SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 17, 2012 

TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT PLUS VARIABLE ANNUITY 

DATED JULY 23, 2012

This supplement updates information in the prospectus dated July 23, 2012, for the Principal Investment 

Plus Variable Annuity, which is issued by Principal Life Insurance Company. This supplement should be 

read in its entirety and kept together with your prospectus for future reference. Certain terms used in this 

supplement have special meanings. If a term is not defined in this supplement, it has the meaning given 

to it in the prospectus. 

12. TABLE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT DIVISIONS 

AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Division 

Effective February 1, 2013, this division will be closed as an investment option to Contract owners who 

purchase their Contract after that date. If you are an existing Contract owner as of that date, you may 

continue to allocate Contract value to this division in accordance with your Contract’s prospectus.