-116

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Calvert S&P MidCap 400 Index Class F:
2021548$15.36 to$19.46 $8,698 0.86%0.75%to1.40%23.27%to22.47%
2020462$12.46 to$15.89 $6,062 1.33%0.75%to1.40%12.25%to11.51%
2019376$11.1 to$14.25 $4,489 1.26%0.75%to1.40%24.58%to23.81%
2018243$8.91 to$11.51 $2,436 1.31%0.75%to1.40%(11.25)%to(12.80)%
2017162$11.22 to$13.2 $1,954 0.93%1.00%to1.40%11.31%to13.99%
ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Class II:
2021296$19.01 to$23.86 $5,878 —%0.75%to1.40%11.50%to10.77%
2020199$17.05 to$21.54 $3,566 —%0.75%to1.40%41.85%to40.88%
2019157$12.02 to$15.29 $2,018 —%0.75%to1.40%25.60%to24.82%
2018102$9.57 to$12.25 $1,115 —%0.75%to1.40%(4.78)%to1.74%
201731$11.93 to$12.04 $373 —%1.00%to1.40%18.24%to22.23%
Columbia Limited Duration Credit Class 2:
2021486$11.05 to$10.18 $5,304 1.47%0.75%to2.00%(1.60)%to(2.86)%
2020331$11.23 to$10.48 $3,666 2.12%0.75%to2.00%4.86%to3.46%
201939$10.71 to$10.13 $405 1.97%0.75%to2.00%6.67%to5.41%
201819$10.04 to$9.61 $191 1.55%0.75%to2.00%0.50%to(2.04)%
201721$10.03 to$9.81 $208 2.04%1.00%to2.00%0.30%to(0.20)%
Columbia Small Cap Value Class 2:
2021211$13.84 to$17.5 $3,001 0.52%0.75%to1.40%27.79%to27.00%
2020112$10.83 to$13.78 $1,277 0.35%0.75%to1.40%7.76%to7.07%
201995$10.05 to$12.87 $1,034 0.27%0.75%to1.40%20.07%to19.28%
201859$8.37 to$10.79 $566 0.17%0.75%to1.40%(16.88)%to(19.30)%
201738$11.53 to$13.37 $480 0.33%1.00%to1.40%14.05%to12.35%
Core Plus Bond Class 1:
20214,799$3.53 to$24.32 $110,485 2.61%0.47%to2.00%(0.87)%to(2.41)%
20205,323$3.56 *to$24.92 $122,021 3.59%0.41%to2.00%9.09%*to7.37%*
20195,337$3.26 to$23.21 $116,174 3.25%0.42%to2.00%9.35%to7.65%
20185,240$2.98 to$21.56 $109,852 3.32%0.46%to2.00%(1.83)%to(3.41)%
20176,196$3.04 to$22.32 $131,734 2.86%0.42%to2.00%4.37%to2.76%
A-117

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Delaware Small Cap Value Service Class:
2021143$20.67 to$19.47 $2,932 0.63%1.30%to2.00%32.25%to31.38%
2020147$15.63 to$14.82 $2,264 1.06%1.30%to2.00%(3.46)%to(4.08)%
2019160$16.19 to$15.45 $2,563 0.78%1.30%to2.00%26.09%to25.20%
2018170$12.84 to$12.34 $2,167 0.59%1.30%to2.00%(18.01)%to(18.66)%
2017176$15.66 to$15.17 $2,726 0.66%1.30%to2.00%10.28%to9.61%
Diversified Balanced Class 1:
20211,611$15.00 to$14.01 $23,297 2.14%0.46%to1.90%10.60%to9.03%
20201,771$13.57 *to$12.85 *$23,344 2.30%0.45%to1.90%12.48%*to10.78%*
20192,112$12.06 to$11.6 $24,944 2.12%0.46%to1.90%17.93%to16.23%
20182,269$10.23 to$9.98 $22,898 2.73%0.59%to1.90%(3.55)%to(4.95)%
2017 (5)2,579$10.6 to$10.5 $27,197 2.47%*0.53%to1.90%%to5.00%
Diversified Balanced Class 2:
202144,424$14.46 to$20.44 $963,138 1.88%1.40%to2.00%9.30%to8.61%
202049,273$13.23 to$18.82 $979,709 2.08%1.40%to2.00%11.05%to10.38%
201955,109$18.1 to$17.05 $988,423 1.81%1.40%to2.00%16.55%to15.91%
201862,817$10.21 to$14.71 $968,136 2.39%1.40%to2.00%(4.72)%to(5.34)%
201769,727$10.72 to$15.54 $1,131,092 1.38%*1.40%to2.00%6.99%to9.28%
Diversified Balanced Managed Volatility Class 2:
202111,703$13.8 to$15.15 $184,037 1.72%0.75%to2.00%9.18%to7.75%
202012,733$12.64 to$14.06 $185,112 1.89%0.75%to2.00%11.17%to9.76%
201913,367$11.37 to$12.81 $176,258 1.61%0.75%to2.00%16.62%to15.20%
201814,217$9.75 to$11.12 $162,127 3.68%0.75%to2.00%(2.50)%to(5.12)%
201715,118$10.71 to$11.72 $181,077 1.29%1.00%to2.00%6.89%to8.72%
Diversified Balanced Volatility Control Class 2:
202117,008$13.51 $229,833 1.32%1.40%8.51%
202014,823$12.45 $184,530 1.56%1.40%7.33%
201912,527$11.60 $145,328 0.95%1.40%13.84%
20186,572$10.19 $66,956 0.77%1.40%(5.03)%
2017 (4)3,405$10.73 $36,539 —%1.40%7.09%
Diversified Growth Class 2:
2021157,551$15.61 to$23.98 $3,973,661 1.74%1.40%to2.00%13.18%to12.53%
2020172,151$13.79 to$21.31 $3,852,816 1.95%1.40%to2.00%12.17%to11.45%
2019188,483$12.30 to$19.12 $3,772,917 1.74%1.40%to2.00%19.53%to18.83%
2018207,515$10.29 to$16.09 $3,487,376 2.50%1.40%to2.00%(5.88)%to(6.40)%
2017219,749$10.93 to$17.19 $3,946,890 1.36%1.40%to2.00%9.08%to11.91%
A-118

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Diversified Growth Managed Volatility Class 2:
202122,587$14.53 to$16.68 $388,997 1.56%0.75%to2.00%12.81%to11.50%
202024,558$12.88 to$14.96 $378,169 1.80%0.75%to2.00%12.20%to10.81%
201925,503$11.48 to$13.5 $353,685 1.54%0.75%to2.00%19.33%to17.80%
201827,701$9.62 to$11.46 $325,257 4.18%0.75%to2.00%(3.90)%to(5.99)%
201728,510$10.89 to$12.19 $354,954 1.24%1.00%to2.00%8.68%to11.12%
Diversified Growth Volatility Control Class 2:
202188,928$14.36 $1,277,225 1.20%1.40%12.28%
202077,836$12.79 $995,441 1.54%1.40%7.48%
201964,303$11.90 $765,294 0.97%1.40%15.87%
201837,493$10.27 $384,857 0.75%1.40%(5.87)%
2017 (4)15,735$10.91 $171,699 —%1.40%8.77%
Diversified Income Class 2:
202121,020$13.33 to$15.54 $326,042 1.85%1.40%to2.00%5.51%to4.79%
202021,807$12.64 to$14.83 $323,481 1.96%1.40%to2.00%9.70%to9.12%
201920,567$11.52 to$13.59 $279,864 1.65%1.40%to2.00%13.50%to12.87%
201819,716$10.15 to$12.04 $241,402 2.07%1.40%to2.00%(3.76)%to(4.37)%
201720,774$10.54 to$12.59 $268,177 1.38%1.40%to2.00%5.19%to6.69%
Diversified International Class 1:
20213,079$5.17 to$36.07 $102,535 1.29%0.44%to2.00%9.29%to7.58%
20203,407$4.73 *to$33.53 $104,699 2.68%0.40%to2.00%15.68%*to13.85%*
20193,882$4.09 to$29.45 $103,484 1.63%0.40%to2.00%22.17%to20.25%
20184,206$3.35 to$24.49 $95,801 2.12%0.46%to2.00%(17.88)%to(19.17)%
20174,720$4.08 to$30.3 $131,186 1.81%0.43%to2.00%28.52%to26.51%
DWS Alternative Asset Allocation Class B:
20219$12.49 to$11.46 $108 1.56%0.75%to1.40%11.52%to10.72%
20205$11.2 to$10.35 $49 2.41%0.75%to1.40%4.48%to3.92%
20194$10.72 to$9.96 $44 3.51%0.75%to1.40%13.56%to12.67%
20184$9.44 to$8.84 $37 1.75%0.75%to1.40%(5.51)%to(10.62)%
20174$10.41 to$9.89 $40 2.10%1.00%to1.40%4.00%to5.55%
DWS Equity 500 Index Class B2:
2021148$18.27 to$23.51 $3,106 1.10%0.75%to1.40%26.88%to26.06%
2020171$14.4 to$18.65 $2,861 1.28%0.75%to1.40%16.79%to16.05%
2019175$12.33 to$16.07 $2,491 1.48%0.75%to1.40%29.65%to28.77%
2018149$9.51 to$12.48 $1,691 1.21%0.75%to1.40%(5.18)%to(6.31)%
2017103$11.39 to$13.32 $1,324 1.21%1.00%to1.40%13.67%to19.35%
A-119

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
DWS Small Mid Cap Value Class B:
2021129$12.96 to$16.58 $1,968 0.80%0.75%to2.00%29.08%to27.44%
2020107$10.04 to$13.01 $1,307 1.21%0.75%to2.00%(1.86)%to(3.06)%
2019118$10.23 to$13.42 $1,469 0.36%0.75%to2.00%20.07%to18.55%
2018100$8.52 to$11.32 $1,084 0.99%0.75%to2.00%(15.22)%to(17.97)%
201792$10.81 to$13.8 $1,242 0.36%1.00%to2.00%7.24%to7.98%
EQ Convertible Securities Class IB:
202161$15.13 to$14.65 $916 18.41%0.75%to2.00%0.27%to(0.95)%
202012$15.09 to$14.79 $181 3.60%0.75%to2.00%38.06%to36.31%
2019 (7)$10.93 to$10.85 $—%0.75%to2.00%9.30%to8.50%
EQ GAMCO Small Company Value Class IB:
202118$14.64 to$14.18 $262 0.81%0.75%to2.00%24.17%to22.66%
202011$11.79 to$11.56 $131 1.15%0.75%to2.00%8.46%to7.04%
2019 (7)5$10.87 to$10.8 $55 1.76%0.75%to2.00%8.70%to8.00%
EQ Micro Cap Class IB:
202162$17.96 to$17.39 $1,111 —%0.75%to2.00%10.12%to8.76%
20206$16.31 to$15.99 $93 0.11%0.75%to2.00%49.09%to47.24%
2019 (7)1$10.94 to$10.86 $10 0.27%0.75%to2.00%9.40%to8.60%
EQ SmartBeta Equity Class IB:
202129$14.6 to$14.14 $417 1.35%0.75%to2.00%22.07%to20.65%
202026$11.96 to$11.72 $316 0.72%0.75%to2.00%10.13%to8.72%
2019 (7)6$10.86 to$10.78 $62 3.05%0.75%to2.00%8.60%to7.80%
EQ Socially Responsible Class IB:
202145$17.31 to$16.76 $760 0.62%0.75%to2.00%29.37%to27.74%
202013$13.38 to$13.12 $170 1.61%0.75%to2.00%19.04%to17.56%
2019 (7)1$11.24 to$11.16 $17 1.95%0.75%to2.00%12.40%to11.60%
Equity Income Class 1:
20219,091$115.63 to$26.65 $221,633 1.97%0.45%to2.00%21.88%to20.05%
202010,278$3.37 to$22.20 *$215,748 2.02%0.48%to2.00%5.99%*to4.32%*
201911,634$89.57 to$21.28 $229,475 1.88%0.56%to2.00%28.47%to26.52%
201813,701$69.72 to$16.82 $215,812 1.73%0.09%to2.00%%to(6.92)%
201710,292$2.61 to$18.07 $197,554 2.21%0.44%to2.00%20.57%to18.73%
A-120

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Equity Income Class 2:
2021799$15.68 to$19.59 $13,076 1.94%0.75%to1.40%21.17%to20.41%
2020614$12.94 to$16.27 $8,454 1.74%0.75%to1.40%5.37%to4.70%
2019573$12.28 to$15.54 $7,665 1.75%0.75%to1.40%27.78%to26.96%
2018396$9.61 to$12.24 $4,292 1.76%0.75%to1.40%(3.90)%to(6.56)%
2017201$11.5 to$13.1 $2,508 2.21%1.00%to1.40%14.66%to19.09%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class:
2021756$58.76 to$51.77 $44,413 0.05%1.30%to1.90%26.07%to25.32%
2020847$46.61 to$41.31 $39,479 0.15%1.30%to1.90%28.72%to27.97%
2019990$36.21 to$32.28 $35,860 0.35%1.30%to1.90%29.78%to28.97%
20181,181$27.90 to$25.03 $32,952 0.59%1.30%to1.90%(7.71)%to(8.25)%
20171,388$30.23 to$27.28 $41,949 0.89%1.30%to1.90%20.20%to19.44%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2:
20211,907$19.63 to$50.02 $70,397 0.03%0.75%to2.00%26.56%to24.99%
20201,809$15.51 to$40.02 $58,575 0.08%0.75%to2.00%29.25%to27.66%
20191,833$12.00 to$31.35 $50,633 0.21%0.75%to2.00%30.29%to28.64%
20181,897$9.21 to$24.37 $43,924 0.43%0.75%to2.00%(8.08)%to(8.49)%
20171,967$11.28 to$26.63 $52,563 0.77%1.00%to2.00%12.35%to19.20%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2:
2021959$31.84 to$28.06 $30,400 1.65%1.30%to2.00%22.98%to22.11%
20201,069$25.89 to$22.98 $27,560 1.64%1.30%to2.00%5.07%to4.36%
20191,165$24.64 to$22.02 $28,581 1.78%1.30%to2.00%25.46%to24.55%
20181,306$19.64 to$17.68 $25,518 2.03%1.30%to2.00%(9.70)%to(10.34)%
20171,472$21.75 to$19.72 $31,878 1.49%1.30%to2.00%11.20%to10.41%
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2020 Service Class 2:
2021192$13.29 to$13.07 $2,555 1.17%0.75%to1.40%8.49%to7.75%
202040$12.25 to$12.13 $484 1.27%0.75%to1.40%13.85%to13.15%
2019 (7)13$10.76 to$10.72 $142 4.55%0.75%to1.40%7.60%to7.20%
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030 Service Class 2:
2021224$14.06 to$13.83 $3,145 1.22%0.75%to1.40%11.23%to10.55%
202092$12.64 to$12.51 $1,166 1.44%0.75%to1.40%15.75%to14.98%
2019 (7)27$10.92 to$10.88 $298 7.14%0.75%to1.40%9.20%to8.80%
A-121

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2040 Service Class 2:
2021173$15.28 to$15.03 $2,642 0.88%0.75%to1.40%16.64%to15.88%
2020107$13.1 to$12.97 $1,398 0.94%0.75%to1.40%18.12%to17.38%
2019 (7)65$11.09 to$11.05 $720 6.44%0.75%to1.40%10.90%to10.50%
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2050 Service Class 2:
2021107$15.29 to$15.04 $1,636 1.05%0.75%to1.40%16.63%to15.87%
202034$13.11 to$12.98 $444 0.96%0.75%to1.40%18.11%to17.36%
2019 (7)16$11.1 to$11.06 $178 5.99%0.75%to1.40%11.00%to10.60%
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Initial Class:
20218,089$1.02 to$9.33 $31,672 0.01%0.44%to2.00%(0.41)%to(1.89)%
20209,086$1.03 *to$9.51 $41,880 0.29%0.44%to2.00%(0.10)%*to(1.76)%*
20197,795$1.03 to$9.68 $31,462 2.04%0.44%to2.00%1.59%to%
20188,644$1.01 to$9.68 $41,119 1.59%0.37%to2.00%1.21%to(0.31)%
20177,283$1.00 to$9.71 $34,519 0.66%0.42%to2.00%0.21%to(1.32)%
Fidelity VIP Government Money Market Service Class 2:
20211,975$10.03 to$9.56 $19,569 0.01%0.75%to1.40%(0.69)%to(1.32)%
20201,445$10.10 to$9.7 $14,427 0.19%0.75%to1.40%(0.59)%to(1.20)%
2019880$10.16 to$9.97 $8,850 1.70%0.75%to1.40%1.09%to0.40%
2018768$10.05 to$9.93 $7,639 1.33%0.75%to1.40%0.50%to(0.10)%
2017310$9.96 to$9.94 $3,084 0.42%1.00%to1.40%(0.40)%to(0.60)%
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class:
2021437$46.08 to$40.59 $20,127 —%1.30%to1.90%21.52%to20.77%
2020489$37.92 to$33.61 $18,556 0.06%1.30%to1.90%41.86%to41.04%
2019545$26.73 to$23.83 $14,563 0.16%1.30%to1.90%32.46%to31.66%
2018644$20.18 to$18.10 $12,987 0.15%1.30%to1.90%(1.56)%to(2.16)%
2017730$20.50 to$18.50 $14,958 0.12%1.30%to1.90%33.29%to32.43%
Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2:
2021260$61.43 to$55.35 $15,814 —%1.40%to2.00%21.21%to20.48%
2020301$50.68 to$45.94 $15,108 0.04%1.40%to2.00%41.52%to40.70%
2019346$35.81 to$32.65 $12,287 0.05%1.40%to2.00%32.14%to31.34%
2018383$27.1 to$24.86 $10,302 0.04%1.40%to2.00%(1.85)%to(2.43)%
2017421$27.61 to$25.48 $11,548 0.08%1.40%to2.00%33.00%to32.16%
A-122

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class:
20217$20.74 $138 0.52%0.95%24.34%
20207$16.68 $111 0.57%0.95%16.89%
20197$14.27 $95 0.80%0.95%22.17%
20187$11.68 $78 0.40%0.95%(15.42)%
201749$13.81 $674 0.62%0.95%19.57%
Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2:
20211,095$14.98 to$43.59 $31,247 0.36%0.75%to2.00%24.42%to22.82%
20201,123$12.04 to$35.49 $27,511 0.41%0.75%to2.00%16.89%to15.53%
20191,169$10.30 to$30.72 $25,934 0.68%0.75%to2.00%22.33%to20.75%
20181,047$8.42 to$25.44 $21,792 0.41%0.75%to2.00%(15.88)%to(16.48)%
2017914$11.55 to$30.46 $25,998 0.49%1.00%to2.00%14.58%to18.15%
Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2:
2021998$14.55 to$24.92 $24,906 0.32%0.75%to2.00%18.49%to17.00%
20201,099$12.28 to$21.3 $24,169 0.22%0.75%to2.00%14.55%to13.06%
20191,180$10.72 to$18.84 $23,490 1.46%0.75%to2.00%26.56%to25.02%
20181,398$8.47 to$15.07 $22,377 1.29%0.75%to2.00%(14.79)%to(16.79)%
20171,487$11.88 to$18.11 $28,448 1.15%1.00%to2.00%18.92%to27.45%
Franklin Global Real Estate VIP Class 2:
2021154$13.63 to$12.86 $2,132 0.89%0.75%to2.00%25.85%to24.37%
2020133$10.83 to$10.34 $1,469 3.25%0.75%to2.00%(6.07)%to(7.26)%
2019118$11.53 to$11.15 $1,397 2.23%0.75%to2.00%21.50%to19.89%
201879$9.49 to$9.30 $790 2.72%0.75%to2.00%(5.38)%to(8.64)%
201766$10.70 to$10.18 $715 3.04%1.00%to2.00%6.57%to8.30%
Franklin Income VIP Class 4:
2021293$12.51 to$12.23 $3,671 4.25%0.75%to1.40%15.73%to15.05%
2020182$10.81 to$10.63 $1,966 5.61%0.75%to1.40%(0.18)%to(0.84)%
2019116$10.83 to$10.72 $1,253 4.07%0.75%to1.40%15.21%to14.41%
2018 (6)9$9.40 to$9.37 $87 —%0.75%to1.40%(6.37)%to(6.58)%
Franklin Rising Dividends VIP Class 4:
2021390$17.89 to$22.62 $7,326 0.79%0.75%to1.40%25.63%to24.83%
2020270$14.24 to$18.12 $4,139 1.31%0.75%to1.40%15.02%to14.25%
2019206$12.38 to$15.86 $2,842 1.10%0.75%to1.40%28.16%to27.39%
2018131$9.66 to$12.45 $1,480 1.21%0.75%to1.40%(3.50)%to(6.53)%
2017104$11.48 to$13.32 $1,339 1.37%1.00%to1.40%14.46%to18.82%
A-123

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Franklin Small Cap Value VIP Class 2:
2021118$33.22 to$30.65 $3,856 1.05%1.30%to2.00%23.72%to22.85%
2020132$26.85 to$24.95 $3,501 1.54%1.30%to2.00%3.83%to3.10%
2019158$25.86 to$24.2 $4,044 1.05%1.30%to2.00%24.75%to23.85%
2018178$20.73 to$19.54 $3,647 0.88%1.30%to2.00%(14.02)%to(14.60)%
2017206$24.11 to$22.88 $4,897 0.52%1.30%to2.00%9.24%to8.49%
Franklin U.S. Government Fund Class 2:
2021240$10.20 to$10.03 $2,444 2.44%0.75%to1.40%(2.58)%to(3.19)%
2020228$10.47 to$10.36 $2,389 1.74%0.75%to1.40%3.05%to2.37%
2019 (7)32$10.16 to$10.12 $323 —%0.75%to1.40%1.40%to1.00%
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Shares:
2021304$42.49 to$37.96 $12,777 0.45%1.30%to2.00%29.27%to28.37%
2020366$32.87 to$29.57 $11,872 0.65%1.30%to2.00%7.00%to6.25%
2019390$30.72 to$27.83 $11,835 0.76%1.30%to2.00%29.84%to28.90%
2018456$23.66 to$21.59 $10,678 1.29%1.30%to2.00%(11.62)%to(12.24)%
2017509$26.77 to$24.6 $13,514 0.71%1.30%to2.00%9.62%to8.90%
Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Service Shares:
2021159$16.34 to$17.45 $2,649 0.23%0.75%to1.40%29.58%to28.69%
2020139$12.61 to$13.56 $1,798 0.46%0.75%to1.40%7.41%to6.69%
2019119$11.74 to$12.71 $1,445 0.74%0.75%to1.40%30.16%to29.43%
201869$9.02 to$9.82 $658 0.65%0.75%to1.40%(9.71)%to(12.01)%
201750$10.73 to$11.16 $558 0.53%1.00%to1.40%6.55%to9.30%
Goldman Sachs VIT Multi-Strategy Alternatives Portfolio Service Shares:
202154$11.23 to$10.27 $604 1.88%0.75%to1.40%4.08%to3.42%
202015$10.79 to$9.93 $166 1.78%0.75%to1.40%5.89%to5.19%
20197$10.19 to$9.44 $68 3.05%0.75%to1.40%8.06%to7.39%
20185$9.43 to$8.79 $46 5.14%0.75%to1.40%(5.61)%to(8.25)%
2017$10.20 to$9.58 $3.31%1.00%to1.40%2.00%to3.90%
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Institutional Shares:
2021177$34.61 to$30.92 $6,058 0.46%1.30%to2.00%22.17%to21.30%
2020205$28.33 to$25.49 $5,730 0.23%1.30%to2.00%7.19%to6.43%
2019226$26.43 to$23.95 $5,916 0.46%1.30%to2.00%23.22%to22.38%
2018270$21.45 to$19.57 $5,728 0.47%1.30%to2.00%(9.80)%to(10.43)%
2017291$23.78 to$21.85 $6,852 0.53%1.30%to2.00%10.14%to9.36%
A-124

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Goldman Sachs VIT Small Cap Equity Insights Service Shares:
202181$14.41 to$19.50 $1,225 0.29%0.75%to1.40%22.53%to21.80%
202053$11.76 to$16.01 $673 —%0.75%to1.40%7.59%to6.88%
201952$10.93 to$14.98 $627 0.27%0.75%to1.40%23.64%to22.79%
201833$8.84 to$12.20 $337 0.28%0.75%to1.40%(11.95)%to(10.10)%
201715$11.29 to$13.57 $187 0.41%1.00%to1.40%11.67%to9.61%
Government & High Quality Bond Class 1:
20216,567$3.08 to$11.55 $73,054 2.25%0.45%to2.00%(1.74)%to(3.27)%
20207,184$3.14 *to$11.94 $81,574 2.57%0.41%to2.00%2.44%*to0.84%*
20197,169$3.06 to$11.84 $81,190 2.72%0.40%to2.00%6.01%to4.32%
20187,616$2.89 *to$11.35 $83,790 3.77%0.39%to2.00%0.49%to(1.05)%
20179,071$2.88 to$11.47 $98,248 3.95%*0.42%to2.00%1.45%to(0.17)%
Guggenheim Floating Rate Strategies Series F:
2021325$10.52 to$10.55 $3,509 2.45%0.75%to2.00%1.74%to0.48%
2020268$10.34 to$10.50 $2,876 5.91%0.75%to2.00%(0.67)%to(1.96)%
2019295$10.41 to$10.71 $3,213 4.81%0.75%to2.00%6.77%to5.52%
2018333$9.75 to$10.15 $3,431 2.63%0.75%to2.00%(2.50)%to(2.78)%
2017172$10.17 to$10.44 $1,825 2.85%1.00%to2.00%1.70%to1.36%
Guggenheim Investments Global Managed Futures Strategy:
202119$9.95 to$8.05 $181 —%0.75%to2.00%0.20%to(1.11)%
202020$9.93 to$8.14 $187 3.99%0.75%to2.00%1.74%to0.62%
201919$9.76 to$8.09 $178 0.98%0.75%to2.00%7.37%to6.03%
201821$9.09 to$7.63 $182 —%0.75%to2.00%(8.83)%to(10.86)%
201713$10.60 to$8.56 $118 1.54%1.00%to2.00%5.79%to6.60%
Guggenheim Investments Long Short Equity:
202124$12.32 to$12.04 $305 0.64%0.75%to2.00%22.83%to21.25%
202020$10.03 to$9.93 $207 0.92%0.75%to2.00%4.15%to2.90%
201915$9.63 to$9.65 $144 0.61%0.75%to2.00%4.79%to3.43%
201821$9.19 to$9.33 $203 —%0.75%to2.00%(7.64)%to(14.64)%
201712$11.54 to$10.93 $141 0.36%1.00%to2.00%15.05%to12.56%
Guggenheim Investments Multi-Hedge Strategies:
202163$11.62 to$10.54 $711 —%0.75%to2.00%7.29%to5.93%
202057$10.83 to$9.95 $594 1.36%0.75%to2.00%6.59%to5.29%
201957$10.16 to$9.45 $559 2.35%0.75%to2.00%4.21%to2.94%
201857$9.75 to$9.18 $539 —%0.75%to2.00%(2.11)%to(6.99)%
201753$10.29 to$9.87 $537 —%1.00%to2.00%2.80%to1.65%
A-125

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
International Emerging Markets Class 1:
20211,178$5.19 to$37.54 $39,901 0.43%0.45%to2.00%0.16%to(1.42)%
20201,246$5.19 to$38.08 $43,556 2.45%0.36%to2.00%18.73%*to16.85%*
20191,427$4.37 to$32.59 $43,068 0.95%0.41%to2.00%17.11%to15.28%
20181,414$3.73 to$28.27 $40,999 1.18%0.48%to2.00%(21.36)%to(22.59)%
20171,609$4.74 to$36.52 $59,753 1.25%0.42%to2.00%40.25%to38.07%
Invesco American Franchise Series I:
2021139$37.58 to$35.46 $5,221 —%1.30%to1.90%10.50%to9.82%
2020162$34.01 to$32.29 $5,526 0.07%1.30%to1.90%40.48%to39.66%
2019178$24.21 to$23.12 $4,306 —%1.30%to1.90%35.03%to34.18%
2018213$17.93 to$17.23 $3,826 —%1.30%to1.90%(4.88)%to(5.43)%
2017237$18.85 to$18.22 $4,468 0.08%1.30%to1.90%25.67%to24.97%
Invesco American Value Series I:
2021 (10)374$10.45 to$10.4 $3,909 0.58%1.40%to2.00%4.50%to4.00%
Invesco Balanced-Risk Allocation Series II:
202172$12.56 to$13.77 $928 3.36%0.75%to1.40%8.46%to7.75%
202051$11.58 to$12.78 $612 8.73%0.75%to1.40%9.14%to8.40%
201943$10.61 to$11.79 $489 —%0.75%to1.40%13.96%to13.26%
201830$9.31 to$10.41 $310 1.33%0.75%to1.40%(6.71)%to(7.96)%
201724$10.62 to$11.31 $266 4.11%1.00%to1.40%6.09%to8.33%
Invesco Core Equity Series I:
2021539$28.64 to$25.23 $15,437 0.66%1.30%to1.90%26.11%to25.34%
2020600$22.71 to$20.13 $13,636 1.35%1.30%to1.90%12.37%to11.71%
2019670$20.21 to$18.02 $13,547 0.92%1.30%to1.90%27.27%to26.54%
2018788$15.88 to$14.24 $12,518 0.88%1.30%to1.90%(10.59)%to(11.11)%
2017944$17.76 to$16.02 $16,764 1.02%1.30%to1.90%11.77%to11.02%
Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Growth Series I:
2021 (17)64$17.48 to$17.3 $1,126 —%1.30%to1.90%17.55%to16.81%
2020 (8)78$14.87 to$14.81 $1,158 —%1.30%to1.90%47.08%to46.49%
A-126

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Invesco Health Care Series I:
2021225$37.37 to$17.51 $7,332 0.20%1.30%to2.00%10.86%to10.06%
2020240$33.71 to$15.91 $7,106 0.31%1.30%to2.00%12.97%to12.20%
2019264$29.84 to$14.18 $7,018 0.04%1.30%to2.00%30.82%to29.85%
2018312$22.81 to$10.92 $6,469 —%1.30%to2.00%(0.39)%to(1.09)%
2017353$22.9 to$11.04 $7,458 0.36%1.30%to2.00%14.33%to13.58%
Invesco Health Care Series II:
2021492$16.86 to$16.74 $8,308 —%0.75%to1.40%11.21%to10.50%
2020333$15.16 to$15.15 $5,066 0.11%0.75%to1.40%13.39%to12.64%
2019213$13.37 to$13.45 $2,877 —%0.75%to1.40%31.21%to30.33%
2018127$10.19 to$10.32 $1,313 —%0.75%to1.40%1.49%to(0.77)%
201798$10.61 to$10.4 $1,028 0.09%1.00%to1.40%6.10%to13.91%
Invesco International Growth Series I:
2021387$15.88 to$14.63 $6,123 1.27%1.40%to2.00%4.40%to3.76%
2020440$15.21 to$14.1 $6,663 2.34%1.40%to2.00%12.42%to11.73%
2019516$13.53 to$12.62 $6,939 1.51%1.40%to2.00%26.80%to26.07%
2018621$10.67 to$10.01 $6,592 2.05%1.40%to2.00%(16.18)%to(16.65)%
2017752$12.73 to$12.01 $9,528 1.41%1.40%to2.00%21.35%to20.58%
Invesco International Growth Series II:
2021228$12.95 to$13.5 $3,001 1.09%0.75%to1.40%4.86%to4.17%
2020191$12.35 to$12.96 $2,422 2.28%0.75%to1.40%12.89%to12.11%
2019149$10.94 to$11.56 $1,692 1.37%0.75%to1.40%27.21%to26.48%
201894$8.6 to$9.14 $861 1.97%0.75%to1.40%(13.48)%to(16.38)%
201760$11.31 to$10.93 $665 1.39%1.00%to1.40%13.21%to21.04%
Invesco Main Street Small Cap Series II:
2021 (18)20$24.11 to$22.9 $487 0.18%1.30%to1.90%20.67%to19.96%
202023$19.98 to$19.09 $462 0.37%1.30%to1.90%18.09%to17.40%
201926$16.92 to$16.26 $448 —%1.30%to1.90%24.50%to23.74%
201830$13.59 to$13.14 $402 0.06%1.30%to1.90%(11.70)%to(12.22)%
201739$15.39 to$14.97 $602 0.64%1.30%to1.90%12.42%to11.80%
A-127

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Invesco Small Cap Equity Series I:
2021163$41.81 to$37.36 $6,720 0.16%1.30%to2.00%18.85%to18.04%
2020188$35.18 to$31.65 $6,541 0.35%1.30%to2.00%25.60%to24.70%
2019237$28.01 to$25.38 $6,548 —%1.30%to2.00%24.93%to24.11%
2018253$22.42 to$20.45 $5,591 —%1.30%to2.00%(16.16)%to(16.77)%
2017297$26.74 to$24.57 $7,855 —%1.30%to2.00%12.59%to11.78%
Invesco Technology Series I:
2021135$27.14 to$23.98 $3,677 —%1.30%to1.90%12.94%to12.27%
2020159$24.03 to$21.36 $3,827 —%1.30%to1.90%44.24%to43.36%
2019182$16.66 to$14.9 $3,038 —%1.30%to1.90%34.14%to33.27%
2018245$12.42 to$11.18 $3,047 —%1.30%to1.90%(1.82)%to(2.27)%
2017292$12.65 to$11.44 $3,692 —%1.30%to1.90%33.44%to32.56%
Janus Henderson Balanced Service Shares:
2021 (11)418$10.95 to$10.91 $4,581 0.75%0.75%to1.40%9.61%to9.21%
Janus Henderson Enterprise Service Shares:
2021278$37.24 to$32.81 $10,355 0.24%1.30%to1.90%15.04%to14.36%
2020314$32.37 to$28.69 $10,153 0.04%1.30%to1.90%17.62%to16.96%
2019366$27.52 to$24.53 $10,067 0.05%1.30%to1.90%33.40%to32.59%
2018417$20.63 to$18.5 $8,592 0.13%1.30%to1.90%(1.95)%to(2.53)%
2017465$21.04 to$18.98 $9,775 0.52%1.30%to1.90%25.46%to24.70%
Janus Henderson Flexible Bond Service Shares:
2021803$11.71 to$10.84 $9,275 2.33%0.75%to2.00%(1.84)%to(3.04)%
2020624$11.93 to$11.18 $7,338 2.47%0.75%to2.00%9.45%to8.02%
2019290$10.90 to$10.35 $3,116 3.03%0.75%to2.00%8.46%to7.14%
2018188$10.05 to$9.66 $1,858 2.64%0.75%to2.00%0.70%to(3.30)%
2017213$10.13 to$9.99 $2,165 2.61%1.00%to2.00%1.30%to1.32%
Janus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Service Shares:
2021397$20.38 to$20.05 $8,082 0.62%0.75%to1.40%16.86%to16.10%
2020189$17.44 to$17.27 $3,300 —%*0.75%to1.40%49.57%to48.62%
2019 (7)30$11.66 to$11.62 $348 —%0.75%to1.40%16.60%to16.20%
A-128

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
LargeCap Growth I Class 1:
20212,861$6.8 to$148.11 $210,317 —%0.50%to2.00%21.38%to19.48%
20203,166$5.60 to$123.96 $197,310 0.03%0.56%to2.00%35.63%*to33.49%*
20193,666$4.13 to$92.86 $168,970 0.06%0.47%to2.00%34.35%to32.24%
20181,582$3.07 to$70.22 $102,803 0.04%0.61%to2.00%3.16%to1.55%
20171,778$2.98 to$69.15 $112,164 0.03%0.42%to2.00%33.15%to31.07%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 1:
20213,460$5.03 to$33.37 $115,616 1.37%0.38%to2.00%27.80%to25.78%
20204,148$3.93 to$26.53 $104,574 1.80%0.44%to2.00%17.58%*to15.75%*
20194,496$3.34 to$22.92 $99,605 1.84%0.51%to2.00%30.55%to28.48%
20185,075$2.56 to$17.84 $88,547 1.69%0.47%to2.00%(4.98)%to(6.45)%
20175,160$2.70 to$19.07 $104,391 1.65%0.42%to2.00%20.98%to19.11%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Class 2:
20212,485$18.35 to$22.43 $46,636 1.34%0.75%to1.40%27.08%to26.22%
20201,865$14.44 to$17.77 $27,800 1.78%0.75%to1.40%16.92%to16.14%
20191,221$12.35 to$15.3 $15,836 2.08%0.75%to1.40%29.73%to29.01%
2018678$9.52 to$11.86 $7,080 1.80%0.75%to1.40%(4.99)%to(6.25)%
2017275$11.4 to$12.65 $3,235 2.08%1.00%to1.40%13.77%to19.57%
MFS International Intrinsic Value Service Class:
2021661$14.79 to$16.59 $10,791 0.14%0.75%to2.00%9.39%to8.08%
2020612$13.52 to$15.35 $9,347 0.78%0.75%to2.00%19.33%to17.90%
2019569$11.33 to$13.02 $7,485 1.49%0.75%to2.00%24.78%to23.06%
2018531$9.08 to$10.58 $5,717 0.95%0.75%to2.00%(8.93)%to(11.46)%
2017548$11.76 to$11.95 $6,698 1.47%1.00%to2.00%17.72%to24.35%
MFS New Discovery Service Class:
2021378$18.92 to$25.66 $7,907 —%0.75%to2.00%0.80%to(0.47)%
2020357$18.77 to$25.78 $7,508 —%0.75%to2.00%44.50%to42.75%
2019301$12.99 to$18.06 $4,807 —%0.75%to2.00%40.13%to38.39%
2018197$9.27 to$13.05 $2,463 —%0.75%to2.00%(7.67)%to(3.62)%
2017110$12 to$13.54 $1,497 —%1.00%to2.00%19.05%to23.77%
A-129

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
MFS Utilities Service Class:
2021747$14.66 to$31.18 $16,806 1.55%0.75%to2.00%12.94%to11.56%
2020686$12.98 to$27.95 $14,652 2.23%0.75%to2.00%4.85%to3.52%
2019709$12.38 to$27 $15,284 3.83%0.75%to2.00%23.92%to22.34%
2018633$9.99 to$22.07 $12,388 0.83%0.75%to2.00%(0.10)%to(1.21)%
2017643$10.57 to$22.34 $13,276 4.13%1.00%to2.00%5.38%to12.26%
MFS Value Service Class:
2021113$39.25 to$36.39 $4,416 1.11%1.40%to2.00%23.39%to22.69%
2020135$31.81 to$29.66 $4,297 1.34%1.40%to2.00%1.79%to1.16%
2019170$31.25 to$29.32 $5,292 1.89%1.40%to2.00%27.71%to26.93%
2018192$24.47 to$23.1 $4,681 1.28%1.40%to2.00%(11.60)%to(12.13)%
2017226$27.68 to$26.29 $6,239 1.70%1.40%to2.00%15.72%to15.05%
MidCap Class 1:
20212,177$25.7 to$182.09 $369,568 0.13%0.44%to2.00%25.00%to23.04%
20202,483$20.56 *to$147.99 $340,438 0.72%0.43%to2.00%17.84%*to15.98%*
20192,908$17.45 to$127.6 $338,480 0.27%0.42%to2.00%42.50%to40.27%
20183,361$12.25 to$90.97 $283,507 0.28%0.45%to2.00%(6.94)%to(8.41)%
20173,871$13.16 to$99.32 $351,847 0.54%0.43%to2.00%24.99%to23.04%
MidCap Class 2:
2021916$14.53 to$14.38 $13,299 —%0.75%to1.40%24.29%to23.43%
2020 (9)305$11.69 to$11.65 $3,567 0.67%0.75%to1.40%15.63%to15.23%
Neuberger Berman AMT Mid Cap Growth Portfolio Class S:
2021223$18.64 to$21.5 $4,639 —%0.75%to2.00%11.88%to10.48%
2020233$16.66 to$19.46 $4,382 —%0.75%to2.00%38.60%to36.95%
2019252$12.02 to$14.21 $3,506 —%0.75%to2.00%31.51%to29.89%
2018223$9.14 to$10.94 $2,453 —%0.75%to2.00%(9.05)%to(8.45)%
2017215$11.77 to$11.95 $2,599 —%1.00%to2.00%17.00%to22.19%
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class I:
2021161$43.47 to$39.17 $6,993 0.37%1.40%to2.00%21.76%to21.04%
2020186$35.7 to$32.36 $6,614 0.59%1.40%to2.00%17.90%to17.20%
2019220$30.28 to$27.61 $6,634 0.45%1.40%to2.00%24.10%to23.37%
2018132$24.4 to$22.38 $3,205 0.46%1.40%to2.00%(7.01)%to(7.60)%
2017167$26.24 to$24.22 $4,355 0.50%1.40%to2.00%16.78%to16.11%
A-130

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Neuberger Berman AMT Sustainable Equity Class S:
20216$16 to$15.63 $99 0.20%0.75%to1.40%22.23%to21.45%
20204$13.09 to$12.87 $50 0.40%0.75%to1.40%18.46%to17.64%
20191$11.05 to$10.94 $16 0.77%0.75%to1.40%24.58%to23.76%
2018 (6)$8.87 to$8.84 $0.97%0.75%to1.40%(11.48)%to(11.78)%
PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class:
2021115$20.22 to$18.74 $2,317 11.14%1.40%to2.00%14.63%to13.92%
2020121$17.64 to$16.45 $2,126 4.99%1.40%to2.00%6.52%to5.86%
2019147$16.56 to$15.54 $2,419 2.89%1.40%to2.00%10.33%to9.67%
2018184$15.01 to$14.17 $2,747 3.13%1.40%to2.00%(6.71)%to(7.26)%
2017230$16.09 to$15.28 $3,688 4.55%1.40%to2.00%11.97%to11.29%
PIMCO All Asset Advisor Class:
202120$12.85 to$13.63 $265 10.82%0.75%to1.40%15.25%to14.44%
202014$11.15 to$11.91 $163 4.86%0.75%to1.40%7.11%to6.43%
201910$10.41 to$11.19 $112 2.83%0.75%to1.40%10.86%to10.14%
201810$9.39 to$10.16 $100 3.11%0.75%to1.40%(5.72)%to(6.70)%
20179$10.71 to$10.89 $98 5.25%1.00%to1.40%7.21%to11.81%
PIMCO Commodity Real Return Strategy Class M:
202138$12.2 to$9.9 $423 5.25%0.75%to1.40%31.75%to30.95%
20208$9.26 to$7.56 $72 5.20%0.75%to1.40%0.33%to(0.40)%
20196$9.23 to$7.59 $51 4.14%0.75%to1.40%10.14%to9.52%
20185$8.38 to$6.93 $44 1.32%0.75%to1.40%(15.86)%to(15.59)%
20171$10.24 to$8.21 $11 11.10%1.00%to1.40%2.40%to0.49%
PIMCO Emerging Market Bond Administrative Class:
2021 (11)30$9.82 to$9.78 $293 3.86%0.75%to1.40%(1.80)%to(2.20)%
PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class:
20211,558$12.02 to$16.88 $23,370 4.43%0.75%to2.00%2.91%to1.56%
20201,322$11.68 to$16.62 $20,567 4.84%0.75%to2.00%4.94%to3.68%
20191,297$11.13 to$16.03 $19,995 4.92%0.75%to2.00%13.92%to12.41%
20181,264$9.77 to$14.26 $17,923 5.11%0.75%to2.00%(2.20)%to(4.55)%
20171,441$10.34 to$14.94 $21,731 4.86%1.00%to2.00%3.40%to4.48%
A-131

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
PIMCO Low Duration Advisor Class:
2021475$10.38 to$9.49 $4,901 0.43%0.75%to2.00%(1.70)%to(2.97)%
2020323$10.56 to$9.78 $3,382 0.93%0.75%to2.00%2.03%to0.82%
2019149$10.35 to$9.70 $1,526 2.58%0.75%to2.00%3.19%to1.89%
2018105$10.03 to$9.52 $1,029 1.79%0.75%to2.00%0.40%to(1.75)%
201740$10.00 to$9.69 $392 1.22%1.00%to2.00%%to(0.82)%
PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class:
20212,381$11.49 to$13.2 $30,375 1.82%0.75%to2.00%(1.96)%to(3.15)%
20202,161$11.72 to$13.63 $28,912 2.09%0.75%to2.00%7.82%to6.48%
20191,771$10.87 to$12.8 $22,921 2.99%0.75%to2.00%7.62%to6.22%
20181,741$10.10 to$12.05 $21,623 2.54%0.75%to2.00%1.30%to(2.51)%
20172,027$10.22 to$12.36 $26,016 2.02%1.00%to2.00%2.20%to2.83%
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 1:
20213,265$40.32 to$34.88 $101,112 0.83%0.95%to2.00%26.63%to25.29%
20203,898$31.84 to$27.84 $96,553 1.29%0.95%to2.00%17.58%to16.34%
20194,601$27.08 to$23.93 $97,427 1.56%0.95%to2.00%31.27%to29.91%
20185,616$20.63 to$18.42 $91,429 1.13%0.95%to2.00%(4.36)%to(5.34)%
20176,546$21.57 to$19.46 $112,554 1.25%0.95%to2.00%19.63%to18.37%
Principal Capital Appreciation Class 2:
2021664$18.85 to$24.01 $12,808 0.77%0.75%to1.40%26.60%to25.71%
2020532$14.89 to$19.10 $8,159 1.10%0.75%to1.40%17.52%to16.75%
2019397$12.67 to$16.36 $5,278 1.55%0.75%to1.40%31.16%to30.25%
2018201$9.66 to$12.56 $2,144 1.04%0.75%to1.40%(3.69)%to(4.92)%
201782$11.38 to$13.21 $999 1.27%1.00%to1.40%13.57%to18.79%
Principal LifeTime 2010 Class 1:
2021690$19.00 to$18.76 $14,299 1.65%0.95%to2.00%4.97%to3.82%
2020813$18.10 to$18.07 $16,135 2.50%0.95%to2.00%10.30%to9.18%
2019935$16.41 to$16.55 $16,850 2.80%0.95%to2.00%13.02%to11.82%
20181,096$14.52 to$14.8 $17,559 2.90%0.95%to2.00%(4.79)%to(5.79)%
20171,437$15.25 to$15.71 $24,297 2.18%0.95%to2.00%10.43%to9.25%
A-132

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Principal LifeTime 2020 Class 1:
20213,069$13.02 to$22.76 $75,498 1.62%0.75%to2.00%8.41%to7.01%
20203,480$12.01 to$21.27 $79,678 2.63%0.75%to2.00%12.03%to10.67%
20194,012$10.72 to$19.22 $82,586 2.41%0.75%to2.00%6.56%to15.78%
20184,619$15.81 to$16.60 $83,004 2.65%0.95%to2.00%(6.28)%to(7.31)%
20175,445$16.87 to$17.91 $104,894 1.94%0.95%to2.00%13.91%to12.71%
Principal LifeTime 2030 Class 1:
20212,228$13.93 to$25.14 $59,023 1.33%0.75%to2.00%11.98%to10.55%
20202,504$12.44 to$22.74 $59,916 2.08%0.75%to2.00%14.02%to12.63%
20192,724$10.91 to$20.19 $57,570 2.05%0.75%to2.00%8.13%to19.61%
20182,985$16.08 to$16.88 $54,595 2.32%0.95%to2.00%(7.90)%to(8.95)%
20173,430$17.46 to$18.54 $68,465 1.55%0.95%to2.00%17.10%to15.95%
Principal LifeTime 2040 Class 1:
2021571$14.56 to$27.9 $16,396 1.26%0.75%to2.00%14.38%to13.00%
2020650$12.73 to$24.69 $16,446 1.97%0.75%to2.00%15.31%to13.83%
2019705$11.04 to$21.69 $15,574 1.87%0.75%to2.00%9.42%to22.27%
2018676$16.60 to$17.74 $12,970 2.06%0.95%to2.00%(8.69)%to(9.67)%
2017718$18.18 to$19.64 $15,164 1.32%0.95%to2.00%19.53%to18.24%
Principal LifeTime 2050 Class 1:
2021413$14.95 to$29.15 $11,674 1.10%0.75%to2.00%16.16%to14.72%
2020474$12.87 to$25.41 $11,670 1.77%0.75%to2.00%15.84%to14.36%
2019549$11.11 to$22.22 $11,861 1.99%0.75%to2.00%10.00%to23.86%
2018500$16.71 to$17.94 $9,720 2.07%0.95%to2.00%(9.48)%to(10.43)%
2017523$18.46 to$20.03 $11,287 1.27%0.95%to2.00%20.97%to19.73%
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Class 1:
2021508$16.92 to$16.26 $9,167 1.84%0.95%to2.00%3.55%to2.46%
2020573$16.34 to$15.87 $10,029 2.24%0.95%to2.00%9.22%to8.11%
2019662$14.96 to$14.68 $10,633 2.38%0.95%to2.00%11.39%to10.21%
2018788$13.43 to$13.32 $11,401 2.59%0.95%to2.00%(3.93)%to(4.93)%
20171,004$13.98 to$14.01 $15,184 2.32%0.95%to2.00%7.79%to6.62%
A-133

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
Real Estate Securities Class 1:
2021746$9.69 to$85.16 $68,805 1.42%0.36%to2.00%39.85%to37.67%
2020825$6.93 to$61.86 $56,340 1.97%0.52%to2.00%(3.83)%*to(5.34)%*
2019978$7.21 to$65.35 $67,480 1.78%0.45%to2.00%30.71%to28.67%
20181,138$5.51 to$50.79 $61,500 1.80%0.39%to2.00%(4.62)%to(6.12)%
20171,312$5.78 to$54.10 $75,318 1.74%0.41%to2.00%8.74%to7.02%
Real Estate Securities Class 2:
2021645$17.20 to$20.82 $11,375 1.27%0.75%to1.40%39.05%to38.06%
2020524$12.37 to$15.08 $6,720 1.75%0.75%to1.40%(4.40)%to(4.98)%
2019441$12.94 to$15.87 $6,106 1.68%0.75%to1.40%29.92%to29.13%
2018295$9.96 to$12.29 $3,271 1.72%0.75%to1.40%(1.39)%to(5.82)%
2017206$10.62 to$13.05 $2,537 1.35%1.00%to1.40%5.67%to7.41%
Rydex Basic Materials:
202151$14.97 to$16.61 $799 0.58%0.75%to1.40%22.00%to21.24%
202033$12.27 to$13.70 $436 1.06%0.75%to1.40%18.90%to18.10%
201953$10.32 to$11.60 $606 —%0.75%to1.40%20.42%to19.71%
201852$8.57 to$9.69 $490 0.56%0.75%to1.40%(14.04)%to(18.57)%
201737$11.36 to$11.9 $440 0.69%1.00%to1.40%12.92%to19.72%
Rydex Commodities Strategy:
2021158$9.6 to$6.91 $1,262 —%0.75%to2.00%38.53%to36.83%
202095$6.93 to$5.05 $522 0.84%0.75%to2.00%(23.34)%to(24.29)%
201968$9.04 to$6.67 $499 1.54%0.75%to2.00%14.43%to13.05%
201866$7.90 to$5.90 $424 3.51%0.75%to2.00%(20.36)%to(16.78)%
201744$10.89 to$7.09 $271 —%1.00%to2.00%8.04%to2.31%
Rydex NASDAQ 100:
2021583$23.08 to$34.27 $14,217 —%0.75%to1.40%24.62%to23.76%
2020477$18.52 to$27.69 $9,468 0.28%0.75%to1.40%43.79%to42.95%
2019201$12.88 to$19.37 $3,095 0.12%0.75%to1.40%35.86%to34.98%
2018153$9.48 to$14.35 $1,825 —%0.75%to1.40%(6.32)%to(3.17)%
2017103$11.69 to$14.82 $1,359 —%1.00%to1.40%16.90%to29.32%
A-134

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 1:
202118,731$3.46 to$20.49 $414,419 1.54%0.42%to2.00%13.26%to11.48%
202020,936$3.05 to$18.38 $414,619 2.20%0.38%to2.00%10.81%*to9.08%*
201923,734$2.75 to$16.85 $427,977 2.43%0.39%to2.00%19.50%to17.59%
201828,289$2.30 to$14.33 $432,209 3.06%0.75%to2.00%(5.44)%to(6.89)%
201732,925$2.44 to$15.39 $536,023 2.11%0.41%to2.00%14.73%to12.91%
SAM Balanced Portfolio Class 2:
20212,698$13.96 to$15.73 $38,820 1.43%0.75%to1.40%12.58%to11.80%
20202,128$12.40 to$14.07 $27,483 1.99%0.75%to1.40%10.12%to9.41%
20191,918$11.26 to$12.86 $22,821 2.44%0.75%to1.40%18.78%to18.09%
20181,266$9.48 to$10.89 $13,097 3.13%0.75%to1.40%(5.11)%to(6.60)%
2017807$10.96 to$11.66 $9,147 2.00%*1.00%to1.40%9.38%to13.31%
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 1:
20214,796$21.05 to$18.22 $95,296 1.81%0.95%to2.00%8.67%to7.56%
20205,387$19.37 to$16.94 $98,902 2.36%0.95%to2.00%8.58%to7.42%
20196,014$17.84 to$15.77 $102,122 2.77%0.95%to2.00%14.73%to13.62%
20186,934$15.55 to$13.88 $102,968 3.31%0.95%to2.00%(4.37)%to(5.45)%
20178,225$16.26 to$14.68 $128,349 2.70%0.95%to2.00%10.39%to9.31%
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Class 2:
20211,244$13.04 to$14.14 $16,588 1.76%0.75%to1.40%8.67%to7.94%
20201,055$12.00 to$13.10 $13,091 2.34%0.75%to1.40%8.40%to7.73%
2019774$11.07 to$12.16 $8,928 2.86%0.75%to1.40%14.83%to14.07%
2018584$9.64 to$10.66 $6,004 3.25%0.75%to1.40%(3.50)%to(5.16)%
2017473$10.69 to$11.24 $5,204 2.97%1.00%to1.40%6.79%to9.66%
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 1:
20213,602$25.73 to$22.26 $87,461 1.18%0.95%to2.00%16.64%to15.40%
20204,184$22.06 to$19.29 $87,397 1.87%0.95%to2.00%11.87%to10.73%
20194,770$19.72 to$17.42 $89,362 1.80%0.95%to2.00%22.87%to21.56%
20185,607$16.05 to$14.33 $85,786 2.71%0.95%to2.00%(7.49)%to(8.49)%
20176,430$17.35 to$15.66 $106,720 1.54%0.95%to2.00%18.67%to17.48%
A-135

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Class 2:
20211,903$14.87 to$17.48 $29,663 1.08%0.75%to1.40%16.63%to15.84%
20201,452$12.75 to$15.09 $19,609 1.63%0.75%to1.40%11.84%to11.12%
20191,278$11.40 to$13.58 $15,671 1.68%0.75%to1.40%22.71%to21.90%
20181,015$9.29 to$11.14 $10,749 2.78%0.75%to1.40%(7.01)%to(8.09)%
2017707$11.28 to$12.12 $8,479 1.46%1.00%to1.40%12.57%to17.78%
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 1:
20215,790$19.53 to$16.9 $106,960 2.31%0.95%to2.00%5.85%to4.77%
20206,401$18.45 to$16.13 $112,074 2.79%0.95%to2.00%6.28%to5.15%
20197,363$17.36 to$15.34 $121,789 3.41%0.95%to2.00%12.14%to11.00%
20188,584$15.48 to$13.82 $126,847 3.95%0.95%to2.00%(2.89)%to(3.89)%
201710,450$15.94 to$14.38 $159,705 3.30%0.95%to2.00%7.41%to6.28%
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Class 2:
20212,650$12.39 to$13.02 $33,155 2.40%0.75%to1.40%5.81%to5.17%
20201,907$11.71 to$12.38 $22,698 2.76%0.75%to1.40%6.26%to5.54%
20191,491$11.02 to$11.73 $16,833 3.49%0.75%to1.40%12.11%to11.40%
20181,231$9.83 to$10.53 $12,512 3.98%0.75%to1.40%(1.50)%to(3.57)%
2017757$10.47 to$10.92 $8,096 3.56%1.00%to1.40%4.60%to6.64%
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 1:
20212,186$27.10 to$23.45 $55,573 0.95%0.95%to2.00%18.70%to17.48%
20202,442$22.83 to$19.96 $52,432 1.78%0.95%to2.00%14.32%to13.15%
20192,858$19.97 to$17.64 $53,900 1.47%0.95%to2.00%26.23%to24.93%
20183,391$15.82 to$14.12 $50,949 2.32%0.95%to2.00%(9.44)%to(10.46)%
20173,988$17.47 to$15.77 $66,383 1.41%0.95%to2.00%21.07%to19.83%
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Class 2:
20211,430$15.55 to$18.47 $23,377 0.93%0.75%to1.40%18.61%to17.87%
20201,016$13.11 to$15.67 $14,344 1.68%0.75%to1.40%14.30%to13.55%
2019773$11.47 to$13.8 $9,818 1.41%0.75%to1.40%26.18%to25.34%
2018573$9.09 to$11.01 $6,019 2.32%0.75%to1.40%(9.10)%to(10.12)%
2017425$11.44 to$12.25 $5,078 1.34%1.00%to1.40%14.17%to20.22%
Short-Term Income Class 1:
20215,400$10.25 to$11.11 $64,485 1.51%0.75%to2.00%(1.54)%to(2.71)%
20206,027$10.41 to$11.42 $73,530 2.11%0.75%to2.00%2.66%to1.33%
20195,889$10.14 to$11.27 $70,427 2.66%0.75%to2.00%1.40%to2.64%
20186,315$12.25 to$10.98 $73,768 2.12%0.85%to2.00%0.16%to(0.99)%
20177,454$12.23 to$11.09 $87,366 1.92%0.85%to2.00%1.58%to0.36%
A-136

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
SmallCap Class 1:
20212,578$4.65 to$36.47 $100,279 0.30%0.47%to2.00%19.62%to17.76%
20202,930$3.89 to$30.97 $97,992 0.50%0.36%to2.00%21.69%*to19.76%*
20193,367$3.20 to$25.86 $94,321 0.32%0.43%to2.00%26.87%to24.87%
20183,888$2.52 to$20.71 $86,881 0.30%0.56%to2.00%(11.27)%to(12.65)%
20174,394$2.84 to$23.71 $112,085 0.37%0.41%to2.00%12.40%to10.64%
SmallCap Class 2:
2021326$15.63 to$18.24 $5,282 0.15%0.75%to1.40%18.95%to18.21%
2020268$13.14 to$15.43 $3,730 0.28%0.75%to1.40%20.99%to20.17%
2019210$10.86 to$12.84 $2,452 0.09%0.75%to1.40%26.13%to25.39%
2018133$8.61 to$10.24 $1,292 0.09%0.75%to1.40%(14.16)%to(12.48)%
201788$11.12 to$11.70 $1,014 0.15%1.00%to1.40%10.10%to11.01%
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Portfolio II:
20211,422$17.30 to$56.09 $43,230 —%0.75%to2.00%16.42%to15.01%
20201,075$14.86 to$48.77 $34,934 —%0.75%to2.00%32.92%to31.28%
2019751$11.18 to$37.15 $25,129 —%0.75%to2.00%9.93%to27.01%
2018664$31.89 to$29.25 $20,946 —%1.40%to2.00%0.25%to(0.37)%
2017685$31.81 to$29.36 $21,628 —%1.40%to2.00%33.94%to33.15%
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Portfolio II:
2021276$97.27 to$87.64 $26,785 —%1.40%to2.00%11.25%to10.59%
2020324$87.43 to$79.25 $28,126 —%1.40%to2.00%27.47%to26.72%
2019384$68.59 to$62.54 $26,161 —%1.40%to2.00%26.85%to26.06%
2018467$54.07 to$49.61 $25,079 —%1.40%to2.00%(0.55)%to(1.14)%
2017524$54.37 to$50.18 $28,307 —%1.40%to2.00%25.54%to24.79%
Templeton Global Bond VIP Class 4:
2021322$8.87 to$8.09 $2,782 —%0.75%to2.00%(5.74)%to(6.90)%
2020332$9.41 to$8.69 $3,043 6.85%0.75%to2.00%(6.09)%to(7.26)%
2019528$10.02 to$9.37 $5,136 6.90%0.75%to2.00%1.11%to(0.11)%
2018468$9.91 to$9.38 $4,505 —%0.75%to2.00%(1.10)%to(0.11)%
2017213$9.70 to$9.39 $2,026 —%1.00%to2.00%(3.10)%to(0.32)%
Templeton Growth VIP Class 2:
202123$26.32 $612 1.14%0.85%3.95%
202024$25.32 $617 2.93%0.85%4.93%
201927$24.13 $661 2.81%0.85%14.14%
201835$21.14 $737 2.00%0.85%(15.54)%
201736$25.03 $891 1.61%0.85%17.46%
A-137

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
The Merger Fund:
202134$11.74 to$11.49 $401 —%0.75%to1.40%0.26%to(0.26)%
202034$11.71 to$11.52 $398 —%0.75%to1.40%6.65%to5.88%
201927$10.98 to$10.88 $304 1.23%0.75%to1.40%5.37%to4.62%
201817$10.42 to$10.40 $180 1.19%0.75%to1.40%4.41%to5.58%
20171$10.07 to$9.85 $—%1.00%to1.40%0.60%to1.23%
TOPS Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class:
202184$14.04 to$13.43 $1,182 0.44%0.75%to2.00%18.18%to16.78%
202085$11.88 to$11.5 $1,010 1.40%0.75%to2.00%11.44%to10.05%
201959$10.66 to$10.45 $624 2.32%0.75%to2.00%23.24%to21.65%
2018 (6)2$8.65 to$8.59 $20 1.89%0.75%to2.00%(13.67)%to(14.27)%
TOPS Balanced ETF Portfolio Investor Class:
2021167$12.47 to$11.93 $2,084 0.76%0.75%to2.00%8.53%to7.19%
202091$11.49 to$11.13 $1,044 1.32%0.75%to2.00%7.28%to6.00%
201995$10.71 to$10.50 $1,017 2.16%0.75%to2.00%14.91%to13.39%
2018 (6)3$9.32 to$9.26 $26 3.21%0.75%to2.00%(6.89)%to(7.49)%
TOPS Conservative ETF Portfolio Investor Class:
2021103$11.91 to$11.39 $1,216 0.99%0.75%to2.00%5.40%to4.11%
202031$11.30 to$10.94 $349 1.61%0.75%to2.00%5.90%to4.59%
201928$10.67 to$10.46 $295 0.04%0.75%to2.00%10.57%to9.19%
2018 (6)$9.65 to$9.58 $—%0.75%to2.00%(3.50)%to(4.20)%
TOPS Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class:
2021103$13.63 to$13.04 $1,395 0.46%0.75%to2.00%15.41%to14.09%
202059$11.81 to$11.43 $694 0.61%0.75%to2.00%10.58%to9.06%
201998$10.68 to$10.48 $1,044 1.49%0.75%to2.00%20.81%to19.36%
2018 (6)4$8.84 to$8.78 $34 1.18%0.75%to2.00%(11.78)%to(12.38)%
TOPS Moderate Growth ETF Portfolio Investor Class:
202139$13.17 to$12.6 $515 0.83%0.75%to2.00%11.70%to10.43%
202027$11.79 to$11.41 $323 1.41%0.75%to2.00%9.47%to8.05%
201922$10.77 to$10.56 $237 1.29%0.75%to2.00%17.58%to16.17%
2018 (6)1$9.16 to$9.09 $11 —%0.75%to2.00%(8.49)%to(9.19)%
A-138

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
December 31,For the year ended December 31, except as noted
Unit fair valueTotal return (3)
correspondingExpensecorresponding
to lowestNetInvestmentratio (2)to lowest
Unitsto highestassetsincomelowest toto highest
Division(000's)expense ratio(000's)ratio (1)highestexpense ratio
VanEck Global Resources Class S:
2021 (19)407$10.89 to$10.72 $4,589 0.31%0.75%to2.00%17.86%to16.40%
2020445$9.24 to$9.21 $4,251 0.73%0.75%to2.00%17.86%to16.43%
2019484$7.84 to$7.91 $3,957 —%0.75%to2.00%10.73%to9.25%
2018523$7.08 to$7.24 $3,896 —%0.75%to2.00%(28.92)%to(29.84)%
2017550$10.05 to$10.32 $5,838 —%1.00%to2.00%(0.59)%to(3.82)%

(*)
We identified immaterial corrections in certain divisions related to the unit fair value corresponding to the low/high expense ratios, investment income ratio and total return corresponding to the low/high expense ratios, which were corrected in 2021.
(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 contractholder accounts through the redemption of units and expenses of the underlying fund are excluded.
(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, 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)Commenced operations April 6, 2017. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(5)Commenced operations May 26, 2017. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(6)Commenced operations June 11, 2018. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(7)Commenced operations June 7, 2019. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2019.
(8)Commenced operations April 30, 2020. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2020.
(9)Commenced operations June 8, 2020. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2020.
(10)Commenced operations April 29, 2021. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(11)Commenced operations June 7, 2021. Investment income ratios have been annualized for the year ended December 31, 2021.
A-139

Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2021
(12)Represented the operations of American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division until June 7, 2021.
(13)Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(14)Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series Blue Chip Income and Growth Fund Class 4 Division until June 7, 2021.
(15)Represented the operations of American Funds Insurance Series High-Income Bond Class 2 Division until June 7, 2021.
(16)Represented the operations of BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Class III Division until June 7, 2021.
(17)Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer VI Discovery Mid Cap Growth until June 7, 2021.
(18)Represented the operations of Invesco Oppenheimer V.I. Main Street Small Cap Series II Division until June 7, 2021.
(19)Represented the operations of VanEck Global Hard Assets Class S Division until June 7, 2021.
7. Subsequent Events

    Separate Account B performed an evaluation of subsequent events through April 6, 2022, and determined no items required recognition or disclosure.
A-140
 

APPENDIX B - Principal Life Insurance Company Financials

B-1
 


Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Principal Life Insurance Company
Opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Principal Life Insurance Company (the Company), which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.


B-2


In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS, we:

Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design 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. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.
Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit.

Required Supplementary Information

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require that the Claims Development and Claim Duration and Payout information presented as unaudited within the Short-Duration Contracts disclosure on page 56-60 be presented to supplement the financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and, although not a part of the financial statements, is required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management’s responses to our inquiries, the financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the financial statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
March 10, 2022

B-3


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale$73,896.9$73,567.6
Fixed maturities, trading233.3233.2
Equity securities508.271.2
Mortgage loans (2021 and 2020 include $1,260.1 million and $319.0 million related to consolidated
variable interest entities)18,908.316,506.1
Real estate (2021 and 2020 include $672.0 million and $476.8 million related to consolidated variable
interest entities)2,060.61,796.1
Policy loans705.0723.8
Other investments (2021 and 2020 include $0.0 million and $28.5 million measured at fair value under
the fair value option)2,836.72,500.7
Total investments99,149.095,398.7
Cash and cash equivalents (2021 and 2020 include $30.1 million and $13.5 million related to consolidated
variable interest entities)1,228.61,648.5
Accrued investment income678.4687.7
Premiums due and other receivables1,798.11,678.5
Deferred acquisition costs3,749.13,398.5
Property and equipment862.2810.0
Goodwill75.175.1
Other intangibles14.417.2
Separate account assets147,529.0134,135.1
Other assets264.4959.5
Total assets$255,348.3$238,808.8
Liabilities
Contractholder funds$42,957.3$42,473.3
Future policy benefits and claims40,141.640,104.0
Other policyholder funds1,026.01,014.5
Long-term debt54.055.9
Deferred income taxes2,273.52,318.4
Separate account liabilities147,529.0134,135.1
Other liabilities (2021 and 2020 include $56.1 million and $20.8 million related to consolidated variable
interest entities)8,658.25,559.1
Total liabilities242,639.6225,660.3
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.)2.52.5
Additional paid-in capital6,340.96,344.2
Retained earnings2,976.62,799.7
Accumulated other comprehensive income3,370.93,986.9
Total stockholder's equity attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company12,690.913,133.3
Noncontrolling interest17.815.2
Total stockholder's equity12,708.713,148.5
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity$255,348.3$238,808.8
See accompanying notes.
B-4


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Revenues
Premiums and other considerations$4,714$5,880.8$7,473.3
Fees and other revenues2,679.62,353.62,396.7
Net investment income3,633.73,324.93,293.9
Net realized capital gains (losses) (1)(18.5)105.6(112.2)
Total revenues11,008.811,664.913,051.7
Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses6,482.67,837.59,167.5
Dividends to policyholders94.8120.2119.1
Operating expenses2,744.62,479.72,502.3
Total expenses9,322.010,437.411,788.9
Income before income taxes1,686.81,227.51,262.8
Income taxes233.2160.1140.2
Net income1,453.61,067.41,122.6
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest24.319.49.7
Net income attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company$1,429.3$1,048$1,112.9
(1) Includes realized and unrealized gains (losses). See Note 5, Investments, for further details.
See accompanying notes.

B-5


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Net income$1,453.6$1,067.4$1,122.6
Other comprehensive income (loss), net:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities(653.1)1,396.72,533.7
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale3.0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments33.6(35.2)(14.6)
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation1.54.743.1
Other comprehensive income (loss)(618.0)1,366.22,565.2
Comprehensive income835.62,433.63,687.8
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest24.319.49.7
Comprehensive income attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company$811.3$2,414.2$3,678.1
See accompanying notes.
B-6


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity
Accumulated
AdditionalotherTotal
Commonpaid-inRetainedcomprehensiveNoncontrollingstockholder's
stockcapitalearningsincomeinterestequity
(in millions)
Balances as of January 1, 2019$2.5$6,331.6$2,441.2$55.5$20.4$8,851.2
Capital distributions to parent(24.2)(24.2)
Stock-based compensation24.1(2.3)21.8
Dividends to parent(1,145.0)(1,145.0)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(14.0)(14.0)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest7.17.1
Effects of implementation of accounting change
related to leases, net4.04.0
Net income1,112.99.71,122.6
Other comprehensive income2,565.22,565.2
Balances as of December 31, 20192.56,331.52,410.82,620.723.211,388.7
Capital distributions to parent(14.1)(14.1)
Stock-based compensation26.8(2.4)24.4
Dividends to parent(650.0)(650.0)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(33.4)(33.4)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest6.06.0
Effects of implementation of accounting change
related to credit losses, net(6.7)(6.7)
Net income1,048.019.41,067.4
Other comprehensive income1,366.21,366.2
Balances as of December 31, 20202.56,344.22,799.73,986.915.213,148.5
Capital distributions to parent(16.3)(16.3)
Stock-based compensation27.6(2.4)0.125.3
Dividends to parent(1,250.0)(1,250.0)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(27.5)(27.5)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest7.47.4
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling
interest(14.9)(1.7)(16.6)
Net liabilities transferred to affiliate due to change
in benefit plan sponsorship0.32.02.3
Net income1,429.324.31,453.6
Other comprehensive loss(618.0)(618.0)
Balances as of December 31, 2021$2.5$6,340.9$2,976.6$3,370.9$17.8$12,708.7
See accompanying notes.
B-7


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Operating activities
Net income$1,453.6$1,067.4$1,122.6
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net realized capital (gains) losses18.5(105.6)112.2
Depreciation and amortization expense149.5128.6121.5
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and contract costs291.5394.1353.3
Additions to deferred acquisition costs and contract costs(469.4)(462.6)(480.1)
Stock-based compensation25.224.922.7
(Income) loss from equity method investments, net of dividends received(54.2)30.3(40.6)
Changes in:
Accrued investment income9.3(21.2)(51.0)
Net cash flows for trading securities and equity securities with operating intent(7.9)9.3(58.6)
Premiums due and other receivables(102.0)55.8(113.3)
Contractholder and policyholder liabilities and dividends1,694.01,999.93,287.2
Current and deferred income taxes161.5423.1187.1
Real estate acquired through operating activities(73.7)(16.5)(64.7)
Real estate sold through operating activities1.4195.4134.9
Other assets and liabilities18.8(218.7)522.4
Other428.2459.3398.9
Net adjustments2,090.72,896.14,331.9
Net cash provided by operating activities3,544.33,963.55,454.5
Investing activities
Fixed maturities available-for-sale and equity securities with intent to hold:
Purchases(15,068.4)(13,769.2)(12,781.4)
Sales1,701.71,969.31,509.6
Maturities10,475.18,398.46,587.1
Mortgage loans acquired or originated(5,016.8)(3,006.9)(3,366.5)
Mortgage loans sold or repaid2,626.62,297.32,205.4
Real estate acquired(281.4)(230.6)(127.4)
Real estate sold133.72.394.9
Net purchases of property and equipment(91.9)(60.8)(51.3)
Net change in other investments(148.9)(293.9)(237.5)
Net cash used in investing activities(5,670.3)(4,694.1)(6,167.1)
Financing activities
Payments for financing element derivatives(39.9)(30.9)(26.9)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest(16.6)
Dividends paid to parent(1,250.0)(650.0)(1,145.0)
Distributions to parent(16.3)(14.1)(24.2)
Issuance of long-term debt13.712.0
Principal repayments of long-term debt(1.8)(65.8)(32.2)
Investment contract deposits8,868.39,817.38,727.6
Investment contract withdrawals(8,760.5)(8,786.0)(7,709.4)
Net increase in banking operation deposits2,922.9569.7623.4
Other0.26.0
Net cash provided by financing activities1,706.1854.1431.3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(419.9)123.5(281.3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,648.51,525.01,806.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,228.6$1,648.5$1,525
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest$2.2$2.2$6.1
Cash paid for (received from) income taxes46.3(202.8)(62.9)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Changes from re-designation of other postretirement employee benefits ("OPEB") plan
assets to cover non-retiree benefits:
Increases in equity securities re-designated from funded status of OPEB plan$548.1$$
Increases in other investments re-designated from funded status of OPEB plan117.5
Decrease in tax receivable re-designated from funded status of OPEB plan(9.1)
Decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") due to reclassifying
excess assets out of funded status of OPEB plan9.1
Decrease in other assets due to reclassifying excess assets out of funded status of
OPEB plan(665.6)
Assets received in kind for pension risk transfer transactions109.51,325.21,225.8
Lease assets established upon adoption of accounting guidance102.2
Lease liabilities established upon adoption of accounting guidance97.2
See accompanying notes.

B-8

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Principal Life Insurance Company (“PLIC”) along with its consolidated subsidiaries is a diversified financial services organization offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and insurance in the U.S. We are a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc. (“PFS”), 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 PLIC 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. 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.

Uncertainties, including those associated with the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), may impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Our use of estimates and assumptions affect amounts reported and disclosed and includes, but is not limited to, the fair value of investments in the absence of quoted market values, investment impairments and valuation allowances, the fair value of derivatives, deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and other actuarial balances, the liability for future policy benefits and claims, the value of other postretirement benefits and accounting for income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets. Our estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known about the impact of COVID-19. Our results of operations and financial condition may also be impacted by other uncertainties including evolving regulatory, legislative and standard-setter accounting interpretations and guidance.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods relating to the significant components of net deferred income taxes to conform to the current presentation. See Note 11, Income Taxes, under the caption “Net Deferred Income Taxes.”

We evaluated subsequent events through March 10, 2022, which was the date our consolidated financial statements were issued.

Consolidation

We have relationships with various special purpose entities and other legal entities that must be evaluated to determine if the entities meet the criteria of a VIE or a voting interest entity (“VOE”). This assessment is performed by reviewing contractual, ownership and other rights, including involvement of related parties, and requires use of judgment. First, we determine if we hold a variable interest in an entity by assessing if we have the right to receive expected losses and expected residual returns of the entity. If we hold a variable interest, then the entity is assessed to determine if it is a VIE. An entity is a VIE if the equity at risk is not sufficient to support its activities, if the equity holders lack a controlling financial interest or if the entity is structured with non-substantive voting rights. In addition to the previous criteria, if the entity is a limited partnership or similar entity, it is a VIE if the limited partners do not have the power to direct the entity’s most significant activities through substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. A VIE is evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is 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. When we are the primary beneficiary, we are required to consolidate the entity in our financial statements. We reassess our involvement with VIEs on a quarterly basis. For further information about VIEs, refer to Note 4, Variable Interest Entities.

If an entity is not a VIE, it is considered a VOE. VOEs are generally consolidated if we own a greater than 50% voting interest. If we determine our involvement in an entity no longer meets the requirements for consolidation under either the VIE or VOE models, the entity is deconsolidated. Entities in which we have management influence over the operating and financing decisions but are not required to consolidate, other than investments accounted for at fair value under the fair value option, are reported using the equity method.

B-9

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Recent Accounting Pronouncements



Description

Date of adoption
Effect on our consolidated financial statements or other significant matters
Standards not yet adopted:
Targeted improvements to the accounting for long-duration insurance contracts
This authoritative guidance updates certain requirements in the accounting for long-duration insurance and annuity contracts.

1.The assumptions used to calculate the liability for future policy benefits on traditional and limited-payment contracts will be reviewed and updated periodically. Cash flow assumptions will be reviewed at least annually and updated when necessary with the impact recognized in net income. Discount rate assumptions are prescribed as the current upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed income instrument yield and will be updated quarterly with the impact recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).
2.Market risk benefits, which are contracts or contract features that provide protection to the policyholder from capital market risk and expose us to other-than-nominal capital market risk, are measured at fair value. The periodic change in fair value is recognized in net income with the exception of the periodic change in fair value related to our own nonperformance risk, which is recognized in OCI.
3.DAC and other actuarial balances for all insurance and annuity contracts will be amortized on a constant basis over the expected term of the related contracts.
4.Additional disclosures are required, including disaggregated rollforwards of significant insurance liabilities and other account balances as well as disclosures about significant inputs, judgments, assumptions and methods used in measurement.

The guidance for the liability for future policy benefits for traditional and limited-payment contracts and DAC will be applied on a modified retrospective basis; that is, to contracts in force as of the beginning of the earliest period presented based on their existing carrying amounts. An entity may elect to apply the changes retrospectively. The guidance for market risk benefits will be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.
January 1, 2023
Our implementation and evaluation process to date includes, but is not limited to the following:

identifying and documenting contracts and contract features in scope of the guidance;
identifying the actuarial models, systems and processes to be updated;
evaluating and selecting our systems solutions for implementing the new guidance;
building models and evaluating preliminary output as models are developed;
evaluating and finalizing our key accounting policies;
assessing the impact to our chart of accounts;
developing format and content of new disclosures;
conducting financial dry runs using model output and updated chart of accounts;
evaluating transition requirements and impacts and
establishing and documenting appropriate internal controls.

This guidance will significantly change how we account for many of our insurance and annuity products. As we progress through our implementation, we will be able to better assess the impact to our consolidated financial statements.

B-10

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021



Description

Date of adoption
Effect on our consolidated financial statements or other significant matters
Standards adopted:
Simplifying the accounting for income taxes
This authoritative guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions, including exceptions related to the incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation, calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. Also, the guidance clarifies the accounting for franchise taxes, transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill and enacted changes in tax laws or rates. It specifies that an entity is not required to allocate the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense to a legal entity that is not subject to tax in its separate financial statements, although an entity may elect to do so. The guidance will be applied based on varying transition methods defined by amendment. Early adoption is permitted.
January 1, 2021
This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Facilitation of the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting
This authoritative guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts and hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform. An entity may elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by reference rate reform and instead account for the modified contract as a continuation of the existing contract. Also, an entity may apply optional expedients to continue hedge accounting for hedging relationships in which the critical terms change due to reference rate reform. This guidance eases the financial reporting impacts of reference rate reform on contracts and hedging relationships and is effective until December 31, 2022.
March 12, 2020We adopted the guidance upon issuance prospectively and elected the applicable optional expedients and exceptions for contracts and hedging relationships impacted by reference rate reform through December 31, 2022. The guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Goodwill impairment testing
This authoritative guidance simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 (which measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying amount of that goodwill) from the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment loss will be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary.
January 1, 2020
This guidance reduces complexity and costs associated with performing a Step 2 test, should one be needed in the future. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements at adoption.

Credit losses
This authoritative guidance requires entities to use a current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model to measure impairment for most financial assets that are not recorded at fair value through net income. Under the CECL model, an entity will estimate lifetime expected credit losses considering available relevant information about historical events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale debt securities; however, the credit loss calculation and subsequent recoveries for available-for-sale securities are required to be recorded through an allowance. This guidance also expands the required credit loss disclosures.

January 1, 2020
We adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective approach. A cumulative effect adjustment of $6.7 million was recorded as a decrease to retained earnings. We recorded an offsetting increase in the allowance for credit loss for mortgage loans, reinsurance recoverables and commitments and a decrease for deferred tax impacts. See Note 5, Investments, for further details.


B-11

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021



Description

Date of adoption
Effect on our consolidated financial statements or other significant matters
Implementation costs in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract
This authoritative guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This guidance can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively and early adoption is permitted.
January 1, 2019The effective date of the guidance was January 1, 2020; however, we elected to early-adopt this guidance on a prospective basis, effective January 1, 2019. This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Nonemployee share-based payment accounting
This authoritative guidance simplifies the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees by generally aligning it with the accounting for share-based payments to employees. Under the guidance, the measurement of equity-classified nonemployee awards will be fixed at the grant date, where previously the measurement was fixed at performance completion date. The guidance will be applied to equity-classified nonemployee awards for which a measurement date has not been established as of the date of adoption.
January 1, 2019
This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Leases
This authoritative guidance requires lessee recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial position. The concept of an operating lease, where the lease assets and liabilities are not reported on the consolidated statements of financial position, is eliminated under the new guidance. For lessors, the guidance modifies lease classification criteria and accounting for certain types of leases. Other key aspects of the guidance relate to the removal of the current real estate-specific guidance and new presentation and disclosure requirements. Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases using a modified retrospective approach, which includes certain optional practical expedients that may be elected. We elected the alternative transition method, which allows entities to initially apply the new standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.
January 1, 2019We adopted the guidance using the modified retrospective approach. A cumulative effect adjustment of $4.0 million was recorded as an increase to retained earnings. See Note 13, Contingencies, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Leases, for further details.
Targeted improvements to accounting for hedging activities
This authoritative guidance updated certain recognition and measurement requirements for hedge accounting. The objective of the guidance is to more closely align the economics of a company’s risk management activities in its financial results and reduce the complexity of applying hedge accounting. The updates included the expansion of hedging strategies that are eligible for hedge accounting, elimination of the separate measurement and reporting of hedge ineffectiveness, presentation of the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument in the same consolidated statement of operations line as the earnings effect of the hedged item and simplification of hedge effectiveness assessments. This guidance also included new disclosures.
January 1, 2019This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further details.

B-12

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021



Description

Date of adoption
Effect on our consolidated financial statements or other significant matters
Premium amortization on purchased callable debt securities
This authoritative guidance applies to entities that hold certain non-contingently callable debt securities, where the amortized cost basis is at a premium to the price repayable by the issuer at the earliest call date. Under the guidance the premium will be amortized to the first call date.
January 1, 2019This guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

When we adopt new accounting standards, we have a process in place to perform a thorough review of the pronouncement, identify the financial statement and system impacts and create an implementation plan among our impacted business units to ensure we are compliant with the pronouncement on the date of adoption. This includes having effective processes and controls in place to support the reported amounts. Each of the standards listed above is in varying stages in our implementation process based on its issuance and adoption dates. We are on track to implement guidance by the respective effective dates.

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 DAC and other actuarial balances where the amortization is based on estimated gross profits (“EGPs”);
the liability for future policy benefits and claims;
the value of our other postretirement benefit obligation 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. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

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 Note 7, Closed Block, for further details.

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.

Investments

Fixed maturities include bonds, asset-backed securities (“ABS”), redeemable preferred stock and certain non-redeemable preferred securities. Equity securities include mutual funds, common stock and non-redeemable preferred stock. We classify fixed maturities as either available-for-sale or trading at the time of the purchase and, accordingly, carry them at fair value. Equity securities are also carried at fair value. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for methodologies related to the determination of fair value. Unrealized gains and losses related to fixed maturities, available-for-sale, excluding those in fair value hedging relationships, are reflected in stockholder’s equity, net of adjustments associated with DAC and related actuarial balances, derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships and applicable income taxes. Mark-to-market adjustments on fixed maturities, trading are reflected in net realized capital gains (losses). Unrealized gains and losses related to hedged portions of fixed maturities, available-for-sale in fair value hedging relationships are reflected in net investment income. Mark-to-market adjustments related to certain securities carried at fair value with an investment objective to realize economic value through mark-to-market changes are reflected in net investment income.
B-13

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

The amortized cost of fixed maturities includes cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts, computed using the interest method. The amortized cost of fixed maturities, available-for-sale is adjusted for changes in fair value of the hedged portions of securities in fair value hedging relationships and excludes accrued interest receivable. Accrued interest receivable is reported in accrued investment income on the consolidated statements of financial position. Beginning in 2020, fixed maturities, available-for-sale are subject to an allowance for credit loss and changes in the allowance are reported in net income as a component of net realized capital gains (losses). Prior to 2020, the amortized cost of fixed maturities classified as available-for-sale was adjusted for declines in value that were other than temporary. Prior to 2020, impairments in value deemed to be other than temporary were 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 investment income. For loan-backed and structured securities, we recognize income using a constant effective yield based on currently anticipated cash flows.

Commercial and residential mortgage loans are generally reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts, computed using the interest method and net of valuation allowances. Amortized cost excludes accrued interest receivable. 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 on the consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest receivable is reported in accrued investment income on the consolidated statements of financial position. Any changes in the loan valuation allowances are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 5, Investments, for further details of our valuation allowance.    

Our commercial and residential mortgage loan portfolios can include loans that have been modified. We assess loan modifications on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) has occurred. In response to COVID-19, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which was subsequently amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, (collectively the “CARES Act”) provides a temporary suspension of TDR accounting for certain COVID-19 related loan modifications where the loan was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. We elected the TDR relief in the CARES Act beginning in the second quarter of 2020. The CARES Act TDR relief does not apply to modifications completed subsequent to the earlier of 60 days after the national emergency related to COVID-19 ends, or January 1, 2022. In addition, the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (As Revised on April 7, 2020) (“Interagency Statement”) provides additional guidance to determine if a short-term COVID-19 related loan modification is a TDR. We consider the CARES Act and the Interagency Statement when assessing loan modifications to determine whether a TDR has occurred. See Note 5, Investments, under the caption “Mortgage Loan Modifications” for further details.

Real estate investments are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. The initial cost bases 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 property is 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 $74.2 million and $1.2 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Any impairment losses and any changes in valuation allowances are reported in net income.

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) on the consolidated statements of operations: mark-to-market adjustments on equity securities, mark-to-market adjustments on fixed maturities, trading, mark-to-market adjustments on certain investment funds, mark-to-market adjustments on derivatives not designated as hedges, cash flow hedge gains (losses) when the hedged item impacts realized capital gains (losses), changes in the valuation allowance for fixed maturities, available-for-sale and certain financing receivables, impairments of real estate held for investment, impairments of equity method investments and, prior to 2020, other-than-temporary impairments of securities and subsequent realized recoveries. Investment gains and losses on sales of certain real estate held for sale due to investment strategy and mark-to-market adjustments on certain securities carried at fair value with an investment objective to realize economic value through mark-to-market changes are reported as net investment income and are excluded from net realized capital gains (losses).

    Policy loans and certain other investments are reported at cost. Interests in unconsolidated entities, joint ventures and partnerships are generally accounted for using the equity method. We have other investments reported at fair value or for which the fair value option has been elected in prior periods. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for detail on these investments.

B-14

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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 swaps, options, futures and forwards. 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. Cash flows associated with derivatives are included within operating and financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

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 the same consolidated statements of operations line item that is used to report the earnings effect of the hedged item. For fair value hedges of fixed maturities, available-for-sale, these changes in fair value are reported in net investment income. A fair value hedge determined to be highly effective may still result in a mismatch between the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument and the change in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. Certain fair value hedges use the last-of-layer method to hedge a designated amount (the "last layer") within a closed portfolio of prepayable assets that is expected to remain outstanding for the length of the hedging relationship and is not expected to be impacted by prepayments, defaults or other factors that affect the timing and amount of cash flows. Prepayment risk is excluded when measuring the change in fair value attributable to the hedged risk under the last-of-layer method.

    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. 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 consolidated statements of financial position or with specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. Documentation of fair value hedges that use the last-of-layer method supports the expectation that the hedged last layer amount is anticipated to be outstanding at the end of the hedging relationship and includes expectations of prepayments, defaults or other factors that affect the timing and amount of cash flows. Effectiveness of the hedge is formally assessed at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship. Even if a hedge is determined to be highly effective, the hedge may still result in a mismatch between the change in the fair value of the hedging instrument and the change in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.

B-15

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

    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. For last-of-layer method hedges, the assessment of hedge effectiveness includes confirming we expect the hedged last layer amount to be outstanding at the end of the hedging relationship.

    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. If a last-of-layer method hedging relationship is discontinued, the outstanding basis adjustment is allocated to the individual assets in the closed portfolio and those amounts are amortized consistent with the amortization of other discounts or premiums associated with those assets.

The component of AOCI 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 AOCI into net income.

    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, individual and group annuities that provide periodic income payments, universal life insurance, variable universal life insurance, indexed universal life insurance, term life insurance, participating traditional individual life insurance, group dental and vision insurance, group critical illness, group accident, group short-term and long-term disability insurance, group life insurance, individual disability insurance and long-term care insurance. It also includes 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, variable universal life and indexed 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 and indexed universal life insurance contracts that contain no lapse guarantee features; and annuities with guaranteed minimum death benefits.

    Reserves for individual and group annuities that provide periodic income payments, 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. For long-duration insurance contracts, significant changes in experience or assumptions may require us to provide for expected future losses on a product by establishing premium deficiency reserves. Premium deficiency reserves may also be established for short-duration contracts to provide for expected future losses.

    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.

B-16

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

    Participating business represented approximately 4%, 5% and 6% of our life insurance in force and 18%, 20% and 23% of the number of life insurance policies in force as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Participating business represented approximately 26%, 30% and 31% of life insurance premiums for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 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 establish 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 net income over the estimated lives of these policies and contracts in relation to the emergence of EGPs.

Short-Duration Contracts

    We include the following group products in our short-duration insurance contracts disclosures: long-term disability (“LTD”), group life waiver, dental, vision, short-term disability (“STD”), critical illness, accident and group life.

Future policy benefits and claims include reserves for group life and disability insurance that provide periodic income payments. These reserves are computed using assumptions of mortality, morbidity and investment performance. These assumptions are based on our experience, industry results, emerging trends and future expectations. Future policy benefits and claims also include reserves for incurred but unreported group disability, dental, vision, critical illness, accident and life insurance claims. We recognize claims costs in the period the service was provided to our policyholders. However, claims costs incurred in a particular period are not known with certainty until after we receive, process and pay the claims. We determine the amount of this liability using actuarial methods based on historical claim payment patterns as well as emerging cost trends, where applicable, to determine our estimate of claim liabilities.

    We have defined claim frequency as follows for each short-duration product:

LTD: Claim frequency is based on submitted reserve claim counts.
Group Life Waiver: Claim frequency is based on submitted reserve claim counts, consistent with LTD.
Dental and Vision: Claim frequency is based on the claim form, which may include one or more procedures.
STD, Critical Illness and Accident: Claim frequency is based on submitted claims.
Group Life: Claim frequency is based on submitted life claims (lives, not coverages).

We did not make any significant changes to our methodologies or assumptions used to calculate the liability for unpaid claims for short-duration contracts during 2021.
Liability for Unpaid Claims

    The liability for unpaid claims for both long-duration and short-duration contracts 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 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. Our liability for unpaid claims does not include any allocated claim adjustment expenses.

We incur claim adjustment expenses for both long-duration and short-duration contracts that cannot be allocated to a specific claim. Our claim adjustment expense liability is estimated using actuarial analyses based on historical trends of expenses and expected claim runout patterns.

See Note 9, Insurance Liabilities, under the caption “Liability for Unpaid Claims” for further details.

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

    Products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits consist principally of whole life and term life insurance policies and individual disability income. 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.
B-17

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

    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 premium 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, dental, vision, critical illness, accident and disability 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 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 administrative services performed including recordkeeping, trust and custody and reporting services for retirement savings plans, insurance companies, endowments and other financial institutions and other products. Fees and other revenues received for performance of administrative services are recognized as revenue when earned, typically when the service is performed.

Deferred 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. Commissions and other incremental direct costs for the acquisition of long-term service contracts are also capitalized to the extent recoverable. Maintenance costs and acquisition costs that are not deferrable are charged to net income as incurred.

DAC for universal life-type insurance contracts and certain investment contracts are amortized over the expected lifetime of the contracts in relation to EGPs or, in certain circumstances, estimated gross revenues (“EGR”). This amortization is adjusted in the current period when EGPs or EGRs are revised. EGRs include similar assumptions as the revenue component of EGPs and the changes of future estimates and reflection of actual experience and market conditions is done in the same manner as EGPs.

For individual variable universal life insurance, individual variable annuities and group annuities that have separate account U.S. equity investment options, we utilize a mean reversion methodology (reversion to the mean assumption), a common industry practice, to determine the future domestic equity market growth rate assumption used for the calculation of EGPs.

DAC for participating life insurance policies are amortized in proportion to estimated gross margins (“EGM”) rather than EGPs. EGMs include similar assumption items as EGPs. We stopped selling participating business in the early 2000s. Some products allow for underwritten death benefit increases and cost of living adjustments, resulting in a small amount of new DAC each year, and the amortization schedules are modified as appropriate.

DAC for non-participating term life insurance and individual disability policies are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policyholder liabilities. Once these assumptions are made for a given policy or group of policies, they will not be changed over the life of the policy unless a loss recognition event occurs.

DAC on insurance policies and investment contracts 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 or impairment is necessary, DAC would be written off to the extent it is determined that future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits are not adequate to cover related losses and expenses.
B-18

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021


DAC on short-duration group benefits policies are amortized over the estimated term of the underlying contracts.

Deferred 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 DAC, 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 DAC, 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 consolidated statements of financial position. Long-term debt is primarily recorded at the unpaid principal balance, net of unamortized discount, premium and issuance costs.


Reinsurance

We enter into reinsurance agreements with other companies in the normal course of business in order to limit losses and minimize exposure to significant risks. 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. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $1,186.4 million and $1,094.9 million of net ceded reinsurance recoverables, respectively, which does not reflect potentially offsetting impacts of collateral. The reinsurance recoverable is recognized in premiums due and other receivables on the consolidated statements of financial position. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $578.0 million, or 95%, and $506.3 million, or 97%, were with our five largest ceded reinsurers, respectively.

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

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Premiums and other considerations:
Direct$5,364$6,489.9$8,035.7
Ceded(650.0)(609.1)(562.4)
Net premiums and other considerations$4,714$5,880.8$7,473.3
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses:
Direct$7,147.6$8,362.2$9,743.9
Ceded(665.0)(524.7)(576.4)
Net benefits, claims and settlement expenses$6,482.6$7,837.5$9,167.5
Separate Accounts

The separate accounts are legally segregated and are not subject to the claims that arise out of any of our other business. The client, rather than us, directs the investments and bears the investment risk of these funds. The separate account assets represent the fair value of funds that are separately administered by us for contracts with equity, real estate and fixed income investments and are presented as a summary total within the consolidated statements of financial position. An equivalent amount is reported as separate account liabilities, which represent the obligation to return the monies to the client. 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 of the separate accounts are not reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. 

B-19

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the separate accounts included a separate account valued at $95.1 million and $80.4 million, respectively, which primarily included shares of PFG common 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. In the consolidated statements of financial position, the separate account shares are recorded at fair value and are reported as separate account assets with a corresponding separate account liability. 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.

Income Taxes

    Our ultimate parent, PFG, files a U.S. consolidated income tax return that includes us and all of our qualifying subsidiaries. In addition, PFG files income tax returns in all states and foreign jurisdictions in which it conducts 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, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards 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 net income in the period in which the change is enacted. Subsequent to a change in tax rates and laws, any stranded tax effects remaining in AOCI will be released only if an entire portfolio is liquidated, sold or extinguished.

2. Related Party Transactions

Expense Reimbursements

We have entered into various related party transactions with our ultimate parent and its other affiliates. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we received $647.2 million, $568.1 million and $607.1 million, respectively, of expense reimbursements from affiliated entities.

Cash Advance Agreement

We and our direct parent, PFS, are parties to a cash advance agreement, which allows us, collectively, to pool our available cash with other affiliates in order to more efficiently and effectively invest our cash. The cash advance agreement allows (i) us to advance cash to PFS 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) PFS 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 PFS for the costs incurred in maintaining short-term investing and borrowing programs. Under this cash advance agreement, we had a payable to PFS of $75.1 million and $56.4 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and earned interest of $0.1 million, $0.0 million and $4.3 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Reinsurance

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 $5,098.9 million and $4,523.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. In addition, we recognized premiums and other fees of $809.3 million, $749.3 million and $672.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, associated with this agreement. Furthermore, we recognized expenses of $1,088.9 million, $1,038.9 million and $869.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, associated with this agreement.

Notes Receivable

As of December 31, 2021, we had the following notes receivable from PFS related to the sale of interests in subsidiaries (1) a 10-year note with a par amount of $156.0 million, which bears interest at 2.87% with semi-annual principal and interest payments due in February and August each year and (2) a 10-year note with a par amount of $300.0 million, which bears interest at 2.885% with semi-annual principal and interest payments due in May and November each year. The carrying amount of the notes is included in premiums due and other receivables on the consolidated statements of financial position. We recorded interest income on these notes of $7.2 million, $8.5 million and $9.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our ultimate parent, PFG, is a guarantor of the notes.

B-20

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Distribution of Affiliated Products

We receive commission fees, distribution fees and service fees from Principal Securities, Inc. and Principal Global Investors, LLC (“PGI LLC”). Furthermore, we receive management and administrative fees for investments our products sold in the Principal Mutual Funds and Principal Variable Contracts. Fees and other revenues were $471.2 million, $395.8 million and $392.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In addition, we pay commission expense to affiliated registered representatives within Principal Securities, Inc. to sell proprietary products. Commission expense was $95.7 million, $80.4 million and $88.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Benefit Plans

Effective January 2021, PFG became the sponsor of the Long-Term Care Assistance Plan for both employees and individual field agents. Prior to January 2021, we were the sponsor of this plan. In connection with the change in sponsorship, we transferred a $2.9 million benefit liability for the underfunded status of the plan to PFG. See Note 12, Employee and Agent Benefits, for further details.

PFG is the sponsor of the qualified defined contribution plans for both employees and individual field agents. We were allocated plan expenses from PFG of $36.5 million, $33.1 million and $32.9 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

PFG is also the sponsor of the nonqualified deferred compensation plans for select employees and individual field agents. We were allocated plan expenses from PFG of $2.1 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

PFG is the sponsor of the defined benefit pension plans for both employees and individual field agents. We were allocated $58.6 million, $51.0 million and $46.7 million of pension expense from PFG during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Other Agreements

PGI LLC provides asset management services for us. We recognized $114.9 million, $101.1 million and $100.1 million of asset management fee expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Pursuant to certain regulatory requirements or otherwise in the ordinary course of business, we guarantee certain payments of our affiliates 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.

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill did not change during 2021 and 2020.

Finite Lived Intangible Assets

Amortized intangible assets that continue to be subject to amortization over a weighted average remaining expected life of 13 years were as follows:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Gross carrying value$41.4$41.4
Accumulated amortization27.024.2
Net carrying value$14.4$17.2


B-21

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

The amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $2.8 million, $2.4 million and $2.6 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (in millions):

Year ending December 31:
2022$2.8
20231.9
20241.5
20251.2
20261.0

4. Variable Interest Entities

We have relationships with various types of entities which may be VIEs. Certain VIEs are consolidated in our financial results. See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, under the caption “Consolidation” for further details of our consolidation accounting policies. We did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs for the periods ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

Real Estate

We invest in several real estate limited partnerships and limited liability companies. The entities invest in real estate properties. Certain of these entities are VIEs based on the combination of our significant economic interest and related voting rights. We determined we are the primary beneficiary as a result of our power to control the entities through our significant ownership. Due to the nature of these real estate investments, the investment balance will fluctuate as we purchase and sell interests in the entities and as capital expenditures are made to improve the underlying real estate.

Residential Mortgage Loans

We invest in ABS trusts. The trusts issue various collateralized mortgage obligation certificates and purchase residential mortgage loans. The trusts are considered VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain themselves. We concluded we are the primary beneficiary as we purchase substantially all of the certificates and have the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIEs.

Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

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 were as follows:

December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
TotalTotalTotalTotal
assetsliabilitiesassetsliabilities
(in millions)
Real estate (1)$709.6$36.1$499$21.3
Residential mortgage loans (2)1,263.220.3319.8
Total$1,972.8$56.4$818.8$21.3

(1) The assets of the real estate VIEs primarily include real estate and cash. Liabilities primarily include other liabilities.
(2) The assets of the residential mortgage loans VIEs primarily include residential mortgage loans. The liabilities include other liabilities as of December 31, 2021.

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

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.

B-22

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Unconsolidated VIEs include certain commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities ("RMBS") and other 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 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.

We invest in cash collateralized debt obligations, collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and other collateralized structures, which are VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain the entities. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary of these entities primarily because we do not control the economic performance of the entities and were not involved with the design of the entities or because we do not have a potentially significant variable interest in the entities for which we are the asset manager.

We have invested in various VIE trusts and similar entities as a debt holder. Most of these entities are classified as VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain them. In addition, we have an entity classified as a VIE based on the combination of our significant economic interest and lack of voting rights. 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 and other funds, which are classified as VIEs. The entities are VIEs as equity holders lack the power to control the most significant activities of the entities because the equity holders do not have either the ability by a simple majority to exercise substantive kick-out rights or substantive participating rights. We have determined we are not the primary beneficiary because we do not have the power to direct the most significant activities of the entities.

As previously discussed, we sponsor and invest in certain investment funds that are VIEs. We determined we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs for which we are the asset manager but do not have a potentially significant variable interest in the funds.


B-23

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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

Maximum exposure to
Asset carrying valueloss (1)
(in millions)
December 31, 2021
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$142.1$136.9
Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities2,342.32,296.9
Commercial mortgage-backed securities5,513.75,388.7
Collateralized debt obligations (2)3,533.53,539.1
Other debt obligations7,441.87,368.3
Fixed maturities, trading:
Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities8.48.4
Commercial mortgage-backed securities24.624.6
Collateralized debt obligations (2)7.57.5
Other debt obligations8.28.2
Other investments:
Other limited partnership and fund interests862.61,447.0
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$296.9$285.7
Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities2,294.32,175.4
Commercial mortgage-backed securities4,893.44,694.2
Collateralized debt obligations (2)4,019.74,038.5
Other debt obligations7,031.56,819.0
Fixed maturities, trading:
Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities11.711.7
Commercial mortgage-backed securities27.027.0
Collateralized debt obligations (2)20.620.6
Other debt obligations9.49.4
Other investments:
Other limited partnership and fund interests652.41,115.2

(1)Our risk of loss is limited to our initial investment measured at amortized cost for fixed maturities, available-for-sale. Our risk of loss is limited to our investment measured at fair value for our fixed maturities, trading. Our risk of loss is limited to our carrying value plus any unfunded commitments and/or guarantees and similar provisions for our other investments. A carrying value of zero is used if distributions have been received in excess of our investment, resulting in a negative carrying value for the investment. Unfunded commitments are not liabilities on our consolidated statements of financial position because we are only required to fund additional equity when called upon to do so by the general partner or investment manager.
(2)Primarily consists of collateralized loan obligations backed by secured corporate loans.


B-24

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

5. Investments

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, allowance for credit loss and fair value of fixed maturities, available-for-sale were as follows:

GrossGrossAllowance
Amortizedunrealizedunrealizedfor credit
cost (1)gainslosseslossFair value
(in millions)
December 31, 2021
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies$1,826.8$144.5$34.3$$1,937
Non-U.S. governments821.6127.52.0947.1
States and political subdivisions8,210.31,022.416.39,216.4
Corporate39,345.73,750.2126.34.542,965.1
Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities2,296.957.612.22,342.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities5,388.6156.330.90.35,513.7
Collateralized debt obligations (2)3,539.14.09.63,533.5
Other debt obligations7,368.3130.657.00.17,441.8
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale$68,797.3$5,393.1$288.6$4.9$73,896.9
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies$1,729.4$222.3$10.4$$1,941.3
Non-U.S. governments771.4176.3947.7
States and political subdivisions7,926.91,165.712.49,080.2
Corporate38,054.25,368.963.643,359.5
Residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities2,175.4118.92,294.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities4,694.2238.935.44.34,893.4
Collateralized debt obligations (2)4,038.58.324.92.24,019.7
Other debt obligations6,818.9242.429.87,031.5
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale$66,208.9$7,541.7$176.5$6.5$73,567.6

(1)Amortized cost excludes accrued interest receivable of $538.6 million and $549.0 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2)Primarily consists of collateralized loan obligations backed by secured corporate loans.


B-25

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2021, by expected maturity, were as follows:

Amortized costFair value
(in millions)
Due in one year or less$1,550.3$1,565.4
Due after one year through five years10,871.211,318.0
Due after five years through ten years14,156.915,131.3
Due after ten years23,626.027,050.9
Subtotal50,204.455,065.6
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities18,592.918,831.3
Total$68,797.3$73,896.9
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.

Net Investment Income

    Major components of net investment income were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale$2,483.8$2,469$2,406.5
Fixed maturities, trading8.79.29.1
Equity securities1.73.34.7
Mortgage loans692.4669.8651.3
Real estate194.4180.8191.0
Policy loans36.238.239.7
Cash and cash equivalents1.79.539.5
Derivatives28.2(1.9)(2.0)
Other362.0106.8106.0
Total3,809.13,484.73,445.8
Investment expenses(175.4)(159.8)(151.9)
Net investment income$3,633.7$3,324.9$3,293.9


B-26

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Net Realized Capital Gains and Losses
    
Major components of net realized capital gains (losses) on investments were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Gross gains$50.4$118.7$7.9
Gross losses(26.9)(45.0)(11.4)
Net credit losses (1)(34.5)(22.6)(43.5)
Hedging, net(9.5)(9.7)(9.3)
Fixed maturities, trading (2)(6.6)6.214.4
Equity securities (3)(0.5)1.88.2
Mortgage loans5.3(14.3)3.3
Derivatives(4.2)28.5(58.2)
Other8.042.0(23.6)
Net realized capital gains (losses)$(18.5)$105.6$(112.2)
(1)Upon adoption of authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020, net credit losses include adjustments to the credit loss valuation allowance, write-offs and recoveries on available-for-sale securities. Prior to 2020, net credit losses included net other-than-temporary impairment losses and recoveries on available-for-sale securities.
(2)Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities, trading still held at the reporting date were $(6.4) million, $6.9 million and $14.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(3)Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities still held at the reporting date were $(0.1) million, $1.9 million and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Proceeds from sales of investments (excluding call and maturity proceeds) in fixed maturities, available-for-sale were $1,609.0 million, $1,968.8 million and $1,489.3 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Allowance for Credit Loss

We have a process in place to identify fixed maturity securities that could potentially require an allowance for credit loss. 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 in an unrealized loss position are reviewed to determine whether a decline in value is due to credit. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1) the extent the fair value is 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 and (4) for structured securities, the adequacy of the expected cash flows. To the extent we determine an unrealized loss is due to credit, an allowance for credit loss is recognized through a reduction to net income.

We estimate the amount of the allowance for credit loss 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. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable because we write off the accrued interest receivable balance to net investment income in a timely manner when we have concern regarding collectability.


B-27

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Amounts on fixed maturities, available-for-sale deemed to be uncollectible are written off and removed from the allowance for credit loss. A write-off may also occur if we intend 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.

A rollforward of the allowance for credit loss by major security type was as follows.

For the year ended December 31, 2021
Residential
mortgage-
backedCommercialCollateralized
U.S.States andpass-mortgage-debtOther
governmentNon-U.S.politicalthroughbackedobligationsdebt
and agenciesgovernmentssubdivisionsCorporatesecuritiessecurities(1)obligationsTotal
(in millions)
Beginning
balance$$$$$$4.3 $2.2 $$6.5 
Additions for
credit losses
not previously
recorded16.90.40.117.4
Reductions for
securities sold
during the
period(12.4)(12.4)
Additional
increases
(decreases)
for credit
losses on
securities with
an allowance
recorded in the
previous period2.40.42.8
Write-offs
charged against
allowance(6.8)(2.6)(9.4)
Ending balance$$$$4.5 $$0.3 $$0.1 $4.9 
Accrued interest
written off to
net investment
income$$$$0.2 $$$$$0.2 

B-28

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Residential
mortgage-
backedCommercialCollateralized
U.S.States andpass-mortgage-debtOther
governmentNon-U.S.politicalthroughbackedobligationsdebt
and agenciesgovernmentssubdivisionsCorporatesecuritiessecurities(1)obligationsTotal
(in millions)
Beginning
balance (2)$$$$$$$$$
Additions for
credit losses
not previously
recorded7.02.90.110.0
Reductions for
securities sold
during the
period(7.0)(7.0)
Additional
increases
(decreases)
for credit
losses on
securities with
an allowance
recorded in the
previous period4.02.16.1
Write-offs
charged against
allowance(2.6)(2.6)
Ending balance$$$$$$4.3 $2.2 $$6.5 

(1)Primarily consists of collateralized loan obligations backed by secured corporate loans.
(2)The allowance for credit loss associated with fixed maturities, available-for-sale was applied prospectively upon adoption of authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020.

We did not write off any accrued interest to net investment income during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

Prior to the implementation of authoritative guidance in 2020, we had a process in place to identify fixed maturity securities that could potentially have an impairment that is other than temporary. This process involved monitoring market events that could impact issuers’ credit ratings, business climate, management changes, litigation and government actions and other similar factors. This process also involved 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 were reviewed to determine whether an other-than-temporary decline in value existed and whether losses should be recognized. We considered relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest rate related impairment of a security was other than temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1) the extent and length of time the fair value was 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 and (5) 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. To the extent we determined a security was deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, an impairment loss was recognized.

The way in which impairment losses on fixed maturities were recognized in the financial statements was dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intended to sell a security or it was more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment in net income for the difference between amortized cost and fair value. If we did not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we did not plan to sell the security and if it was 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 was bifurcated. We recognized the credit loss portion in net income and the noncredit loss portion in OCI (“bifurcated OTTI”).
B-29

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021


Prior to 2020, net realized capital gains (losses) included total other-than-temporary impairment losses, net of recoveries from the sale of previously impaired securities, as follows:

For the year ended
December 31, 2019
(in millions)
Net realized capital losses, excluding impairment losses on available-for-sale securities$(68.7)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale securities(38.3)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale reclassified
from other comprehensive income (1)(5.2)
Net impairment losses on available-for-sale securities(43.5)
Net realized capital losses$(112.2)

(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 estimated 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 was 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 varied depending on the type of security. The ABS cash flow estimates were 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 were derived from scenario-based outcomes of expected corporate restructurings or liquidations using bond specific facts and circumstances including timing, security interests and loss severity.

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated credit losses for fixed maturities with bifurcated credit losses prior to the implementation of new accounting guidance in 2020. 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, 2019
(in millions)
Beginning balance$(117.5)
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized(6.8)
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized(11.8)
Reduction for credit losses previously recognized on fixed maturities now sold, paid down or
intended to be sold54.3
Net reduction for positive changes in cash flows expected to be collected and amortization (1)0.8
Ending balance$(81.0)

(1) Amounts are recognized in net investment income.


B-30

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Available-for-Sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions Without an Allowance for Credit Loss

    For available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses for which an allowance for credit loss has not been recorded, 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 were as follows:

December 31, 2021
Less thanGreater than or
twelve monthsequal to twelve monthsTotal
GrossGrossGross
FairunrealizedFairunrealizedFairunrealized
valuelossesvaluelossesvaluelosses
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1):
U.S. government and agencies$128.2$3.4$386.3$30.9$514.5$34.3
Non-U.S. governments57.52.057.52.0
States and political subdivisions681.010.3100.36.0781.316.3
Corporate4,538.459.01,252.367.15,790.7126.1
Residential mortgage-backed pass-
through securities945.610.076.72.21,022.312.2
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities1,293.315.4289.815.31,583.130.7
Collateralized debt obligations (2)1,571.02.8423.96.71,994.99.5
Other debt obligations3,837.348.0211.08.94,048.356.9
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale$13,052.3$150.9$2,740.3$137.1$15,792.6$288.0
(1)Fair value and gross unrealized losses are excluded for available-for-sale securities for which an allowance for credit loss has been recorded.
(2)Primarily consists of collateralized loan obligations backed by secured corporate loans.

Of the available-for-sale fixed maturities within our consolidated portfolio in a gross unrealized loss position, 91% were investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) with an average price of 98 (carrying value/amortized cost) as of December 31, 2021. Gross unrealized losses in our fixed maturities portfolio increased during the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to an increase in interest rates, partially offset by tightening of credit spreads.
For those securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 1,805 securities reflecting an average price of 99 as of December 31, 2021. Of this portfolio, 90% was investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) as of December 31, 2021, with associated unrealized losses of $138.9 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 459 securities reflecting an average price of 95 and an average credit rating of A+ as of December 31, 2021. Corporate securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 95 and an average credit rating of BBB+. U.S. government and agency securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 93 and an average credit rating of AAA. Commercial mortgage-backed securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 95 and an average credit rating of AAA. Collateralized debt obligation securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 98 and an average credit rating of AA+. 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, we did not record an allowance for credit loss on these securities as of December 31, 2021. Because 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 at maturity, we did not write down these investments to fair value.

B-31

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020
Less thanGreater than or
twelve monthsequal to twelve monthsTotal
GrossGrossGross
FairunrealizedFairunrealizedFairunrealized
valuelossesvaluelossesvaluelosses
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1):
U.S. government and agencies$351.1$10.4$$$351.1$10.4
States and political subdivisions359.112.4359.112.4
Corporate1,406.038.7267.924.91,673.963.6
Residential mortgage-backed pass-
through securities17.61.619.2
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities961.921.7131.412.01,093.333.7
Collateralized debt obligations (2)1,748.511.1929.412.92,677.924.0
Other debt obligations794.128.161.01.7855.129.8
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale$5,638.3$122.4$1,391.3$51.5$7,029.6$173.9
(1)Fair value and gross unrealized losses are excluded for available-for-sale securities for which an allowance for credit loss has been recorded.
(2)Primarily consists of collateralized loan obligations backed by secured corporate loans.

Of the available-for-sale fixed maturities within our consolidated portfolio in a gross unrealized loss position, 89% were investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) with an average price of 98 (carrying value/amortized cost) as of December 31, 2020. Gross unrealized losses in our fixed maturities portfolio increased during the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to widening of credit spreads, partially offset by a decrease in interest rates.
For those securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 619 securities reflecting an average price of 98 as of December 31, 2020. Of this portfolio, 89% was investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) as of December 31, 2020, with associated unrealized losses of $98.4 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 198 securities reflecting an average price of 96 and an average credit rating of AA- as of December 31, 2020. Corporate securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 92 and an average credit rating of BB+. Collateralized debt obligation securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 99 and an average credit rating of AA+. Commercial mortgage-backed securities with unrealized losses had an average price of 92 and an average credit rating of AA+. 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, we did not record an allowance for credit loss on these securities as of December 31, 2020. Because 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 at maturity, we did not write down these investments to fair value.



B-32

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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

    The net unrealized gains and losses on investments in available-for-sale securities and the net unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments in cash flow hedge relationships are reported as separate components of stockholder’s equity. The cumulative amount of net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments in cash flow hedge relationships net of adjustments related to DAC and related actuarial balances, policyholder liabilities, noncontrolling interest and applicable income taxes was as follows:

December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)$5,094.3$7,387.1
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments80.138.9
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns(266.1)(437.3)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities(664.8)(1,955.0)
Net unrealized gains on other investments and noncontrolling interest
adjustments2.92.9
Provision for deferred income taxes(891.9)(1,062.6)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments$3,354.5$3,974.0
(1)Excludes net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities, available-for-sale included in fair value hedging relationships.

Financing Receivables

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans consist of commercial and residential mortgage loans. Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists primarily of non-recourse, fixed rate mortgages on stabilized properties. Our residential mortgage loan portfolio is composed of first lien and home equity mortgages.

Commercial and residential mortgage loans are generally reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts, computed using the interest method and net of valuation allowances. Amortized cost excludes accrued interest receivable. 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 on the consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest receivable is reported in accrued investment income on the consolidated statements of financial position. Any changes in the loan valuation allowances are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. Further details relating to our valuation allowance are included under the caption “Financing Receivables Valuation Allowance.”

Reinsurance Recoverables

Our reinsurance recoverables include amounts due from reinsurers for paid or unpaid claims, claims incurred but not reported or policy benefits. We cede life, disability, medical and long-term care insurance to other insurance companies through reinsurance. Reinsurance recoverables are reported with premiums due and other receivables in the consolidated statements of financial position.


B-33

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Credit Quality Information for Financing Receivables

The amortized cost of our financing receivables by credit risk and vintage was as follows:

As of December 31, 2021
20212020201920182017PriorTotal
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage
loans:
A- and above$2,194.1$1,676.5$2,385.6$2,334.9$1,374.9$4,336.8$14,302.8
BBB+ thru BBB-255.0299.3270.1105.2297.7370.51,597.8
BB+ thru BB-17.550.768.2
B+ and below8.830.138.9
Total$2,466.6$1,975.8$2,655.7$2,448.9$1,672.6$4,788.1$16,007.7
Residential mortgage
loans:
Performing$1,973.0$429.5$123.5$67.0$80.2$265.9$2,939.1
Non-performing1.80.60.82.05.2
Total$1,973.0$431.3$124.1$67.0$81$267.9$2,944.3
Reinsurance recoverables$1,189.1

As of December 31, 2020
20202019201820172016PriorTotal
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage
loans:
A- and above$1,699.6$2,461.1$2,410.1$1,709.3$1,421.8$3,682.1$13,384
BBB+ thru BBB-141.8181.5323.0263.367.3498.81,475.7
BB+ thru BB-23.769.09.143.9145.7
B+ and below30.130.1
Total$1,865.1$2,711.6$2,733.1$1,972.6$1,498.2$4,254.9$15,035.5
Residential mortgage
loans:
Performing$603.8$292.6$131.4$134.3$146.9$198.7$1,507.7
Non-performing2.00.81.40.44.59.1
Total$603.8$294.6$132.2$135.7$147.3$203.2$1,516.8
Reinsurance recoverables$1,097.6
The amortized cost of commercial mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans excluded accrued interest receivable of $59.0 million and $7.2 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021. The amortized cost of commercial mortgage loans and residential mortgage loans excluded accrued interest receivable of $58.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.
B-34

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Financing Receivables Credit Monitoring

Commercial Mortgage Loan 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 an S&P Global (“S&P”) bond equivalent rating for commercial mortgage loans. As the credit risk for commercial mortgage loans increases, we adjust our internal ratings downward 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 are identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that may indicate a potential problem are significant negative changes 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.

Residential Mortgage Loan 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 potential impairment. We define non-performing residential mortgage loans as loans 90 days or greater delinquent or on non-accrual status.

Non-Accrual Financing Receivables

Financing receivables are placed on non-accrual status if we have concern regarding the collectability of future payments or if a financing receivable 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, against the valuation allowance or according to the contractual terms. When a financing receivable is placed on non-accrual status, the accrued unpaid interest receivable is reversed against interest income. Accrual of interest resumes after factors resulting in doubts about collectability have improved.

The amortized cost of financing receivables on non-accrual status was as follows:

December 31, 2021
Amortized cost
BeginningEndingof nonaccrual
amortized costamortized costassets without
on nonaccrualon nonaccruala valuation
statusstatusallowance
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans$$8.7$
Residential mortgage loans9.13.40.7
Total$9.1$12.1$0.7
December 31, 2020
Amortized cost
BeginningEndingof nonaccrual
amortized costamortized costassets without
on nonaccrualon nonaccruala valuation
statusstatusallowance
(in millions)
Residential mortgage loans$5.5$9.1$0.7
Total$5.5$9.1$0.7

During 2021 and 2020, $0.5 million and $0.0 million of interest income was recognized on non-accrual financing receivables, respectively.


B-35

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

The aging of our financing receivables, based on amortized cost, was as follows:

December 31, 2021
90 days or
30-59 days60-89 daysmore pastTotal past
past duepast dueduedueCurrentTotal (1)
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans$$$$$16,007.7$16,007.7
Residential mortgage loans27.62.94.535.02,909.32,944.3
Total$27.6$2.9$4.5$35.0$18,917$18,952
December 31, 2020
90 days or
30-59 days60-89 daysmore pastTotal past
past duepast dueduedueCurrentTotal (1)
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans$$$$$15,035.5$15,035.5
Residential mortgage loans25.51.52.529.51,487.31,516.8
Total$25.5$1.5$2.5$29.5$16,522.8$16,552.3

(1)As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, no reinsurance recoverables were considered past due.

We did not have any mortgage loans that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Financing Receivables Valuation Allowance

We establish a valuation allowance to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in our financing receivables. The valuation allowance is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated expected credit losses. The valuation allowance is based on amortized cost excluding accrued interest receivable and includes reserves for pools of financing receivables with similar risk characteristics. We do not measure a credit loss allowance on accrued interest receivable because we write off the uncollectible accrued interest receivable balance to net investment income in a timely manner, generally within 90 days. During 2021 and 2020, we did not write off any commercial mortgage loan accrued interest or residential mortgage loan accrued interest.

For commercial and residential mortgage loans, 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 portfolio, portfolio delinquency information, underwriting standards, peer group information, current and forecasted economic conditions, loss experience and other relevant factors. For reinsurance recoverables, management’s periodic evaluation and assessment of the valuation allowance adequacy is based on known and inherent risks, adverse situations that may affect a reinsurer’s ability to repay, current and forecasted economic conditions, industry loss experience and other relevant factors.

Our commercial mortgage loans are pooled by risk rating level with an estimated loss ratio applied against each risk rating level. The loss ratio is generally based upon historical loss experience for each risk rating level as adjusted for certain current and forecasted environmental factors management believes to be relevant. Environmental factors are forecasted for two years or less with immediate reversion to historical experience. A commercial mortgage loan is evaluated individually if it does not continue to share similar risk characteristics of a pool. We analyze the need for an individual evaluation for any commercial mortgage loan that is delinquent for 60 days or more, in process of foreclosure, restructured, on the internal “watch list” or that currently is evaluated individually.

We estimate expected credit losses for certain commercial mortgage loan commitments where we have a contractual obligation to extend credit. The expected credit losses are estimated based on the commercial mortgage loan valuation allowance process described previously, adjusted for probability of funding. The estimated expected credit losses for commercial mortgage loan commitments are reported in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial position. The change in the credit loss liability for commitments is included in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. Once funded, expected credit losses for commercial mortgage loans are included within the commercial mortgage loan valuation allowance described previously. 

B-36

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

We evaluate residential mortgage loans based on aggregated risk factors and historical loss experience by pool type. We adjust these quantitative factors for qualitative factors of present and forecasted conditions. Qualitative factors include items such as economic and business conditions, changes in the portfolio, value of underlying collateral and concentrations. A residential mortgage loan is evaluated individually if it does not continue to share similar risk characteristics of a pool. We analyze the need for an individual evaluation for any residential mortgage loan that is delinquent for 60 days or more, in process of foreclosure, restructured, on the internal “watch list” or that currently is evaluated individually.

As discussed previously, commercial and residential mortgage loans are evaluated individually if the asset does not continue to share similar risk characteristics of a pool. When we determine a commercial or residential mortgage loan is probable of foreclosure, a valuation allowance is established equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value of the collateral reduced by the cost to sell. For certain commercial mortgage loans where repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral and the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, we elect to establish a valuation allowance equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value of the real estate collateral, which may be reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value may also be based on either the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the asset's effective interest rate or the asset's observable market price. Subsequent changes in the estimated value are reflected in the valuation allowance. Amounts on financing receivables deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and removed from the valuation allowance. The change in the valuation allowance for loans is included in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations.

Our reinsurance recoverables are pooled by reinsurer risk rating with an estimated loss ratio applied against each risk rating level. The loss ratio is generally based upon industry historical loss experience and expected recovery timing as adjusted for certain current and forecasted environmental factors management believes to be relevant. Environmental factors are forecasted for five years or less with immediate reversion to industry historical experience. A reinsurance recoverable is evaluated individually if it does not continue to share similar risk characteristics of a pool. We analyze the need for an individual evaluation for any reinsurance recoverable based on past due payments and changes in reinsurer risk ratings. The change in the valuation allowance for reinsurance recoverables is included in benefits, claims and settlement expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

A rollforward of our valuation allowance was as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2021
CommercialResidentialReinsurance
mortgage loansmortgage loansrecoverablesTotal
(in millions)
Beginning balance$40.5$5.7$2.7$48.9
Provision (1)1.5(7.2)(5.7)
Charge-offs(0.5)(0.5)
Recoveries3.73.7
Ending balance$42.0$1.7$2.7$46.4
For the year ended December 31, 2020
CommercialResidentialReinsurance
mortgage loansmortgage loansrecoverablesTotal
(in millions)
Beginning balance (3)$25.9$2.6$2.5$31.0
Provision (2)14.61.10.215.9
Charge-offs(1.0)(1.0)
Recoveries3.03.0
Ending balance$40.5$5.7$2.7$48.9


B-37

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

CommercialResidentialTotal
(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2019 (4)
Beginning balance$24.3$2.5$26.8
Provision0.2(3.4)(3.2)
Charge-offs(0.5)(0.5)
Recoveries3.23.2
Ending balance$24.5$1.8$26.3
Allowance ending balance by basis of impairment method:
Individually evaluated for impairment$$1.2$1.2
Collectively evaluated for impairment24.50.625.1
Allowance ending balance$24.5$1.8$26.3
Loan balance by basis of impairment method:
Individually evaluated for impairment$$6.3$6.3
Collectively evaluated for impairment14,758.41,081.915,840.3
Loan ending balance$14,758.4$1,088.2$15,846.6
(1)During the year ended December 31, 2021, certain valuation allowances for residential mortgage loans were released. This release was a result of further adjustments to our current and forecasted environmental factors management believed to be relevant as global economic activity improved from previously adverse impacts due to COVID-19.
(2)During the year ended December 31, 2020, COVID-19 adversely impacted global economic activity and contributed to significant volatility in financial markets. As a result, certain current and forecasted environmental factors management believed to be relevant were adjusted, resulting in an increase in the valuation allowance for commercial and residential mortgage loans.
(3)Upon adoption of authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020, we updated accounting policies and methodology, adjusted the commercial and residential mortgage loan valuation allowance and established a valuation allowance for reinsurance recoverables. See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies under the caption, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for further details.
(4)Prior to the implementation of authoritative guidance in 2020, only commercial and residential mortgage loans were included in the allowance rollforward and the allowance was based on either individual or collective evaluation.

Mortgage Loans

We periodically purchase mortgage loans as well as sell mortgage loans we have originated. Mortgage loans purchased were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans:
Purchased$$45.7$133.9
Residential mortgage loans:
Purchased (1)2,272.41,021.4422.8
(1) Includes mortgage loans purchased by residential mortgage loan VIEs established in 2021 and 2020.


B-38

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio is diversified by geographic region and specific collateral property type as follows:

December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
AmortizedPercentAmortizedPercent
costof totalcostof total
($ in millions)
Geographic distribution
New England$587.13.7%$5954.0%
Middle Atlantic4,550.228.44,451.829.6
East North Central625.33.9574.03.8
West North Central339.42.1268.11.8
South Atlantic2,471.915.42,375.115.8
East South Central379.82.4317.42.1
West South Central1,247.87.81,320.18.8
Mountain928.05.8938.96.2
Pacific4,878.230.54,195.127.9
Total$16,007.7100.0%$15,035.5100.0%
Property type distribution
Office$4,80129.9%$4,503.129.9%
Retail1,625.510.21,819.212.1
Industrial2,975.718.62,496.616.6
Apartments6,255.239.15,977.039.8
Hotel85.70.589.60.6
Mixed use/other264.61.7150.01.0
Total$16,007.7100.0%$15,035.5100.0%
Mortgage Loan Modifications

    We assess COVID-19 related loan modifications to determine if they are in scope of the CARES Act TDR relief and the Interagency Statement guidance, which was effective the second quarter of 2020. See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, under the caption “Investments” for further details. COVID-19 related loan modifications typically include delayed principal and interest payments. Based on the terms of the delayed principal and interest payments, past due status generally will not advance, and loans generally will not be placed on non-accrual status during the delay. We did not have a significant amount of COVID-19 related loan modifications that were in scope of the CARES Act TDR relief or the Interagency Statement guidance for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

We assess loan modifications outside the scope of the CARES Act TDR relief or Interagency Statement guidance on a case-by-case basis to evaluate whether a TDR has occurred. When we have commercial mortgage loan TDRs, they are modified to delay or reduce principal payments and to reduce or delay interest payments. The commercial mortgage loan modifications result in delayed cash receipts, a decrease in interest income and loan rates that are considered below market. When we have residential mortgage loan TDRs, they include modifications of interest-only payment periods, delays in principal balloon payments and interest rate reductions. Residential mortgage loan modifications result in delayed or decreased cash receipts and a decrease in interest income.

When we have commercial mortgage loan TDRs, they are reserved for in the mortgage loan valuation allowance at the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral reduced by the cost to sell.

When we have residential mortgage loan TDRs, they 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.

We did not have any significant loans that were modified and met the criteria of a TDR for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

B-39

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Real Estate

    Depreciation expense on invested real estate was $67.4 million, $65.2 million and $60.3 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Accumulated depreciation was $652.0 million and $591.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Other Investments

    Other investments include interests in unconsolidated entities, 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,
20212020
(in millions)
Total assets$106,743.2$83,239.5
Total liabilities11,862.310,072.1
Total equity$94,880.9 $73,167.4 
Net investment in unconsolidated entities$957.1$771.1
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Total revenues$17,674.2$11,761.4$10,548.6
Net income14,083.17,350.86,991.8
Our share of net income of unconsolidated entities229.646.455.3

In addition, other investments include $1,032.1 million and $973.6 million of cash surrender value of company owned life insurance as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Derivative assets are carried at fair value and reported as a component of other investments. See Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further details.

Securities Posted as Collateral

    As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we posted $5,195.9 million and $4,604.9 million, respectively, in commercial mortgage loans and residential first lien mortgages to satisfy collateral requirements associated with our obligation under funding agreements with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLB Des Moines”). In addition, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we posted $2,507.0 million and $2,553.0 million, respectively, in fixed maturities, available-for-sale and trading securities to satisfy collateral requirements primarily associated with a reinsurance arrangement, our derivative credit support annex (collateral) agreements, Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”) agreements, a lending arrangement and our obligation under funding agreements with FHLB Des Moines. Since we did not relinquish ownership rights on these instruments, they are reported as mortgage loans, fixed maturities, available-for-sale and fixed maturities, trading, respectively, on our consolidated statements of financial position. Of the securities posted as collateral, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $186.0 million and $133.4 million, respectively, could be sold or repledged by the secured party.


B-40

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Balance Sheet Offsetting

Financial assets subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements were as follows:

Gross amounts not offset in the
consolidated statements
of financial position
Gross amount
of recognizedFinancialCollateral
assets (1)instruments (2)receivedNet amount
(in millions)
December 31, 2021
Derivative assets$326.2$(99.6)$(219.2)$7.4 
December 31, 2020
Derivative assets$393.6$(122.1)$(268.1)$3.4 

(1)The gross amount of recognized derivative assets is reported with other investments on the consolidated statements of financial position. The gross amounts of derivative assets are not netted against offsetting liabilities for presentation on the consolidated statements of financial position.
(2)Represents amount of offsetting derivative liabilities that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement that are not netted against the gross derivative assets for presentation on the consolidated statements of financial position.

Financial liabilities subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements were as follows:

Gross amounts not offset in the
consolidated statements
of financial position
Gross amount
of recognizedFinancialCollateral
liabilities (1)instruments (2)pledgedNet amount
(in millions)
December 31, 2021
Derivative liabilities$142.3$(99.6)$(41.9)$0.8 
December 31, 2020
Derivative liabilities$161.3$(122.1)$(31.4)$7.8 

(1)    The gross amount of recognized derivative liabilities is reported with other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial position. The above excludes $320.9 million and $414.4 million of derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which are primarily embedded derivatives that are not subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements. The gross amounts of derivative liabilities are not netted against offsetting assets for presentation on the consolidated statements of financial position.
(2)    Represents amount of offsetting derivative assets that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement that are not netted against the gross derivative liabilities for presentation on the consolidated statements of financial position.

The financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements include right of setoff provisions. Derivative instruments include provisions to setoff positions covered under the agreements with the same counterparties and provisions to setoff positions outside of the agreements with the same counterparties in the event of default by one of the parties. Derivative instruments also include collateral or variation margin provisions, which are generally settled daily with each counterparty. See Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further details.

Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements include provisions to setoff other repurchase and reverse repurchase balances with the same counterparty. Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements also include collateral provisions with the counterparties. For reverse repurchase agreements we require the counterparties to pledge collateral with a value greater than the amount of cash transferred. We have the right but do not sell or repledge collateral received in reverse repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are structured as secured borrowings for all counterparties. We pledge fixed maturities available-for-sale, which the counterparties have the right to sell or repledge. Interest incurred on repurchase agreements is reported as part of operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Net proceeds related to repurchase agreements are reported as a component of financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. We did not have any outstanding repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
B-41

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021


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/or 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 any party. Cash is paid or received based on the terms of the swap. 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 options, including 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 use interest rate options to manage prepayment risks in our assets and minimum guaranteed interest rates and lapse risks in our liabilities.

A swaption is an option to enter into an interest rate swap at a future date. We have purchased swaptions to hedge interest rate exposure for certain assets and liabilities. 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 use exchange-traded futures to hedge against changes in value of the GMWB liability.

Interest rate forwards, including to be announced (“TBA”) forwards and treasury forwards, are contracts to take delivery of a fixed income security at a specified price at a future date. TBA forwards deliver government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities and treasury forwards deliver U.S. Treasury bonds. At inception of these forward contracts we do not intend to take physical delivery. We have used TBA forwards to gain exposure to the investment risk and return of agency mortgage-backed security pools in order to reduce asset and liability duration mismatch. Treasury forwards are used to hedge against changes in the value of the GMWB liability.

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 issued to nonqualified institutional investors in the international market and foreign currency-denominated fixed maturities we invest in. We use various derivatives to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

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.

B-42

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Currency forwards are contracts in which we agree with other parties to deliver or receive a specified amount of an identified currency at a specified future date. Typically, the price is agreed upon at the time of the contract and payment for such a contract is made at the specified future date. We use currency forwards to hedge certain foreign-denominated real estate funds.

Equity Contracts

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

We purchase equity call spreads (“option collars”) to hedge the equity participation rates promised to contractholders in conjunction with our fixed deferred annuity and universal life 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. The premium associated with certain options is paid quarterly over the life of the option contract.

We use exchange-traded futures to hedge against changes in value of the GMWB liability.

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.

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 offer group annuity contracts that have guaranteed separate accounts as an investment option.

We have fixed deferred annuities and universal life products that credit interest based on changes in an external equity index. We also have certain variable annuity products with a GMWB rider, which allows the customer to make withdrawals of a specified annual amount, either for a fixed number of years or for the lifetime of the customer, even if the account value is fully exhausted. Declines in the equity markets may increase our exposure to benefits under contracts with the GMWB. We economically hedge the exposure in these 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.

B-43

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

    Derivatives may be exchange-traded or they may be privately negotiated contracts, which are usually referred to as over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives. Certain of our OTC derivatives are cleared and settled through central clearing counterparties (“OTC cleared”), while others are bilateral contracts between two counterparties (“bilateral OTC”). 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 of bilateral OTC derivatives 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. OTC cleared derivatives have variation margin that is legally characterized as settlement of the derivative exposure, which reduces their fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position.

We posted $164.8 million and $122.6 million in cash and securities under collateral arrangements as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, to satisfy collateral and initial margin requirements associated with our derivative credit support agreements and FCM 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 ratings 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, 2021 and December 31, 2020, was $145.7 million and $165.7 million, respectively. Cleared derivatives have contingent features that require us to post excess margin as required by the FCM. The terms surrounding excess margin vary by FCM agreement. With respect to derivatives containing collateral provisions, we posted collateral and initial margin of $164.8 million and $122.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, in the normal course of business, which reflects netting under derivative agreements. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on December 31, 2021, we would be required to post an additional $48.4 million of collateral to our counterparties.

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had received $204.4 million and $220.5 million, respectively, of cash collateral associated with our derivative credit support annex agreements and FCM agreements, for which we recorded a corresponding liability reflecting our obligation to return the collateral.


B-44

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Notional amounts of derivative instruments
Interest rate contracts:
Interest rate swaps$47,927.4$44,472.1
Interest rate options2,373.92,083.9
Interest rate forwards2,181.6500.0
Interest rate futures1,774.5188.5
Swaptions62.0
Foreign exchange contracts:
Currency swaps958.9807.5
Currency forwards6.8
Equity contracts:
Equity options2,378.21,857.7
Equity futures150.4201.0
Credit contracts:
Credit default swaps295.0295.0
Other contracts:
Embedded derivatives9,430.59,280.9
Total notional amounts at end of period$67,477.2$59,748.6
Credit exposure of derivative instruments
Interest rate contracts:
Interest rate swaps$205.9$291
Interest rate options24.551.0
Interest rate forwards15.32.9
Foreign exchange contracts:
Currency swaps51.122.2
Currency forwards0.4
Equity contracts:
Equity options37.333.2
Credit contracts:
Credit default swaps2.73.4
Total gross credit exposure337.2403.7
Less: collateral received234.0269.5
Net credit exposure$103.2$134.2


B-45

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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

Derivative assets (1)Derivative liabilities (2)
December 31, 2021December 31, 2020December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments
Interest rate contracts$4.1$$19$27.8
Foreign exchange contracts48.421.117.243.4
Total derivatives designated as hedging
instruments$52.5$21.1$36.2$71.2
Derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments
Interest rate contracts$233.4$336$13$33.1
Foreign exchange contracts0.45.7
Equity contracts37.333.290.948.9
Credit contracts2.63.32.22.4
Other contracts320.9414.4
Total derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments273.7372.5427.0504.5
Total derivative instruments$326.2$393.6$463.2$575.7

(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 statements of financial position, with the exception of certain embedded derivative liabilities. Embedded derivatives with a net liability fair value of $320.9 million and $414.4 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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. Our credit derivative contracts sold reference a single name or reference security (referred to as “single name credit default swaps”). These instruments are either referenced in an OTC 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 may have purchased credit protection with identical underlyings to certain of our sold protection transactions. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we did not purchase credit protection relating to our sold protection transactions. In certain circumstances, our potential loss could also be reduced by any amount recovered in the default proceedings of the underlying credit name.


B-46

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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, 2021
Weighted
Maximumaverage
NotionalFairfutureexpected life
amountvaluepayments(in years)
(in millions)
Single name credit default swaps
Corporate debt
A$20.0$0.4$20.03.5
BBB110.01.7110.03.0
Sovereign
A20.00.520.03.5
Total credit default swap protection sold$150.0$2.6$150.03.1

December 31, 2020
Weighted
Maximumaverage
NotionalFairfutureexpected life
amountvaluepayments(in years)
(in millions)
Single name credit default swaps
Corporate debt
A$20.0$0.5$20.04.5
BBB115.02.1115.03.9
Sovereign
A20.00.620.04.5
BBB15.00.115.01.0
Total credit default swap protection sold$170.0$3.3$170.03.8
Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedges

Fair Value Hedges

    We use fixed-to-floating rate interest rate swaps to more closely align the interest rate characteristics of certain assets and have used them to align the interest rate characteristics of certain 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.

The net interest effect of interest rate 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.


B-47

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

The following amounts were recorded on the consolidated statements of financial position related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges. The amortized cost includes the amortized cost basis and the fair value hedging basis adjustment.

Cumulative amount of fair
value hedging basis adjustment
Line item in the consolidated statementsincrease/(decrease) included in the
of financial position in which theAmortized cost of hedged itemamortized cost of the hedged item
hedged item is includedDecember 31, 2021December 31, 2020December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1):
Active hedging relationships$1,859.9$476.1$(7.1)$21.4
Discontinued hedging relationships79.7135.12.85.2
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale in
active or discontinued hedging relationships$1,939.6$611.2$(4.3)$26.6

(1)These amounts include the amortized cost basis of closed portfolios used to designate last-of-layer hedging relationships in which the hedged last layer amount is expected to remain at the end of the hedging relationship. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the amortized cost basis of the closed portfolios used in these hedging relationships was $1,390.4 million and $0.0 million, respectively, the cumulative basis adjustments associated with these hedging relationships was $(3.9) million and $0.0 million, respectively, and the amount of the designated hedged items were $510.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively.

Cash Flow Hedges

    We utilized 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 following table shows the effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of financial position.

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI on derivatives
Derivatives in cash flowfor the year ended December 31,
hedging relationshipsRelated hedged item202120202019
(in millions)
Interest rate contractsFixed maturities, available-for-sale$$(3.0)$(9.9)
Interest rate contractsInvestment contracts4.1
Foreign exchange contractsFixed maturities, available-for-sale53.4(37.1)(9.4)
Total$57.5$(40.1)$(19.3)

We expect to reclassify net gains of $21.7 million from AOCI into net income in the next 12 months, which includes both net deferred gains on discontinued hedges and net gains on periodic settlements of active hedges. Actual amounts may vary from this amount as a result of market conditions.


B-48

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Effect of Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedges on Consolidated Statements of Operations

The following tables show the effect of derivatives in fair value and cash flow hedging relationships and the related hedged items on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2021
Benefits,
Net investmentNet realizedclaims and
income relatedcapital gainssettlement
to hedges(losses) related toexpenses
of fixedhedges of fixedrelated to
maturities,maturities,hedges of
available-available-investment
for-salefor-salecontracts
(in millions)
Total amounts of consolidated statement of operations line items in
which the effects of fair value and cash flow hedges are reported$3,633.7$(18.5)$6,482.6
Losses on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Loss recognized on hedged item$(28.7)$$
Gain recognized on derivatives28.6
Amortization of hedged item basis adjustments(1.8)
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives(10.0)
Total loss recognized for fair value hedging relationships$(11.9)$$
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI on derivatives$15.4$$(0.1)
Gain reclassified from AOCI as a result that a forecasted
transaction is no longer probable of occurring1.0
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives(0.4)
Foreign exchange contracts:
Gain reclassified from AOCI on derivatives9.2
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives9.6
Total gain (loss) recognized for cash flow hedging relationships$25.0$10.2$(0.5)

B-49

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Benefits,
Net investmentNet realizedclaims and
income relatedcapital gainssettlement
to hedgesrelated toexpenses
of fixedhedges of fixedrelated to
maturities,maturities,hedges of
available-available-investment
for-salefor-salecontracts
(in millions)
Total amounts of consolidated statement of operations line items in
which the effects of fair value and cash flow hedges are reported$3,324.9$105.6$7,837.5
Losses on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Gain recognized on hedged item$3.3$$
Loss recognized on derivatives(3.9)
Amortization of hedged item basis adjustments(2.5)
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives(6.2)
Total loss recognized for fair value hedging relationships$(9.3)$$
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI on derivatives$18.1$2.7$(0.1)
Gain reclassified from AOCI as a result that a forecasted
transaction is no longer probable of occurring0.1
Foreign exchange contracts:
Gain reclassified from AOCI on derivatives6.3
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives8.2
Total gain (loss) recognized for cash flow hedging relationships$26.3$9.1$(0.1)


B-50

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Benefits,
Net investmentNet realizedclaims and
income relatedcapital gainssettlement
to hedges(losses) related toexpenses
of fixedhedges of fixedrelated to
maturities,maturities,hedges of
available-available-investment
for-salefor-salecontracts
(in millions)
Total amounts of consolidated statement of operations line items in
which the effects of fair value and cash flow hedges are reported$3,293.9$(112.2)$9,167.5
Losses on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Gain recognized on hedged item$5.7$$
Loss recognized on derivatives(6.0)
Amortization of hedged item basis adjustments(4.2)
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives(3.4)
Total loss recognized for fair value hedging relationships$(7.9)$$
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI on derivatives$19.8$(0.6)$(0.1)
Gain reclassified from AOCI as a result that a forecasted
transaction is no longer probable of occurring0.1
Foreign exchange contracts:
Gain reclassified from AOCI on derivatives9.5
Amounts related to periodic settlements on derivatives7.4
Total gain (loss) recognized for cash flow hedging relationships$27.2$9.0$(0.1)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

    Our use of futures, certain swaptions and swaps, option collars, options and forwards 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.

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 instruments202120202019
(in millions)
Interest rate contracts$(33.8)$342.7$218.0
Foreign exchange contracts(4.7)7.7(1.3)
Equity contracts(81.1)(95.8)(132.9)
Credit contracts0.11.8(3.6)
Other contracts86.0(247.3)(145.3)
Total$(33.5)$9.1$(65.1)

B-51

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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. 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. This includes, but is 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 our 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 higher than expected earnings in the Closed Block that will need to be paid as dividends unless future performance of the Closed Block is less favorable than originally expected. A model of the Closed Block was established to produce the pattern of expected earnings, assets and liabilities in the Closed Block. These projections are utilized to determine ratios that will allow us to compare actual cumulative earnings to expected cumulative earnings and determine the amount of the PDO. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the PDO was $210.7 million and $298.2 million, respectively.


B-52

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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

December 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Closed Block liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims$3,286.0$3,423.2
Other policyholder funds5.36.0
Policyholder dividends payable176.6189.0
Policyholder dividends obligation210.7298.2
Other liabilities8.88.7
Total Closed Block liabilities3,687.43,925.1
Assets designated to the Closed Block
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale2,191.62,353.3
Fixed maturities, trading2.42.6
Equity securities1.01.1
Mortgage loans554.9565.9
Policy loans425.2456.8
Other investments48.461.7
Total investments3,223.53,441.4
Cash and cash equivalents19.723.2
Accrued investment income32.635.4
Premiums due and other receivables8.48.3
Deferred tax asset24.624.2
Total assets designated to the Closed Block3,308.83,532.5
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated to the Closed Block378.6392.6
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income0.60.9
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from Closed Block assets and
liabilities$379.2$393.5

B-53

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

    Closed Block revenues and expenses were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Revenues
Premiums and other considerations$196.1$217.6$227.6
Net investment income137.6143.6154.4
Net realized capital gains (losses)(4.6)16.07.4
Total revenues329.1377.2389.4
Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses212.0212.8204.4
Dividends to policyholders92.6117.8116.3
Operating expenses2.32.72.9
Total expenses306.9333.3323.6
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses, before income taxes22.243.965.8
Income taxes3.98.412.9
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses and income taxes18.335.552.9
Funding adjustments(4.0)(2.2)(3.0)
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses, income taxes and
funding adjustments$14.3$33.3$49.9


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

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Beginning of year$393.5$426.9$476.8
Effects of implementation of accounting changes (1)0.1
End of year379.2393.5426.9
Change in maximum future earnings$(14.3)$(33.3)$(49.9)

(1)Includes the effects of implementation of accounting changes related to credit losses in 2020.

    We charge the Closed Block with U.S. 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 Acquisition Costs

    Acquisition costs deferred and amortized were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year$3,398.5$3,509.9$3,680.4
Costs deferred during the year461.2456.6473.0
Amortized to expense during the year (1)(284.2)(386.9)(345.8)
Adjustment related to unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale
securities and derivative instruments173.6(181.1)(297.7)
Balance at end of year$3,749.1$3,398.5$3,509.9

(1) Includes adjustments for revisions to EGPs.
B-54

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021


9. Insurance Liabilities

Contractholder Funds

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

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Liabilities for investment contracts:
Liabilities for individual annuities$10,652.3$12,864.1
GICs12,206.011,858.0
Funding agreements11,685.59,407.3
Other investment contracts997.11,047.3
Total liabilities for investment contracts35,540.935,176.7
Universal life and other reserves7,416.47,296.6
Total contractholder funds$42,957.3$42,473.3
    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 and those issued to the
FHLB Des Moines under their membership funding programs. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $4,252.4 million and $4,252.5 million, respectively, of liabilities were outstanding with respect to issuances under the program with FHLB Des Moines. In addition, we have 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.

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 both December 31, 2021 and 2020, $75.0 million of liabilities were 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 entity. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $0.0 million and $122.4 million, respectively, of liabilities were 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 both December 31, 2021 and 2020, $201.8 million of liabilities were 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.

We were authorized to issue up to $5.0 billion of funding agreements under a program that was originally 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. In June 2015, this program was amended to authorize issuance of up to an additional $4.0 billion in recognition of the use of nearly all $5.0 billion of existing issuance authorization. In November 2017, this program was amended to authorize issuance of up to an additional $4.0 billion. In February 2021, this program was amended to authorize issuance of up to an additional $4.0 billion. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $7,156.3 million and $4,755.8 million, respectively, of liabilities were being held with respect to issuances outstanding under this 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 United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

B-55

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Liability for Unpaid Claims

The liability for unpaid claims is reported in future policy benefits and claims within our consolidated statements of financial position. Activity associated with unpaid claims was as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year$2,534.9$2,365.5$2,252.7
Less: reinsurance recoverable436.9403.8404.3
Net balance at beginning of year2,098.01,961.71,848.4
Incurred:
Current year1,572.51,376.81,361.3
Prior years7.226.60.8
Total incurred1,579.71,403.41,362.1
Payments:
Current year1,025.0863.8869.4
Prior years435.4403.3379.4
Total payments1,460.41,267.11,248.8
Net balance at end of year2,217.32,098.01,961.7
Plus: reinsurance recoverable442.1436.9403.8
Balance at end of year$2,659.4$2,534.9$2,365.5
Amounts not included in the rollforward above:
Claim adjustment expense liabilities$59.5$57.8$57.9

    Incurred liability adjustments relating to prior years, which affected current operations during 2021, 2020 and 2019, resulted in part from developed claims for prior years being different than were anticipated when the liabilities for unpaid claims were originally estimated. These trends have been considered in establishing the current year liability for unpaid claims.

Short-Duration Contracts

Claims Development

    The following tables present undiscounted information about claims development by incurral year, including separate information about incurred claims and paid claims net of reinsurance for the periods indicated. The tables also include information on incurred but not reported claims and the cumulative number of reported claims.

The tables present information for the number of years for which claims incurred typically remain outstanding, but do not exceed ten years. The data is disaggregated into groupings of claims with similar characteristics, such as duration of the claim payment period and average claim amount, and with consideration to the overall size of the groupings. Outstanding liabilities equal total net incurred claims less total net paid claims plus outstanding liabilities for net unpaid claims of prior years.



B-56

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

LTD and Group Life Waiver Claims
IncurredCumulative
but notnumber of
reportedreported
Net incurred claims (1)claimsclaims
December 31,
201220132014201520162017201820192020202120212021
($ in millions)
Incurral
year
2012$217.9$200.0$191.1$189.5$181.8$174.8$173.3$171.9$173.1$172.2$0.16,445
2013219.3203.3188.4190.7182.3179.5177.1173.4174.50.17,051
2014242.2231.4214.4218.1206.2201.9202.0199.30.17,603
2015231.0227.2217.2215.3208.2210.0211.80.17,180
2016229.8228.4219.4219.5214.4218.70.16,163
2017238.4239.7243.1245.8245.20.16,080
2018239.4245.1239.2239.85.05,763
2019255.2248.4240.47.55,917
2020252.1231.03.65,850
2021259.797.33,271
Total net incurred claims$2,192.6
Net cumulative paid claims (1)
December 31,
2012201320142015201620172018201920202021
(in millions)
Incurral
year
2012$13.8$55.1$80.8$93.7$104.6$112.9$120$126.1$131.5$136.3
201312.555.081.497.0106.4116.4123.2129.0134.9
201416.166.096.3111.8122.3132.4140.8147.2
201516.967.098.0114.6126.8137.1146.5
201616.270.6105.6124.9136.8147.2
201717.876.5115.0135.9151.7
201820.179.9115.7135.7
201919.279.7117.5
202020.678.8
202119.8
Total net paid claims1,215.6
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims prior to 2012 net of reinsurance242.0
Total outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims net of reinsurance$1,219.0
(1) 2012-2020 unaudited.


B-57

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Dental, Vision, STD, Critical Illness and Accident Claims
IncurredCumulative
but notnumber of
reportedreported
Net incurred claims (1)claimsclaims
December 31,
2020202120212021
($ in millions)
Incurral year
2020$679.8$663.7$3,079,517
2021826.049.23,564,753
Total net incurred claims$1,489.7
Net cumulative
paid claims (1)
December 31,
20202021
(in millions)
Incurral year
2020$609.5$663.2
2021753.4
Total net paid claims1,416.6
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims prior to 2020 net of
reinsurance
Total outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims net of reinsurance$73.1
(1) 2020 unaudited.
Group Life Claims
IncurredCumulative
but notnumber of
reportedreported
Net incurred claims (1)claimsclaims
December 31,
2020202120212021
($ in millions)
Incurral year
2020$270.6$278.2$0.96,251
2021317.627.36,274
Total net incurred claims$595.8
Net cumulative
paid claims (1)
December 31,
20202021
(in millions)
Incurral year
2020$219.3$276.5
2021243.9
Total net paid claims520.4
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims prior to 2020 net of
reinsurance4.8
Total outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims net of reinsurance$80.2
(1) 2020 unaudited.

B-58

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Reconciliation of Unpaid Claims to Liability for Unpaid Claims

    Our reconciliation of net outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims of short-duration contracts to the liability for unpaid claims follows:

December 31, 2021
Dental, Vision, STD,
LTD and GroupCritical Illness and
Life WaiverAccidentGroup LifeConsolidated
(in millions)
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid claims$1,219.0$73.1$80.2$1,372.3
Reconciling items:
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims46.546.5
Impact of discounting(208.0)(208.0)
Liability for unpaid claims - short-duration
contracts$1,057.5$73.1$80.21,210.8
Insurance contracts other than short-duration1,448.6
Liability for unpaid claims$2,659.4

Claim Duration and Payout

    Our historical average percentage of claims paid in each year from incurral was as follows:

December 31, 2021 (1)
Dental, Vision, STD,
LTD and Group LifeCritical Illness and
YearWaiverAccidentGroup Life
17.9%91.8%80.3%
224.68.017.7
315.3
48.3
55.8
65.0
74.2
83.4
93.3
102.7
(1) Unaudited.


B-59

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Discounting

    The following table provides the carrying amount of liabilities reported at present value for short-duration contract unpaid claims. We use a range of discount rates to derive the present value of the unpaid claims. The ranges of discount rates as well as the aggregate amount of discount deducted to derive the liabilities for unpaid claims and interest accretion recognized are also disclosed. Interest accretion is included in benefits, claims and settlement expenses within our consolidated statements of operations.

Dental, Vision, STD,
LTD and GroupCritical Illness and
Life WaiverAccidentGroup Life
($ in millions)
Carrying amount of liabilities for unpaid claims
December 31, 2021$1,057.5$73.1$80.2
December 31, 20201,047.670.454.1
Range of discount rates
December 31, 20212.8-7.0%-%-%
December 31, 20202.8-7.0--
Aggregate amount of discount
December 31, 2021$208.0$$
December 31, 2020214.5
Interest accretion
For the year ended:
December 31, 2021$33.8$$
December 31, 202033.9
December 31, 201934.2

10. Debt

Short-Term Debt

The components of short-term debt were as follows:

December 31, 2021
FinancingShort-term debt
Obligor/ApplicantstructureMaturityCapacityoutstanding
(in millions)
PFG, PFS, PLIC as co-borrowersCredit facilityNovember 2023$600.0$
PFG, PFS, PLIC and Principal Financial Services V
(UK) Ltd as co-borrowersCredit facilityNovember 2023200.0
Total$800.0$
December 31, 2020
FinancingShort-term debt
Obligor/ApplicantstructureMaturityCapacityoutstanding
(in millions)
PFG, PFS, PLIC as co-borrowersCredit facilityNovember 2023$600.0$
PFG, PFS, PLIC and Principal Financial Services V
(UK) Ltd as co-borrowersCredit facilityNovember 2023200.0
Total$800.0$

    Our revolving credit facilities are committed and available for general corporate purposes. These credit facilities also provide 100% back-stop support for our commercial paper program, of which we had no outstanding balances as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020.

B-60

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Long-Term Debt

    The components of long-term debt were as follows:

December 31, 2021
Net unamortized
discount,
premium and
debt issuanceCarrying
Principalcostsamount
(in millions)
Non-recourse mortgages and notes payable$53.8$0.2$54.0
Total long-term debt$53.8$0.2$54.0
December 31, 2020
Net unamortized
discount,
premium and
debt issuanceCarrying
Principalcostsamount
(in millions)
Non-recourse mortgages and notes payable$55.6$0.3$55.9
Total long-term debt$55.6$0.3$55.9

The non-recourse mortgages and notes payable are primarily financings for real estate developments. Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2021, ranged from $3.1 million to $14.4 million per development with interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 4.8%. Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2020, ranged from $3.1 million to $15.1 million per development with interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 4.8%. 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 $198.3 million and $194.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

As of December 31, 2021, future annual maturities of long-term debt were as follows (in millions):

Year ending December 31:
2022$2.1
202324.6
202417.5
20250.4
20266.5
Thereafter2.9
Total future maturities of long-term debt$54.0


B-61

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

11. Income Taxes

Income Taxes (Benefits)

    Our income taxes (benefits) were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Current income taxes (benefits):
U.S. federal$96.9$19.1$24.5
State11.412.68.0
Tax benefit of operating loss carryforward(0.1)(0.3)
Total current income taxes108.331.632.2
Deferred income taxes (benefits):
U.S. federal124.4128.5113.2
State0.5(5.2)
Total deferred income taxes124.9128.5108.0
Income taxes$233.2$160.1$140.2

    Our income before income taxes was as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Domestic$1,686.8$1,227.5$1,262.8
Total income before income taxes$1,686.8$1,227.5$1,262.8

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 was as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
U.S. corporate income tax rate21%21%21%
Dividends received deduction(4)(6)(6)
Tax credits(3)(3)(4)
Interest exclusion from taxable income(1)(1)(1)
Low income housing tax credit amortization111
Other1
Effective income tax rate14%13%11%


B-62

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

    Our changes in unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$45.8$57.2$37.2
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year1.31.30.1
Additions for tax positions of prior years17.423.1
Reductions for tax positions related to the current year(3.2)(3.2)(3.2)
Settlements(13.4)
Expired statute of limitations(13.5)
Balance at end of period (1)$43.9$45.8$57.2
(1) Our 2021 effective income tax rate would not be impacted if unrecognized tax benefits were recognized. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in operating expenses within the consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we had recognized $1.2 million, $1.1 million and $0.8 million of accumulated pre-tax interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. We do not believe there is a reasonable possibility the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months considering recent settlements and the status of current and pending Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examinations.

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. Our significant components of net deferred income taxes were as follows:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Deferred income tax assets:
Insurance liabilities$$352.5
Tax credit carryforwards4.3
Employee benefits54.214.3
Other deferred income tax assets19.6
Gross deferred income tax assets54.2390.7
Valuation allowance(2.8)
Total deferred income tax assets51.4390.7
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs(594.5)(530.3)
Investments, including derivatives(278.0)(260.0)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities(1,070.7)(1,555.5)
Real estate(141.7)(158.4)
Insurance liabilities(21.6)
Intangible assets(7.7)(8.3)
Gain on sale of discontinued operations (1)(189.5)(196.6)
Other deferred income tax liabilities(21.2)
Total deferred income tax liabilities(2,324.9)(2,709.1)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities$(2,273.5)$(2,318.4)

(1)Represents a deferred intercompany gain on the sale of PGI LLC to PFS, which was allocated to stockholder’s equity as the result of a taxable common control transaction on the standalone financials of the transferring entity. 

B-63

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Our net deferred income taxes by jurisdiction were as follows:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Deferred income tax liabilities:
U.S. federal$(2,245.1)$(2,285.0)
State(28.4)(33.4)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities$(2,273.5)$(2,318.4)

In management’s judgment, total deferred income tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. Included in the deferred income tax asset are tax carryforwards available to offset future taxable income or income taxes. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had tax credit carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $0.0 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Foreign and general business tax credit carryovers were generated during and since the period we utilized net operating losses, primarily attributable to our captive reinsurance companies that joined PFG’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax return beginning in 2012 and 2013. Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards became refundable for the 2018 tax year under the 2020 CARES Act and were fully recovered. In addition, the foreign tax and general business credit carryforwards were fully utilized in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, state net operating loss carryforwards were $0.3 million and will expire between 2032 and 2040. As of December 31, 2021, all accumulated state net operating loss carryforwards are anticipated to be utilized before expiration; therefore, no valuation allowance has been provided for the related deferred income tax assets.

Other Tax Information

Income tax returns are filed in U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as various states where we and one or more of our subsidiaries conduct business. Although determined by jurisdiction, with few exceptions our tax uncertainties relate primarily to the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The IRS has completed examination of PFG’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for years prior to 2015. IRS claims for refund for tax years 2004 through 2008, following settlement of a partnership matter with the Department of Justice in March 2019, were finalized in 2020 and have been received in full as of December 31, 2021. IRS claims for refund filed for tax years 2006 through 2008 were received in September 2020. In 2019, an IRS 30-day letter on examination of tax years 2009 through 2012 was received, the proposed adjustments found acceptable, and associated tax settlements subsequently occurred in 2020 prior to expiration of the extended statute of limitations. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $16.8 million and $58.4 million, respectively, of current income tax receivables associated with outstanding audit issues.

The IRS is currently auditing PFG’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for tax years 2015-2018. The U.S. federal statute of limitations expired for years prior to 2009, except for pending audit issues. The extended statute expired on June 30, 2021, for 2009 through 2012 although effectively settled, and the original statute has expired for both 2013 and 2014. Tax years 2015 and forward remain open through statute extensions or the normal statute of limitations. The ultimate settlement of earlier tax years can be adjusted into subsequent tax years regardless of statute status. We do not expect the results of these audits, subsequent related adjustments 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.

We believe we have adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, contested issues, but final resolution could take several years depending on whether legal remedies are pursued. Consequently, we do not believe issues that might arise in tax years subsequent to 2014 will have a material impact on our net income.


B-64

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

12. Employee and Agent Benefits

PFG provides a U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan, covering U.S. employees that meet certain eligibility requirements and certain agents contracted on or before December 31, 2018. A final average pay benefit formula has been in place for plan participants employed prior to January 1, 2002. For agents, this formula ended on December 31, 2018, and for employees the formula will end on December 31, 2022. 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 prior to the earliest of termination, retirement or the formula end date. A cash balance benefit was added on January 1, 2002. A participant's cash balance account is credited with an amount based on the participant’s salary, age and service. These credits accrue with interest. For plan participants hired on and after January 1, 2002, only the cash balance benefit applies. For pre-2002 participants, the pension benefit earned prior to the final average pay formula end date is the greater of the final average pay benefit or the cash balance benefit earned before the end date. They will also earn a new cash balance benefit for service after the formula end date. We reflect pension expense through our expense allocation agreement with PFG.

In addition, PFG sponsors non-qualified defined benefit plans subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan is for certain highly compensated employees and agents to replace the benefit that cannot be provided by the qualified defined benefit pension plan due to IRS limits. These nonqualified plans generally parallel the qualified plan but offer different payment options. No agent will become a new participant in the nonqualified plan after December 31, 2018.

We provide certain health care, life insurance and long-term care benefits for retired employees, their beneficiaries and covered dependents ("other postretirement benefits"). While virtually all U.S. employees continue to have access to the postretirement health care and life insurance benefits, only those U.S. employees that were hired prior to January 1, 2002, and retired prior to January 1, 2011, (post-65 medical) or January 1, 2020, (life insurance and pre-65 medical) were eligible to receive subsidized benefits. All others pay the full cost of coverage. The long-term care plan was subsidized only for those who retired prior to January 1, 2000, and is no longer accessible. The subsidy level for all benefits varies by plan, age, service and retirement date. Our policy is to fund the cost of providing retiree benefits in the years the employees are providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust. PFG is the sponsor of the post-65 retiree medical plan for both employees and individual field agents.


B-65

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Obligations and Funded Status

    The combined funded status, reconciled to amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position relating to the other postretirement employee benefits plans, was as follows:

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$(92.5)$(86.3)
Interest cost(1.8)(2.4)
Actuarial gain (loss)6.4(10.2)
Participant contributions(6.1)(6.0)
Benefits paid11.911.4
Plan amendments1.0
Plan transfer due to change in sponsorship2.9
Benefit obligation at end of year$(79.2)$(92.5)
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year$751.1$705.3
Actual return on plan assets(0.8)49.8
Employer contribution1.51.4
Participant contributions6.16.0
Benefits paid(11.9)(11.4)
Assets re-designated for non-retiree benefits(656.5)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year$89.5$751.1
Amount recognized in statement of financial position
Other assets$10.3$661.5
Other liabilities(2.9)
Total$10.3$658.6
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Total net actuarial gain$(20.7)$(17.0)
Prior service cost0.7
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive income$(20.7)$(16.3)
Other Postretirement Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the other postretirement benefit plans had an actuarial gain primarily due to an increase in the discount rate and actual, along with projected, medical claim costs being lower than previously expected. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the other postretirement benefit plans had an actuarial loss primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate and a higher than expected number of retirees electing medical coverage with the elimination of subsidized benefits.

Effective January 1, 2021, the Long-Term Care Assistance Plan merged with the Principal Welfare Plan for Medicare Eligible Retirees and PFG became the plan sponsor. The result of the plan merger was a liability of $2.9 million moving to PFG. In addition, the net unrecognized actuarial loss of $2.0 million and the prior period service cost of $0.7 million from the long-term care plan moved to PFG with the plan merger.


B-66

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Effective January 1, 2021, $656.5 million of assets in excess of the expected liability to cover the postretirement medical benefits for retirees were re-designated for non-retiree benefits. The elections were made pursuant to plan provisions, which provide for assets in excess of 125% of expected liabilities to fund other benefits covered under the plans. The re-designated assets, net of associated tax receivable impacts related to a tax adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, are not included as part of the asset balances presented in the footnote as they no longer qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The re-designated assets are included in equity securities and other investments on our consolidated statements of financial position beginning January 1, 2021.

Information for Other Postretirement Benefit Plans With an Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation
in Excess of Plan Assets
December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation$$2.9
Fair value of plan assets

Components of Other Postretirement Benefits Net Periodic Benefit Cost
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Interest cost$1.8$2.4$3.2
Expected return on plan assets(3.5)(34.8)(32.0)
Amortization of prior service (benefit) cost0.1(0.1)
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss(0.4)0.20.3
Net periodic benefit income$(2.1)$(32.1)$(28.6)
The components of net periodic benefit cost including the service cost component are included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the other postretirement benefit plans, actuarial gains and losses were amortized with use of the corridors allowed.

For the other postretirement benefit plans, amounts recognized in pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income
Net actuarial gain$(4.1)$(4.8)
Prior service benefit(0.7)(1.0)
Amortization of gain (loss)0.4(0.2)
Amortization of prior service cost(0.1)
Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive income$(4.4)$(6.1)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and pre-tax accumulated
other comprehensive income$(6.5)$(38.2)

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

B-67

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Assumptions

Weighted-average assumptions used for other postretirement benefit plans to determine benefit obligations as disclosed under the Obligations and Funded Status section

December 31,
20212020
Discount rate2.55%2.15%
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/A

Weighted average assumptions used for other postretirement benefit plans to determine net periodic benefit cost
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
Discount rate (1)2.15%2.95%3.95%
Expected long-term return on plan assets4.25%4.95%5.20%
Rate of compensation increaseN/AN/AN/A%

(1)During the second quarter 2020, subsidy increases provided under the long-term care plan were capped at 5% per calendar year. This change was remeasured as of March 31, 2020. A discount rate of 2.95% was used until the remeasurement date at which time a discount rate of 2.90% was used.

For other postretirement benefits, the discount rate is determined by projecting future benefit payments inherent in the accumulated postretirement 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 4.25% expected long-term return on plan assets for 2021 was 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 home office medical/life and agent medical/life plans were 4.25% and 4.25%, respectively.

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost

December 31,
20212020
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year under age 657.00%6.75%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)4.50%4.50%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate (under age 65)20302029

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

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.

B-68

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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

December 31, 2021
AssetsFair value hierarchy level
measured at
fair valueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(in millions)
Asset category
Cash and cash equivalents$0.5$0.5$$
Fixed income security portfolios (1)41.841.8
U.S. equity portfolios (2)32.932.9
International equity portfolios (3)14.314.3
Total$89.5$89.5$$
December 31, 2020
AssetsFair value hierarchy level
measured at
fair valueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(in millions)
Asset category
Cash and cash equivalents$0.4$0.4$$
Fixed income security portfolios (1)610.1590.819.3
U.S. equity portfolios (2)93.828.565.3
International equity portfolios (3)46.813.833.0
Total$751.1$633.5$117.6$

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

As of December 31, 2020, $117.6 million of assets in cash, fixed income security portfolios, U.S. equity portfolios and international equity portfolios were included in a trust owned life insurance contract. Effective January 1, 2021, these assets were redesignated for other welfare benefits.

    We have established an investment policy that provides the investment objectives and guidelines for the other postretirement benefit plans. 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 plans.
Provide for diversification of assets in an effort to avoid the risk of large losses and maximize the investment return to the other postretirement benefit plans consistent with market and economic risk.

    In administering the other postretirement benefit plans’ asset allocation strategies, 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 other postretirement benefit plans is:

Asset categoryTarget allocation
Fixed income security portfolios50%
U.S. equity portfolios35%
International equity portfolios15%


B-69

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service are:

Other postretirement
benefits (gross benefit
payments, including
prescription drug benefits)
(in millions)
Year ending December 31:
2022$12.5
202311.4
202410.4
20259.4
20268.2
2027-203130.8

    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, 2021.

13. Contingencies, Guarantees, Indemnifications and Leases

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, individual life insurance, specialty benefits 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 and other regulatory agencies regularly make inquiries and conduct examinations or investigations concerning our compliance with, among other things, insurance laws, securities laws, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“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 12, 2014, Frederick Rozo filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against us and PFG. PFG was later dismissed as a defendant. The Plaintiff alleged that defendants breached fiduciary duties and engaged in prohibited transactions under ERISA in connection with a general account guaranteed product known as the Principal Fixed Income Option (“PFIO”). On May 12, 2017, the district court certified a nationwide class of participants and beneficiaries who had funds invested in one of the PFIO contracts. On September 25, 2018, the district court granted our motion for summary judgment. On February 3, 2020, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that ruling and remanded the case back to the district court. A bench trial was held before the district court November 3-10, 2020. The court issued its ruling on April 8, 2021, and found in favor of us on all claims. The Plaintiff has appealed this ruling to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. We will continue to aggressively defend the case.

While the outcome of any pending or future litigation or regulatory matter cannot be predicted, management does not believe any such matter will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial position. As of December 31, 2021, we had no estimated loss accrued related to the legal matter discussed above because we believe the chance of loss from this matter is not probable and the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

B-70

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

To the extent such matters present a reasonably possible chance of loss, we are generally 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, 2021.

Guarantees and Indemnifications

    In the normal course of business, we have provided guarantees to our ultimate parent, PFG, related to benefit payments of the nonqualified pension plans and the nonqualified deferred compensation plans. We also provided guarantees to third parties primarily related to a former subsidiary. The terms of these agreements range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. The maximum exposure under these agreements as of December 31, 2021, was approximately $259.0 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 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, 2021 and 2020, the liability balance for guaranty fund assessments, which is not discounted, was $21.0 million and $21.1 million, respectively, and was reported within other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $9.7 million and $9.6 million, respectively, related to premium tax offsets were included in premiums due and other receivables in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Leases

    As a lessee, we lease office space, data processing equipment, office furniture and office equipment under various operating leases. We also lease buildings and hardware storage equipment under finance leases. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement of a lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. Lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain we will exercise the option. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the consolidated statements of financial position. We recognize lease expense for leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Some of our lease agreements include payments for property taxes, insurance, utilities or common area maintenance, which are not based on an index or rate. These payments are recognized in net income in the period in which the obligation has occurred. 

    We sublease certain office space to third parties, which are primarily operating leases. We record sublease income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

B-71

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

    The lease assets and liabilities were as follows:
December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Assets
Operating lease assets (1)$125.6$128.8
Finance lease assets (1)94.249.5
Total lease assets$219.8$178.3
Liabilities
Operating lease liabilities (2)$118.3$119.8
Finance lease liabilities (2)94.850.1
Total lease liabilities$213.1$169.9

(1)Operating and finance lease assets are primarily reported within property and equipment on the consolidated statements of financial position.
(2)Operating and finance lease liabilities are reported within other liabilities on the consolidated statements of
financial position.

The lease cost was as follows:
For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Finance lease cost (1):
Amortization of right-of-use assets$30.5$20.4$14.5
Interest on lease liabilities1.01.01.0
Operating lease cost (1)37.630.529.4
Other lease cost (1) (2)7.35.85.0
Sublease income (3)(1.7)(1.6)(1.7)
Total lease cost$74.7$56.1$48.2

(1)Finance, operating and other lease costs are primarily included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
(2)Other lease cost primarily reflects variable and short-term lease costs.
(3)Sublease income is included in fees and other revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.


B-72

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Payments for operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, were $36.0 million, $40.7 million and $31.6 million, respectively. Payments for finance leases for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, were $31.4 million, $21.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The following represents future payments due by period for lease obligations:

Operating leasesFinance leasesTotal
(in millions)
For the twelve months ending December 31:
2022$27.5$32.8$60.3
202323.131.454.5
202418.323.742.0
202515.17.923.0
202611.90.512.4
2027 and thereafter35.535.5
Total lease payments131.496.3227.7
Less: interest13.11.514.6
Present value of lease liabilities$118.3$94.8$213.1

    The weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rates were as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases7.88.17.6
Finance leases3.23.02.6
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases2.2%2.4%3.1%
Finance leases1.1%1.8%2.7%
14. Stockholder's Equity
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended December 31, 2021
Pre-TaxTaxAfter-Tax
(in millions)
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities during the period$(2,313.3)$490.5$(1,822.8)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (1)20.5(4.3)16.2
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns171.4(36.0)135.4
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities1,288.6(270.5)1,018.1
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities(832.8)179.7(653.1)
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments during the period66.7(14.0)52.7
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (3)(25.5)5.4(20.1)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns(0.2)(0.2)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities1.6(0.4)1.2
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments42.6(9.0)33.6
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation during the period2.3(0.5)1.8
Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost (4)(0.4)0.1(0.3)
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation1.9(0.4)1.5
Other comprehensive loss$(788.3)$170.3$(618)
B-73

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Pre-TaxTaxAfter-Tax
(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities during the period$3,268.3$(690.8)$2,577.5
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1)(41.4)9.4(32.0)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns(179.0)37.6(141.4)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities(1,275.1)267.7(1,007.4)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities1,772.8(376.1)1,396.7
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments during the period(28.1)6.5(21.6)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (3)(27.1)5.1(22.0)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns2.7(0.5)2.2
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities7.8(1.6)6.2
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments(44.7)9.5(35.2)
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation during the period5.7(1.2)4.5
Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost (4)0.3(0.1)0.2
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation6.0(1.3)4.7
Other comprehensive income$1,734.1$(367.9)$1,366.2
For the year ended December 31, 2019
Pre-TaxTaxAfter-Tax
(in millions)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities during the period$4,107.0$(865.2)$3,241.8
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (1)51.0(10.6)40.4
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns(293.0)61.5(231.5)
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities(654.4)137.4(517.0)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities3,210.6(676.9)2,533.7
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
available-for-sale during the period5.2(1.1)4.1
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns(1.4)0.3(1.1)
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities,
available-for-sale (2)3.8(0.8)3.0
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments during the period(0.5)(0.5)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (3)(28.7)6.1(22.6)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns3.1(0.6)2.5
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities7.9(1.9)6.0
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments(18.2)3.6(14.6)
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation during the period54.3(11.4)42.9
Amortization of amounts included in net periodic benefit cost (4)0.20.2
Net unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation54.5(11.4)43.1
Other comprehensive income$3,250.7$(685.5)$2,565.2

(1)     Pre-tax reclassification adjustments relating to available-for-sale securities are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations.
B-74

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

(2) Prior to 2020, represents the net impact of (1) unrealized gains 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 and (2) unrealized losses resulting from reclassification of noncredit impairment losses for fixed maturities with bifurcated OTTI from net realized capital gains (losses) to OCI.
(3) See Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, under the caption “Effect of Fair Value and Cash Flow Hedges on Consolidated Statements of Operations” for further details.
(4) Amount is comprised of amortization of prior service cost (benefit) and recognized net actuarial (gain) loss, which is reported in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 12, Employee and Agent Benefits, under the caption “Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost” for further details.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Noncredit
Net unrealizedcomponent ofNet unrealizedUnrecognizedAccumulated
gains onimpairment lossesgains onpostretirementother
available-for-saleon fixed maturitiesderivativebenefitcomprehensive
securities (1)available-for-sale (2)instrumentsobligationincome
(in millions)
Balances as of January 1, 2019$69.2$(47.1)$68.3$(34.9)$55.5
Other comprehensive income during
the period, net of adjustments2,493.38.042.92,544.2
Amounts reclassified from AOCI40.43.0(22.6)0.221.0
Other comprehensive income2,533.73.0(14.6)43.12,565.2
Balances as of December 31, 20192,602.9(44.1)53.78.22,620.7
Other comprehensive income during
the period, net of adjustments1,428.7(13.2)4.51,420.0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI(32.0)(22.0)0.2(53.8)
Other comprehensive income1,396.7(35.2)4.71,366.2
Effects of implementation of
accounting change related to
credit losses, net(44.1)44.1
Balances as of December 31, 20203,955.518.512.93,986.9
Other comprehensive loss during
the period, net of adjustments(669.3)53.71.8(613.8)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI16.2(20.1)(0.3)(4.2)
Other comprehensive loss(653.1)33.61.5(618.0)
Net assets transferred to affiliate due
to change in benefit plan
sponsorship2.02.0
Balances as of December 31, 2021$3,302.4$$52.1$16.4$3,370.9
(1)Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities for which an allowance for credit loss has been recorded were $0.6 million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2)Prior to the implementation of authoritative guidance in 2020, the noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale was included as a separate component of stockholder’s equity.

Dividend Limitations

Under Iowa law, we may pay dividends or make other distributions only from the earned surplus arising from our business and must receive the prior approval of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Iowa (“the Commissioner”) to pay stockholder dividends or make any other distribution if such distribution would exceed certain statutory limitations. Iowa law gives the Commissioner discretion to disapprove requests for distributions in excess of these limitations. Extraordinary dividends include those made, together with dividends and other distributions, within the preceding twelve months that exceed the greater of (i) 10% of our statutory policyholder surplus as of the previous year-end or (ii) the statutory net gain from operations from the previous calendar year, not to exceed earned surplus. Based on this limitation and 2021 statutory results, we could pay approximately $961.7 million in ordinary stockholder dividends in 2022 without prior regulatory approval. However, because the dividend test is based on dividends previously paid over rolling 12-month periods, if paid before a specified date during 2022, some or all of such dividends may be extraordinary and require regulatory approval.


B-75

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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 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.
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 at least one significant unobservable input for the asset or liability.

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. The techniques utilized in estimating the fair value 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 2021.

Fixed Maturities

Fixed maturities include bonds, ABS, redeemable preferred stock and certain non-redeemable preferred securities. 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 when 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 also 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. These are reflected in Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and can include fixed maturities across all asset classes. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 1% of our total fixed maturities were Level 3 securities valued using internal pricing models.

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.


B-76

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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.

States 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.

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 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 non-redeemable 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 or the net asset value (“NAV”), 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 futures that are settled daily, which reduces their fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position. The fair values of OTC cleared derivatives are determined through market prices published by the clearinghouses, which are reflected in Level 2. The clearinghouses utilize the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) curve in their valuation. Variation margin associated with OTC cleared derivatives is settled daily, which reduces their fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position. The fair values of bilateral OTC derivative instruments are determined using either pricing valuation models that utilize market observable inputs or broker quotes. The majority of our bilateral OTC 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 bilateral OTC 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 non-cleared 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 SOFR curve to value our positions. Counterparty credit risk is routinely monitored to ensure our adjustment for nonperformance risk is appropriate. Our centrally cleared derivative contracts are conducted with regulated centralized clearinghouses, which provide for daily exchange of cash collateral or variation margin equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts that eliminates the nonperformance risk on these trades.

Interest Rate Contracts. For non-cleared contracts, which include interest rate swaps and have included swaptions, we use discounted cash flow valuation techniques to determine the fair value using observable swap curves as the inputs. These are reflected in Level 2. We have forward contracts for which we obtain prices from third party pricing vendors. These are reflected in Level 2. For centrally cleared contracts we use published prices from clearinghouses. These are reflected in Level 2. In addition, we had interest rate options that were valued using broker quotes. These were 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. Currency forwards are valued using observable market inputs, including forward currency exchange rates. These are reflected in Level 2. In addition, we had a limited number of non-standard currency swaps that were valued using broker quotes. These were 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.

B-77

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

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 to determine the fair value of credit default swaps. These are reflected in Level 2. In addition, we have a limited number of credit default swaps that are valued using broker quotes. These are reflected within Level 3.

Other Investments

Other investments reported at fair value include invested assets of consolidated sponsored investment funds, unconsolidated sponsored investment funds, other investment funds reported at fair value, equity method real estate investments for which the fair value option was elected and certain redeemable and nonredeemable preferred stock. In addition, in 2019 we had commercial mortgage loans of a consolidated VIE for which the fair value option was elected.

The fair value of investment funds is determined using the NAV of the fund. The NAV of the fund represents the price at which we would be able to initiate a transaction. Investments for which the NAV represents a quoted price in an active market for identical assets are reflected in Level 1. Investments that do not have a quoted price in an active market are reflected in Level 2.

Commercial mortgage loans of a consolidated VIE were valued using the more observable fair value of the liabilities of the consolidated collateralized financing entity under the measurement alternative guidance and were reflected in Level 2. The liabilities were affiliated so were not reflected in our consolidated results. The trust was unwound in the third quarter of 2019.

Equity method real estate investments for which the fair value option was elected were reflected in Level 3. The equity method real estate investments consisted of underlying real estate and debt. The real estate fair value was estimated using a discounted cash flow valuation model that utilized 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 was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. The last equity method real estate investment for which the fair value option was elected was sold in the third quarter of 2021.

The fair value of certain redeemable and nonredeemable preferred stock is based on an internal model using unobservable inputs, which is reflected in Level 3. The redeemable preferred stock was sold in the third quarter of 2020.

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 three months or less. 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, cash equivalents 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 various public real estate market data inputs. 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 and Universal Life Contracts

Certain universal life, annuity and other investment contracts include embedded derivatives that have been bifurcated from the host contract and 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). Risk margins are included in the policyholder behavior assumptions. The assumptions are based on a combination of historical data and actuarial judgment. The embedded derivative liabilities are valued using models that incorporate a spread reflecting our own creditworthiness. 

The assumption for our own nonperformance risk for investment contracts and any embedded derivatives bifurcated from certain universal life, annuity and investment contracts is based on the current market credit spreads for debt-like instruments we have issued and are available in the market.

B-78

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

    Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

December 31, 2021
Assets/Amount
(liabilities)measured atFair value hierarchy level
measured atnet asset
fair valuevalue (4)Level 1Level 2Level 3
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies$1,937.0$$1,587.0$350.0$
Non-U.S. governments947.1947.1
States and political subdivisions9,216.49,124.092.4
Corporate42,965.141.542,089.3834.3
Residential mortgage-backed pass-
through securities2,342.32,342.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities5,513.75,494.519.2
Collateralized debt obligations (1)3,533.53,447.785.8
Other debt obligations7,441.87,399.742.1
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale73,896.91,628.571,194.61,073.8
Fixed maturities, trading233.30.5227.94.9
Equity securities508.2463.544.7
Derivative assets (2)326.2325.60.6
Other investments94.192.71.4
Cash equivalents753.0753.0
Sub-total excluding separate account
assets75,811.792.72,092.572,545.81,080.7
Separate account assets147,529.08,942.9114,735.522,904.6946.0
Total assets$223,340.7$9,035.6$116,828$95,450.4$2,026.7
Liabilities
Investment and universal life contracts (3)$(320.9)$$$$(320.9)
Derivative liabilities (2)(142.3)(142.3)
Total liabilities$(463.2)$$$(142.3)$(320.9)
Net assets$222,877.5$9,035.6$116,828$95,308.1$1,705.8


B-79

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020
Assets/Amount
(liabilities)measured atFair value hierarchy level
measured atnet asset
fair valuevalue (4)Level 1Level 2Level 3
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies$1,941.3$$1,623.9$317.4$
Non-U.S. governments947.7947.7
States and political subdivisions9,080.29,080.2
Corporate43,359.543,068.7290.8
Residential mortgage-backed pass-
through securities2,294.32,294.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities4,893.44,880.213.2
Collateralized debt obligations (1)4,019.73,992.527.2
Other debt obligations7,031.57,002.329.2
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale73,567.61,623.971,583.3360.4
Fixed maturities, trading233.20.5232.7
Equity securities71.227.244.0
Derivative assets (2)393.6393.00.6
Other investments105.775.730.0
Cash equivalents894.0894.0
Sub-total excluding separate account
assets75,265.375.71,651.673,147.0391.0
Separate account assets134,135.1155.8102,212.422,873.78,893.2
Total assets$209,400.4$231.5$103,864.0$96,020.7$9,284.2
Liabilities
Investment and universal life contracts (3)$(414.4)$$$$(414.4)
Derivative liabilities (2)(161.3)(155.6)(5.7)
Total liabilities$(575.7)$$$(155.6)$(420.1)
Net assets$208,824.7$231.5$103,864.0$95,865.1$8,864.1
(1)Primarily consists of collateralized loan obligations backed by secured corporate loans.
(2) Within the consolidated statements of financial position, derivative assets are reported with other investments and derivative liabilities are reported with other liabilities. The amounts are presented gross in the tables above to reflect the presentation on the consolidated statements of financial position; however, are presented net for purposes of the rollforward in the Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements tables. Refer to Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further information on fair value by class of derivative instruments.
(3) Includes bifurcated embedded derivatives that are reported at net asset (liability) fair value within the same line item in the consolidated statements of financial position in which the host contract is reported.
(4) Certain investments are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient and have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. Other investments using the NAV practical expedient consist of certain fund interests that are restricted until maturity with unfunded commitments totaling $10.2 million and $15.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Separate account assets using the NAV practical expedient consist of hedge funds and a real estate fund with varying investment strategies that also have a variety of redemption terms and conditions. We do not have unfunded commitments associated with these funds.


B-80

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

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

For the year ended December 31, 2021
BeginningNetEnding
asset/Total realized/unrealizedpurchases,asset/
(liability)gains (losses)sales,(liability)
balanceIncluded inissuancesbalance
as ofIncludedotherandTransfersTransfersas of
January 1,in netcomprehensivesettlementsintoout ofDecember 31,
2021income (2)income (3)(4)Level 3Level 32021
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-
for-sale:
States and political
subdivisions$$$12.5$(0.4)$80.3$$92.4
Corporate290.8(21.9)7.8381.8175.8834.3
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities13.2(1.0)(0.4)7.419.2
Collateralized debt obligations27.2(2.0)1.7397.472.1(410.6)85.8
Other debt obligations29.20.416.920.6(25.0)42.1
Total fixed maturities,
available-for-sale360.4(24.9)22.0803.1348.8(435.6)1,073.8
Fixed maturities, trading4.94.9
Other investments30.012.4(41.0)1.4
Separate account assets (1)8,893.2313.8(8,261.0)946.0
Liabilities
Investment and universal life
contracts(414.4)67.026.5(320.9)
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)(5.1)(5.0)10.70.6

B-81

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2020
BeginningNetEnding
asset/Total realized/unrealizedpurchases,asset/
(liability)gains (losses)sales,(liability)
balanceIncluded inissuancesbalance
as ofIncludedotherandTransfersTransfersas of
January 1,in netcomprehensivesettlementsintoout ofDecember 31,
2020income (2)income (3)(4)Level 3Level 32020
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-
for-sale:
Corporate$81.7$(0.9)$5.2$118$342$(255.2)$290.8
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities12.9(1.3)1.4(0.1)0.313.2
Collateralized debt obligations199.0(2.3)(21.8)182.5(330.2)27.2
Other debt obligations91.3(1.4)(37.9)46.1(68.9)29.2
Total fixed maturities,
available-for-sale384.9(4.5)(16.6)262.5388.4(654.3)360.4
Fixed maturities, trading0.3(0.3)
Other investments34.26.3(10.5)30.0
Separate account assets (1)8,966.7463.5(537.0)8,893.2
Liabilities
Investment and universal life
contracts(151.2)(244.0)(19.2)(414.4)
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)11.69.8(26.5)(5.1)

B-82

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2019
BeginningNetEnding
asset/Total realized/unrealizedpurchases,asset/
(liability)gains (losses)sales,(liability)
balanceIncluded inissuancesbalance
as ofIncluded inotherandTransfersTransfersas of
January 1,in netcomprehensivesettlementsintoout ofDecember 31,
2019income (2)income(4)Level 3Level 32019
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-
for-sale:
Non-U.S. governments$4.6$$$(4.6)$$$
Corporate57.92.517.24.181.7
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities9.5(3.8)3.42.43.7(2.3)12.9
Collateralized debt obligations8.3(2.6)0.9122.569.9199.0
Other debt obligations58.50.8100.08.3(76.3)91.3
Total fixed maturities,
available-for-sale138.8(6.4)7.6237.586.0(78.6)384.9
Fixed maturities, trading0.30.3
Other investments17.25.91.110.034.2
Separate account assets (1)8,444.0735.5(212.1)(0.7)8,966.7
Liabilities
Investment and universal life
contracts(5.3)(132.9)(13.0)(151.2)
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)3.5(0.2)8.311.6

(1) 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.
(2) 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 securities with an investment objective to realize economic value through mark-to-market changes are reported in net investment income within the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in net income relating to positions still held were:

B-83

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$(4.6)$$
Commercial mortgage-backed securities(1.0)(1.2)(2.9)
Collateralized debt obligations(2.0)(2.2)(2.6)
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale(7.6)(3.4)(5.5)
Other investments12.55.36.0
Separate account assets90.5385.5697.1
Liabilities
Investment and universal life contracts65.9(251.1)(134.0)
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)9.93.9

(3) Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in OCI relating to positions still held were:

For the year ended December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
States and political subdivisions$12.5$
Corporate(0.7)11.9
Commercial mortgage-backed securities(0.4)1.5
Collateralized debt obligations1.9(0.3)
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale13.313.1

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

For the year ended December 31, 2021
Net purchases,
sales, issuances
PurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlementsand settlements
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
States and political subdivisions$$$$(0.4)$(0.4)
Corporate626.6(84.3)(160.5)381.8
Commercial mortgage-backed securities7.7(0.3)7.4
Collateralized debt obligations422.7(25.3)397.4
Other debt obligations45.1(28.2)16.9
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale1,102.1(84.3)(214.7)803.1
Fixed maturities, trading4.94.9
Other investments(41.0)(41.0)
Separate account assets (5)38.5(8,206.2)(191.5)98.2(8,261.0)
Liabilities
Investment and universal life contracts(16.4)42.926.5
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)10.710.7

B-84

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Net purchases,
sales, issuances
PurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlementsand settlements
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$169.2$(5.5)$$(45.7)$118.0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities(0.1)(0.1)
Collateralized debt obligations182.00.5182.5
Other debt obligations14.3(52.2)(37.9)
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale365.5(5.5)(97.5)262.5
Other investments0.5(11.0)(10.5)
Separate account assets (5)309.2(656.7)(396.1)206.6(537.0)
Liabilities
Investment and universal life contracts(41.0)21.8(19.2)

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Net purchases,
sales, issuances
PurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlementsand settlements
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Non-U.S. governments$$$$(4.6)$(4.6)
Corporate41.9(1.4)(23.3)17.2
Commercial mortgage-backed securities2.42.4
Collateralized debt obligations124.7(2.2)122.5
Other debt obligations107.7(7.7)100.0
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale276.7(1.4)(37.8)237.5
Fixed maturities, trading0.5(0.2)0.3
Other investments6.0(4.9)1.1
Separate account assets (5)279.2(524.4)(280.4)313.5(212.1)
Liabilities
Investment and universal life contracts(17.8)4.8(13.0)
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)1.96.48.3

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


B-85

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Transfers

Transfers of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis between fair value hierarchy levels were as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2021
Transfers outTransfers outTransfers outTransfers out
of Level 1 intoof Level 2 intoof Level 3 intoof Level 3 into
Level 3Level 3Level 1Level 2
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
States and political subdivisions$$80.3$$
Corporate175.8
Collateralized debt obligations72.1410.6
Other debt obligations20.625.0
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale348.8435.6

For the year ended December 31, 2020
Transfers outTransfers outTransfers outTransfers out
of Level 1 intoof Level 2 intoof Level 3 intoof Level 3 into
Level 3Level 3Level 1Level 2
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$$342$$255.2
Commercial mortgage-backed securities0.3
Collateralized debt obligations330.2
Other debt obligations46.168.9
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale388.4654.3
Fixed maturities, trading0.3
Derivatives
Net derivative assets (liabilities)26.5

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Transfers outTransfers outTransfers outTransfers out
of Level 1 intoof Level 2 intoof Level 3 intoof Level 3 into
Level 3Level 3Level 1Level 2
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$$4.1$$
Commercial mortgage-backed securities3.72.3
Collateralized debt obligations69.9
Other debt obligations8.376.3
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale86.078.6
Other investments10.0
Separate account assets0.7


B-86

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Assets transferred into Level 3 during 2021, 2020 and 2019, 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. In addition, other investments transferred from Level 2 into Level 3 during 2019, included certain redeemable preferred stock for which at least one significant unobservable input is now used to determine fair value.


Assets transferred out of Level 3 during 2021, 2020 and 2019, 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.

December 31, 2021
Assets /
(liabilities)
measured atValuationUnobservableInput/rangeWeighted
fair valuetechnique(s)input descriptionof inputsaverage
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$829.9
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)0.9%-15.5%6.8%
Illiquidity premium0 basis points ("bps")-70bps6bps
Market
  comparables
Potential loss
  severity
39.4%39.4%
Probability of default100.0%100.0%
Commercial mortgage-backed
  securities
3.5
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)3.7%3.7%
Collateralized debt obligations45.9
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)3.0%-5.3%4.0%
Illiquidity premium0bps-385bps255bps
Other debt obligations22.1
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)3.0%-10.0%3.3%
Illiquidity premium225bps-500bps237bps
Fixed maturities, trading4.9
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)7.5%7.5%

B-87

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2021
Assets /
(liabilities)
measured atValuationUnobservableInput/rangeWeighted
fair valuetechnique(s)input descriptionof inputsaverage
(in millions)
Separate account assets946.0
Discounted cash
  flow - mortgage
  loans
Discount rate (1)1.4%1.4%
Credit spread rate120bps120bps
Discounted cash
  flow - real estate
Discount rate (1)5.3%-10.0%6.6%
Terminal
  capitalization rate
4.3%-9.3%5.6%
Average market rent
  growth rate
1.6%-3.6%2.7%
Discounted cash
  flow - real estate
  debt
Loan to value40.1%-58.5%46.0%
Market interest rate2.5%-3.1%2.7%
Liabilities
Investment and universal life
  contracts (6)
(320.9)
Discounted cash
  flow
Long duration
  interest rate
1.9% (3)1.9%
Long-term equity
  market volatility
19.8%-32.5%22.5%
Nonperformance risk0.3%-1.1%0.9%
Utilization rateSee note (4)
Lapse rate1.3%-9.0%4.7%
Mortality rateSee note (5)

December 31, 2020
Assets /
(liabilities)
measured atValuationUnobservableInput/rangeWeighted
fair valuetechnique(s)input descriptionof inputsaverage
(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate$286.1
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)0.9%-11.7%7.3%
Illiquidity premium0bps-60bps19bps
Comparability
  adjustment
0bps-769bps359bps
Potential loss
  severity
54.6%54.6%
Probability of default100.0%100.0%
Commercial mortgage-backed
  securities
1.1
Discounted cash
  flow
Potential loss
  severity
78.4%78.4%
Probability of default100.0%100.0%

B-88

Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020
Assets /
(liabilities)
measured atValuationUnobservableInput/rangeWeighted
fair valuetechnique(s)input descriptionof inputsaverage
(in millions)
Collateralized debt obligations0.7
Discounted cash
  flow
Potential loss
  severity
40.5%40.5%
Probability of default100.0%100.0%
Other debt obligations0.8
Discounted cash
  flow
Discount rate (1)10.0%10.0%
Illiquidity premium500bps500bps
Other investments28.5
Discounted cash
  flow - real estate
Discount rate (1)6.5%6.5%
Terminal
  capitalization rate
5.3%5.3%
Average market
  rent growth rate
2.6%2.6%
Discounted cash
  flow - real estate
  debt
Loan to value52.6%52.6%
Credit spread3.3%3.3%
Separate account assets8,893.2
Discounted cash
  flow - mortgage
  loans
Discount rate (1)1.2%1.2%
Illiquidity premium60bps60bps
Credit spread rate110bps110bps
Discounted cash
  flow - real estate
Discount rate (1)5.6%-11.9%6.9%
Terminal
  capitalization rate
4.5%-9.3%5.7%
Average market rent
  growth rate
1.5%-4.8%3.0%
Discounted cash
  flow - real estate
  debt
Loan to value6.3%-74.2%47.5%
Market interest rate2.0%-5.0%3.4%
Liabilities
Investment and universal life
  contracts (6)
(414.4)
Discounted cash
  flow
Long duration
  interest rate
1.3%-1.4% (3)1.4%
Long-term equity
  market volatility
17.6%-26.9%19.7%
Nonperformance risk0.1%-1.3%0.9%
Utilization rateSee note (4)
Lapse rate1.3%-9.3%5.6%
Mortality rateSee note (5)

(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 illiquidity or other adjustments, where applicable.
(2)Revenue multiples are amounts used when we have determined market participants would use such multiples to value the investments.
(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 various observable 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.
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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

(6)Includes bifurcated embedded derivatives that are reported at net asset (liability) fair value within the same line item in the consolidated statements of financial position in which the host contract is reported.

Market comparable discount rates are used as the base rate in the discounted cash flows used to determine the fair value of certain assets. The use of a higher or lower discount rate would have caused 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. The use of a higher or lower illiquidity premium would have caused significant decreases or increases, respectively, in the fair value of the asset.

Embedded derivatives within our investment and universal life contracts liability can be in either an asset or liability position, depending on certain inputs at the reporting date. Increases to an asset or decreases to a liability are described as increases to fair value. The use of a higher or lower market volatility would have caused significant decreases or increases, respectively, in the fair value of embedded derivatives in investment and universal life 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. The use of higher or lower risk-free rates would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to significantly increase or decrease, respectively. The use of a higher or lower rate for our own credit risks, which impact the rates used to discount future cash flows, would have significantly increased or decreased, respectively, the fair value of the embedded derivative.

The use of a lower or higher mortality rate assumption would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. The use of a lower or higher overall lapse rate assumption would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. The lapse rate assumption may vary dynamically based on the relationship of the guarantee and associated account value. A stronger or weaker dynamic lapse rate assumption would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. The utilization rate assumption includes how many contractholders will take withdrawals, when they will take them and how much of their benefit they will take. The use of a higher or lower assumption of the number of contractholders taking withdrawals would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. Assuming contractholders take withdrawals earlier or later would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively. Assuming contractholders take more or less of their benefit would have caused the fair value of the embedded derivative to decrease or increase, respectively.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

No significant assets and liabilities were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Fair Value Option

We elected fair value accounting for:
Certain commercial mortgage loans of a consolidated VIE for which it was not practicable for us to determine the carrying value. The consolidated VIE was unwound in the third quarter of 2019.
Certain real estate ventures that were subject to the equity method of accounting because the nature of the investments was to add value to the properties and generate income from the operations of the properties. Other equity method real estate investments were not fair valued because the investments mainly generated income from the operations of the underlying properties. The last equity method real estate investment for which the fair value option was elected was sold in the third quarter of 2021.


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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

The following tables present information regarding the assets and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected.

December 31,
20212020
(in millions)
Real estate ventures (1)
Fair value$$28.5

(1)Reported with other investments in the consolidated statements of financial position.

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Commercial mortgage loans of consolidated VIEs
Change in fair value pre-tax gain (loss) (1) (2)$$$0.1
Interest income (3)0.3
Real estate ventures
Change in fair value pre-tax gain (4)12.55.36.0

(1)None of the change in fair value related to instrument-specific credit risk.
(2)Reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations.
(3)Reported in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations and recorded based on the effective interest rates as determined at the closing of the loan.
(4)Reported in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

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, 2021
Fair value hierarchy level
Carrying amountFair valueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(in millions)
Assets (liabilities)
Mortgage loans$18,908.3$19,842.3$$$19,842.3
Policy loans705.0888.9888.9
Other investments290.4281.2185.096.2
Cash and cash equivalents475.6475.6475.6
Investment contracts(35,249.5)(35,534.9)(7,454.3)(28,080.6)
Long-term debt(54.0)(38.0)(38.0)
Separate account liabilities(131,096.8)(130,152.8)(130,152.8)
Bank deposits (1)(373.3)(372.8)(372.8)
Cash collateral payable(204.4)(204.4)(204.4)

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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020
Fair value hierarchy level
Carrying amountFair valueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
(in millions)
Assets (liabilities)
Mortgage loans$16,506.1$17,925.7$$$17,925.7
Policy loans723.8966.7966.7
Other investments285.2276.4185.091.4
Cash and cash equivalents754.5754.5754.5
Investment contracts(34,788.3)(36,085.5)(5,276.9)(30,808.6)
Long-term debt(55.9)(41.2)(41.2)
Separate account liabilities(119,133.1)(118,117.1)(118,117.1)
Bank deposits (1)(423.5)(429.7)(429.7)
Cash collateral payable(219.9)(219.9)(219.9)

(1)Excludes deposit liabilities without defined or contractual maturities.

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 “Iowa Insurance Division”). The Iowa Insurance Division 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. 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.

We cede certain term and universal life insurance statutory reserves to our affiliated reinsurance subsidiaries on a funds withheld coinsurance basis. The reserves are secured by cash, invested assets and financing provided by highly rated third parties. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our affiliated reinsurance subsidiaries assumed statutory reserves of $10,085.7 million and $8,978.2 million from us, respectively. In the states of Vermont and Delaware, the affiliated reinsurers had permitted and prescribed practices allowing for the admissibility of certain assets backing these reserves. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, assets admitted under these practices totaled $4,146.0 million and $3,731.0 million, respectively.

    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. As of December 31, 2021, we met the minimum RBC requirements.

Our statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus were as follows:

As of or for the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Statutory net income$864.0$915.9$989.3
Statutory capital and surplus5,375.25,682.45,193.4


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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

17. Revenues from Contracts with Customers

Administrative Service Fee Revenue

    We offer service and trust agreements for defined contribution retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, and employee stock ownership plans. The investment components of these service agreements are in the form of mutual fund offerings. In addition, plan sponsor retirement plan trust and custody services are also available through an affiliated trust company.
 
Fees and other revenues are earned for administrative activities performed for the defined contribution retirement plans including recordkeeping and reporting as well as trust and custody, asset management and investment services. The majority of these activities are performed daily over time. Fee-for-service transactions are also provided upon client request. These services are considered distinct or grouped into a bundle until a distinct performance obligation is identified. Some performance obligations are considered a series of distinct services, which are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer.

Fees and other revenues can be based on a fixed contractual rate for these services or can be variable based upon contractual rates applied to the market value of the client's investment portfolio each day. If the consideration for this series of performance obligations is based on daily market value, it is considered variable each day as the services are performed over time. The consideration becomes unconstrained and thus recognized as revenue for each day’s series of distinct services once the market value of the clients’ investment portfolios is determined at market close or carried over at the end of the day for days when the market is closed. Additionally, fixed fees and other revenues are recognized point-in-time as fee-for-service transactions upon completion.

We offer administrative services performed for our fee-for-service products, nonqualified benefit plans, separate accounts and dental networks.

Fees and other revenues are earned for administrative services performed, which include recordkeeping and reporting services. Services within contracts are not distinct on their own; however, we combine the services into a distinct bundle and account for the bundle as a single performance obligation, which is satisfied over time utilizing the output method as services are rendered. The transaction price corresponds with the performance completed to date, for which the value is recognized as revenue during the period. Variability of consideration is resolved at the end of each period and payments are due when billed.

Deposit Account Fee Revenue

    We offer individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) through Principal Bank, which are primarily funded by retirement savings rolled over from qualified retirement plans. The IRAs are held in savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. Revenues are earned through fees as the performance of establishing and maintaining IRA accounts is completed. Fee-for-service transactions are also provided upon client request. The establishment fees and annual maintenance fees are accrued into earnings over a period of time using the average account life. Upfront and recurring bank fees are related to performance obligations that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer and are recognized in income over time with control transferred to the customers utilizing the output method. These fees are based on a fixed contractual rate. Fixed fees and other revenues are also recognized point-in-time as fee-for-service transactions upon completion.

Commission Income

Commission income is earned through sponsored brokerage services. Performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time, upon delivery of a placed case, and the transaction price calculated per the compensation schedule is recognized as revenue. Additionally, commission income is earned on advisory services provided to customers. The revenues are earned over time as the service is performed based upon contractual rates applied to the market value of the clients’ portfolios. 


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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Disaggregation of Revenues from Contracts with Customers

    The following table summarizes the disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers and reconciles totals to those reported in the consolidated financial statements. Revenues from contracts with customers are included in fees and other revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Administrative service fee revenue$432.7$280.9$283.2
Deposit account fee revenue9.28.49.3
Commission income34.627.026.9
Other fee revenue3.82.42.5
Total revenues from contracts with customers480.3318.7321.9
Fees and other revenues not within the scope of revenue
recognition guidance (1)2,199.32,034.92,074.8
Total fees and other revenues per consolidated statements of
operations$2,679.6$2,353.6$2,396.7

(1)     Fees and other revenues not within the scope of the revenue recognition guidance primarily represent revenue on contracts accounted for under the financial instruments or insurance contracts standards.

Contract Costs

    Sales compensation and other incremental costs of obtaining a contract are capitalized and amortized over the period of contract benefit if the costs are expected to be recovered. The contract cost asset, which is included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial position, was $41.8 million and $40.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
We apply the practical expedient for certain costs where we recognize the incremental costs of obtaining these contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets is one year or less. These costs, along with costs that are not deferrable, are included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Deferred contract costs consist primarily of commissions and variable compensation. We amortize capitalized contract costs on a straight-line basis over the expected contract life, reflecting lapses as they are incurred. Deferred contract costs are subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, or when a triggering event occurs that could warrant an impairment. To the extent future revenues less future maintenance expenses are not adequate to cover the asset balance, an impairment is recognized. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, $7.3 million, $7.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of amortization expense was recorded in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and no impairment loss was recognized in relation to the costs capitalized.

18. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2021, our ultimate parent, PFG, sponsored the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan ("Stock-Based Compensation Plans"), which resulted in expense to us. No new grants will be made under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan or the Stock Incentive Plan. Under the terms of the 2021 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 under any plans. As part of our fair value process, for each stock-based compensation plan, we assess the impact of material nonpublic information on PFG’s share price or expected volatility, as applicable, at the time of grant. No awards in 2021 required a fair value adjustment.


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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

For awards with graded vesting, we use an accelerated expense attribution method. The compensation cost that was charged against net income for stock-based awards granted under the Stock-Based Compensation Plans was as follows:

For the year ended December 31,
202120202019
(in millions)
Compensation cost$25.2$24.4$21.9
Related income tax benefit4.34.04.1
Capitalized as part of an asset1.41.51.7

Nonqualified Stock Options
    Nonqualified stock options were granted to certain employees under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan. Options outstanding 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 specific types of terminations.

    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,
Options202120202019
Expected volatility34.2%25.7%23.3%
Expected term (in years)7.07.07.0
Risk-free interest rate1.2%1.3%2.6%
Expected dividend yield3.82%4.33%4.07%
Weighted average estimated fair value$15.67$9.64$10.00

We determine expected volatility based on a combination of historical volatility using daily price observations and implied volatility from traded options on PFG common stock. We believe that incorporating both historical and implied volatility into our expected volatility assumption calculation better reflects market expectations. 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, 2021, we had $2.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost 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 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and 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 specific types of terminations) and PFG’s performance against three-year goals set at the beginning of the performance period. Performance goals based on various PFG factors 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 will be recognized and any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed. These awards have no maximum contractual term. 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 common shares on the grant date. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance share awards granted during 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $58.68, $51.73 and $53.09, respectively.

As of December 31, 2021, we had $4.0 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 1.8 years.

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Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

December 31, 2021

Restricted Stock Units
    Restricted stock units were granted to certain employees and agents under the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2014 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 specific types of terminations), all vesting stops and unvested units are forfeited. These awards have no maximum contractual term. 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 common shares on the grant date. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $59.38, $49.33 and $53.19, respectively.

As of December 31, 2021, we had $22.1 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 1.7 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, participating employees have the opportunity to purchase shares of PFG common stock on a quarterly basis. Employees may purchase up to $25,000 in PFG stock value annually. Employees were able to 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 was lower, through 2021. Beginning January 2022, employees may purchase shares of PFG common stock at a price equal to 90% of the shares' fair market value as of the end of the purchase period.

    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 $15.64, $11.33 and $11.37 during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

19. Subsequent Event

On January 31, 2022, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement with Sutton Cayman, Ltd., a limited company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and an affiliate of Talcott Resolution Life, Inc., a subsidiary of Sixth Street, pursuant to which we will cede 100% of our in-force U.S. retail fixed annuity and universal life insurance with secondary guarantee blocks of business (the “Reinsurance Transaction”). The Reinsurance Transaction will be structured through 100% coinsurance with funds withheld. We will retain administration of the ceded business. The Reinsurance Transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2022 with economics effective as of January 1, 2022, subject to regulatory approval.
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