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Registration No. 333-63401

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

Post-Effective Amendment No. 13

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940


Amendment No. 139

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B
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(Exact Name of Registrant)

Principal Life Insurance Company
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Depositor)

The Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa 50392
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(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(515) 248-3842
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Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code

M. D. Roughton
The Principal Financial Group Des Moines, Iowa 50392
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Title of Securities Being Registered: Principal Freedom^SMVariable Annuity Contract

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

___ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

_X_ on May 1, 2011 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

___ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

___ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

___ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

___ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

___ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post- effective amendment.

PRINCIPAL FREEDOM^SMVARIABLE ANNUITY

ISSUED BY PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (THE ^“COMPANY^”)

This Prospectus is dated May 1, 2011.

The Company no longer offers or issues the Contract. This Prospectus is only for the use of the current Contract

owners.

The individual flexible premium deferred variable annuity contract (^“Contract^”) described in this Prospectus is funded

with the Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (^“Separate Account^”) and a fixed account (^“Fixed

Account^”). The Fixed Account is a part of our General Account. The assets of each division of the Separate Account

are invested in shares of a corresponding underlying mutual fund (the ^“underlying mutual funds^”). The divisions

available through the Contract are:


American Century Variable Portfolios, Inc. – Class I		Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 1 (cont.)
·	Income & Growth Fund	·	LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account
Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust – Class 2		·	LargeCap Value Account
·	Templeton Growth Securities Fund	·	MidCap Blend Account
Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. – Class 1		·	Money Market Account
·	Bond & Mortgage Securities Account	·	Short-Term Income Account
·	Diversified International Account	·	SmallCap Blend Account
·	Government & High Quality Bond Account	·	SmallCap Growth Account II
·	LargeCap Growth Account I

This prospectus provides information about the Contract and the Separate Account that you ought to know before

investing. It should be read and retained for future reference. Additional information about the Contract is included in

the Statement of Additional Information (^“SAI^”), dated May 1, 2011, which has been filed with the Securities and

Exchange Commission (the ^“Commission^”). The SAI is legally a part of this prospectus. The table of contents of the

SAI is at the end of this prospectus. You may obtain a free copy of the SAI by writing or calling:

Principal Freedom^SMVariable Annuity

Principal Financial Group

P. O. Box 9382

Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9382

Telephone: 1-800-852-4450

An investment in the Contract is not a deposit in any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or

any state securities commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities

commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary

is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is valid only when attached to the current prospectuses for the underlying mutual funds.

The Contract offered by this prospectus may not be available in all states. This prospectus is not an offer to sell, or

solicitation of an offer to buy, the Contract in states in which the offer or solicitation may not be lawfully made. No

person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation in connection with this Contract other than

those contained in this prospectus.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

GLOSSARY	4
SUMMARY OF EXPENSE INFORMATION	6
SUMMARY	8
Investment Limitations	8
Transfers	8
Surrenders	8
Charges and Deductions	8
Death Benefit	9
Annuity Benefit Payments	9
Examination Offer (free look)	9
THE PRINCIPAL FREEDOM^SMVARIABLE ANNUITY	9
THE COMPANY	9
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT	10
THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS	10
THE CONTRACT	11
To Buy a Contract	11
The Accumulation Period	13
Telephone and Internet Services	17
The Annuity Benefit Payment Period	19
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS	22
Mortality and Expense Risks Charge	22
Premium Taxes	22
Fixed Account Surrender Charge and Transfer Fee	22
Waiver of Fixed Account Surrender Charge Rider	23
Administration Charge	24
Special Provisions for Group or Sponsored Arrangements	24
FIXED ACCOUNT	25
General Description	25
Fixed Account Accumulated Value	25
Fixed Account Transfers, Total and Partial Surrenders	26
GENERAL PROVISIONS	27
The Contract	27
Delay of Payments	27
Misstatement of Age or Gender	27
Assignment	28
Change of Owner	28
Change of Annuitant	28
Change of Beneficiary	28
Contract Termination	28
RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE COMPANY	29
Frequent Trading and Market-Timing (Abusive Trading Practices)	29
PERFORMANCE CALCULATION	30
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS	31
Non-Qualified Contracts	31
Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts	31
IRA, SEP, and SIMPLE-IRA	32
Withholding	33
Mutual Fund Diversification	33
STATE REGULATION	34

GLOSSARY

account – series or portfolio of a mutual fund in which a division invests.

accumulated value – an amount equal to the Fixed Account value plus the Separate Account value.

annuitant – the person, including any joint annuitant, on whose life the annuity payment is based. This person may

or may not be the owner.

annuitization date – the date the owner’s accumulated value is applied, under an annuity payment option, to make

income payments.

contract date – the date that the Contract is issued and which is used to determine contract years.

contract year – the one-year period beginning on the contract date and ending one day before the contract

anniversary and any subsequent one-year period beginning on a contract anniversary (for example, if the contract

date is June 5, 2006, the first contract year ends on June 4, 2007, and the first contract anniversary is June 5, 2007).

Fixed Account – an account which earns guaranteed interest.

home office – the office where notices, requests and purchase payments must be sent. All amounts payable to us

under the Contract are payable through the home office.

investment options – the Fixed Account and Separate Account divisions.

joint annuitant – one of the annuitants on whose life the annuity benefit payment is based. Any reference to the

death of the annuitant means the death of the first annuitant to die.

joint owner – an owner who has an undivided interest with the right of survivorship in this Contract with another

owner. Any reference to the death of the owner means the death of the first owner to die.

non-qualified contract – a contract which does not qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue

Code as a Qualified Plan, Individual Retirement Annuity, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Simple IRA or Tax Sheltered Annuity.

notice – any form of communication received by us, at the home office, either in writing or in another form approved

by us in advance.

owner – the person, including joint owner, who owns all the rights and privileges of this Contract.

purchase payments – the gross amount contributed to the Contract. Fixed Account purchase payments include

transfers into the Fixed Account from any division.

qualified plans – retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under Section 401 or 403(a) of the Internal

Revenue Code (the ^“Code^”).

Separate Account Division (division(s)) – a part of the Separate Account which invests in shares of an underlying

mutual fund.

transfer – moving all or a portion of your accumulated value to or among one investment option or another.

Simultaneous transfers are considered to be one transfer for purposes of calculating the transfer fee, if any.

underlying mutual fund – a registered open-end investment company, or a separate division or portfolio thereof, in

which a division invests.

unit – the accounting measure used to calculate the value of a division prior to annuitization date.

unit value – a measure used to determine the value of an investment in a division.

valuation date – each day the New York Stock Exchange (^“NYSE^”) is open.

SUMMARY OF EXPENSE INFORMATION

The tables below describe the fees and expenses that you will pay when buying, owning and surrendering the

Contract.

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that you buy the Contract,

surrender the Contract or transfer cash value between investment options.


Contract owner transaction expenses
Sales charge imposed on purchase payments (as a
percentage of purchase payments)	·	none

Maximum surrender charge (as a percentage of
amount surrendered)
· surrenders from the Separate Account	·	none
· surrenders from the Fixed Account⁽¹⁾	·	6%

Transfer Fee (as a percentage of amount transferred)
· transfer from Separate Account	·	none
· transfer from Fixed Account⁽¹⁾	·	6%

State Premium Taxes (vary by state)
· guaranteed maximum	·	3.5% of purchase payments made
· current	·	zero


⁽¹⁾Table of Fixed Account Surrender Charges and Transfer Fees
	Surrender charge
	and transfer fee
Number of completed contract years	applied to Fixed Account
since each Fixed Account	surrenders and transfers beyond
*purchase payment was made**	Free Transaction Amount
0 (year of purchase payment)	6%
1	6%
2	6%
3	5%
4	4%
5	3%
6	2%
7 and later	0%

* Includes amounts transferred to the Fixed Account from divisions. Each Fixed Account purchase payment begins in year 0 for purposes of

calculating the percentage applied to that payment

Please note that in addition to the fees shown, the Separate Account and/or sponsors of the underlying mutual funds

may adopt requirements pursuant to rules and/or regulations adopted by federal and/or state regulators which

require us to collect additional transfer fees and/or impose restrictions on transfers.

The following table describes the fees and expenses that are deducted periodically during the time that you own the

Contract, not including underlying mutual fund fees and expenses.


Periodic Expenses
Separate Account Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of separate account accumulated value)
·	guaranteed maximum
	Mortality and Expense Risks Charge	1.25%
	Administration Charge	0.15%
	Total Separate Account Annual Expense	1.40%

·	current
	Mortality and Expense Risks Charge	0.85%
	Administration Charge	0.00%
	Total Separate Account Annual Expense	0.85%

This table shows the minimum and maximum total operating expenses, charged by the underlying mutual funds, that

you may pay periodically during the time that you own the contract. More detail concerning the fees and expenses of

each underlying mutual fund is contained in its prospectus.


Minimum and Maximum Annual Underlying Mutual Fund Operating Expenses
as of December 31, 2010

	Minimum	Maximum

Total annual underlying mutual fund operating expenses
(expenses that are deducted from underlying mutual fund	0.27%	1.05%
assets, including management fees, distribution and/or
service (12b-1) fees and other expenses)


The annual fees and expenses charged by each underlying mutual fund are shown in each fund’s current
prospectus.

Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the contract with the cost of investing in other
variable annuity contracts. These costs include contract owner transaction expenses, contract fees, separate account
annual expenses, and underlying mutual fund fees and expenses. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be as shown below.

This example reflects the maximum charges imposed if you were to purchase the Contract. Also reflects the
minimum and maximum annual underlying mutual fund operating expenses as of December 31, 2010 (without
voluntary waivers of fees by the underlying funds, if any). This example assumes:
·	a $10,000 investment in the Contract for the time periods indicated;
·	a 5% return each year;
·	no annual contract fee;
·	all the accumulated value is invested in the Separate Account divisions; and
·	the total Separate Account charges associated with the most expensive combination of optional benefits with
	highest/ lowest fund expense


	If you surrender your								If you fully annuitize your
	contract at the end of the				If you do not				contract at the end of the
	applicable time period				surrender your contract				applicable time period

	1 Yr.	3 Yrs.	5 Yrs.	10 Yrs.	1 Yr.	3 Yrs.	5 Yrs.	10 Yrs.	1 Yr.	3 Yrs.	5 Yrs.	10 Yrs.

Maximum Total Underlying
Mutual Fund Operating
Expenses (1.05%)	241	740	1,266	2,701	241	740	1,266	2,701	241	740	1,266	2,701

Minimum Total Underlying
Mutual Fund Operating
Expenses (0.27%)	164	508	876	1,909	164	508	876	1,909	164	508	876	1,909


SUMMARY

This prospectus describes an individual flexible premium variable annuity offered by the Company. The Contract is
designed to provide individuals with retirement benefits, including plans and trusts that do not qualify for special tax
treatment under the Code and for purchase by persons participating in individual retirement annuity plans that meet
the requirements of Section 408 of the Code.

A significant advantage of the Contract is that it provides the ability to accumulate capital on a tax-deferred basis.
The purchase of a Contract to fund a tax-qualified retirement account does not provide any additional tax deferred
treatment of earnings beyond the treatment provided by the tax-qualified retirement plan itself. However, the Contract
does provide benefits such as lifetime income payments, family protection through death benefits and asset
allocation.

This is a brief summary of the Contract’s features. More detailed information follows later in this prospectus.

Investment Limitations

·	Initial purchase payment must be $10,000 or more.
·	Each subsequent purchase payment must be $50 or more.
·	The total purchase payments made during the life of the Contract may not be greater than $2 million.

You may allocate your net purchase payments to the investment options.

·	A complete list of the divisions may be found in the TABLE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT DIVISIONS. Each
	Division invests in shares of an underlying mutual fund. More detailed information about the underlying mutual
	funds may be found in the current prospectus for each underlying mutual fund.
·	The investment options also include the Fixed Account.

Transfers (see *Separate Account Division Transfers* for additional restrictions)

·	During the accumulation period:
	·	from the divisions:
		·	dollar amount or percentage of transfer must be specified; and
		·	transfer may occur on scheduled or unscheduled basis.
	·	from the Fixed Account:
		·	percentage or dollar amount of transfer must be specified; and
		·	amounts available for transfer without payment of a transfer fee are limited (see Fixed Account
			Transfers, Total and Partial Surrenders).
·	During the annuity benefit payment period, transfers are not permitted (no transfers once payments have begun).

Surrenders (total or partial) (see *Separate Account Surrender and Fixed Account Transfers, Total and Partial*
*Surrenders*)

·	During the accumulation period:
	·	a dollar amount must be specified;
	·	surrenders before age 59 1/2 may involve an income tax penalty (see Federal Tax Matters);
	·	surrender amounts may be subject to a surrender charge; and
	·	a full surrender is permitted prior to the annuitization date.
·	During the annuity benefit payment period, surrenders are not permitted.

Charges and Deductions

·	There is no sales charge on purchase payments.
·	A contingent deferred surrender charge is imposed on certain total or partial surrenders from the Fixed Account.
·	A transfer fee applies to certain transfers from the Fixed Account to divisions.
·	A mortality and expense risks daily charge equal to 0.85% per year applies to amounts in the Separate Account.
	The Company reserves the right to increase this charge, but guarantees that it will not exceed 1.25% per year.
·	The daily Separate Account administration charge is currently 0%, but the Company reserves the right to assess
	a charge not to exceed 0.15% annually.
·	Certain states and local governments impose a premium tax. The Company reserves the right to deduct the
	amount of the tax from purchase payments or accumulated values.


Death Benefit

·	During the accumulation period:
	·	the death benefit is the greater of:
		·	accumulated value, or
		·	purchase payments minus partial surrenders, any transaction fees, surrender charges and transfer fees.
	·	You may choose to have death benefit payments made under an annuity benefit payment option.
·	During the annuity period, payments to your named beneficiary(ies) will continue only as provided by the annuity
	benefit payment option selected.

Annuity Benefit Payments

·	You may choose from several fixed annuity benefit payment options which start on your selected annuitization
	date.
·	Annuity benefit payments are made to the owner (or beneficiary depending on the annuity benefit payment option
	selected). You should carefully consider the tax implications of each annuity benefit payment option (see Annuity
	Benefit Payment Options and FEDERAL TAX MATTERS).

Examination Offer (free look)

·	You may return the Contract during the free look which is generally 10 days from the date you receive your
	Contract. The free look may be longer in certain states.
·	We return either all purchase payments made or the accumulated value, whichever is required by applicable
	state law.

PRINCIPAL FREEDOM^SMVARIABLE ANNUITY

Principal Freedom^SMVariable Annuity is significantly different from a fixed annuity. As the owner of a variable
annuity, you assume the risk of investment gain or loss (as to amounts in the divisions) rather than the insurance
company. The amount available for annuity benefit payments under a variable annuity is not guaranteed. The
amount available for payments varies with the investment performance of the portfolio securities of the underlying
mutual fund(s).

Based on your investment objectives, you direct the allocation of purchase payments and accumulated value. There
can be no assurance that your investment objectives will be achieved.

THE COMPANY

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. Our home office is located at: Principal Financial Group, Des Moines,
Iowa 50392. We are 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, we were incorporated under Iowa law as a mutual assessment life insurance company named
Bankers Life Association. We became a legal reserve life insurance company and changed our name to Bankers Life
Company in 1911. In 1986, we changed our name to Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1998, we 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 our current
organizational structure.

THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT

Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B was established under Iowa law on January 12, 1970 and

was registered as a unit investment trust with the SEC on July 17, 1970. This registration does not involve SEC

supervision of the investments or investment policies of the Separate Account. We do not guarantee the investment

results of the Separate Account. There is no assurance that the value of your Contract will equal the total of the

purchase payments you make to us.

The Separate Account is not affected by the rate of return of our general account or by the investment performance

of any of our other assets. Any income, gain, or loss (whether or not realized) from the assets of the Separate

Account are credited to or charged against the Separate Account without regard to our other income, gains, or

losses. Obligations arising from the Contract, including the promise to make annuity benefit payments, are general

corporate obligations of the Company. Assets of the Separate Account attributed to the reserves and other liabilities

under the Contract may not be charged with liabilities arising from any of our other businesses.

The Separate Account is divided into divisions. The assets of each division invest in a corresponding underlying

mutual fund. New divisions may be added and made available. Divisions may also be eliminated from the Separate

Account following SEC approval.

The Company does not guarantee the investment results of the Separate Account. There is no assurance that the

value of your Contract will equal the total of your purchase payments.

In a low interest rate environment, yields for the Money Market division, after deduction of all applicable Contract and

rider charges, may be negative even though the underlying money market fund’s yield, before deducting for such

charges, is positive. If you allocate a portion of your Contract value to a Money Market division or participate in a

scheduled automatic transfers program or Automatic Portfolio Rebalancing program where the Contract value is

allocated to a Money Market division, that portion of your Contract value allocated to the Money Market division may

decrease in value.

THE UNDERLYING MUTUAL FUNDS

The underlying mutual funds are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as open-end investment

management companies. The underlying mutual funds provide the investment vehicles for the Separate Account. A

full description of the underlying mutual funds, the investment objectives, policies and restrictions, charges and

expenses and other operational information are contained in the accompanying prospectuses (which should be read

carefully before investing) and the Statement of Additional Information (^“SAI^”). You may request additional copies

of these documents without charge from your registered representative or by calling us at 1-800-852-4450.

We purchase and sell shares of the underlying mutual fund for the Separate Account at their net asset value. Shares

represent interests in the underlying mutual fund available for investment by the Separate Account. Each underlying

mutual fund corresponds to one of the divisions. The assets of each division are separate from the others. A

division’s performance has no effect on the investment performance of any other division.

The underlying mutual funds are NOT available to the general public directly. The underlying mutual funds are

available only as investment options in variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts issued by life

insurance companies and qualified plans. Some of the underlying mutual funds have been established by investment

advisers that manage publicly traded mutual funds having similar names and investment objectives. While some of

the underlying mutual funds may be similar to, and may in fact be modeled after publicly traded mutual funds, you

should understand that the underlying mutual funds are not otherwise directly related to any publicly traded mutual

fund. Consequently, the investment performance of any underlying mutual fund may differ substantially from the

investment performance of a publicly traded mutual fund.

The Table of Separate Account Divisions later in this prospectus contains a brief summary of the investment

objectives and a listing of the advisor and, if applicable, sub-advisor for each division.

Deletion or Substitution of Divisions

We reserve the right, within the law, to make additions, deletions and substitutions for the divisions. We will make no

such substitution or deletion without first notifying you and obtaining approval of the appropriate insurance regulatory

authorities and the SEC (to the extent required by 1940 Act).

If the shares of a division are no longer available for investment or if, in the judgment of our management, investment

in a division becomes inappropriate for the purposes of our contract, we may eliminate the shares of a division and

substitute shares of another division of the Trust or another open-end registered investment company. Substitution

may be made with respect to both existing investments and the investment of future premium payments.

If we eliminate divisions, you may change allocation percentages and transfer any value in an affected division to

another division(s) without charge. You may exercise this exchange privilege until the later of 60 days after a) the

effective date of the additions, deletions and/or substitutions of the change, or b) the date you receive notice of the

options available. You may only exercise this right if you have any value in the affected division(s).

We also reserve the right to establish additional divisions, each of which would invest in a separate underlying mutual

fund with a specified investment objective.

Voting Rights

We vote shares of the underlying mutual funds owned by the Separate Account according to the instructions of

owners.

We will notify you of shareholder meetings of the mutual funds underlying the divisions in which you hold units. We

will send you proxy materials and instructions for you to provide voting instructions to us. We will arrange for the

handling and tallying of proxies received from you and other owners. If you give no voting instructions, we will vote

those shares in the same proportion as shares for which we received instructions.

We determine the number of fund shares that you may instruct us to vote by allocating one vote for each $100 of

accumulated contract value in the division. Fractional votes are allocated for amounts less than $100. We determine

the number of underlying fund shares you may instruct us to vote as of the record date established by the mutual

fund for its shareholder meeting. In the event that applicable law changes or we are required by regulators to

disregard voting instructions, we may decide to vote the shares of the underlying mutual funds in our own right.

NOTE: Because there is no required minimum number of votes, a small number of votes can have a

disproportionate effect.

THE CONTRACT

The descriptions that follow are based on provisions of the Contract offered by this prospectus. You should refer to

the actual Contract and the terms and limitations of any tax qualified plan which is to be funded by the Contract. Tax

qualified plans are subject to several requirements and limitations which may affect the terms of any particular

Contract or the advisability of taking certain action permitted by the Contract.

To Buy a Contract

If you want to buy a Contract, you must submit an application and make an initial purchase payment. If the

application is complete and the Contract applied for is suitable, the Contract is issued. If the completed application is

received in proper order, the initial purchase payment is credited within two valuation days after the later of receipt of

the application or receipt of the initial purchase payment at the Company’s home office. If the initial purchase

payment is not credited within five valuation days, it is refunded unless we have received your permission to retain

the purchase payment until we receive the information necessary to issue the Contract.


Tax-qualified retirement arrangements, such as IRAs, SEPs, and SIMPLE-IRAs, are tax-deferred. You derive no
additional benefit from the tax deferral feature of the annuity. Consequently, an annuity should be used to
fund an IRA, or other tax qualified retirement arrangement to benefit from the annuity’s features other than
tax deferral. These features may include guaranteed lifetime income, death benefits without surrender charges,
guaranteed caps on fees, and the ability to transfer among investment options without sales or withdrawal charges.

Purchase Payments

The initial purchase payment must be at least $10,000. Subsequent purchase payments must be at least $50. The
total of all purchase payments may not be greater than $2,000,000 without our prior approval. The company reserves
the right to increase the minimum amount for each purchase payment to not more than $1,000.

Allocation of purchase payments
Your purchase payments are allocated to the divisions and/or the Fixed Account according to your instructions. The
percentage allocation for future purchase payments may be changed, without charge, at any time by sending a
written request to or calling the home office. The allocation changes are effective at the end of the valuation period in
which your new instructions are received. You may not allocate your investment to the Fixed Account if it causes the
value of the Fixed Account to be more than $1,000,000 (without our prior approval).

Right to Examine the Contract (free look)

It is important to us that you are satisfied with the purchase of your Contract. Under state law, you have the right to
return the Contract for any reason during the examination offer period (a ^“free look^”). The examination offer period is
the later of 10 days after the Contract is delivered to you, or such later date as specified by applicable state law.

Although we currently allocate your initial purchase payments to the investment options you have selected, we
reserve the right to allocate initial purchase payments to the Money Market Division during the examination offer
period. In addition, we are required to allocate initial purchase payments to the Money Market Division if the Contract
is issued in California and the owner is age 60 or older. After the examination offer period expires, your accumulated
value will be converted into units of the divisions according to your allocation instructions. The units allocated will be
based on the unit value next determined for each division.

If you properly exercise your free look, we will rescind the Contract and we will pay you a refund of your current
accumulated value plus any premium tax charge deducted, less any applicable federal and state income tax
withholding and depending on the state in which the Contract was issued, any applicable fees and charges. The
amount returned to you may be higher or lower than the purchase payment(s) applied during the examination offer
period. Some states require us to return to you the amount or your purchase payment(s); if so, we will return the
greater of your purchase payments or your current accumulated value plus any premium tax charge deducted, less
any applicable federal and state income tax withholding and depending upon the state in which the Contract was
issued, any applicable fees and charges.

If you are purchasing this Contract to fund an IRA, SIMPLE-IRA, or SEP-IRA and you return it on or before the
seventh day of the examination offer period, we will return the greater of:

·	the total purchase payment(s) made; or
·	your accumulated value plus any premium tax charge deducted, less any applicable federal and state income tax
	withholding and depending upon the state in which the Contract was issued, any applicable fees and charges.

To return a Contract, you must send a written request to us or to the registered representative who sold it to you
before the close of business on the last day of the examination offer period.

You may obtain more specific information regarding the free look from your registered representative or by calling us
at 1-800-852-4450.


The Accumulation Period

The Value of Your Contract
The value of your Contract is the total of the Separate Account value plus any Fixed Account value. The Fixed
Account value is described in the section titled FIXED ACCOUNT.

As owner of the Contract, you bear the investment risk. The Contract’s accumulated value reflects the
investment experience of the divisions that you choose. It also reflects your purchase payments, partial surrenders
and the Contract expenses deducted from the Separate Account.

The Separate Account division accumulated value changes from day to day. To the extent the accumulated value is
allocated to the Separate Account, you bear the investment risk. At the end of any valuation period, your Contract’s
value in a division is:

·	the number of units you have in a division multiplied by
·	the value of a unit in the division.

The number of units is the total of units purchased by allocations to the division from:

·	your initial purchase payment;
·	subsequent purchase payments; and
·	transfers from another division or the Fixed Account.

minus units sold:

·	for partial surrenders from the division;
·	as part of a transfer to another division or the Fixed Account; and
·	to pay Contract charges and fees.

Unit values are calculated each valuation date at the close of normal trading of the NYSE. To calculate the unit value
of a division, the unit value from the previous valuation date is multiplied by the divisions’ net investment factor for the
current valuation period. The number of units does not change due to a change in unit value.

The net investment factor measures the performance of each division. The net investment factor for a valuation
period is [(a plus b) divided by (c)] minus d where:

a = the share price (net asset value) of the underlying mutual fund at the end of the valuation period;
b = the per share amount of any dividend* (or other distribution) made by the mutual fund during the valuation
period;
c = the share price (net asset value) of the underlying mutual fund at the end of the previous valuation period;
and
d = are the total Separate Account annual expenses.

*	When an investment owned by an underlying mutual fund pays a dividend, the dividend increases the net
	asset value of a share of the underlying mutual fund as of the date the dividend is recorded. As the net asset
	value of a share of an underlying mutual fund increases, the unit value of the corresponding division also
	reflects an increase. Payment of a dividend under these circumstances does not increase the number of
	units you own in the division.

The Separate Account charges (if any) and the mortality and expense risks charge are calculated by dividing the
annual amount of the charge by 365 and multiplying by the number of days in the valuation period.


Purchase Payments
·	On your application, you direct how your purchase payments will be allocated to the divisions that you choose.
·	Allocations must be in percentages.
·	Percentages must be in whole numbers and total 100%.
·	Subsequent purchase payments are allocated according to your then current allocation instructions.
·	Changes to the allocation instructions are made without charge.
	·	A change is effective on the next valuation period after we receive your new instructions.
	·	You can change the current allocations and future allocation instructions by:
		·	mailing your instructions to us;
		·	calling us at 1-800-852-4450 (if telephone privileges apply);
		·	faxing your instructions to us at 1-866-894-2087; or
		·	visiting www.principal.com.
·	Changes to purchase payment allocations do not result in the transfer of any existing division accumulated
	values. You must provide specific instructions to transfer existing accumulated values.
·	Purchase payments are credited on the basis of the unit value next determined after we receive a purchase
	payment.

Division Transfers
You may request an unscheduled transfer or set up a scheduled transfer by:

	·	mailing your instructions to us;
	·	calling us at 1-800-852-4450 (if telephone privileges apply);
	·	faxing us at 1-866-894-2087; or
	·	visiting www.principal.com (if internet privileges apply).
You must specify the dollar amount of percentage to transfer from each division. In states where allowed, we reserve
the right to reject transfer instructions from someone providing them for multiple contracts for which he or she is not
the owner.

You may not make a transfer to the Fixed Account if:

	·	a transfer has been made from the Fixed Account to a division within six months; or
	·	after the transfer, the Fixed Account value would be more than $1,000,000 (without our prior approval).

Unscheduled Transfers
·	You may make unscheduled division transfers from one division to another division or to the Fixed Account.
·	The transfer is made, and values determined, as of the end of the valuation period in which we receive your
	request.
·	The transfer amount must be equal to or greater than the lesser of $50 or the total value of the division from
	which the transfer is being made.

Limitations on Unscheduled Transfers. We reserve the right to reject excessive exchanges or purchases if the
trade would disrupt the management of the Separate Account, any division of the Separate Account or any
underlying mutual fund. In addition, we may suspend or modify transfer privileges in our sole discretion at any time to
prevent market timing efforts that could disadvantage other owners. These modifications could include, but not be
limited to:

	·	requiring a minimum time period between each transfer;
	·	imposing a transfer fee;
	·	limiting the dollar amount that an owner may transfer at any one time; or
	·	not accepting transfer requests from someone providing requests for multiple Contracts for which he or she
		is not the owner.


Scheduled Transfers (Dollar Cost Averaging)
·	You may elect to have transfers made on a scheduled basis.
·	You must specify the dollar amount of the transfer.
·	There is no charge for scheduled transfers and no charge for participating in the scheduled transfer program.
·	You select the transfer date (other than the 29th, 30th or 31st) and the transfer period
	·	quarterly (on a calendar year or contract year basis) or
	·	semiannually or annually (on a contract year basis).
·	If the selected date is not a valuation date, the transfer is completed on the next valuation date.
·	Transfers continue until your value in the division is zero or we receive notice to stop the transfers.
·	We reserve the right to limit the number of divisions from which simultaneous transfers are made. In no event will
	it ever be less than two.
·	If you want to stop a scheduled transfer, you must provide us notice prior to the date of the scheduled transfer.

Scheduled transfers are designed to reduce the risks that result from market fluctuations. They do this by spreading
out the allocation of your money to investment options over a longer period of time. This allows you to reduce the risk
of investing most of your money at a time when market prices are high. The results of this strategy depend on market
trends and are not guaranteed.


Example:

Month	Amount Invested	Share Price	Shares Purchased
January	$100	$ 25.00	4
February	$100	$ 20.00	5
March	$100	$ 20.00	5
April	$100	$ 10.00	10
May	$100	$ 25.00	4
June	$100	$ 20.00	5
Total	$600	$120.00	33


In the example above, the average share price is $20.00 (total of share prices ($120.00) divided by number of
purchases (6)). The average share cost is $18.18 (amount invested ($600.00) divided by number of shares
purchased (33)).

Separate Account surrenders
Surrenders from the Separate Account are generally paid within seven days of the effective date of the request for
surrender (or earlier if required by law). However, certain delays in payment are permitted (see GENERAL
PROVISIONS - Delay of Payment). Surrenders before age 59 1/2 may involve an income tax penalty (see FEDERAL
TAX MATTERS). You must send us a written request for any surrender.

You may specify surrender allocation percentages with each partial surrender request. If you don’t provide us with
specific percentages, we will use your purchase payment allocation percentages for the partial surrender.

Total Surrender
·	You may surrender the Contract on or before the annuitization date.
·	You receive the cash surrender value at the end of the valuation period during which we receive your surrender
	request.
·	The cash surrender value is the total of the values of your divisions plus any amount you have in the Fixed
	Account minus any applicable surrender charge or transaction fee.
·	The written consent of all collateral assignees and irrevocable beneficiaries must be obtained prior to surrender.
·	We reserve the right to require you to return the Contract to us prior to making any payment though this does not
	affect the amount of the cash surrender value.


Unscheduled partial surrender
· Prior to the annuitization date, you may surrender a part of the Fixed Account and/or Separate Account value by
sending us a written request.
· You must specify the dollar amount of the surrender (which must be $50 or more).
· The surrender is effective at the end of the valuation period during which we receive your written request for
surrender.
· The surrender is deducted from your Fixed Account value and/or your division(s) according to the surrender
allocation percentages you specify.
· If surrender allocation percentages are not specified, we use your purchase payment allocation percentages.
· We surrender units from the divisions and/or Fixed Account amounts to equal the dollar amount of the surrender
request plus any applicable Fixed Account surrender charge.
· The accumulated value after the unscheduled partial surrender must be equal or greater than $5,000 (we reserve
the right to change the minimum remaining accumulated value but it will not be greater than $10,000).

Scheduled partial surrender
· You may elect partial surrenders on a periodic basis by sending us written notice.
· Your accumulated value must be at least $5,000 when the surrenders begin.
· Surrenders are made from any of the divisions and/or the Fixed Account.
· You may specify monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually and pick a surrender date (other than the 29th,
30th or 31st).
· If the selected date is not a valuation date, the transfer is completed on the next valuation date.
· The surrender is deducted from your Fixed Account value and/or any division(s) according to the surrender
allocation percentages you specify.
· If surrender allocation percentages are not specified, we use your purchase payment allocation percentages.
· We surrender units from the divisions and/or Fixed Account to equal the dollar amount of the surrender request
plus any applicable Fixed Account surrender charge.
· The surrenders continue until the accumulated value is zero or we receive written notice to stop them.

Automatic Portfolio Rebalancing (APR)
· APR allows you to maintain a specific percentage of your accumulated value in specified divisions over time.
· You may elect APR at any time after the examination offer period has expired.
· APR is not available if you have arranged scheduled transfers from the same division.
· There is no charge for APR transfers and no charge for participating in the APR program.
· APR may be done on the frequency you specify:
·	quarterly (on a calendar year or contract year basis); or
·	semiannually or annually (on a contract year basis).
· You may rebalance by:
·	mailing your instructions to us,
·	calling us at 1-800-852-4450 (if telephone privileges apply);
·	faxing your instructions to us at 1-866-894-2087; or
·	visiting www.principal.com.

Divisions are rebalanced at the end of the valuation period during which we receive your request.

Example: You elect APR to maintain your accumulated value with 50% in the LargeCap Value Division and
	50% in the Bond & Mortgage Securities Division. At the end of the specified period, 60% of the
	accumulated value is in the LargeCap Value Division, with the remaining 40% in the Bond &
	Mortgage Securities Division. By rebalancing, units from the LargeCap Value Division are sold and
	invested in the Bond & Mortgage Securities Division so that 50% of the accumulated value is once
	again in each division.


Telephone and Internet Services

If you elect telephone services or you elect internet services and satisfy our internet service requirements (which are
designed to ensure compliance with federal UETA and E-SIGN laws), instructions for the following transactions may
be given to us via the telephone or internet:

·	make purchase payment allocation changes;
·	set up Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) scheduled transfers;
·	make transfers; and
·	make changes to APR.

Neither the Company nor the Separate Account is responsible for the authenticity of telephone service or internet
transaction requests. We reserve the right to refuse telephone service or internet transaction requests. You are liable
for a loss resulting from a fraudulent telephone or internet order that we reasonably believe is genuine. We follow
procedures in an attempt to assure genuine telephone service or internet transactions. If these procedures are not
followed, we may be liable for loss caused by unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. The procedures may include
recording telephone service transactions, requesting personal identification (name, address, security phrase,
password, daytime telephone number, social security number and/or birth date) and sending written confirmation to
your address of record.

Instructions received via our telephone services and/or the internet are binding on both owners if the Contract is
jointly owned.

If the Contract is owned by a business entity or a trust, an authorized individual (with the proper password) may use
telephone and/or internet services. Instructions provided by the authorized individual are binding on the owner.

We reserve the right to modify or terminate telephone service or internet transaction procedures at any time.
Whenever reasonably feasible, we will provide you with prior notice if we modify or terminate telephone service or
internet services. In some instances, it may not be reasonably feasible to provide prior notice if we modify or
terminate telephone service or internet transaction procedures; however, any modification or termination will apply to
all Contract owners in a non-discriminatory fashion.

Telephone Services
Telephone services are available to you. Telephone services may be declined on the application or at any later date
by providing us with written notice. You may also elect telephone authorization for your registered representative by
providing us written notice.

If you elect telephone privileges, instructions
·	may be given by calling us at 1-800-852-4450 while we are open for business (generally, between 8 a.m.
	and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on any day that the NYSE is open).
·	are effective the day they are received if we receive the instructions in good order before the close of normal
	trading of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
·	are effective the next valuation day if we receive the instructions when we are not open for business and/or
	after the NYSE closes its normal trading.

Internet
Internet services are available to you if you register for a secure login on the Principal Financial Group web site,
www.principal.com. You may also elect internet authorization for your registered representative by providing us
written notice.

If you register for internet privileges, instructions
·	are effective the day they are received if we receive the instructions in good order before the close of normal
	trading of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
·	are effective the next valuation day if we receive the instructions when we are not open for business and/or
	after the NYSE closes its normal trading.

Death Benefit

This Contract provides a death benefit upon the death of the owner. The Contract will not provide death benefits

upon the death of an annuitant unless the annuitant is also an owner or the owner is not a natural person.

The following table illustrates the various situations and the resulting death benefit payment if you die before the

annuitization date.


If you die and...	And...	Then...

You are the sole owner	Your spouse is not named as	The beneficiary(ies) receive the death benefit under the Contract.
	a primary beneficiary
		If a beneficiary dies before you, on your death we will make equal payments to
		the surviving beneficiaries unless you provided us with other written
		instructions. If no beneficiary(ies) survive you, the death benefit is paid to your
		estate in a single payment.

		Upon your death, only your beneficiary(ies’) right to the death benefit will
		continue; all other rights and benefits under the Contract will terminate.

You are the sole owner	Your spouse is named as a	Your spouse may either
	primary beneficiary	a. elect to continue the Contract; or
		b. receive the death benefit under the Contract.

		All other beneficiaries receive the death benefit under the Contract.

		If a beneficiary dies before you, on your death we will make equal payments to
		the surviving beneficiaries unless you provided us with other written
		instructions. If no beneficiary(ies) survive you, the death benefit is paid to your
		estate in a single payment.

		Unless your spouse elects to continue the Contract, only your spouse’s and
		any other beneficiary(ies’) right to the death benefit will continue; all other
		rights and benefits under the Contract will terminate.

You are a joint owner	The surviving joint owner is	The surviving owner receives the death benefit under the Contract.
	not your spouse
		Upon your death, only the surviving owner’s right to the death benefit will
		continue; all other rights and benefits under the Contract will terminate.

You are a joint owner	The surviving joint owner is	Your spouse may either
	your spouse	a. elect to continue the Contract; or
		b. receive the death benefit under the Contract.

		Unless the surviving spouse owner elects to continue the Contract, upon your
		death, only your spouse’s right to the death benefit will continue; all other
		rights and benefits under the rider and the Contract will terminate.

The annuitant dies	The owner is not a natural	The beneficiary(ies) receive the death benefit under the Contract.
	person
		If a beneficiary dies before the annuitant, on the annuitant’s death we will
		make equal payments to the surviving beneficiaries unless the owner provided
		us with other written instructions. If no beneficiary(ies) survive the annuitant,
		the death benefit is paid to the owner.

		Upon the annuitant’s death, only the beneficiary(ies’) right to the death benefit
		will continue; all other rights and benefits under the Contract will terminate.

Before the annuitization date, you may give us written instructions for payment under a death benefit option. If we do

not receive your instructions, the death benefit is paid according to instructions from the beneficiary(ies). The

beneficiary(ies) may elect to apply the death benefit under an annuity benefit payment option or receive the death

benefit as a single payment. Generally, unless the beneficiary(ies) elects otherwise, we pay the death benefit in a

single payment, subject to proof of your death.

No surrender charge applies when a death benefit is paid.


Amount of the Death Benefit
The amount of the death benefit is the greater of:

·	your accumulated value on the date we receive all required documents; or
·	the total of purchase payments minus any partial surrenders, fees and charges as of the date we receive all
	required documents and notice (including proof) of death.

If you die before the annuitant and your beneficiary is your spouse, we will continue the Contract with your spouse as
the new owner. Alternatively, within 60 days of your death, your spouse may elect to:

·	apply the death benefit under an annuity payment option; or
·	receive the death benefit as a single payment.

Payment of Death Benefit
The accumulated value remains invested in the divisions until the valuation period during which we receive the
required documents. If more than one beneficiary is named, each beneficiary’s portion of the death benefit remains
invested in the divisions until the valuation period during which we receive the required documents for that
beneficiary. After payment of all of the death benefit, the Contract is terminated.

The death benefit is usually paid within five business days of our receiving all documents (including proof of death)
that we require to process the claim. Payment is made according to benefit instructions provided by you. Some
states require this payment to be made in less than five business days. Under certain circumstances, this payment
may be delayed (see Delay of Payments). We pay interest (as required by state law) on the death benefit from the
date we receive all required documents until payment is made or until the death benefit is applied under an annuity
benefit payment option.

NOTE: Proof of death includes: a certified copy of a death certificate; a certified copy of a court order; a written
	statement by a medical doctor; or other proof satisfactory to us.

The Annuity Benefit Payment Period

Annuitization Date
You may specify an annuitization date in your application. You may change the annuitization date with our prior
approval. The request must be in writing. You may not select an annuitization date later than the maximum
annuitization date found on the data pages. If you do not specify an annuitization date, the annuitization date is the
maximum annuitization date shown on the data pages.

You may annuitize your Contract at any time by electing to receive payments under an annuity benefit payment
option. If the accumulated value on the annuitization date is less than $2,000.00 or if the amount applied under an
annuity benefit payment option is less than the minimum requirement, we may pay out the entire amount in a single
payment. The contract would then be canceled. You may select when you want the annuity benefit payments to
begin (within the period that begins the business day following our receipt of your instruction and ends one year after
our receipt of your instructions).

Once annuity benefit payments begin under the annuity benefit payment option you choose, the annuity benefit
payment option may not be changed. In addition, once payments begin, you may not surrender or otherwise liquidate
or commute any of the portion of your accumulated value that has been annuitized.

Depending on the type of annuity benefit payment option selected, annuity benefit payments that are initiated either
before or after the annuitization date may be subject to penalty taxes (see FEDERAL TAX MATTERS). You should
consider this carefully when you select or change the annuity benefit payment commencement date.


Annuity Benefit Payment Options
We offer fixed annuity benefit payments only. No surrender charge is imposed on any portion of your accumulated
value that has been annuitized. You may choose from several fixed annuity benefit payment options. Annuity benefit
payments will be made on the frequency you choose. You may elect to have your annuity benefit payments made on
a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. The dollar amount of the annuity benefit payments is specified for
the entire annuity benefit payment period according to the annuity benefit payment option selected. There is no right
to take any total surrenders after the annuitization date.

The amount of the fixed annuity benefit payment depends on:

·	the amount of accumulated value applied to the annuity benefit payment option;
·	the annuity benefit payment option selected; and
·	the age and gender of annuitant (unless the Fixed Period Income benefit payment option is selected).

Annuity benefit payments are determined in accordance with annuity tables and other provisions contained in the
Contract. The annuity benefit payment tables contained in this Contract are based on the 1983 Table A Mortality
Table. These tables are guaranteed for the life of the Contract. The amount of the initial annuity benefit payment is
determined by applying the accumulated value as of the date of the application to the annuity table for the annuitant’s
annuity benefit option, gender, and age.

Annuity benefit payments generally are higher for male annuitants than for female annuitants with an otherwise
identical Contract. This is because statistically females have longer life expectancies than males. In certain states,
this difference may not be taken into consideration in fixing the annuity benefit payment amount. Additionally,
Contracts with no gender distinctions are made available for certain employer-sponsored plans because, under most
such plans, gender discrimination is prohibited by law.

You may select an annuity benefit payment option by written request only. Your selection of an annuity benefit
payment option may not be changed after annuity benefit payments begin. You may change your selection of an
annuity benefit payment option (for which no annuity benefit payments have been made) by sending us a written
request prior to the annuitization date. We must receive your written request on or before the annuitization date. If
you fail to elect an annuity benefit payment option, we will automatically apply:

·	for Contracts with one annuitant – Life Income with annuity benefit payments guaranteed for a period of
	10 years.
·	for Contracts with joint annuitants – Joint and Full Survivor Life Income with annuity benefit payments
	guaranteed for a period of 10 years.

The available annuity benefit payment options include:
·	Fixed Period Income - Level payments are made for a fixed period. You may select a range from 5 to
	30 years (state variations may apply). If the annuitant dies before the selected period expires, payments
	continue to you or the person(s) you designate until the end of the period. Payments stop after all
	guaranteed payments are made.

·	Life Income - Level payments are made during the annuitant’s lifetime only. NOTE: There is no death
	benefit value remaining or further payments when the annuitant dies. If you defer the first payment
	date, it is possible that you would receive no payments if the annuitant dies before the first payment date.

·	Life Income with Period Certain - Level payments continue during the annuitant’s lifetime with a
	guaranteed payment period of 5 to 30 years. If the annuitant dies before all of the guaranteed payments
	have been made, the guaranteed payments continue to you or the person(s) you designate until the end of
	the guaranteed payment period.

·	Joint and Survivor - Payments continue as long as either the annuitant or the joint annuitant is alive. You
	may also choose an option that lowers the amount of income after the death of a joint annuitant. It is possible
	that you would only receive one payment under this option if both annuitants die before the second payment
	is due. If you defer the first payment date, it is possible that you would receive no payments if both
	annuitants die before the first payment date. NOTE: There is no death benefit value remaining or future
	payments after both annuitants have died.


·	Joint and Survivor with Period Certain - Payments continue as long as either the annuitant or the joint
	annuitant is alive with a guaranteed payment period of 5 to 30 years. You may choose an option that lowers
	the amount of income after the death of a joint annuitant. If both annuitants die before all guaranteed
	payments have been made, the guaranteed payments continue to you or the person(s) you designate until
	the end of the guaranteed payment period.

·	Joint and Two-thirds Survivor Life Income - Payments continue as long as either the annuitant or the joint
	annuitant is alive. If either the annuitant or joint annuitant dies, payments continue to the survivor at two-
	thirds the original amount. Payments stop when both the annuitant and joint annuitant have died. It is
	possible that only one payment is made under this option if both annuitants die before the second payment is
	due. If you defer the first payment date, it is possible that you would receive no payments if both annuitants
	die before the first payment date. NOTE: There is no death benefit value remaining or future payments
	after both annuitants have died.

Other annuity benefit payment options may be available with our approval.

Supplementary Contract
When you annuitize your Contract’s accumulated value, we issue a supplementary fixed annuity contract that
provides an annuity benefit payment based on the amount you have annuitized and the annuity benefit payment
option that you have selected. The date of the first annuity benefit payment under the supplementary contract is the
effective date of that supplementary contract unless you select a date for the first annuity benefit payment that is later
than the supplementary contract effective date. The first annuity benefit payment must be made within one year of
the supplementary contract effective date.

Tax Considerations Regarding Annuity Benefit Payment Options
If you own one or more tax qualified annuity contracts, you may avoid tax penalties if payments from at least one of
your tax qualified contracts begin no later than April 1 following the calendar year in which you turn age 70 1/2. The
required minimum distribution payment must be in equal (or substantially equal) amounts over your life or over the
joint lives of you and your designated beneficiary. These required minimum distribution payments must be made at
least once a year. Tax penalties may apply at your death on certain excess accumulations. You should confer with
your tax advisor about any potential tax penalties before you select an annuity benefit payment option or take other
distributions from the Contract.

Additional rules apply to distributions under non-qualified contracts (see Required Distributions for Non-Qualified
Contracts).

Death of Annuitant (during the annuity benefit payment period)
If the annuitant dies during the annuity benefit payment period, remaining annuity benefit payments are made to the
owner throughout the guarantee period, if any, or for the life of any joint annuitant, if any. If the owner is the
annuitant, remaining annuity benefit payments are made to the contingent owner. In all cases the person entitled to
receive annuity benefit payments also receives any rights and privileges under the annuity benefit payment option.

CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

Certain charges are deducted under the Contract. If the charge is not sufficient to cover our costs, we bear the loss.

If the expense is more than our costs, the excess is profit to the Company. We expect a profit from all the fees and

charges listed below, except the Premium Tax.

In addition to the charges under the Contract, there are also deductions from and expenses paid out of the assets of

the underlying mutual funds which are described in the underlying mutual funds’ prospectuses.

Mortality and Expense Risks Charge

We assess each division with a daily charge for mortality and expense risks. The annual rate of the charge is 0.85%

of the average daily net assets of the Separate Account. We reserve the right to increase this charge but guarantee

that it will not exceed 1.25% per year. This charge is assessed only prior to the annuitization date. This charge is

assessed daily when the value of an accumulation unit is calculated.

We have a mortality risk in that we guarantee payment of a death benefit in a single payment or under an annuity

benefit payment option. No surrender charge is imposed on a death benefit payment which gives us an additional

mortality risk.

The expense risk that we assume is that the actual expenses incurred in issuing and administering the Contract

exceed the Contract limits on administrative charges.

If the mortality and expense risks charge is not enough to cover the costs, we bear the loss. If the amount of mortality

and expense risks charge deducted is more than our costs, the excess is profit to the Company.

Premium Taxes

We reserve the right to deduct an amount to cover any premium taxes imposed by states or other jurisdictions. Any

deduction is made from either a purchase payment when we receive it, or the accumulated value when you request a

surrender (total or partial) or it is applied under an annuity benefit payment option. Currently, premium taxes range

from zero to 3.5%.

Fixed Account Surrender Charge and Transfer Fee

No sales charge is collected or deducted when purchase payments are applied under the Contract to provide an

annuity benefit payment option. A surrender charge is assessed on certain total or partial surrenders from the Fixed

Account. The amounts we receive from the surrender charge are used to cover some of the expenses of the sale of

the Contract (commissions and other promotional or distribution expenses). If the surrender charge collected is not

enough to cover the actual costs of distribution, the costs are paid from the Company’s General Account assets

which will include profit, if any, from the mortality and expense risks charge.

The surrender charge for any total or partial surrender is a percentage of the Fixed Account purchase payments

surrendered which were received by us during the seven contract years prior to the surrender. The applicable

percentage which is applied to the sum of the Fixed Account purchase payments (which includes amounts

transferred to the Fixed Account from any of the divisions) paid during each contract year is determined by the

following table.

The Fixed Account transfer fee is assessed on certain transfers from the Fixed Account to the Separate Account (For

contracts sold in Oregon, South Carolina and Texas, the Fixed Account transfer fee is waived).


Table of Fixed Account Surrender Charges and Transfer Fees
Number of completed contract years	Surrender charge and transfer fee applied
since each Fixed Account	to Fixed Account surrenders and transfers
*purchase payment was made**	beyond Free Transaction Amount
0 (year of purchase payment)	6%
1	6%
2	6%
3	5%
4	4%
5	3%
6	2%
7 and later	0


* Includes amounts transferred to Fixed Account from divisions. Each Fixed Account purchase payment begins in
year 0 for purposes of calculating the percentage applied to that payment.

For purposes of calculating surrenders and transfers, we assume that surrenders and transfers are made in the
following order:*

·	first from Fixed Account purchase payments we received more than seven completed contract years prior to
	the surrender (or transfer);
·	then from the Fixed Account free transaction amount (first from the Fixed Account’s earnings, then from the
	oldest Fixed Account purchase payments (first-in, first-out)) described below in FIXED ACCOUNT -Fixed
	Account Free Transaction Amount; and
·	then from Fixed Account purchase payments we received within the seven completed contract years before
	the surrender (or transfer) on a first-in, first-out basis.
	* The order for tax reporting purposes is different. You should consult your tax advisor.

Where permitted by state law, we reserve the right to reduce:

·	the surrender charge fee for any amounts surrendered from this Contract; and/or
·	transfer fees on amounts transferred from the Fixed Account to the Separate Account.

These reductions would apply to Contracts that are attributable to a conversion from other products issued by the
Company and its subsidiaries and as otherwise permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as amended).

For Contracts sold in Massachusetts, Oregon, and Texas:

·	There is no transfer fee on purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account after the 13th contract year.
·	There is no surrender charge on purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account after the 13th contract
	year.

Waiver of Fixed Account Surrender Charge
The Fixed Account Surrender Charge will not apply to:

·	amounts applied under an annuity benefit payment option; or
·	payment of death benefit, however, the Surrender Charge does apply to purchase payments made by a
	surviving spouse after an owner’s death; or
·	amounts distributed to satisfy the minimum distribution requirement of Section 401(a)9 of the Code (applies
	to qualified Contracts only); or
·	amounts transferred, after the seventh contract year, from the Contract to a single premium immediate
	annuity issued by the Company; or
·	any amount transferred from a Contract used to fund another annuity contract issued by the Company to the
	contract owner’s spouse when the distribution is made under a divorce decree.


Waiver of Fixed Account Surrender Charge Rider
This Waiver of Fixed Account Surrender Charge rider waives the surrender charge on Fixed Account surrenders
made after the first contract anniversary if the original owner or original annuitant has a critical need. This rider is
automatically made a part of the Contract at issue. There is no charge for this rider. This rider may not be available in
all states and may be subject to additional restrictions. Some rider provisions may vary from state to state. We may
withdraw or prospectively restrict the availability of this rider at any time. For more information regarding availability
or features of this rider, you may contract your registered representative or call us at 1-800-852-4450.

Waiver of the Fixed Account surrender charge is available for critical need if the following conditions are met:

·	the original owner or original annuitant has a critical need; (NOTE: A change of ownership will terminate this
	rider; once terminated the rider may not be reinstated.)
·	the critical need did not exist before the contract date.
·	For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
	·	critical need - owner’s or annuitant’s confinement to a health care facility, terminal illness diagnosis or
		total and permanent disability. If the critical need is confinement to a health care facility, the confinement
		must continue for at least 60 consecutive days after the contract date and the surrender must occur
		within 90 days of the confinement’s end.
	·	health care facility - a licensed hospital or inpatient nursing facility providing daily medical treatment and
		keeping daily medical records for each patient (not primarily providing just residency or retirement care).
		This does not include a facility primarily providing drug or alcohol treatment, or a facility owned or
		operated by the owner, annuitant or a member of their immediate families.
	·	terminal illness - sickness or injury that results in the owner’s or annuitant’s life expectancy being
		12 months or less from the date notice to receive a distribution from the Contract is received by the
		Company.
	·	total and permanent disability - a disability that occurs after the contract date but before the original
		owner or annuitant reaches age 65 and qualifies to receive social security disability payments.


The Waiver of Fixed Account Surrender Charge Rider is not available for Contracts sold in Massachusetts.

State variations may apply.

Administration Charge

We reserve the right to assess each division with a daily charge at the annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net
assets of the division. This charge would only be imposed before the annuitization date. This charge would be
assessed to help cover administrative expenses. Administrative expenses include the cost of issuing the Contract,
clerical, record keeping and bookkeeping services, keeping the required financial and accounting records,
communicating with Contract owners and making regulatory filings.

Special Provisions for Group or Sponsored Arrangements

Where permitted by state law, Contracts may be purchased under group or sponsored arrangements as well as on
an individual basis.

Group Arrangement – program under which a trustee, employer or similar entity purchases Contracts covering a
group of individuals on a group basis.

Sponsored Arrangement – program under which an employer permits group solicitation of its employees or an
association permits group solicitation of its members for the purchase of Contracts on an individual basis.

The charges and deductions described above may be reduced or eliminated for Contracts issued in connection with
group or sponsored arrangements. The rules in effect at the time the application is approved will determine if
reductions apply. Reductions may include but are not limited to sales of Contracts without, or with reduced, mortality
and expense risks charges, administrative charge or surrender charges.


Eligibility for and the amount of these reductions are determined by a number of factors, including the number of
individuals in the group, the amount of expected purchase payments, total assets under management for the
Contract owner, the relationship among the group’s members, the purpose for which the Contract is being
purchased, the expected persistency of the Contract, and any other circumstances which, in our opinion, are
rationally related to the expected reduction in expenses. Reductions reflect the reduced sales efforts and
administrative costs resulting from these arrangements. We may modify the criteria for and the amount of the
reduction in the future. Modifications will not unfairly discriminate against any person, including affected Contract
owners and other contract owners with contracts funded by the Separate Account.

FIXED ACCOUNT

This prospectus is intended to serve as a disclosure document only for the Contract as it relates to the Separate
Account. It only contains selected information regarding the Fixed Account. More information concerning the Fixed
Account is available from the home office or from a registered representative.

You may allocate purchase payments and transfer amounts from the Separate Account to the Fixed Account. Assets
in the Fixed Account are held in the General Account of the Company. Because of exemptive and exclusionary
provisions, interests in the Fixed Account are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and the General
Account is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fixed Account
is not subject to these Acts. The staff of the Commission does not review the prospectus disclosures relating to the
Fixed Account. However, these disclosures are subject to certain generally applicable provisions of the federal
securities laws relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in the prospectus.

General Description

Our obligations with respect to the Fixed Account are supported by the Company’s General Account. The General
Account is the assets of the Company other than those allocated to any of the Company’s Separate Accounts.
Subject to applicable law, the Company has sole discretion over the assets in the General Account.

The Company guarantees that purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account earn interest at a guaranteed
interest rate. In no event will the guaranteed interest rate be less than 3% compounded annually.

Each purchase payment allocated or amount transferred to the Fixed Account earns interest at the guaranteed rate
in effect on the date it is received or transferred. This rate applies to each purchase payment or amount transferred
through the end of the contract year.

Each contract anniversary, we declare a renewal interest rate that is guaranteed and applies to the Fixed Account
value in existence at that time. This rate applies until the end of the contract year. Interest is earned daily and
compounded annually at the end of each contract year. Once credited, the interest is guaranteed and becomes part
of the accumulated value in the Fixed Account from which deductions for fees and charges may be made.

Fixed Account Accumulated Value

Your Contract’s Fixed Account accumulated value on any valuation date is the sum of:

·	purchase payments allocated to the Fixed Account;
·	plus any transfers to the Fixed Account from the Separate Account;
·	plus interest credited to the Fixed Account;
·	minus any surrenders, surrender charges, or transaction fees allocated to the Fixed Account;
·	minus any transfers (and transfer fees) to the Separate Account.


Fixed Account Transfers, Total and Partial Surrenders

Transfers and surrenders from your investment in the Fixed Account are subject to certain limitations. In addition,
surrenders and transfers from the Fixed Account may be subject to a charge or fee (see Fixed Account Surrender
Charge and Transfer Fee). The total amount you may transfer and/or surrender from the Fixed Account may not
exceed your Fixed Account value.

You may transfer amounts from the Fixed Account to the divisions before the annuitization date and as provided
below. The transfer is effective on the valuation date following our receiving your instructions. You may transfer
amounts by making either a scheduled or unscheduled Fixed Account transfer. You may not make both a scheduled
and unscheduled Fixed Account transfer in the same contract year.

Fixed Account Free Transaction Amount
Each contract year, a certain portion of your Fixed Account value may be:

·	withdrawn free of the surrender charge; or
·	transferred to the Separate Account free of the transfer fee.

The surrender charge and transfer fee do not apply to Fixed Account surrenders or transfers (or a combination of
surrenders and transfers) which do not exceed the greater of:

·	your Fixed Account’s earnings (Fixed Account value minus unsurrendered/non-transferred Fixed Account
	purchase payments still subject to a surrender charge or transfer fee); or
·	10% of your total Fixed Account value recalculated as of the later of the contract date or last contract
	anniversary; or
·	an amount surrendered to satisfy the minimum distribution requirement of Section 401(a)9 of the Code,
	provided that the amount surrendered does not exceed the minimum distribution amount which would have
	been calculated based on the value of this Contract alone.
In addition, 10% of Fixed Account purchase payments during the current Contract year may be surrendered without a
surrender charge or transferred without a transfer fee.

Any Fixed Account Free Transaction amount not withdrawn or transferred in a contract year is not added to the Fixed
Account Free Transaction amount available for any following contract year(s).

Unscheduled Fixed Account Transfer
You may make an unscheduled transfer from the Fixed Account each contract year as follows:

·	The transfer is effective on the valuation date following our receiving your instructions.
·	You must specify the dollar amount or percentage to be transferred.
·	Amounts in excess of the Fixed Account Free Transaction Amount may be subject to a transfer fee.
·	You may transfer up to 100% of your Fixed Account value (without incurring the transfer fee) within 30 days
	after a contract anniversary if:
	·	your Fixed Account value is less than $1,000, or
	·	the renewal interest rate for your Fixed Account value for the current contract year is more than one
		percentage point lower than the weighted average of your Fixed Account interest rates for the preceding
		contract year.
If you do not meet one of the preceding conditions, transfers from the Fixed Account may be subject to a surrender
charge (see Fixed Account Surrender Charge and Transfer Fee).


Scheduled Fixed Account Transfer (Dollar Cost Averaging)
You may make scheduled transfers on a periodic basis from the Fixed Account as follows:

·	You may establish scheduled transfers by:
	·	mailing your instructions to us;
	·	calling us at 1-800-852-4450 (if telephone privileges apply);
	·	faxing your instructions to us at 1-866-894-2087; or
	·	visiting www.principal.com.
·	Transfers occur on a date you specify (other than the 29th, 30th or 31st of any month).
·	If the selected date is not a valuation date, the transfer is completed on the next valuation date.
·	The minimum transfer amount is $50.
·	Transfers continue until your value in the Fixed Account is zero or we receive your notice to stop them.
·	If you stop the transfers, you may not start them again without our prior approval.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Contract

The entire Contract is made up of the Contract, amendments, riders and endorsements and data pages. Only our
corporate officers can agree to change or waive any provisions of a Contract. Any change or waiver must be in
writing and signed by an officer of the Company.

Delay of Payments

Surrendered amounts are generally disbursed within seven calendar days after we receive your instruction for a
surrender in a form acceptable to us. This period may be shorter where required by law. However, payment of any
amount upon total or partial surrender, death, annuitization of the accumulated value or the transfer to or from a
division may be deferred during any period when the right to sell mutual fund shares is suspended as permitted
under provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as amended).

The right to sell shares may be suspended during any period when:

·	trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the Commission or when the
	Exchange is closed for other than weekends and holidays, or
·	an emergency exists, as determined by the Commission, as a result of which:
	·	disposal by a mutual fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable;
	·	it is not reasonably practicable for a mutual fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or
	·	the Commission permits suspension for the protection of security holders.

If payments are delayed the transaction will be processed on the first valuation date following the expiration of the
permitted delay unless we receive your written instructions to cancel your surrender, annuitization, or transfer. Your
written instruction must be received in the home office prior to the expiration of the permitted delay. The transaction
will be completed within seven business days thereafter.

In addition, we reserve the right to defer payment of that portion of your accumulated value that is attributable to a
purchase payment made by check for a reasonable period of time (not to exceed 15 business days) to allow the
check to clear the banking system.

We may also defer payment of surrender proceeds payable out of the Fixed Account for a period of up to six months.

Misstatement of Age or Gender

If the age or, where applicable, gender of the annuitant has been misstated, we adjust the income payable under
your Contract to reflect the amount that would have been payable at the correct age and gender. If we make any
overpayment because of incorrect information about age or gender, or any error or miscalculation, we deduct the
overpayment from the next annuity benefit payment or annuity benefit payments due. Underpayments are added to
the next annuity benefit payment.

Assignment

If your Contract is part of your qualified plan, IRA, SEP, or Simple-IRA, you may not assign ownership.

You may assign your non-qualified Contract. Each assignment is subject to any payments made or action taken by

the Company prior to our notification of the assignment. We assume no responsibility for the validity of any

assignment. An assignment or pledge of a Contract may have adverse tax consequences.

An assignment must be made in writing and filed with us at the home office. The irrevocable beneficiary(ies), if any,

must authorize any assignment in writing. Your rights, as well as those of the annuitant and beneficiary, are subject

to any assignment on file with us. Any amounts paid to an assignee are treated as a partial surrender and is paid in a

single payment lump sum.

The Company may refuse any assignment or transfer at any time on a non-discriminatory basis and may refuse any

assignment where it believes such assignment may cause the development of a trading market.

Change of Owner

If your Contract is part of your qualified plan, IRA, SEP, or SIMPLE-IRA, you may not change either the owner or the

annuitant.

You may change the owner of your non-qualified Contract at any time. Your request must be in writing and approved

by us. After approval, the change is effective as of the date you signed the request for change. If ownership is

changed, the Waiver of Fixed Account Surrender Charge rider is not available.

If an annuitant who is not an owner dies while the Contract is in force, a new annuitant may be named unless the

owner is a corporation, trust or other entity.

Change of Annuitant

If an annuitant who is not an owner dies while the Contract is in force, a new annuitant may be named unless the

owner is a corporation, trust or other entity. If a new annuitant is not named within 60 days of our receiving notice

(including proof) of the original annuitant’s death, you will become the annuitant. If the owner of the contract is not a

natural person, the annuitant’s death is treated as the death of the owner.

Change of Beneficiary

Before the annuitization date, you have the right to name a beneficiary. This may be done as part of the application

process or by sending us a written request. Unless you have named an irrevocable beneficiary, you may change

your beneficiary designation by sending us a written request. A joint annuitant may not be named as a beneficiary.

Contract Termination

We reserve the right to terminate the Contract and make a single payment (without imposing any charges) to you if

your accumulated value at the end of the accumulation period is less than $2,000. Before the Contract is terminated,

we will send you a notice to increase the accumulated value to $2,000 within 60 days. Termination of the Contract

will not unfairly discriminate against any owner.

Important Information about Customer Identification Procedures

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires financial

institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you

open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to verify

your identity. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

If concerns arise with verification of your identification, no transactions will be permitted while we attempt to reconcile

the concerns. If we are unable to verify your identity within 30 days of our receipt of your initial purchase payment,

the account(s) will be closed and redeemed in accordance with normal redemption procedures.


Reports

We will mail to you a statement of your current accumulated value, along with any reports required by state law, at
least once per year prior to the annuitization date. After the annuitization date, any reports will be mailed to the
person receiving the annuity benefit payments.

Quarterly statements will reflect purchase payments and partial surrenders occurring during the quarter as well as
the balance of units owned and accumulated values.

RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE COMPANY

We reserve the right to make certain changes if, in our judgment, they best serve the interests of you and the
annuitant or are appropriate in carrying out the purpose of the Contract. Any changes will be made only to the extent
and in the manner permitted by applicable laws. Also, when required by law, we will obtain your approval of the
changes and approval from any appropriate regulatory authority. Approvals may not be required in all cases.
Examples of the changes the Company may make include:

·	transfer assets in any division to another division or to the Fixed Account;
·	add, combine or eliminate divisions in the Separate Account; or
·	substitute the units of a division for the units of another division:
	·	if units of a division are no longer available for investment; or
	·	if in our judgment, investment in a division becomes inappropriate considering the purposes of the
		Separate Account.

Frequent Trading and Market-Timing (Abusive Trading Practices)

This Contract is not designed for frequent trading or market timing activity of the divisions. If you intend to trade
frequently and/or use market timing investment strategies, you should not purchase this Contract. The Company
does not accommodate market timing.

We consider frequent trading and market timing activities to be abusive trading practices because they:

·	Disrupt the management of the underlying mutual funds by:
	·	forcing the fund to hold short-term (liquid) assets rather than investing for long term growth, which results
		in lost investment opportunities for the fund; and
	·	causing unplanned portfolio turnover;
·	Hurt the portfolio performance of the underlying mutual funds; and
·	Increase expenses of the underlying mutual fund and separate account due to:
	·	increased broker-dealer commissions; and
	·	increased recordkeeping and related costs.
If we are not able to identify such abusive trading practices, the abuses described above will negatively impact the
Contract and cause investors to suffer the harms described.

We have adopted policies and procedures to help us identify and prevent abusive trading practices. In addition, the
underlying mutual funds monitor trading activity to identify and take action against abuses. While our policies and
procedures are designed to identify and protect against abusive trading practices, there can be no certainty that we
will identify and prevent abusive trading in all instances. When we do identify abusive trading, we will apply our
policies and procedures in a fair and uniform manner.

If we, or an underlying mutual fund that is a division with the Contract, deem abusive trading practices to be
occurring, we will take action that may include, but is not limited to:

·	Rejecting transfer instructions from a Contract owner or other person authorized by the owner to direct
	transfers;
·	Restricting submission of transfer requests by, for example, allowing transfer requests to be submitted by
	1st class U.S. mail only and disallowing requests made via the internet, by facsimile, by overnight courier or
	by telephone;


·	Limiting the number of unscheduled transfers during a Contract year to no more than 12;
·	Prohibiting you from requesting a transfer among the divisions for a minimum of 30 days where there is
	evidence of at least one round-trip transaction (exchange or redemption of shares that were purchased
	within 30 days of the exchange/redemption) by you; and
·	Taking such other action as directed by the underlying mutual fund.

We will support the underlying mutual funds’ right to accept, reject or restrict, without prior written notice, any transfer
requests into a fund.

In some instances, a transfer may be completed prior to a determination of abusive trading. In those instances, we
will reverse the transfer (within two business days of the transfer) and return the Contract to the investment option
holdings it had prior to the transfer. We will give you notice in writing in this instance.

PERFORMANCE CALCULATION

The Separate Account may publish advertisements containing information (including graphs, charts, tables and
examples) about the performance of one or more of its divisions. The Contract was not offered prior to April 30, 1999.
However, shares of Accounts in which certain divisions of the Separate Account invest were offered prior to that
date. The Separate Account may publish advertisements containing information about the hypothetical performance
of one or more of its divisions for this Contract as if the Contract had been issued on or after the date the mutual fund
in which the division invests was first offered. The hypothetical performance from the date of the inception of the
mutual fund in which the division invests is calculated by reducing the actual performance of the underlying mutual
fund by the fees and charges of this Contract as if it had been in existence.

Other divisions of the Separate Account were not offered until April 30, 1999. Performance data for these divisions
are calculated utilizing standardized performance formulas and shows performance since the inception date of the
division.

The yield and total return figures described below vary depending upon market conditions, composition of the
underlying mutual fund’s portfolios and operating expenses. These factors and possible differences in the methods
used in calculating yield and total return should be considered when comparing the Separate Account performance
figures to performance figures published for other investment vehicles. The Separate Account may also quote
rankings, yields or returns as published by independent statistical services or publishers and information regarding
performance of certain market indices. Any performance data quoted for the Separate Account represents only
historical performance and is not intended to indicate future performance. For further information on how the
Separate Account calculates yield and total return figures, see the SAI.

From time to time the Separate Account advertises its Money Market Division’s ^“yield^”and ^“effective yield^”for these
Contracts. 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 in the division over a 7-day period (which
period is 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^”is slightly higher than the ^“yield^”
because of the compounding effect of the assumed reinvestment.

The Separate Account also advertises 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.


FEDERAL TAX MATTERS

The following description is a general summary of the tax rules, primarily related to federal income taxes, which in
our opinion are currently in effect. These rules are based on laws, regulations and interpretations which are subject
to change at any time. This summary is not comprehensive and is not intended as tax advice. Federal estate and gift
tax considerations, as well as state and local taxes, may also be material. You should consult a qualified tax adviser
about the tax implications of taking action under a Contract or related retirement plan.

Non-Qualified Contracts

Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code governs the income taxation of annuities in general.
·	Purchase payments made under non-qualified Contracts are not excludable or deductible from your gross
	income or any other person’s gross income.
·	An increase in the accumulated value of a non-qualified Contract owned by a natural person resulting from
	the investment performance of the Separate Account or interest credited to the DCA Plus Accounts and the
	Fixed Account is generally not taxable until paid out as surrender proceeds, death benefit proceeds, or
	otherwise.
·	Generally, owners who are not natural persons are immediately taxed on any increase in the accumulated
	value.

The following discussion applies generally to Contracts owned by natural persons.
·	Surrenders or partial surrenders are taxed as ordinary income to the extent of the accumulated income or
	gain under the Contract.
·	The value of the Contract pledged or assigned is taxed as ordinary income to the same extent as a partial
	surrender.
·	Annuity benefit payments:
	·	The ^“investment in the contract^”is generally the total of the purchase payments made.
	·	The basic rule for taxing annuity benefit payments is that part of each annuity benefit payment is
		considered a nontaxable return of the investment in the contract and part is considered taxable income.
		An ^“exclusion ratio^”is applied to each annuity benefit payment to determine how much of the payment is
		excludable from gross income. The remainder of the annuity benefit payment is includable in gross
		income for the year received.
	·	After the purchase payment(s) in the Contract is paid out, the full amount of any annuity benefit payment
		is taxable.
For purposes of determining the amount of taxable income resulting from distributions, all Contracts and other
annuity contracts issued by us or our affiliates to the same owner within the same calendar year are treated as if they
are a single contract.

Transfer of ownership may have tax consequences to the owner. Please consult with your tax advisor before
changing ownership of your Contract.

Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts

In order for a non-qualified Contract to be treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes, the Internal
Revenue Code requires:

·	If the person receiving payments dies on or after the annuitization date but prior to the time the entire interest
	in the Contract has been distributed, the remaining portion of the interest is distributed at least as rapidly as
	under the method of distribution being used as of the date of that person’s death.
·	If you die prior to the annuitization date, the entire interest in the Contract will be distributed:
	·	within five years after the date of your death; or
	·	as annuity benefit payments which begin within one year of your death and which are made over the life
		of your designated beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of that
		beneficiary.
·	If you take a distribution from the Contract before you are 59 1/2, you may incur an income tax penalty.


Generally, unless the beneficiary elects otherwise, the above requirements are satisfied prior to the annuitization
date by paying the death benefit in a single payment, subject to proof of your death. The beneficiary may elect, by
written request, to receive an annuity benefit payment option instead of a single payment.

If your designated beneficiary is your surviving spouse, the Contract may be continued with your spouse deemed to
be the new owner for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. Where the owner or other person receiving payments
is not a natural person, the required distributions provided for in the Internal Revenue Code apply upon the death of
the annuitant.

IRA, SEP, and SIMPLE-IRA

The Contract may be used to fund IRAs, SEPs, and SIMPLE-IRAs.
·	IRA – An Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA) is a retirement savings annuity. Contributions grow tax deferred.
·	SEP-IRA – A SEP is a form of IRA. A SEP allows you, as an employer, to provide retirement benefits for your
	employees by contributing to their IRAs.
·	SIMPLE-IRA – SIMPLE stands for Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employers. A SIMPLE-IRA allows
	employees to save for retirement by deferring salary on a pre-tax basis and receiving predetermined company
	contributions.

The tax rules applicable to owners, annuitants and other payees vary according to the type of plan and the terms and
conditions of the plan itself. In general, purchase payments made under a retirement program recognized under the
Internal Revenue Code are excluded from the participant’s gross income for tax purposes prior to the annuity benefit
payment date (subject to applicable state law). The portion, if any, of any purchase payment made that is not
excluded from their gross income is their investment in the Contract. Aggregate deferrals under all plans at the
employee’s option may be subject to limitations.

Tax-qualified retirement arrangements, such as IRAs, SEPs, and SIMPLE-IRAs, are tax-deferred. You derive
no additional benefit from the tax deferral feature of the annuity. Consequently, an annuity should be used to
fund an IRA, or other tax qualified retirement arrangement to benefit from the annuity’s features other than tax
deferral. These features may include guaranteed lifetime income, death benefits without surrender charges,
guaranteed caps on fees, and the ability to transfer among investment options without sales or withdrawal charges.

The tax implications of these plans are further discussed in the SAI under the heading Taxation Under Certain
Retirement Plans. Check with your tax advisor for the rules which apply to your specific situation.

With respect to IRAs, IRA rollovers and SIMPLE-IRAs there is a 10% penalty under the Internal Revenue Code on
the taxable portion of a ^“premature distribution.^”The tax is increased to 25% in the case of distributions from
SIMPLE-IRAs during the first two years of participation. Generally, an amount is a ^“premature distribution^”unless the
distribution is:

	·	made on or after you reach age 59 1/2;
	·	made to a beneficiary on or after your death;
	·	made upon your disability;
	·	part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for the life or life expectancy of you or you and the
		beneficiary;
	·	made to pay certain medical expenses;
	·	for health insurance premiums while employed;
	·	for first home purchases (up to $10,000);
	·	for qualified higher education expenses;
	·	for qualified disaster tax relief distributions (up to $100,000);
	·	for qualified reservist distributions;
	·	for amounts levied by the IRS directly against your IRA;
	·	for earnings associated with refunds of excess IRA contributions paid prior to your tax filing deadline;
	·	for Roth IRA conversions (assuming the conversion remains in the Roth IRA for 5 years); or
	·	for transfer of IRA incident to divorce.

For more information regarding premature distributions, please reference IRS Publication 590 and consult your tax
advisor.

Rollover IRAs

If you receive a lump-sum distribution from a qualified retirement plan, tax-sheltered annuity or governmental 457(b)

plan, you may maintain the tax-deferred status of the distribution by rolling it over into an eligible retirement plan or

IRA. You can accomplish this by electing a direct rollover from the plan, or you can receive the distribution and roll it

over into an eligible retirement plan or IRA within 60 days. However, if you do not elect a direct rollover from the plan,

the plan is required to withhold 20% of the distribution. This amount is sent to the IRS as income tax withholding to

be credited against your taxes. Amounts received prior to age 59 1/2 and not rolled over may be subject to an

additional 10% excise tax. You may roll over amounts from a qualified plan directly to a Roth IRA. As part of this

rollover, previously taxed deferred funds from the qualified plan are converted to after-tax funds under a Roth IRA.

Generally, the entire rollover is taxable (unless it includes after-tax dollars) and is included in gross income in the

year of the rollover/ conversion. For more information, please see your tax advisor.

Required Minimum Distributions for IRAs

The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) regulations dictate when individuals must start taking payments from their

IRA. Generally speaking, RMDs for IRAs must begin no later than April 1 following the close of the calendar year in

which you turn 70 1/2. Thereafter, the RMD is required no later than December 31 of each calendar year.

The RMD rules apply to traditional IRAs, as well as SEP-IRA’s and SIMPLE-IRAs, during the lifetime and after the

death of IRA owners. They do not, however, apply to Roth IRAs during the lifetime of the Roth IRA owner. If an

individual owns more than one IRA, the RMD amount must be determined for each, but the actual distribution can be

satisfied from a combination of one or more of the owner’s IRAs.

Failure to comply with the RMD rules can result in an excise tax penalty. This penalty equals 50% of the amount of

the RMD that exceeds the actual distribution amount (if any) that occurred during the calendar year in question.

Roth IRAs

The Contract may be purchased to fund a Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible from taxable

income. Subject to certain limitations, a traditional IRA, SIMPLE-IRA or SEP may be converted into a Roth IRA or a

distribution from such an arrangement may be rolled over to a Roth IRA. However, a conversion or a rollover to a

Roth IRA is not excludable from gross income. If certain conditions are met, qualified distributions from a Roth IRA

are tax-free. For more information, please contact your tax advisor.

Withholding

Annuity benefit payments and other amounts received under the Contract are subject to income tax withholding

unless the recipient elects not to have taxes withheld. The amounts withheld vary among recipients depending on the

tax status of the individual and the type of payments from which taxes are withheld.

Notwithstanding the recipient’s election, withholding may be required on payments delivered outside the United

States. Moreover, special ^“backup withholding^”rules may require us to disregard the recipient’s election if the

recipient fails to supply us with a ^“TIN^”or taxpayer identification number (social security number for individuals), or if

the Internal Revenue Service notifies us that the TIN provided by the recipient is incorrect.

Mutual Fund Diversification

The United States Treasury Department has adopted regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code which establish

standards of diversification for the investments underlying the Contracts. Under this Code Section, Separate Account

investments must be adequately diversified in order for the increase in the value of non-qualified Contracts to receive

tax-deferred treatment. In order to be adequately diversified, the portfolio of each underlying mutual fund must, as of

the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, have no more than 55% of its assets invested in any

one investment, 70% in any two investments, 80% in any three investments and 90% in any four investments. Failure

of a mutual fund to meet the diversification requirements could result in tax liability to non-qualified Contract holders.

The investment opportunities of the mutual funds could conceivably be limited by adhering to the above

diversification requirements. This would affect all owners, including owners of Contracts for whom diversification is

not a requirement for tax-deferred treatment.


STATE REGULATION

The Company is subject to the laws of the State of Iowa governing insurance companies and to regulation by the
Insurance Department of the State of Iowa. An annual statement in a prescribed form must be filed by March 1 in
each year covering our operations for the preceding year and our financial condition on December 31 of the prior
year. Our books and assets are subject to examination by the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Iowa, or the
Commissioner’s representatives, at all times. A full examination of our operations is conducted periodically by the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Iowa law and regulations also prescribe permissible investments,
but this does not involve supervision of the investment management or policy of the Company.

In addition, we are subject to the insurance laws and regulations of other states and jurisdictions where we are
licensed to operate. Generally, the insurance departments of these states and jurisdictions apply the laws of the state
of domicile in determining the field of permissible investments.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Reservation Rights

The Company reserves the right to:

·	increase the minimum amount for each purchase payment to not more than $1,000; and
·	terminate a Contract and distribute the accumulated value if no purchase payments are made during two
	consecutive calendar years and the accumulated value (or total purchase payments less partial surrenders
	and applicable surrender charges and transfer fees) is less than $2,000. The Company will first notify you of
	its intent to exercise this right and give you 60 days to increase the accumulated value to at least $2,000.

Legal Opinions

Legal matters applicable to the issue and sale of the Contracts, including our right to issue Contracts under Iowa
Insurance Law, have been passed upon by Karen Shaff, General Counsel and Executive Vice President.

Legal Proceedings

There are no legal proceedings pending to which Separate Account B is a party or which would materially affect
Separate Account B.

Other Variable Annuity Contracts

The Company currently offers other variable annuity contracts that participate in Separate Account B. In the future,
we may designate additional group or individual variable annuity contracts as participating in Separate Account B.

Householding

To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to owners, only one copy of the prospectus and annual and semi-
annual reports for the funds will be mailed to owners having the same name and address on our records. The
consolidation of these mailings, called householding, benefits us through reduced mailing expense. If you want to
receive multiple copies of these materials, you may call us at 1-800-852-4450. You may also notify us in writing.
Individual copies of prospectuses and reports will be sent to you within thirty (30) days after we receive your request
to stop householding.

Payments to Financial Intermediaries

The Company pays compensation to broker-dealers, financial institutions, and other parties (^“Financial
Intermediaries^”) for the sale of the Contract according to schedules in the sales agreements and other agreements
reached between the Company and the Financial Intermediaries. Such compensation generally consists of
commissions on purchase payments made on the Contract. The Company and/or its affiliates may also pay other
amounts (^“Additional Payments^”) that include, but are not limited to, marketing allowances, expense reimbursements,
and educational payments. These Additional Payments are designed to provide incentives for the sale of the

Contracts as well as other products sold by the Company and may influence the Financial intermediary or its

registered representative to recommend the purchase of this Contract over competing annuity contracts or other

investment options. You may ask your registered representative about these differing and divergent interests, how

your registered representative is personally compensated, and how your sales representative’s broker-dealer is

compensated for soliciting applications for the Contract.

Service Arrangements and Compensation

The Company has entered into agreements with the distributors, advisers, and/or the affiliates of some of the mutual

funds underlying the Contract and receives compensation for providing certain services including, but not limited to,

distribution and operational support services, to the underlying mutual fund. Fees for these services are paid

periodically (typically, quarterly or monthly) based on the average daily net asset value of shares of each fund held

by the Separate Account and purchased at the Contract owners’ instructions. Because the Company receives such

fees, it may be subject to competing interests in making these funds available as investment options under the

Contract. The Company takes into consideration the anticipated payments from underlying mutual funds when it

determines the charges assessed under the Contract. Without these payments, charges under the Contract are

expected to be higher.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The financial statements of Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B and the consolidated financial

statements of Principal Life Insurance Company are included in the SAI. Those statements have been audited by

Ernst and Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, 801 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309,

for the periods indicated in their reports which also appear in the SAI.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the Principal Life Insurance Company which are included in the SAI should be considered

only as they relate to our ability to meet our obligations under the Contract. They do not relate to investment

performance of the assets held in the Separate Account.

TABLE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT DIVISIONS

The following is a brief summary of the investment objectives of each division. There is no guarantee that the

objectives will be met.


American Century VP Income & Growth Division

Invests in:	American Century VP Income & Growth Fund- Class I
Investment Advisor:	American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Investment Objective:	seeks capital growth by investing in common stocks. Income is a secondary
	objective.


Bond & Mortgage Securities Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds Bond & Mortgage Securities Account —
	Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks to provide current income.


Diversified International Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds Diversified International Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.


Government & High Quality Bond Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds Government & High Quality Bond Account -
	Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	to seek a high level of current income consistent with safety and liquidity.


LargeCap Growth I Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds LargeCap Growth Account I - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	T. Rowe Price Associates through a sub-advisory agreement and Brown
	Investment, LLC through a Sub-advisory agreement with Principal Management
	Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.


LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.


LargeCap Value Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds LargeCap Value Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.


MidCap Blend Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds MidCap Blend Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.


Money Market Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds Money Market Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks as high a level of current income as is considered consistent with
	preservation of principal and maintenance of liquidity.


Short-Term Income Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds Short-Term Income Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Edge Asset Management, Inc. through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent with prudent
investment management and stability of principal.


SmallCap Blend Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds SmallCap Blend Account - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Principal Global Investors, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with Principal
	Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.

Registration Statement

This prospectus (Part A of the registration statement) omits some information contained in the SAI (Part B of the

registration statement) and Part C of the registration statement which the Company has filed with the SEC. The SAI

is hereby Incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI by contacting your

registered representative or calling us at 1-800-852-4450.

Information about the Contract (Including the SAI and Part C of the registration statement) can be reviewed and

copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on

the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the Commission as 202-942-8090. Reports

and other information about the Contract are available on the Commission’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

Copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference

Section of the Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

The registration number for the Contract is 333-63401.

Customer Inquiries

Your questions should be directed to: Principal Freedom Variable Annuity, Principal Financial Group, P.O. Box 9382,

Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9382, 1-800-852-4450.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE SAI

The table of contents for the Statement of Additional Information is provided below.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information and History	3
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	3
Principal Underwriter	3
Calculation of Performance Data	3
Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans	5
Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	7
Financial Statements	8
Principal Life Insurance Company
Report of Independent Auditors	148
Consolidated Financial Statements	149
To obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information, free of charge, write or telephone:

Princor Financial Services Corporation

a company of

the Principal Financial Group

Des Moines, IA 50392-2080

Telephone: 1-800-852-4450

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Financial statements are included in the Statement of Additional Information. Following are unit values for the

Contract for the periods ended December 31.


	Accumulation Unit Value
				Number of
				Accumulation
				Units
			Percentage	Outstanding
	Beginning	End of	Change from	End of Period
Division	of Period	Period	Prior Period	(in thousands)
American Century VP Income & Growth
2010	$9.316	$10.544	13.18%	293
2009	7.956	9.316	17.09	340
2008	12.267	7.956	-35.14	399
2007	12.380	12.267	-0.91	517
2006	10.663	12.380	16.10	579
2005	10.278	10.663	3.75	567
2004	9.174	10.278	12.03	517
2003	7.153	9.174	28.25	342
2002	8.947	7.153	-20.05	252
2001	9.846	8.947	-9.13	171
Bond & Mortgage Securities
2010	13.915	15.405	10.71	479
2009	11.606	13.915	19.89	549
2008	14.114	11.606	-17.77	684
2007	13.766	14.114	2.53	957
2006	13.267	13.766	3.76	1,099
2005	13.053	13.267	1.64	1,078
2004	12.541	13.053	4.08	953
2003	12.093	12.541	3.70	646
2002	11.163	12.093	8.33	534
2001	10.412	11.163	7.21	301
Diversified International
2010	12.759	14.384	12.74	263
2009	9.985	12.759	27.78	333
2008	18.724	9.985	-46.67	382
2007	16.267	18.724	15.10	495
2006	12.820	16.267	26.89	575
2005	10.445	12.820	22.74	464
2004	8.703	10.445	20.02	324
2003	6.633	8.703	31.21	144
2002	7.971	6.633	-16.79	102
2001	10.616	7.971	-24.92	80
Government & High Quality Bond
2010	10.661	11.189	4.95	332
2009	10.099	10.661	5.56	12
2008⁽¹⁾	10.000	10.099	0.99	--


	Accumulation Unit Value
				Number of
				Accumulation
				Units
			Percentage	Outstanding
	Beginning	End of	Change from	End of Period
Division	of Period	Period	Prior Period	(in thousands)
LargeCap Growth I
2010	$9.052	$10.735	18.59%	169
2009	5.978	9.052	51.42	184
2008	10.151	5.978	-41.11	197
2007⁽²⁾	10.000	10.151	1.51	--
LargeCap S&P 500 Index
2010	8.878	10.095	13.71	883
2009	7.089	8.878	25.24	1,017
2008	11.366	7.089	-37.63	1,217
2007	10.903	11.366	4.25	1,603
2006	9.514	10.903	14.60	1,844
2005	9.184	9.514	3.59	1,862
2004	8.391	9.184	9.45	1,780
2003	6.595	8.391	27.23	1,074
2002	8.576	6.595	-23.10	636
2001	9.840	8.576	-12.85	475
LargeCap Value
2010	8.994	10.173	13.11	283
2009	7.799	8.994	15.32	338
2008	12.132	7.799	-35.72	388
2007	12.248	12.132	-0.95	546
2006	10.298	12.248	18.94	652
2005	9.724	10.298	5.90	572
2004	8.728	9.274	11.41	487
2003	7.014	8.728	24.44	251
2002	8.194	7.014	-14.40	201
2001	8.987	8.194	-8.82	180
MidCap Blend
2010	19.099	23.502	23.05	394
2009	14.400	19.099	32.63	180
2008	21.980	14.400	-34.49	203
2007	20.255	21.980	8.52	271
2006	17.883	20.255	13.26	322
2005	16.515	17.883	8.28	344
2004	14.144	16.515	16.76	287
2003	10.741	14.144	31.68	146
2002	11.871	10.741	-9.52	84
2001	12.435	11.871	-4.54	63


	Accumulation Unit Value
				Number of
				Accumulation
				Units
			Percentage	Outstanding
	Beginning	End of	Change from	End of Period
Division	of Period	Period	Prior Period	(in thousands)
Money Market
2010	$12.411	$12.306	-0.84%	295
2009	12.489	12.411	-0.62	351
2008	12.279	12.489	1.71	565
2007	11.807	12.279	4.00	478
2006	11.381	11.807	3.74	526
2005	11.180	11.381	1.80	502
2004	11.173	11.180	0.06	538
2003	11.187	11.173	-0.13	496
2002	11.125	11.187	0.56	317
2001	10.796	11.125	3.05	140
Short-Term Income
2010	10.891	11.252	3.32	217
2009	9.991	10.891	9.01	9
2008⁽¹⁾	10.000	9.991	-0.09	--
SmallCap Blend
2010	12.947	15.952	23.21	193
2009	10.687	12.947	21.15	229
2008	17.037	10.687	-37.27	257
2007	16.905	17.037	0.78	341
2006	15.127	16.905	11.75	402
2005	14.253	15.127	6.13	427
2004	11.996	14.253	18.81	339
2003	8.843	11.996	35.66	182
2002	12.272	8.843	-27.94	122
2001	12.069	12.272	1.68	73
SmallCap Growth II
2010	7.666	9.648	25.86	89
2009	5.869	7.666	30.62	105
2008	10.058	5.869	-41.65	116
2007	9.661	10.058	4.11	140
2006	8.941	9.661	8.05	160
2005	8.454	8.941	5.76	161
2004	7.664	8.454	10.31	173
2003	5.307	7.664	44.41	116
2002	9.885	5.307	-46.31	64
2001	14.663	9.885	-32.59	37

GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Principal Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) is the issuer of the Principal Freedom Variable Annuity (the

“Contract”) and serves as custodian of its assets. The Company is a stock life insurance company with authority to

transact life and annuity business in all states of the United States and the District of Columbia. The Company’s

home office is located at: Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa 50392. The Company is a wholly owned

subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc., which in turn, is a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Principal

Financial Group, Inc., a publicly-traded company.

On June 24,1879, the Company was incorporated under Iowa law as a mutual assessment life insurance company

named Bankers Life Association. The Company became a legal reserve life insurance company and changed its

name to Bankers Life Company in 1911. In 1986, the Company changed its name to Principal Mutual Life Insurance

Company. In 1998, the Company became Principal Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary stock life insurance

company of Principal Mutual Holding Company, as part of a reorganization into a mutual insurance holding company

structure. In 2001, Principal Mutual Holding Company converted to a stock company through a process called

demutualization, resulting in the current organizational structure.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP, 801 Grand Avenue, Suite 3000, Des Moines, Iowa 50309, serves as the independent registered

public accounting firm for Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B and the Principal Life Insurance

Company.

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

The principal underwriter of the Contract is Princor Financial Services Corporation (“Princor”) which is a wholly

owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc. and an affiliate of the Company. The address of Princor is the

Principal Financial Group, 650 8th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392-0200. Princor was incorporated in Iowa in 1968

and is a securities broker-dealer registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as well as a member of the

FINRA. The Contracts may also be sold through other broker-dealers authorized by Princor and applicable law to do

so. Registered representatives of such broker-dealers may be paid on a different basis than described below.

The Contract’s offering to the public is non-continuous. As the principal underwriter, Princor is paid for the distribution

of the Contract. For the last three fiscal years Princor has received and retained the following commissions:


2010	2009	2008
received/retained	received/retained	received/retained
$1,347/$0	$1,557/$0	$2,436/$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.

The Contract was not offered prior to April 30, 1999. Certain of the underlying funds were offered prior to the date the

Contract was available. The Separate Account may publish advertisements containing information about the

hypothetical performance of one or more of its divisions for this Contract as if the Contract had been issued on or

after the date the mutual fund in which such division invests was first offered. The hypothetical performance from the

date of the inception of the underlying mutual fund is derived by reducing the actual performance of the underlying

mutual fund by the fees and charges of the Contract as if it had been in existence.

The yield and total return figures described below vary depending upon market conditions, the composition of the

underlying mutual fund’s portfolios and operating expenses. These factors and possible differences in the methods

used in calculating yield and total return should be considered when comparing the Separate Account performance

figures to performance figures published for other investment vehicles. The Separate Account may also quote

rankings, yields or returns published by independent statistical services or publishers and information regarding

performance of certain market indices. Any performance data quoted for the Separate Account represents historical

performance and is not intended to indicate future performance.

From time to time the Account advertises its Money Market division’s ^“yield^”and ^“effective yield^”for the Contract. Both

yield figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The ^“yield^”of the

division refers to the income generated by an investment under the contract in the division over a seven-day period

(the 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^”is 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. For the

period ended December 31, 2010, the 7-day annualized and effective yields were -0.85% and -0.85%, respectively.

In addition, the Separate Account advertises the ^“yield^”for certain other divisions for the Contract. The ^“yield^”of a

division is determined by annualizing the net investment income per unit for a specific, historical 30-day period and

dividing the result by the ending maximum offering price of the unit for the same period. This yield quotation does not

reflect a contingent deferred sales charge which, if included, would reduce the ^“yield.^”No contingent deferred sales

charge is assessed on investments in the Separate Account divisions of the Contract.

The Separate Account also advertises 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.

Following are the hypothetical average annual total returns for the period ended December 31, 2010 assuming the

Contract had been offered as of the effective dates of the underlying mutual funds in which the divisions invest:


	Effective
Division	Date	One Year	Five Years	Ten Years
American Century VP Income & Growth	October 31, 1997	13.18%	-0.23%	0.69%
Bond & Mortgage Securities	December 18, 1987	10.71%	3.03%	3.99%
Diversified International	May 2, 1994	12.74%	2.33%	3.08%
Government & High Quality Bond	April 9, 1987	4.95%	4.46%	4.05%
LargeCap Growth I	June 1, 1994	18.59%	3.33%	0.08%
LargeCap S&P 500 Index	May 3, 1999	13.70%	1.19%	0.26%
LargeCap Value	May 13, 1970	13.12%	-0.24%	1.25%
MidCap Blend	December 18, 1987	23.05%	5.62%	6.57%
Money Market	May 1, 1998	-0.85%	1.58%	1.32%
Short-Term Income	May 3, 1999	3.32%	3.34%	3.39%
SmallCap Blend	March 18, 1983	23.21%	1.07%	2.83%
SmallCap Growth II	May 6, 1993	25.86%	1.53%	-4.10%
Templeton Growth Securities	August 24, 1988	6.49%	-0.60%	2.24%

TAXATION UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS

Individual Retirement Annuities

Contributions. Individuals may make contributions for individual retirement annuity (IRA) contracts. Individuals may

make deductible contributions (for any year) up to the lesser of the amount shown in the chart or 100% of

compensation.

Individuals age 50 or over are also permitted to make additional ^“catch-up^”contributions. The additional contribution

is $1,000 in 2010 and 2011.

Such individuals may establish a traditional IRA for a non-working spouse. The annual contribution for both spouses’

contracts cannot exceed the lesser of the amount shown in the chart or 100% of the working spouse’s compensation.

No more than the individual IRA limit may be contributed to either spouse’s IRA for any year.


	IRA- Maximum Annual Contribution
Year	Individual IRA	Individual IRA + Spousal IRA
2010	$5,000	$10,000
2011	$5,000	$10,000

Starting in 2012, limits are indexed to inflation.

Contributions may be tax deductible. If an individual and his/her spouse do not participate in a qualified retirement

plan, the contributions to an IRA are fully tax deductible regardless of income. If an individual is an active participant

in a qualified retirement plan, his/her ability to deduct the contributions depends upon his/her income level.

For individuals who are not active participants but whose spouses are, deductibility of traditional IRA contributions is

phased out if the couple files a joint return and the Adjusted Gross Income is between $169,000 and $179,000 in

2010.


Deductibility of Traditional IRA Contributions for Active Participants
Married Individuals (Filing Jointly)			Single Individual
	Limited	No		Limited	No
Year	Deduction	Deduction	Year	Deduction	Deduction
2010	$89,000	$109,000	2010	$56,000	$66,000
2011	$90,000	$110,000	2011	$56,000	$66,000


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

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

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

An individual may not make any contribution to his/her own IRA for the year in which he/she reaches age 70 1/2 or
for any year thereafter.

Taxation of Distributions. Distributions from IRA Contracts are taxed as ordinary income to the recipient, although
special rules exist for the tax-free return of non-deductible contributions. In addition, taxable distributions received
under an IRA Contract prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty tax in addition to regular income tax. Certain
distributions are exempted from this penalty tax, including distributions following the owner’s death or disability if the
distribution is paid as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made for the life (or life expectancy) of
the Owner or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Owner and the Owner’s designated Beneficiary;
distributions to pay medical expenses; distributions for certain unemployment expenses; distributions for first home
purchases (up to $10,000) and distributions for higher education expenses and distributions for certain natural
disaster victims.

Required Distributions. Generally, distributions from IRA Contracts must commence not later than April 1 of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which the owner attains age 70 1/2, and such distributions must be
made over a period that does not exceed the uniform life distribution period established by the IRS. A penalty tax of
50% may be imposed on any amount by which the minimum required distribution in any year exceeded the amount

actually distributed in that year. In addition, in the event that the owner dies before his or her entire interest in the

Contract has been distributed, the owner’s entire interest must be distributed in accordance with rules similar to those

applicable upon the death of the Contract Owner in the case of a non-qualified Contract, as described in the

Prospectus.

Tax-Free Rollovers. The Internal Revenue Code (the ^“Code^”) permits the funds to be transferred in a tax-free rollover

from a qualified retirement plan, tax-deferred annuity plan, or governmental 457(b) plan to an IRA Contract if certain

conditions are met, and if the rollover of assets is completed within 60 days after the distribution from the qualified

plan is received. A direct rollover of funds may avoid a 20% federal tax withholding generally applicable to qualified

plans, tax-deferred annuity plan, or governmental 457(b) plan distributions. In addition, not more frequently than once

every twelve months, amounts may be rolled over tax-free from one IRA to another, subject to the 60-day limitation

and other requirements. The once-per-year limitation on rollovers does not apply to direct transfers of funds between

IRA custodians or trustees.

Simplified Employee Pension Plans and Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension 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 100% of

compensation or $49,000 for 2011.

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; refer to the

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/SEPs are permitted after 1996 for any employer, but those in effect prior to 1997 may continue to

operate, receive contributions, and add new employees.

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


	Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SAR-SEP)
		Catch-up
Year	Elective Deferral	Contribution
2010	$16,500	$5,500
2011	$16,500	$5,500

Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SEPs and SAR/SEPs are subject to the same

distribution rules described above for IRAs.

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

above for IRAs.

Tax-Free Rollovers. Generally, rollovers and direct transfers may be made to and from SEPs and SAR/SEPs in the

same manner as described above for IRAs, subject to the same conditions and limitations.

Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (Simple IRA)

Contributions. Under Section 408(p) of the Code, employers may establish a type of IRA plan known as a SIMPLE

IRA. Employees may have contributions made to the SIMPLE IRA on a salary reduction basis. The amount that an

employee chooses to defer and contribute to the SIMPLE IRA is referred to as an elective deferral.

These elective deferrals cannot exceed the amounts shown in the chart. In addition to the elective deferrals, SIMPLE

IRA may permit additional elective deferrals by individuals age 50 or over, referred to as “catch-up contributions”.

Elective contribution amounts made under the salary reduction portions (i.e., those subject to the $11,500 limit in

2011) of a SIMPLE IRA plan are counted in the overall limit on elective deferrals by any individual. For example, an

individual under age 50 who defers the maximum of $11,500 to a SIMPLE IRA of (i.e., $16,500 for 2011) one

employer and participates in a 401(k) plan of another employer would be limited to an elective deferral of $5,000 in

2011 ($16,500 – $11,500) to the 401(k) plan.

The employer generally must match either 100% of the employee’s elective deferral, up to 3% of the employee’s

compensation or fixed nonelective contributions of 2% of compensation.


Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA)
			401(k) Elective
Year	Elective Deferral	Catch-up Contribution	Deferral
2010	$11,500	$2,500	$16,500
2011	$11,500	$2,500	$16,500

Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SIMPLE IRAs are subject to the same distribution

rules described above for IRAs, except that distributions made within two years of the date of an employee’s first

participation in a SIMPLE IRA of an employer are subject to a 25% penalty tax instead of the 10% penalty tax

discussed previously.

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

for IRAs.

Tax-Free Rollovers. Direct transfers may be made among SIMPLE IRAs in the same manner as described above for

IRAs, subject to the same conditions and limitations. Rollovers from SIMPLE IRAs are permitted after two years have

elapsed from the date of an employee’s first participation in a SIMPLE IRA of the employer. Rollovers to SIMPLE

IRAs from other plans are not permitted.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Participants

Principal Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of each of the

divisions of Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (“Separate Account”)

comprised of the divisions described in Note 1, as of December 31, 2010, and the related

statements of operations for the year then ended and changes in net assets for each of the

two years in the period then ended, or for those divisions operating for portions of such

periods as disclosed in the financial statements. These financial statements are the

responsibility of the management of the Separate Account. Our responsibility is to

express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company

Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and

perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements

are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the

Separate Account’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included

consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit

procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of

expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Separate Account’s internal control over

financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes

examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the

financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates

made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our

procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2010 by

correspondence with the fund companies or their transfer agents, as applicable. We

believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material

respects, the financial position of each of the respective divisions of Principal Life

Insurance Company Separate Account B at December 31, 2010, and the results of their

operations and the changes in their net assets for the periods described above, in

conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa

April 26, 2011


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities


December 31, 2010


			American
	AllianceBernstein		Century VP
	Small Cap		Income &
		Growth	Growth
		Class A	Class I
		Division	Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 3,666,223		$ 16,652,967
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 3,666,223		$ 16,652,967

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	3,093,498
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	50,086
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	10,194,331
The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	3,315,052
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,658,489	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,007,734	–
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 3,666,223		$ 16,652,967

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 2,939,832		$ 17,125,671
Shares of mutual fund owned		224,097	2,752,556
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	293,401
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	5,247
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	1,000,308
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	344,633
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		168,228	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		66,253	–
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	10.54
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	9.55
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	10.19
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	9.62
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		15.80	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		15.21	–
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–

See accompanying notes.


American		American
Century VP		Century VP
Inflation		Mid Cap	American	American	American	American
Protection		Value	Century VP	Century VP	Century VP	Century VP
Class II		Class II	Ultra® Class I	Ultra® Class II	Value Class II	Vista^SMClass I
Division		Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 86,143,856		$ 662,767	$ 4,935,390	$ 58,641,195	$ 25,179,723	$ 3,007,448
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 86,143,856		$ 662,767	$ 4,935,390	$ 58,641,195	$ 25,179,723	$ 3,007,448



$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	339,910	3,771,991	–	17,898,816	–
	–	43,499	1,163,399	–	7,280,907	–
66,996,343		195,367	–	44,291,887	–	2,024,847
19,147,513		83,991	–	14,349,308	–	982,601

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 86,143,856		$ 662,767	$ 4,935,390	$ 58,641,195	$ 25,179,723	$ 3,007,448

$ 80,946,151		$ 627,692	$ 4,560,480	$ 56,479,783	$ 30,301,526	$ 3,042,062
7,767,706		46,872	526,161	6,319,094	4,296,881	184,054

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	29,358	396,599	–	1,373,048	–
	–	3,771	129,599	–	588,216	–
5,502,868		16,874	–	3,932,528	–	145,379
1,633,945		7,281	–	1,323,645	–	73,296

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	11.58	9.51	–	13.04	–
	–	11.54	8.98	–	12.38	–
	12.17	11.58	–	11.26	–	13.93
	11.72	11.54	–	10.84	–	13.41

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

December 31, 2010


	Asset
	Allocation		Balanced
	Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 49,340,010		$ 42,696,436
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 49,340,010		$ 42,696,436

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	472,734
Premier Variable		168,323	2,328,604
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity	32,927,346		34,867,323
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	3,182,683		5,027,775
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	9,519,192		–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	3,542,466		–
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 49,340,010		$ 42,696,436

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 48,198,839		$ 44,278,900
Shares of mutual fund owned	4,004,871		3,134,834
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	223,276
Premier Variable		117,627	1,061,158
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,316,949		1,777,769
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		135,252	272,377
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		380,713	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		150,536	–
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	2.12
Premier Variable		1.43	2.19
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		25.00	19.61
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		23.53	18.46
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		25.00	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		23.53	–
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–

See accompanying notes.


Bond &				Dreyfus IP
Mortgage	Diversified	Diversified	Diversified	Technology Growth	Equity
Securities	Balanced	Growth	International	Service Shares	Income
Division	Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 253,668,870	$ 169,722,542	$ 323,912,050	$ 237,655,716	$ 3,834,413	$ 173,784,186
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 253,668,870	$ 169,722,542	$ 323,912,050	$ 237,655,716	$ 3,834,413	$ 173,784,186



$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
283,393	–	–	576,006	–	–
2,833,574	–	–	4,305,024	–	41,418
7,377,089	–	–	3,786,963	–	–
459,035	–	–	840,399	–	–
99,606,445	–	–	137,370,675	–	25,459,183
25,222,501	–	–	28,337,544	–	4,415,467
91,612,583	158,820,806	302,736,098	47,926,051	3,206,018	113,073,522
26,274,250	10,901,736	21,175,952	14,513,054	628,395	30,794,596

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 253,668,870	$ 169,722,542	$ 323,912,050	$ 237,655,716	$ 3,834,413	$ 173,784,186

$ 268,504,409	$ 159,423,975	$ 300,461,242	$ 244,553,090	$ 3,047,054	$ 199,152,402
23,908,470	15,401,320	28,998,393	18,951,812	302,399	11,742,174

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
122,499	–	–	223,609	–	–
1,181,780	–	–	1,612,838	–	35,438
478,859	–	–	263,263	–	–
39,773	–	–	79,290	–	–
4,781,492	–	–	5,832,620	–	2,765,512
1,286,457	–	–	1,278,421	–	491,263
4,397,767	14,593,238	27,443,300	2,034,897	202,169	12,282,553
1,340,104	1,007,730	1,931,160	654,744	41,169	3,426,169

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
2.31	–	–	2.58	–	–
2.40	–	–	2.67	–	1.17
15.41	–	–	14.38	–	–
11.54	–	–	10.60	–	–
20.83	–	–	23.55	–	9.21
19.61	–	–	22.17	–	8.99
20.83	10.88	11.03	23.55	15.86	9.21
19.61	10.82	10.97	22.17	15.26	8.99

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010



	Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP
	Equity-Income		Growth
		Service	Service
		Class 2	Class
		Division	Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 44,412,681		$ 18,619,921
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 44,412,681		$ 18,619,921

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		25,199,208	16,057,152
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		10,957,285	2,562,769
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		6,402,779	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,853,409	–
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 44,412,681		$ 18,619,921

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 51,333,942		$ 20,558,346
Shares of mutual fund owned		2,368,676	503,377
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		2,196,851	1,810,353
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,006,028	307,010
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		558,225	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		170,179	–
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		11.47	8.87
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		10.89	8.35
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		11.47	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		10.89	–
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.

6 0707-0846563


Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP	Fidelity VIP	Fidelity VIP	Fidelity VIP	Franklin
Growth		Overseas	Contrafund	Contrafund	Mid Cap	Small Cap
Service		Service	Service	Service	Service	Value Securities
Class 2		Class 2	Class	Class 2	Class 2	Class 2
Division		Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 7,987,849		$ 48,258,753	$ 63,340,887	$ 48,068,758	$ 12,783,816	$ 447,302
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 7,987,849		$ 48,258,753	$ 63,340,887	$ 48,068,758	$ 12,783,816	$ 447,302



$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	55,175,790	–	–	–
	–	–	8,165,097	–	–	–
5,656,878		35,687,235	–	38,994,494	10,362,515	344,084
2,330,971		12,571,518	–	9,074,264	2,421,301	103,218

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 7,987,849		$ 48,258,753	$ 63,340,887	$ 48,068,758	$ 12,783,816	$ 447,302

$ 7,535,822		$ 51,401,159	$ 67,240,998	$ 50,352,257	$ 11,276,893	$ 380,802
217,534		2,903,655	2,660,264	2,046,350	397,878	27,526

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	3,660,877	–	–	–
	–	–	575,624	–	–	–
466,684		2,507,443	–	2,671,022	558,019	27,173
199,792		917,695	–	645,771	135,463	8,200

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	15.07	–	–	–
	–	–	14.18	–	–	–
	12.12	14.23	–	14.60	18.57	12.66
	11.67	13.70	–	14.05	17.87	12.59

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010

			Goldman Sachs
	Goldman Sachs		VIT Structured
	VIT Mid Cap		Small Cap
	Value		Equity Service
	Institutional		Institutional
	Class		Class
	Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 17,385,279		$ 6,006,914
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 17,385,279		$ 6,006,914

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		12,410,921	4,638,934
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		4,974,358	1,367,980
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 17,385,279		$ 6,006,914

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 18,186,253		$ 5,861,859
Shares of mutual fund owned		1,232,999	525,999
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		811,878	395,177
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		338,075	121,073
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		15.29	11.74
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		14.71	11.30
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.


Government			Invesco V.I.
& High	International	Invesco V.I.	Capital	Invesco V.I.	Invesco V.I.
Quality	Emerging	Basic Value	Appreciation	Core Equity	Dynamics
Bond	Markets	Series I	Series I	Series I	Series I
Division	Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 216,706,645	$ 108,918,848	$ 4,297,986	$ 6,028,181	$ 27,717,050	$ 2,742,034
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 216,706,645	$ 108,918,848	$ 4,297,986	$ 6,028,181	$ 27,717,050	$ 2,742,034



$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
127,046	–	–	–	–	–
29,984	–	–	–	–	–
128,219	–	–	–	–	–
3,419,204	777,718	–	–	–	–
3,709,738	–	–	–	–	–
308,665	–	–	–	–	–
118,677,076	51,067,934	–	5,647,354	24,996,213	1,660,274
21,818,227	13,480,047	–	380,827	2,720,837	1,081,760
55,536,011	32,720,778	3,528,763	–	–	–
12,952,475	10,872,371	769,223	–	–	–

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 216,706,645	$ 108,918,848	$ 4,297,986	$ 6,028,181	$ 27,717,050	$ 2,742,034

$ 221,805,056	$ 102,400,077	$ 3,681,318	$ 6,590,530	$ 26,091,507	$ 2,311,329
21,059,926	6,220,380	673,666	258,720	1,025,418	155,621

–	–	–	–	–	–
41,593	–	–	–	–	–
8,721	–	–	–	–	–
53,965	–	–	–	–	–
1,385,382	192,829	–	–	–	–
331,545	–	–	–	–	–
27,646	–	–	–	–	–
10,696,248	1,395,139	–	667,447	2,407,576	165,586
1,991,493	391,287	–	46,292	278,455	114,308
5,005,428	893,916	363,485	–	–	–
1,182,263	315,596	82,322	–	–	–

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
3.06	–	–	–	–	–
3.43	–	–	–	–	–
2.37	–	–	–	–	–
2.47	4.03	–	–	–	–
11.19	–	–	–	–	–
11.17	–	–	–	–	–
11.10	36.60	–	8.46	10.38	10.03
10.96	34.45	–	8.23	9.77	9.46
11.10	36.60	9.71	–	–	–
10.96	34.45	9.34	–	–	–

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010



	Invesco V.I.		Invesco V.I.
	Global		International
	Health Care		Growth
	Series I		Series I
	Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 7,322,711		$ 4,542,215
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 7,322,711		$ 4,542,215

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		5,445,704	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		1,877,007	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		–	4,038,379
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		–	503,836
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 7,322,711		$ 4,542,215

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 6,946,124		$ 3,998,171
Shares of mutual fund owned		438,223	158,320
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		486,010	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		177,480	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		–	446,466
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		–	56,587
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		11.20	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		10.58	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		–	9.05
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		–	8.90
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.


Invesco V.I.
Small Cap	Invesco V.I.	Janus Aspen
Equity	Technology	Enterprise	LargeCap	LargeCap	LargeCap
Series I	Series I	Service Shares	Blend II	Growth	Growth I
Division	Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 7,524,206	$ 4,980,784	$ 12,637,981	$ 157,178,665	$ 59,162,639	$ 116,970,484
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 7,524,206	$ 4,980,784	$ 12,637,981	$ 157,178,665	$ 59,162,639	$ 116,970,484



$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	671,357	–
–	–	–	–	3,775,146	243,611
–	–	–	–	–	1,816,008
–	–	–	–	–	96,299
2,572,040	3,385,712	11,099,309	43,715,052	39,905,675	93,712,733
910,249	1,595,072	1,538,672	17,432,672	1,990,927	10,021,725
3,332,986	–	–	72,713,750	10,149,124	8,290,086
708,931	–	–	23,317,191	2,670,410	2,790,022

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 7,524,206	$ 4,980,784	$ 12,637,981	$ 157,178,665	$ 59,162,639	$ 116,970,484

$ 6,223,175	$ 3,412,985	$ 8,872,464	$ 200,603,546	$ 57,426,952	$ 96,626,076
455,185	311,299	336,743	22,912,342	3,912,873	5,473,584

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	343,827	–
–	–	–	–	1,865,621	198,696
–	–	–	–	–	169,160
–	–	–	–	–	9,003
168,919	514,830	1,215,866	3,598,350	2,158,431	2,785,888
62,109	256,979	179,098	1,511,222	114,422	316,559
218,907	–	–	5,985,371	548,967	246,445
48,375	–	–	2,021,355	153,477	88,129

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	1.95	–
–	–	–	–	2.02	1.23
–	–	–	–	–	10.74
–	–	–	–	–	10.70
15.23	6.58	9.13	12.15	18.49	33.64
14.66	6.21	8.59	11.54	17.40	31.66
15.23	–	–	12.15	18.49	33.64
14.66	–	–	11.54	17.40	31.66

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

December 31, 2010


	LargeCap	LargeCap
	S&P 500 Index	Value
	Division	Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 96,643,855	$ 97,515,490
Liabilities	–	–
Net assets	$ 96,643,855	$ 97,515,490

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –	$ 1,173,281
Pension Builder Plus	–	1,668,022
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	117,289
Personal Variable	–	485,533
Premier Variable	146,316	6,339,559
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	8,912,424	2,882,170
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	630,742	490,577
The Principal Variable Annuity	46,288,856	63,419,602
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	10,990,972	6,061,438
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	23,769,848	10,424,993
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	5,904,697	4,345,673
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	–	447
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	106,906
Total net assets	$ 96,643,855	$ 97,515,490

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 91,943,520	$ 118,400,646
Shares of mutual fund owned	10,846,673	4,076,735
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	–	32,754
Pension Builder Plus	–	281,834
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	16,857
Personal Variable	–	164,068
Premier Variable	127,018	2,057,127
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	882,871	283,292
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	61,693	52,489
The Principal Variable Annuity	4,804,738	2,640,573
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	1,212,192	268,158
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,467,311	434,082
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	651,234	192,262
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –	$ 35.82
Pension Builder Plus	–	5.92
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	6.96
Personal Variable	–	2.96
Premier Variable	1.15	3.08
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	10.09	10.17
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	10.22	9.35
The Principal Variable Annuity	9.63	24.02
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider	9.07	22.60
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	9.63	24.02
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider	9.07	22.60
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	–	12
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	15,363
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –	$ 35.82
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	6.96

See accompanying notes.


						Neuberger
		MFS® VIT	MFS® VIT			Berman AMT
LargeCap		Utilities	Value	MidCap	Money	Partners
Value III		Service Class	Service Class	Blend	Market	I Class
Division		Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 126,522,916		$ 1,619,334	$ 1,459,189	$ 378,975,288	$ 115,063,727	$ 5,295,863
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 126,522,916		$ 1,619,334	$ 1,459,189	$ 378,975,288	$ 115,063,727	$ 5,295,863



$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	134,718	–
	–	–	–	–	1	–
	–	–	–	1,019,010	393,872	–
	–	–	–	5,680,179	4,167,695	–
	–	–	–	9,248,437	3,629,969	–
	–	–	–	875,873	840,573	–
31,872,343		–	–	204,109,244	55,135,826	–
10,981,514		–	–	33,566,032	12,486,972	–
63,006,949		1,233,347	1,330,958	96,201,696	28,757,389	3,904,503
20,662,110		385,987	128,231	28,274,817	9,516,712	1,391,360

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 126,522,916		$ 1,619,334	$ 1,459,189	$ 378,975,288	$ 115,063,727	$ 5,295,863

$ 144,232,851		$ 1,478,743	$ 1,360,990	$ 337,495,312	$ 115,063,726	$ 5,931,202
13,179,470		64,903	113,733	10,017,851	115,063,728	469,908

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	59,589	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	214,773	241,168	–
	–	–	–	1,155,115	2,448,295	–
	–	–	–	393,523	294,969	–
	–	–	–	68,474	78,486	–
2,957,792		–	–	4,652,081	3,899,149	–
1,073,265		–	–	812,870	938,270	–
5,847,162		84,455	99,760	2,192,639	2,033,717	288,400
2,019,401		26,690	9,706	684,732	715,093	106,774

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	2.26	–
	–	–	–	–	2.50	–
	–	–	–	4.74	1.63	–
	–	–	–	4.92	1.70	–
	–	–	–	23.50	12.31	–
	–	–	–	12.79	10.72	–
	10.78	–	–	43.87	14.14	–
	10.23	–	–	41.29	13.31	–
	10.78	14.60	13.34	43.87	14.14	13.54
	10.23	14.46	13.21	41.29	13.31	13.03

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010


			Neuberger
	Neuberger		Berman AMT
	Berman AMT		Socially
	Small-Cap Growth		Responsive
	S Class		I Class
	Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 3,211,249		$ 6,359,439
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 3,211,249		$ 6,359,439

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,197,822	5,086,948
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,013,427	1,272,491
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 3,211,249		$ 6,359,439

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 3,195,215		$ 5,483,301
Shares of mutual fund owned		261,929	427,957
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		223,438	373,281
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		107,041	97,013
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		9.84	13.63
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		9.47	13.12
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.


PIMCO	PIMCO	PIMCO		Principal
All Asset	High Yield	Total Return	Principal	LifeTime	Principal
Administrative	Administrative	Administrative	Capital	Strategic	LifeTime
Class	Class	Class	Appreciation	Income	2010
Division	Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 2,993,563	$ 8,052,485	$ 16,609,083	$ 7,466,228	$ 24,279,554	$ 41,054,754
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 2,993,563	$ 8,052,485	$ 16,609,083	$ 7,466,228	$ 24,279,554	$ 41,054,754



$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	74,863	826,326	3,437,536
–	–	–	–	2,237,493	1,448,805
–	–	–	–	501,834	172,898
1,963,168	5,517,868	14,906,274	5,559,498	17,809,424	30,278,116
1,030,395	2,534,617	1,702,809	1,831,867	2,904,477	5,717,399

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 2,993,563	$ 8,052,485	$ 16,609,083	$ 7,466,228	$ 24,279,554	$ 41,054,754

$ 3,016,713	$ 7,898,251	$ 16,822,622	$ 6,520,493	$ 24,421,430	$ 43,220,338
272,638	1,039,030	1,499,015	347,752	2,375,690	3,913,704

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	7,434	77,920	322,108
–	–	–	–	189,025	118,311
–	–	–	–	44,039	14,666
152,998	488,048	1,308,888	558,195	1,504,537	2,473,044
81,092	225,532	150,989	188,028	254,883	485,087

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	10.07	10.61	10.67
–	–	–	–	11.84	12.24
–	–	–	–	11.40	11.79
12.83	11.31	11.39	9.96	11.84	12.24
12.71	11.24	11.28	9.74	11.40	11.79

–	–	–	–	–	–
–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010




	Principal		Principal
	LifeTime		LifeTime
	2020		2030
	Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 176,256,223		$ 63,026,188
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 176,256,223		$ 63,026,188

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		5,280,578	3,111,993
The Principal Variable Annuity		3,422,424	1,172,660
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		740,136	44,534
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		128,423,266	46,688,175
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		38,389,819	12,008,826
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 176,256,223		$ 63,026,188

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 186,144,336		$ 55,312,060
Shares of mutual fund owned		15,994,213	5,683,155
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		490,548	294,592
The Principal Variable Annuity		268,933	93,927
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		60,414	3,705
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		10,091,129	3,739,525
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		3,133,516	999,149
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		10.76	10.56
The Principal Variable Annuity		12.73	12.49
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		12.25	12.02
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		12.73	12.49
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		12.25	12.02
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.


					SAM	SAM
Principal		Principal		SAM	Conservative	Conservative
LifeTime		LifeTime	Real Estate	Balanced	Balanced	Growth
2040		2050	Securities	Portfolio	Portfolio	Portfolio
Division		Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 10,823,119		$ 5,829,572	$ 75,754,623	$ 684,067,078	$ 158,219,547	$ 55,154,255
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 10,823,119		$ 5,829,572	$ 75,754,623	$ 684,067,078	$ 158,219,547	$ 55,154,255



$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	34,757	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
297,485		109,416	219,209	2,050,781	1,236,191	1,143,983
	88,179	244,963	43,569,019	30,975,448	19,071,745	11,194,624
	62,735	50,821	14,015,083	8,475,314	2,909,435	3,734,979
8,475,965		4,113,980	13,368,602	569,306,104	115,537,655	29,986,714
1,898,755		1,310,392	4,547,953	73,259,431	19,464,521	9,093,955

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 10,823,119		$ 5,829,572	$ 75,754,623	$ 684,067,078	$ 158,219,547	$ 55,154,255

$ 11,563,688		$ 6,091,032	$ 83,541,203	$ 617,605,339	$ 140,139,701	$ 50,123,235
956,951		518,645	5,734,642	45,543,747	13,546,194	3,590,772

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	12,411	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	28,394	10,500	20,467	196,606	112,749	117,578
	6,995	19,453	1,405,921	3,002,464	1,758,703	1,163,334
	5,170	4,192	480,527	839,829	274,274	396,788
672,400		326,689	431,395	55,182,141	10,654,341	3,116,105
156,469		108,092	155,935	7,259,238	1,834,935	966,077

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	2.80	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	10.48	10.42	10.71	10.43	10.96	9.73
	12.61	12.59	30.99	10.32	10.84	9.62
	12.14	12.12	29.17	10.09	10.61	9.41
	12.61	12.59	30.99	10.32	10.84	9.62
	12.14	12.12	29.17	10.09	10.61	9.41

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010



		SAM	SAM
		Flexible	Strategic
		Income	Growth
		Portfolio	Portfolio
		Division	Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 157,634,626		$ 38,640,578
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 157,634,626		$ 38,640,578

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		529,454	714,978
The Principal Variable Annuity		25,443,333	8,967,284
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		6,359,547	1,094,692
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		105,889,878	20,560,786
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		19,412,414	7,302,838
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 157,634,626		$ 38,640,578

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 144,124,479		$ 33,997,246
Shares of mutual fund owned		12,610,770	2,297,299
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		46,524	76,721
The Principal Variable Annuity		2,260,478	972,914
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		577,598	121,418
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		9,407,516	2,230,696
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		1,763,084	809,973
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		11.38	9.32
The Principal Variable Annuity		11.26	9.22
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		11.01	9.02
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		11.26	9.22
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		11.01	9.02
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.


					T. Rowe Price	T. Rowe Price
Short-Term		SmallCap	SmallCap	SmallCap	Blue Chip	Health
Income		Blend	Growth II	Value I	Growth II	Sciences II
Division		Division	Division	Division	Division	Division

$ 161,858,230		$ 35,312,556	$ 31,721,697	$ 86,698,136	$ 6,703,493	$ 6,428,884
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 161,858,230		$ 35,312,556	$ 31,721,697	$ 86,698,136	$ 6,703,493	$ 6,428,884



$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	100,797	93,125	220,360	–	–
2,445,934		3,072,705	860,290	–	–	–
69,760		109,339	132,992	298,035	–	–
28,371,573		26,314,969	19,597,766	31,145,059	–	–
8,685,839		5,714,746	3,176,514	7,740,972	–	–
96,920,358		–	6,199,578	37,074,428	5,712,112	4,965,363
25,364,766		–	1,661,432	10,219,282	991,381	1,463,521

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
$ 161,858,230		$ 35,312,556	$ 31,721,697	$ 86,698,136	$ 6,703,493	$ 6,428,884

$ 162,693,862		$ 36,047,176	$ 32,885,913	$ 88,543,990	$ 5,254,443	$ 5,338,479
64,485,350		4,249,405	2,839,901	6,412,584	608,302	442,152

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	79,982	115,210	123,391	–	–
217,376		192,638	89,161	–	–	–
	6,214	11,120	13,431	31,617	–	–
2,542,794		2,114,456	1,853,691	1,394,320	–	–
788,380		487,912	319,257	368,222	–	–
8,686,505		–	586,411	1,659,745	453,029	303,481
2,302,274		–	166,986	486,102	81,689	92,934

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	1.26	0.81	1.79	–	–
	11.25	15.95	9.65	–	–	–
	11.23	9.83	9.90	9.43	–	–
	11.16	12.45	10.57	22.34	–	–
	11.02	11.71	9.95	21.02	–	–
	11.16	–	10.57	22.34	12.61	16.36
	11.02	–	9.95	21.02	12.14	15.75

	–	–	–	–	–	–
	–	–	–	–	–	–

$ –		$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –	$ –
	–	–	–	–	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)


December 31, 2010



			Van Eck
	Templeton		VIP Global
	Growth Securities		Hard Assets
	Class 2		Class
	Division		Division
Assets
Investments in shares of mutual funds, at market	$ 1,200,063		$ 5,397,141
Liabilities		–	–
Net assets	$ 1,200,063		$ 5,397,141

Net assets
Applicable to accumulation units:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		1,200,063	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	1,294,121
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	99,329
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		–	3,179,240
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		–	824,451
Applicable to contracts in annuitization period:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Total net assets	$ 1,200,063		$ 5,397,141

Investments in shares of mutual funds, at cost	$ 1,323,935		$ 4,481,497
Shares of mutual fund owned		108,998	146,066
Accumulation units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		78,783	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	77,304
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	5,992
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		–	189,912
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		–	49,732
Accumulation unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Personal Variable		–	–
Premier Variable		–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		15.23	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity		–	16.74
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase Payment Credit Rider		–	16.58
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		–	16.74
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium Payment Credit Rider		–	16.58
Annuitized units outstanding:
Bankers Flexible Annuity		–	–
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
Annuitized unit value:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ –		$ –
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA		–	–
See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Operations (continued)


Year Ended December 31, 2010
			Goldman Sachs
		Goldman Sachs	VIT Structured
		VIT Mid Cap	Small Cap
		Value	Equity Service
		Institutional	Institutional
		Class	Class
		Division	Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
Dividends	$ 108,518 $		28,387

Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks		203,001	62,021
Separate account rider charges		27,980	7,154
Net investment income (loss)		(122,463)	(40,788)

Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares		(957,236)	(382,309)
Capital gains distributions		–	–
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(957,236)	(382,309)

Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
investments		4,428,358	1,656,732
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$ 3,348,659 $		1,233,635


(1) Commenced operations January 4, 2010.
(2) Represented the operations of Mortgage Securities Division until July 16, 2010 name change.
(3) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Basic Value Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(4) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(5) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Core Equity Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.


See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Operations (continued)


Year Ended December 31, 2010



		Invesco V.I.	Invesco V.I.
		Global	International
		Health Care	Growth
		Series I	Series I
		Division (2)	Division (3)
Investment income (loss)
Income:
Dividends	$ – $		95,254

Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks		97,808	47,832
Separate account rider charges		13,210	2,488
Net investment income (loss)		(111,018)	44,934

Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares		(32,163)	185,539
Capital gains distributions		–	–
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(32,163)	185,539

Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
investments		378,037	256,168
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$ 234,856 $		486,641


(1) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Dynamics Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(2) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Global Health Care Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(3) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. International Growth Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(4) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Small Cap Equity Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(5) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Technology Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.


See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		AllianceBernstein
		Small Cap
		Growth
		Class A
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (32,578)		$ (20,510)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(43,302)		(166,124)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		767,397		691,114
Net gains (losses) from investments		691,517		504,480

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		691,517		504,480

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		1,744,627		637,223
Administration charges		(256)		497
Contingent sales charges		(3,083)		(2,152)
Contract terminations		(89,634)		(55,946)
Death benefit payments		(4,534)		(11,558)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(10,325)		(8,225)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(563,980)		(379,102)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		1,072,815		180,737
Total increase (decrease)		1,764,332		685,217

Net assets at beginning of period		1,901,891		1,216,674
Net assets at end of period	$ 3,666,223		$ 1,901,891


(1) Commenced operations May 24, 2010.




See accompanying notes.


American		American			American
Century VP		Century VP			Century VP
Income &		Inflation			Mid Cap
Growth		Protection			Value
Class I		Class II			Class II
Division		Division			Division (1)
2010	2009	2010		2009	2010


$ 30,551	$567,795	$ 274,438	$ 272,679		$ 3,006
(559,787)	(1,338,661)	760,308		43,812	(47)
2,471,742	3,146,056	1,921,335		5,666,482	35,075
1,942,506	2,375,190	2,956,081		5,982,973	38,034

–	–	–		–	–

1,942,506	2,375,190	2,956,081		5,982,973	38,034



2,490,927	1,803,378	17,801,418		29,497,984	696,229
(2,212)	(2,262)	(524,277)		(488,652)	(13)
(16,767)	(20,716)	(92,960)		(74,695)	(283)
(2,127,392)	(1,647,955)	(2,702,278)		(1,941,779)	(13,165)
(168,246)	(82,851)	(187,696)		(302,585)	–
(248,280)	(269,872)	(1,650,662)		(1,451,541)	(600)
(2,723,918)	(2,524,477)	(10,648,255)		(17,713,331)	(57,435)
–	–	–		–	–
(2,795,888)	(2,744,755)	1,995,290		7,525,401	624,733
(853,382)	(369,565)	4,951,371		13,508,374	662,767

17,506,349	17,875,914	81,192,485		67,684,111	–
$ 16,652,967	$17,506,349	$ 86,143,856	$ 81,192,485		$ 662,767


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		American
		Century VP
		Ultra® Class I
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (42,714)		$ (52,284)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(139,841)		(425,458)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		796,574		1,738,953
Net gains (losses) from investments		614,019		1,261,211

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		614,019		1,261,211

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		1,149,863		925,765
Administration charges		(841)		(1,023)
Contingent sales charges		(5,595)		(6,412)
Contract terminations		(719,093)		(455,502)
Death benefit payments		(37,156)		(4,646)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(72,069)		(65,015)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(1,119,308)		(922,283)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(804,199)		(529,116)
Total increase (decrease)		(190,180)		732,095

Net assets at beginning of period		5,125,570		4,393,475
Net assets at end of period	$ 4,935,390		$ 5,125,570


See accompanying notes.


American		American		American
Century VP		Century VP		Century VP
Ultra® Class II		Value Class II		Vista^SMClass I
Division		Division		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010		2009


$ (590,139)	$(617,522)	$ 147,761	$969,114	$ (34,221)	$ (28,227)
(1,291,484)	(4,150,471)	(1,570,245)	(3,206,329)	(82,651)		(230,776)
10,029,002	19,391,959	4,086,189	6,029,843	603,706		625,969
8,147,379	14,623,966	2,663,705	3,792,628	486,834		366,966

–	–	–	–	–		–

8,147,379	14,623,966	2,663,705	3,792,628	486,834		366,966



5,804,184	4,811,592	2,352,402	2,251,924	616,017		367,636
(415,629)	(406,928)	(5,580)	(6,597)	(1,345)		(676)
(67,912)	(54,064)	(20,686)	(28,544)	(1,926)		(3,306)
(1,974,165)	(1,405,462)	(2,658,393)	(2,027,589)	(55,989)		(85,936)
(167,511)	(246,233)	(97,077)	(108,521)	–		–
(1,056,494)	(924,179)	(306,613)	(300,913)	(11,534)		(13,556)
(7,699,793)	(9,019,277)	(2,659,838)	(3,620,668)	(243,735)		(303,755)
–	–	–	–	–		–
(5,577,320)	(7,244,551)	(3,395,785)	(3,840,908)	301,488		(39,593)
2,570,059	7,379,415	(732,080)	(48,280)	788,322		327,373

56,071,136	48,691,721	25,911,803	25,960,083	2,219,126		1,891,753
$ 58,641,195	$56,071,136	$ 25,179,723	$25,911,803	$ 3,007,448	$ 2,219,126


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		Asset
		Allocation
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 546,815		$ 784,365
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(564,387)		(2,124,367)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		3,577,611		8,962,274
Net gains (losses) from investments		3,560,039		7,622,272

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		3,560,039		7,622,272

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		4,942,823		7,596,204
Administration charges		(83,203)		(76,439)
Contingent sales charges		(54,824)		(63,498)
Contract terminations		(5,591,832)		(4,262,157)
Death benefit payments		(339,352)		(445,812)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(950,906)		(1,059,829)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(5,007,308)		(6,959,658)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(7,084,602)		(5,271,189)
Total increase (decrease)		(3,524,563)		2,351,083

Net assets at beginning of period		52,864,573		50,513,490
Net assets at end of period	$ 49,340,010		$ 52,864,573


See accompanying notes.


		Bond &
		Mortgage		Diversified
Balanced		Securities		Balanced
Division		Division		Division (1)
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010


$ 620,571	$1,512,312	$ 9,970,520	$23,605,608	$ (925,807)
(1,449,570)	(3,562,620)	(3,979,942)	(10,699,786)	(35,682)
5,682,855	9,317,827	18,550,473	27,589,155	10,298,567
4,853,856	7,267,519	24,541,051	40,494,977	9,337,078

–	–	–	–	–

4,853,856	7,267,519	24,541,051	40,494,977	9,337,078



3,795,291	3,008,849	44,539,158	40,475,504	167,126,980
(22,795)	(24,230)	(649,923)	(631,491)	(738,034)
(29,820)	(60,865)	(293,973)	(319,042)	(32,632)
(4,726,211)	(5,096,297)	(24,029,631)	(18,561,331)	(948,604)
(461,889)	(419,374)	(1,212,464)	(1,253,313)	(78,615)
(805,584)	(892,954)	(4,920,415)	(4,865,974)	(728,598)
(3,958,501)	(4,705,157)	(35,710,398)	(42,550,343)	(4,215,033)
–	–	–	–	–
(6,209,509)	(8,190,028)	(22,277,646)	(27,705,990)	160,385,464
(1,355,653)	(922,509)	2,263,405	12,788,987	169,722,542

44,052,089	44,974,598	251,405,465	238,616,478	–
$ 42,696,436	$44,052,089	$ 253,668,870	$251,405,465	$ 169,722,542


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)


Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




	Diversified	Diversified
	Growth	International
	Division (1)	Division
	2010	2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (1,727,767)	$ 1,461,101	$ 5,922,863
Total realized gains (losses) on investments	42,239	(11,854,379)		(13,975,971)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments	23,450,808	41,204,160		44,023,516
Net gains (losses) from investments	21,765,280	30,810,882		35,970,408

Payment from Affiliate	–	–		1,400,614

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	21,765,280	30,810,882		37,371,022

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes	308,672,441	83,449,602		27,906,687
Administration charges	(1,339,585)	(175,231)		(135,344)
Contingent sales charges	(28,332)	(198,144)		(195,065)
Contract terminations	(823,586)	(20,853,137)		(13,396,263)
Death benefit payments	(69,056)	(1,040,554)		(682,131)
Flexible withdrawal option payments	(710,047)	(1,965,128)		(1,774,997)
Transfer payments to other contracts	(3,555,065)	(29,125,870)		(23,879,337)
Annuity payments	–	–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions	302,146,770	30,091,538		(12,156,450)
Total increase (decrease)	323,912,050	60,902,420		25,214,572

Net assets at beginning of period	–	176,753,296		151,538,724
Net assets at end of period	$ 323,912,050	$ 237,655,716	$ 176,753,296


(1) Commenced operations January 4, 2010.




See accompanying notes.


					Fidelity VIP
Dreyfus IP					Equity-Income
Technology Growth		Equity			Service
Service Shares		Income			Class 2
Division		Division			Division
2010	2009	2010		2009	2010		2009


$ (34,885)	$(16,045)	$ 3,059,518	$ 6,450,341		$ 56,628	$ 246,613
157,688	(79,610)	(6,777,325)		(12,322,227)	(2,350,284)		(4,148,510)
524,178	612,753	26,597,775		31,929,448	7,629,950		13,727,220
646,981	517,098	22,879,968		26,057,562	5,336,294		9,825,323

–	–	–		–	–		–

646,981	517,098	22,879,968		26,057,562	5,336,294		9,825,323



2,145,709	1,961,773	16,368,612		24,940,303	5,221,723		5,816,809
(330)	(152)	(957,659)		(921,639)	(10,314)		(9,988)
(3,434)	(1,997)	(185,773)		(164,248)	(41,954)		(42,835)
(99,818)	(51,910)	(7,857,059)		(6,022,332)	(4,069,770)		(2,646,592)
(11,146)	–	(555,275)		(858,200)	(202,074)		(158,526)
(27,264)	(19,668)	(3,011,898)		(2,693,097)	(439,800)		(424,975)
(1,241,259)	(689,693)	(15,540,669)		(20,643,016)	(6,118,493)		(6,006,640)
–	–	–		–	–		–
762,458	1,198,353	(11,739,721)		(6,362,229)	(5,660,682)		(3,472,747)
1,409,439	1,715,451	11,140,247		19,695,333	(324,388)		6,352,576

2,424,974	709,523	162,643,939		142,948,606	44,737,069		38,384,493
$ 3,834,413	$2,424,974	$ 173,784,186	$ 162,643,939		$ 44,412,681	$ 44,737,069


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		Fidelity VIP
		Growth
		Service
		Class
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (205,764)		$ (172,704)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(1,002,072)		(2,250,333)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		4,712,691		6,257,651
Net gains (losses) from investments		3,504,855		3,834,614

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		3,504,855		3,834,614

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		2,324,139		2,055,052
Administration charges		(4,773)		(4,184)
Contingent sales charges		(17,504)		(26,299)
Contract terminations		(2,249,538)		(1,868,100)
Death benefit payments		(39,177)		(57,398)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(176,492)		(175,207)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(2,455,328)		(2,665,191)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(2,618,673)		(2,741,327)
Total increase (decrease)		886,182		1,093,287

Net assets at beginning of period		17,733,739		16,640,452
Net assets at end of period	$ 18,619,921		$ 17,733,739


See accompanying notes.


Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP		Fidelity VIP
Growth		Overseas		Contrafund
Service		Service		Service
Class 2		Class 2		Class
Division		Division		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ (92,691)	$(67,930)	$ (66,247)	$224,314	$ (193,143)	$(58,306)
(144,375)	(406,451)	(2,781,420)	(3,702,872)	(2,632,949)	(5,878,582)
1,585,330	1,755,226	8,085,668	12,911,110	11,543,118	22,943,510
1,348,264	1,280,845	5,238,001	9,432,552	8,717,026	17,006,622

–	–	–	–	–	–

1,348,264	1,280,845	5,238,001	9,432,552	8,717,026	17,006,622



1,433,490	787,271	6,719,933	8,913,658	8,638,329	9,189,048
(975)	(728)	(228,818)	(213,855)	(19,698)	(23,142)
(13,930)	(9,697)	(65,891)	(48,344)	(66,908)	(90,727)
(404,935)	(252,078)	(1,915,408)	(1,256,750)	(8,598,547)	(6,444,754)
(6,620)	(51,568)	(178,321)	(250,244)	(211,646)	(291,957)
(19,101)	(15,040)	(623,232)	(553,958)	(763,928)	(852,097)
(786,613)	(542,695)	(6,884,924)	(7,206,063)	(10,382,093)	(10,133,864)
–	–	–	–	–	–
201,316	(84,535)	(3,176,661)	(615,556)	(11,404,491)	(8,647,493)
1,549,580	1,196,310	2,061,340	8,816,996	(2,687,465)	8,359,129

6,438,269	5,241,959	46,197,413	37,380,417	66,028,352	57,669,223
$ 7,987,849 $	6,438,269	$ 48,258,753 $	46,197,413	$ 63,340,887 $	66,028,352


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		Fidelity VIP
		Contrafund
		Service
		Class 2
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (142,296)		$ (37,040)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(1,800,418)		(3,922,022)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		8,468,091		13,888,919
Net gains (losses) from investments		6,525,377		9,929,857

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		6,525,377		9,929,857

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		8,804,155		13,945,048
Administration charges		(154,490)		(126,956)
Contingent sales charges		(54,381)		(40,831)
Contract terminations		(1,580,825)		(1,061,440)
Death benefit payments		(112,297)		(53,723)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(541,390)		(418,219)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(6,184,787)		(9,543,718)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		175,985		2,700,161
Total increase (decrease)		6,701,362		12,630,018

Net assets at beginning of period		41,367,396		28,737,378
Net assets at end of period	$ 48,068,758		$ 41,367,396


(1) Commenced operations January 4, 2010.




See accompanying notes.


Fidelity VIP		Franklin	Goldman Sachs
Mid Cap		Small Cap	VIT Mid Cap
Service		Value Securities	Value
Class 2		Class 2	Institutional Class
Division		Division (1)	Division
2010	2009	2010	2010	2009


$ (114,477)	$(53,524)	$ (1,421)	$ (122,463)	$60,019
(70,619)	(695,464)	(3,573)	(957,236)	(1,324,415)
2,481,192	2,625,370	66,500	4,428,358	4,974,063
2,296,096	1,876,382	61,506	3,348,659	3,709,667

–	–	–	–	–

2,296,096	1,876,382	61,506	3,348,659	3,709,667



4,968,450	2,791,365	471,143	2,024,312	1,518,621
(1,311)	(1,225)	(30)	(2,442)	(2,093)
(14,073)	(6,736)	(325)	(26,617)	(20,853)
(409,086)	(175,119)	(9,452)	(773,746)	(542,100)
(18,318)	(4,269)	–	(83,391)	(90,249)
(86,643)	(53,986)	(945)	(109,723)	(105,440)
(1,522,578)	(2,015,920)	(74,595)	(2,897,871)	(1,500,777)
–	–	–	–	–
2,916,441	534,110	385,796	(1,869,478)	(742,891)
5,212,537	2,410,492	447,302	1,479,181	2,966,776

7,571,279	5,160,787	–	15,906,098	12,939,322
$ 12,783,816	$7,571,279	$ 447,302	$ 17,385,279	$15,906,098


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted

		Goldman Sachs
		VIT Structured
		Small Cap
		Equity Service
		Institutional Class
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (40,788)		$ (3,847)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(382,309)		(506,526)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		1,656,732		1,344,984
Net gains (losses) from investments		1,233,635		834,611

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		1,233,635		834,611

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		1,587,957		1,035,644
Administration charges		(340)		(240)
Contingent sales charges		(4,757)		(4,419)
Contract terminations		(138,296)		(114,889)
Death benefit payments		(11,621)		(28,786)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(36,422)		(30,460)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(1,036,777)		(587,474)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		359,744		269,376
Total increase (decrease)		1,593,379		1,103,987

Net assets at beginning of period		4,413,535		3,309,548
Net assets at end of period	$ 6,006,914		$ 4,413,535


(1) Represented the operations of Mortgage Securities Division until July 16, 2010 name change.




See accompanying notes.


Government
& High			International		Invesco V.I.
Quality			Emerging		Basic Value
Bond			Markets		Series I
Division (1)			Division		Division (1)
2010		2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ 4,558,366	$ 10,515,508		$ (154,429)	$530,481	$ (28,472)	$19,948
286,309		(3,911,795)	(2,997,495)	(7,529,278)	(286,584)	(391,908)
(4,840,933)		1,430,068	19,109,070	46,845,737	595,238	1,033,694
3,742		8,033,781	15,957,146	39,846,940	280,182	661,734

–		–	–	227,485	–	–

3,742		8,033,781	15,957,146	40,074,425	280,182	661,734



242,212,813		48,967,188	20,410,810	26,921,227	1,321,562	3,293,374
(172,401)		(259,983)	(31,047)	(34,533)	(18,441)	(6,369)
(133,810)		(356,748)	(109,508)	(108,918)	(2,778)	(1,121)
(13,446,110)		(22,658,992)	(8,937,298)	(6,250,338)	(80,750)	(29,143)
(560,683)		(1,856,753)	(297,642)	(245,306)	–	–
(2,494,705)		(5,647,970)	(753,763)	(681,082)	(36,929)	(20,178)
(21,213,328)		(54,153,629)	(20,826,156)	(18,603,895)	(695,324)	(1,209,853)
–		–	–	–	–	–
204,191,776		(35,966,887)	(10,544,604)	997,155	487,340	2,026,710
204,195,518		(27,933,106)	5,412,542	41,071,580	767,522	2,688,444

12,511,127		237,196,678	103,506,306	62,434,726	3,530,464	842,020
$ 216,706,645	$ 209,263,572		$ 108,918,848	$103,506,306	$ 4,297,986	$3,530,464


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)


Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		Invesco V.I.
		Capital
		Appreciation
		Series I
		Division (2)
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (33,140)		$ (39,565)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(334,552)		(676,702)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		1,119,430		1,709,991
Net gains (losses) from investments		751,738		993,724

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		751,738		993,724

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		601,321		872,366
Administration charges		(1,708)		(1,974)
Contingent sales charges		(5,723)		(9,975)
Contract terminations		(735,478)		(708,562)
Death benefit payments		(53,857)		(71,879)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(80,141)		(88,229)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(639,019)		(935,570)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(914,605)		(943,823)
Total increase (decrease)		(162,867)		49,901

Net assets at beginning of period		6,191,048		6,141,147
Net assets at end of period	$ 6,028,181		$ 6,191,048


(1) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Basic Value Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(2) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(3) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Core Equity Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(4) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Dynamics Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.


See accompanying notes.


				Invesco V.I.
Invesco V.I.		Invesco V.I.		Global
Core Equity		Dynamics		Health Care
Series I		Series I		Series I
Division (3)		Division (4)		Division (1)
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ (112,698)	$121,432	$ (37,357)	$(30,869)	$ (111,018)	$(90,476)
(112,947)	(1,517,994)	(44,243)	(134,599)	(32,163)	(442,399)
2,312,679	8,101,356	546,285	855,375	378,037	2,350,276
2,087,034	6,704,794	464,685	689,907	234,856	1,817,401

–	–	–	–	–	–

2,087,034	6,704,794	464,685	689,907	234,856	1,817,401



3,950,956	3,505,455	767,960	402,387	1,458,804	1,239,351
(10,108)	(15,645)	(403)	(274)	(2,259)	(3,225)
(34,569)	(49,692)	(1,203)	(1,450)	(8,394)	(12,526)
(4,442,592)	(3,529,853)	(154,573)	(102,974)	(1,078,737)	(889,779)
(192,129)	(207,348)	(1,564)	–	(14,101)	(65,830)
(453,455)	(516,173)	(35,318)	(27,877)	(105,223)	(99,921)
(4,708,330)	(4,455,884)	(765,295)	(291,792)	(1,817,706)	(1,735,382)
–	–	–	–	–	–
(5,890,227)	(5,269,140)	(190,396)	(21,980)	(1,567,616)	(1,567,312)
(3,803,193)	1,435,654	274,289	667,927	(1,332,760)	250,089

31,520,243	30,084,589	2,467,745	1,799,818	8,655,471	8,405,382
$ 27,717,050	$31,520,243	$ 2,742,034	$2,467,745	$ 7,322,711	$8,655,471


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		Invesco V.I.
		International
		Growth
		Series I
		Division (2)
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 44,934		$ 21,905
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		185,539		45,012
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		256,168		300,228
Net gains (losses) from investments		486,641		367,145

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		486,641		367,145

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		2,100,832		3,315,133
Administration charges		(22,621)		(7,154)
Contingent sales charges		(2,623)		(670)
Contract terminations		(76,253)		(17,430)
Death benefit payments		(11,194)		–
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(13,032)		(3,233)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(1,162,177)		(522,784)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		812,932		2,763,862
Total increase (decrease)		1,299,573		3,131,007

Net assets at beginning of period		3,242,642		111,635
Net assets at end of period	$ 4,542,215		$ 3,242,642


(1) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Global Health Care Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(2) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. International Growth Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(3) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Small Cap Equity Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.
(4) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Technology Series I Division until May 24, 2010 name change.


See accompanying notes.


Invesco V.I.
Small Cap		Invesco V.I.		Janus Aspen
Equity		Technology		Enterprise
Series I		Series I		Service Shares
Division (3)		Division (4)		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ (90,255)	$(52,729)	$ (70,243)	$(58,165)	$ (158,635)	$(151,366)
(163,779)	(493,994)	169,058	(265,623)	533,965	(266,512)
1,783,127	1,327,760	669,793	2,049,011	2,130,642	4,221,108
1,529,093	781,037	768,608	1,725,223	2,505,972	3,803,230

–	–	–	–	–	–

1,529,093	781,037	768,608	1,725,223	2,505,972	3,803,230



3,095,836	2,112,745	1,232,579	2,772,736	2,686,021	2,939,018
(10,507)	(4,196)	(788)	(800)	(4,956)	(4,600)
(7,990)	(6,954)	(4,092)	(6,207)	(13,858)	(20,597)
(607,474)	(385,147)	(525,819)	(440,936)	(1,780,881)	(1,463,064)
–	(2,057)	(12,279)	(2,564)	(44,331)	(33,604)
(58,290)	(49,723)	(58,983)	(54,851)	(119,025)	(103,710)
(2,078,242)	(856,179)	(1,806,368)	(1,402,634)	(3,046,261)	(2,644,969)
–	–	–	–	–	–
333,333	808,489	(1,175,750)	864,744	(2,323,291)	(1,331,526)
1,862,426	1,589,526	(407,142)	2,589,967	182,681	2,471,704

5,661,780	4,072,254	5,387,926	2,797,959	12,455,300	9,983,596
$ 7,524,206	$5,661,780	$ 4,980,784	$5,387,926	$ 12,637,981	$12,455,300


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		LargeCap
		Blend II
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 1,577,002		$ 627,062
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(13,547,114)		(18,529,982)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		29,104,152		53,189,814
Net gains (losses) from investments		17,134,040		35,286,894

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		17,134,040		35,286,894

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		13,666,603		15,531,306
Administration charges		(513,440)		(494,973)
Contingent sales charges		(168,175)		(160,666)
Contract terminations		(10,228,041)		(6,903,254)
Death benefit payments		(596,049)		(549,741)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(2,175,126)		(2,070,360)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(18,994,330)		(20,208,857)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(19,008,558)		(14,856,545)
Total increase (decrease)		(1,874,518)		20,430,349

Net assets at beginning of period		159,053,183		138,622,834
Net assets at end of period	$ 157,178,665		$ 159,053,183


See accompanying notes.


LargeCap		LargeCap		LargeCap
Growth		Growth I		S&P 500 Index
Division		Division		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010		2009


$ (671,425)	$(249,736)	$ (1,337,102)	$(1,315,070)	$ 93,979	$ 2,638,665
(1,742,652)	(4,338,986)	1,092,996	(5,247,795)	(1,594,164)		(5,206,106)
11,215,610	16,423,590	18,663,714	47,815,801	12,961,305		21,526,447
8,801,533	11,834,868	18,419,608	41,252,936	11,461,120		18,959,006

–	–	–	–	–		–

8,801,533	11,834,868	18,419,608	41,252,936	11,461,120		18,959,006



7,251,506	10,816,058	11,784,858	14,510,734	13,879,610		20,108,044
(42,808)	(30,632)	(49,859)	(55,033)	(88,023)		(75,090)
(63,449)	(68,840)	(116,292)	(148,786)	(101,014)		(103,986)
(7,830,935)	(5,744,258)	(13,903,485)	(10,502,632)	(9,600,569)		(7,299,942)
(304,349)	(283,667)	(527,879)	(388,950)	(434,663)		(301,693)
(838,589)	(862,829)	(1,263,671)	(1,262,028)	(1,275,326)		(1,185,059)
(6,774,576)	(6,468,722)	(16,245,613)	(14,443,115)	(13,228,319)		(16,218,037)
–	–	–	–	–		–
(8,603,200)	(2,642,890)	(20,321,941)	(12,289,810)	(10,848,304)		(5,075,763)
198,333	9,191,978	(1,902,333)	28,963,126	612,816		13,883,243

58,964,306	49,772,328	118,872,817	89,909,691	96,031,039		82,147,796
$ 59,162,639	$58,964,306	$ 116,970,484	$118,872,817	$ 96,643,855	$ 96,031,039


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		LargeCap
		Value
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 486,594		$ 3,407,443
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(7,684,280)		(11,114,027)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		18,508,724		20,128,881
Net gains (losses) from investments		11,311,038		12,422,297

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		11,311,038		12,422,297

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		9,204,068		11,026,669
Administration charges		(91,018)		(81,254)
Contingent sales charges		(80,753)		(96,595)
Contract terminations		(10,782,779)		(9,080,750)
Death benefit payments		(578,550)		(476,724)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(1,450,105)		(1,492,304)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(9,169,429)		(10,343,707)
Annuity payments		–		(12,850)
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(12,948,566)		(10,557,515)
Total increase (decrease)		(1,637,528)		1,864,782

Net assets at beginning of period		99,153,018		97,288,236
Net assets at end of period	$ 97,515,490		$ 99,153,018


(1) Commenced operations May 18, 2009.




See accompanying notes.


			MFS® VIT			MFS® VIT
LargeCap			Utilities			Value
Value III			Service Class			Service Class
Division			Division (1)			Division (1)
2010		2009	2010		2009	2010		2009


$ 450,497	$ 2,614,336		$ 8,334	$ (1,958)		$ (1,691)	$ (1,318)
(7,283,917)		(10,525,317)	74,067		1,718	14,171		322
20,429,154		28,295,999	106,217		34,374	81,718		16,481
13,595,734		20,385,018	188,618		34,134	94,198		15,485

–		–	–		–	–		–

13,595,734		20,385,018	188,618		34,134	94,198		15,485



11,277,960		18,684,348	1,454,362		567,866	1,114,778		453,116
(457,465)		(432,107)	(51)		(14)	–		–
(137,010)		(132,166)	(1,490)		(195)	(3,630)		–
(8,260,591)		(5,630,936)	(43,320)		(5,068)	(105,523)		–
(485,794)		(662,047)	(9,885)		–	–		–
(1,825,716)		(1,674,043)	(7,586)		(860)	(14,598)		(1,110)
(15,364,407)		(15,358,813)	(554,814)		(2,363)	(93,310)		(217)
–		–	–		–	–		–
(15,253,023)		(5,205,764)	837,216		559,366	897,717		451,789
(1,657,289)		15,179,254	1,025,834		593,500	991,915		467,274

128,180,205		113,000,951	593,500		–	467,274		–
$ 126,522,916	$ 128,180,205		$ 1,619,334	$ 593,500		$ 1,459,189	$ 467,274


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		MidCap
		Blend
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 3,923,322		$ (1,023,661)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(2,886,295)		(2,729,529)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		69,136,060		64,122,590
Net gains (losses) from investments		70,173,087		60,369,400

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		70,173,087		60,369,400

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		137,908,371		26,474,039
Administration charges		(520,593)		(379,083)
Contingent sales charges		(302,627)		(279,436)
Contract terminations		(29,584,893)		(18,592,252)
Death benefit payments		(1,349,068)		(1,162,401)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(3,903,130)		(3,113,784)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(38,873,256)		(29,620,513)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		63,374,804		(26,673,430)
Total increase (decrease)		133,547,891		33,695,970

Net assets at beginning of period		245,427,397		211,731,427
Net assets at end of period	$ 378,975,288		$ 245,427,397


(1) Commenced operations May 18, 2009.




See accompanying notes.


		Neuberger		Neuberger
		Berman AMT		Berman AMT
Money		Partners		Small-Cap Growth
Market		I Class		S Class
Division		Division		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ (1,729,480)	$(2,303,892)	$ (41,746)	$51,782	$ (41,272)	$(31,528)
–	–	(1,249,499)	(678,472)	(127,142)	(182,188)
–	–	1,843,911	2,281,197	662,737	656,221
(1,729,480)	(2,303,892)	552,666	1,654,507	494,323	442,505

–	–	–	–	–	–

(1,729,480)	(2,303,892)	552,666	1,654,507	494,323	442,505



86,669,046	140,034,568	1,308,429	1,866,255	455,558	743,271
(94,360)	(126,906)	(1,956)	(2,685)	(4,470)	(1,993)
(367,729)	(839,531)	(5,883)	(10,700)	(5,416)	(3,107)
(35,749,865)	(53,581,426)	(171,004)	(278,158)	(157,437)	(80,767)
(728,322)	(1,224,123)	(2,470)	(13,454)	(1,008)	(25,615)
(3,831,014)	(6,391,469)	(55,110)	(58,279)	(8,447)	(6,871)
(93,753,335)	(155,305,962)	(1,692,597)	(1,453,347)	(342,299)	(248,380)
–	–	–	–	–	–
(47,855,579)	(77,434,849)	(620,591)	49,632	(63,519)	376,538
(49,585,059)	(79,738,741)	(67,925)	1,704,139	430,804	819,043

164,648,786	244,387,527	5,363,788	3,659,649	2,780,445	1,961,402
$ 115,063,727	$164,648,786	$ 5,295,863	$5,363,788	$ 3,211,249	$2,780,445


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted

		Neuberger
		Berman AMT
		Socially
		Responsive
		I Class
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (78,264)		$ 39,387
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(167,982)		(486,365)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		1,421,819		1,485,733
Net gains (losses) from investments		1,175,573		1,038,755

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		1,175,573		1,038,755

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		1,210,736		2,069,639
Administration charges		(31,739)		(22,192)
Contingent sales charges		(4,547)		(2,931)
Contract terminations		(132,176)		(76,199)
Death benefit payments		–		(12,311)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(71,618)		(53,576)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(1,110,916)		(1,171,851)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(140,260)		730,579
Total increase (decrease)		1,035,313		1,769,334

Net assets at beginning of period		5,324,126		3,554,792
Net assets at end of period	$ 6,359,439		$ 5,324,126


(1) Commenced operations May 18, 2009.
(2) Commenced operations January 4, 2010.



See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)


Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		Principal
		Capital
		Appreciation
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 24,228		$ 9,333
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		15,974		(229,646)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		811,449		1,068,023
Net gains (losses) from investments		851,651		847,710

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		851,651		847,710

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		3,157,804		2,422,377
Administration charges		(858)		(753)
Contingent sales charges		(8,347)		(10,329)
Contract terminations		(246,490)		(268,506)
Death benefit payments		–		(100)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(26,256)		(12,075)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(931,611)		(388,291)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		1,944,242		1,742,323
Total increase (decrease)		2,795,893		2,590,033

Net assets at beginning of period		4,670,335		2,080,302
Net assets at end of period	$ 7,466,228		$ 4,670,335


(1) Commenced operations May 18, 2009.




See accompanying notes.


Principal
LifeTime		Principal		Principal
Strategic		LifeTime		LifeTime
Income		2010		2020
Division		Division		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ 805,291	$707,519	$ 1,167,031	$957,606	$ 4,074,038	$2,805,156
(455,593)	(961,835)	(759,757)	(2,170,048)	(3,236,673)	(6,294,996)
1,786,753	3,352,920	4,249,324	8,075,389	20,442,319	35,355,976
2,136,451	3,098,604	4,656,598	6,862,947	21,279,684	31,866,136

–	–	–	–	–	–

2,136,451	3,098,604	4,656,598	6,862,947	21,279,684	31,866,136



4,474,233	7,079,955	2,567,643	6,483,192	9,908,242	25,585,481
(88,223)	(74,647)	(197,749)	(176,812)	(1,087,442)	(976,324)
(30,608)	(37,285)	(33,120)	(41,009)	(162,896)	(127,952)
(1,007,706)	(1,369,806)	(1,221,518)	(1,276,749)	(5,377,594)	(3,745,649)
(47,121)	(56,790)	(41,596)	(138,742)	(69,931)	(126,371)
(796,060)	(679,028)	(776,295)	(602,008)	(2,035,658)	(1,574,066)
(1,776,834)	(2,991,096)	(1,728,939)	(3,426,459)	(6,729,623)	(9,905,324)
–	–	–	–	–	–
727,681	1,871,303	(1,431,574)	821,413	(5,554,902)	9,129,795
2,864,132	4,969,907	3,225,024	7,684,360	15,724,782	40,995,931

21,415,422	16,445,515	37,829,730	30,145,370	160,531,441	119,535,510
$ 24,279,554	$21,415,422	$ 41,054,754	$37,829,730	$ 176,256,223	$160,531,441


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		Principal
		LifeTime
		2030
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 538,996		$ 153,699
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(671,448)		(1,423,054)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		7,680,659		9,452,110
Net gains (losses) from investments		7,548,207		8,182,755

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		7,548,207		8,182,755

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		9,586,592		28,666,861
Administration charges		(308,795)		(131,539)
Contingent sales charges		(52,401)		(31,211)
Contract terminations		(1,732,840)		(1,083,295)
Death benefit payments		(288,089)		(236,074)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(301,447)		(135,640)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(2,677,074)		(2,974,993)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		4,225,946		24,074,109
Total increase (decrease)		11,774,153		32,256,864

Net assets at beginning of period		51,252,035		18,995,171
Net assets at end of period	$ 63,026,188		$ 51,252,035


See accompanying notes.


Principal			Principal
LifeTime			LifeTime			Real Estate
2040			2050			Securities
Division			Division			Division
2010		2009	2010		2009	2010	2009


$ 79,228	$ 95,589		$ 38,758	$ 39,632		$ 1,157,863	$1,626,108
(226,962)		(807,702)	(178,133)		(374,623)	(5,161,508)	(9,695,036)
1,432,053		2,436,867	885,658		1,361,523	19,836,091	23,372,325
1,284,319		1,724,754	746,283		1,026,532	15,832,446	15,303,397

–		–	–		–	–	–

1,284,319		1,724,754	746,283		1,026,532	15,832,446	15,303,397



2,263,592		776,432	957,796		825,814	14,149,521	10,938,745
(5,625)		(6,005)	(4,071)		(4,062)	(36,482)	(23,572)
(13,978)		(19,433)	(16,913)		(10,620)	(80,722)	(85,282)
(458,866)		(569,704)	(538,020)		(301,320)	(8,365,048)	(5,056,623)
(7,889)		(7,779)	(11,877)		(16,907)	(214,808)	(233,554)
(34,805)		(37,684)	(13,389)		(7,062)	(842,153)	(769,249)
(370,490)		(815,493)	(308,448)		(350,586)	(16,962,039)	(11,856,556)
–		–	–		–	–	–
1,371,939		(679,666)	65,078		135,257	(12,351,731)	(7,086,091)
2,656,258		1,045,088	811,361		1,161,789	3,480,715	8,217,306

8,166,861		7,121,773	5,018,211		3,856,422	72,273,908	64,056,602
$ 10,823,119	$ 8,166,861		$ 5,829,572	$ 5,018,211		$ 75,754,623	$72,273,908


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		SAM
		Balanced
		Portfolio
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 14,217,125		$ 9,286,184
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(5,504,356)		8,364,614
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		63,623,656		70,590,554
Net gains (losses) from investments		72,336,425		88,241,352

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		72,336,425		88,241,352

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		105,433,533		300,122,353
Administration charges		(4,193,350)		(2,566,950)
Contingent sales charges		(605,894)		(316,041)
Contract terminations		(22,919,907)		(10,193,525)
Death benefit payments		(2,466,521)		(989,664)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(6,491,146)		(3,735,981)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(34,379,465)		(22,535,030)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		34,377,250		259,785,162
Total increase (decrease)		106,713,675		348,026,514

Net assets at beginning of period		577,353,403		229,326,889
Net assets at end of period	$ 684,067,078		$ 577,353,403


See accompanying notes.


SAM		SAM		SAM
Conservative		Conservative		Flexible
Balanced		Growth		Income
Portfolio		Portfolio		Portfolio
Division		Division		Division
2010	2009	2010	2009	2010		2009


$ 4,391,541	$1,776,281	$ 797,094	$1,159,295	$ 5,717,476	$ 3,054,285
(4,727)	(499,621)	(2,452,442)	(571,701)	213,477		(1,515,430)
10,201,352	18,357,269	7,763,703	7,205,836	6,898,055		15,170,884
14,588,166	19,633,929	6,108,355	7,793,430	12,829,008		16,709,739

–	–	–	–	–		–

14,588,166	19,633,929	6,108,355	7,793,430	12,829,008		16,709,739



37,006,244	79,447,152	18,558,887	19,074,680	48,817,423		79,992,452
(764,225)	(526,866)	(12,646)	(10,488)	(631,403)		(424,123)
(263,131)	(70,890)	(45,962)	(51,719)	(182,162)		(103,063)
(10,891,423)	(2,830,493)	(2,398,833)	(1,684,947)	(9,949,963)		(4,188,488)
(1,294,773)	(708,418)	(69,613)	(56,840)	(1,027,852)		(308,853)
(2,128,515)	(1,547,890)	(317,659)	(197,284)	(2,799,113)		(1,977,476)
(16,681,359)	(14,892,253)	(8,274,489)	(5,754,212)	(18,100,938)		(27,390,453)
–	–	–	–	–		–
4,982,818	58,870,342	7,439,685	11,319,190	16,125,992		45,599,996
19,570,984	78,504,271	13,548,040	19,112,620	28,955,000		62,309,735

138,648,563	60,144,292	41,606,215	22,493,595	128,679,626		66,369,891
$ 158,219,547	$138,648,563	$ 55,154,255	$41,606,215	$ 157,634,626	$ 128,679,626


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		SAM
		Strategic
		Growth
		Portfolio
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ 361,862		$ 534,685
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(1,635,575)		(1,869,905)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		5,934,583		7,394,328
Net gains (losses) from investments		4,660,870		6,059,108

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		4,660,870		6,059,108

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		11,294,806		12,997,019
Administration charges		(9,853)		(8,327)
Contingent sales charges		(29,628)		(30,904)
Contract terminations		(1,432,845)		(1,030,461)
Death benefit payments		(22,366)		(162,037)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(194,346)		(154,185)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(5,795,059)		(3,839,826)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		3,810,709		7,771,279
Total increase (decrease)		8,471,579		13,830,387

Net assets at beginning of period		30,168,999		16,338,612
Net assets at end of period	$ 38,640,578		$ 30,168,999


See accompanying notes.


Short-Term			SmallCap		SmallCap
Income			Blend		Growth II
Division			Division		Division
2010		2009	2010	2009	2010	2009


$ 1,565,188	$ 732,443		$ (276,862)	$(187,424)	$ (379,812)	$(334,253)
796,722		36,022	(1,287,973)	(3,234,069)	(1,702,840)	(2,980,114)
(808,306)		(27,169)	8,337,628	8,913,069	8,475,160	9,861,828
1,553,604		741,296	6,772,793	5,491,576	6,392,508	6,547,461

–		–	–	–	–	–

1,553,604		741,296	6,772,793	5,491,576	6,392,508	6,547,461



183,643,483		27,914,538	4,255,523	3,891,119	4,265,934	3,973,681
(419,629)		(41,399)	(6,109)	(5,822)	(4,281)	(4,289)
(137,473)		(14,072)	(30,986)	(40,202)	(30,774)	(33,592)
(8,429,971)		(777,339)	(4,078,772)	(3,040,478)	(3,151,206)	(2,248,330)
(511,778)		(25,848)	(189,643)	(101,640)	(88,360)	(156,453)
(2,307,768)		(171,549)	(464,462)	(481,547)	(275,807)	(257,904)
(35,083,408)		(4,335,776)	(4,774,757)	(4,385,188)	(4,061,503)	(3,200,018)
–		–	–	–	–	–
136,753,456		22,548,555	(5,289,206)	(4,163,758)	(3,345,997)	(1,926,905)
138,307,060		23,289,851	1,483,587	1,327,818	3,046,511	4,620,556

23,551,170		261,319	33,828,969	32,501,151	28,675,186	24,054,630
$ 161,858,230	$ 23,551,170		$ 35,312,556	$33,828,969	$ 31,721,697	$28,675,186


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted




		SmallCap
		Value I
		Division
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (447,870)		$ 624,402
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(4,331,528)		(7,979,980)
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		22,956,837		17,927,225
Net gains (losses) from investments		18,177,439		10,571,647

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		18,177,439		10,571,647

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		10,555,133		14,066,914
Administration charges		(239,766)		(225,382)
Contingent sales charges		(90,296)		(92,958)
Contract terminations		(6,737,765)		(4,955,267)
Death benefit payments		(332,649)		(290,611)
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(1,045,657)		(972,043)
Transfer payments to other contracts		(14,220,207)		(12,096,755)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		(12,111,207)		(4,566,102)
Total increase (decrease)		6,066,232		6,005,545

Net assets at beginning of period		80,631,904		74,626,359
Net assets at end of period	$ 86,698,136		$ 80,631,904


See accompanying notes.


T. Rowe Price		T. Rowe Price			Templeton
Blue Chip		Health			Growth Securities
Growth II		Sciences II			Class 2
Division		Division			Division
2010	2009	2010		2009	2010	2009


$ (77,481)	$(36,101)	$ (75,034)	$ (57,301)		$ 6,421	$25,874
(2,990)	(113,736)	53,728		(215,091)	(57,415)	(126,785)
989,068	1,079,077	775,129		1,376,826	115,557	399,572
908,597	929,240	753,823		1,104,434	64,563	298,661

–	–	–		–	–	–

908,597	929,240	753,823		1,104,434	64,563	298,661



2,224,032	4,043,942	1,757,262		1,763,044	31,844	66,181
(26,186)	(10,208)	(17,383)		(15,729)	–	–
(5,884)	(3,884)	(5,727)		(5,252)	(1,184)	(566)
(171,052)	(100,966)	(166,476)		(136,520)	(139,212)	(101,160)
(9,282)	(3,440)	(505)		(1,801)	(15,881)	(1,386)
(69,273)	(19,803)	(56,228)		(59,291)	(13,131)	(13,106)
(1,148,604)	(1,111,322)	(704,582)		(1,516,653)	(42,253)	(91,497)
–	–	–		–	–	–
793,751	2,794,319	806,361		27,798	(179,817)	(141,534)
1,702,348	3,723,559	1,560,184		1,132,232	(115,254)	157,127

5,001,145	1,277,586	4,868,700		3,736,468	1,315,317	1,158,190
$ 6,703,493	$5,001,145	$ 6,428,884	$ 4,868,700		$ 1,200,063	$1,315,317


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, Except as Noted



		Van Eck
		VIP Global
		Hard Assets
		Class
		Division (1)
		2010		2009
Increase (decrease) in net assets from
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)	$ (30,614)		$ (3,425)
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		34,719		19,535
Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments		889,614		26,030
Net gains (losses) from investments		893,719		42,140

Payment from Affiliate		–		–

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations		893,719		42,140

Changes from principal transactions:
Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees
and applicable premium taxes		3,976,972		1,205,728
Administration charges		(439)		(89)
Contingent sales charges		(2,827)		(478)
Contract terminations		(153,910)		(12,430)
Death benefit payments		–		–
Flexible withdrawal option payments		(10,896)		–
Transfer payments to other contracts		(386,943)		(153,406)
Annuity payments		–		–
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal transactions		3,421,957		1,039,325
Total increase (decrease)		4,315,676		1,081,465

Net assets at beginning of period		1,081,465		–
Net assets at end of period	$ 5,397,141		$ 1,081,465


(1) Represented the operations of Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Service Class Division until May 24, 2010 name change.




See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (Separate Account B) is a segregated

investment account of Principal Life Insurance Company (Principal Life) and is registered under

the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a unit investment trust, with no stated limitations on the

number of authorized units. As directed by eligible contractholders, each division of Separate

Account B invests exclusively in shares representing interests in a corresponding investment

option. As of December 31, 2010, contractholder investment options include the following open-

end management investment companies:

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

Asset Allocation Account

Balanced Account

Bond & Mortgage Securities Account

Diversified International Account

Equity Income Account (3)

Government & High Quality Bond Account (6,10)

International Emerging Markets Account

LargeCap Blend Account II

LargeCap Growth Account

LargeCap Growth Account I

LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account

LargeCap Value Account

LargeCap Value Account III

MidCap Blend Account

Money Market Account

Principal Capital Appreciation Account (4)

Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Account

Principal LifeTime 2010 Account

Principal LifeTime 2020 Account

Principal LifeTime 2030 Account

Principal LifeTime 2040 Account

Principal LifeTime 2050 Account

Real Estate Securities Account

Short-Term Income Account (6)

SmallCap Blend Account

SmallCap Growth Account II

SmallCap Value Account I

Strategic Asset Management Balanced Portfolio (4)

Strategic Asset Management Conservative Balanced Portfolio (4)

Strategic Asset Management Conservative Growth Portfolio (4)

Strategic Asset Management Flexible Income Portfolio (4)

Strategic Asset Management Strategic Growth Portfolio (4)

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

Diversified Balanced Account (8)

Diversified Growth Account (8)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

AllianceBernstein Variable Product Series Fund, Inc:

Small Cap Growth Portfolio – Class A

American Century Investments®:

VP Income & Growth Fund – Class I

VP Inflation Protection Fund – Class II

VP Mid Cap Value Fund – Class II (9)

VP Ultra® Fund – Class I

VP Ultra® Fund – Class II

VP Value Fund – Class II

VP Vista^SMFund – Class I

Dreyfus Investment Portfolios:

Technology Growth Portfolio – Service Shares

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund:

Contrafund Portfolio – Service Class

Contrafund Portfolio – Service Class 2

Equity-Income Portfolio – Service Class 2

Growth Portfolio – Service Class

Growth Portfolio – Service Class 2

Mid Cap Portfolio – Service Class 2

Overseas Portfolio – Service Class 2

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust:

Small Cap Value Securities Fund – Class 2 (8)

Templeton Growth Securities Fund – Class 2

Goldman Sachs Variable Insurance Trust:

Mid Cap Value Fund – Institutional Shares

Structured Small Cap Equity Fund – Institutional Shares

Invesco Variable Insurance Fund:

Basic Value Fund – Series I Shares (11)

Capital Appreciation Fund – Series I Shares (2,12)

Core Equity Fund – Series I Shares (13)

Dynamics Fund – Series I Shares (14)

Global Health Care Fund – Series I Shares (15)

International Growth Fund – Series I Shares (5,16)

Small Cap Equity Fund – Series I Shares (17)

Technology Fund – Series I Shares (18)

Janus Aspen Series:

Janus Aspen Series Enterprise Portfolio – Service Shares

MFS® Variable Insurance Trust:

Utilities Series – S Class (7)

Value Series – S Class (7)

Neuberger Berman Advisors Management Trust:

Partners Portfolio – I Class Shares

Small-Cap Growth Portfolio – S Class Shares

Socially Responsive Portfolio – I Class Shares

PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust:

All Asset Portfolio Administrative Class (7)

High Yield Portfolio Administrative Class (8)

Total Return Portfolio Administrative Class (7)

T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.

Blue Chip Growth Portfolio – II

Health Sciences Portfolio – II

Van Eck VIP Trust:

Global Hard Assets Fund – S Class (7,19)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

(1) Organized by Principal Life Insurance Company.

(2) Commenced operations April 28, 2006.

(3) Commenced operations January 5, 2007.

(4) Commenced operations May 1, 2007.

(5) Commenced operations May 19, 2008.

(6) Commenced operations November 24, 2008.

(7) Commenced operations May 18, 2009.

(8) Commenced operations January 4, 2010.

(9) Commenced operations May 24, 2010.

(10) Represented the operations of Mortgage Securities Account until July 16, 2010 name change.

(11) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(12) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(13) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Core Equity Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(14) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Dynamics Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(15) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Global Health Care Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(16) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. International Growth Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(17) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Small Cap Equity Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(18) Represented the operations of AIM V.I. Technology Fund Series I until May 24, 2010 name change.

(19) Represented the operations of Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Service Class until May 24, 2010 name change.

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

The assets of Separate Account B are owned by Principal Life. The assets of Separate Account B

support the following variable annuity contracts of Principal Life and may not be used to satisfy

the liabilities arising from any other business of Principal Life: Bankers Flexible Annuity; Pension

Builder Plus; Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA; Personal Variable; Premier Variable; Principal

Freedom Variable Annuity; Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2; The Principal Variable

Annuity; The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment Credit Rider; Principal

Investment Plus Variable Annuity, and Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium

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 being given the option of withdrawing their funds or transferring to

another contract. Contributions to the Personal Variable contracts are no longer accepted from

new customers, only from existing customers beginning January 1998.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes of Separate Account B in

accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principals 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.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Investments

Investments are stated at the closing net asset values (“NAV”) per share on December 31, 2010.
Net realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of the FIFO
method. Dividends are taken into income on an accrual basis as of the ex-dividend date.
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.


Fair Value Measurements

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

•	Level 1 – Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for
	identical assets or liabilities.
•	Level 2 – Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that
	are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
•	Level 3 – Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset or
	liability.


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

Foreign Tax Withholdings

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

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

2. Expenses and Related Party Transactions

Principal Life is compensated for the following expenses:

Bankers Flexible Annuity contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal

Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value

equivalent to an annual rate of 0.48% of the asset value of each contract. An annual

administration charge of $7 for each participant’s account is deducted as compensation for

administrative expenses. This charge is collected by redeeming units of the separate

account.

Pension Builder Plus and Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA contracts – Mortality and

expense risks assumed by Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in

a reduction of the unit value equivalent to an annual rate of 1.50% (1.0% for a Rollover

Individual Retirement Annuity) of the asset value of each contract. A contingent sales

charge of up to 7.0% may be deducted from withdrawals made during the first ten years of

a contract, except for withdrawals related to death or permanent disability. An annual

administration charge will be deducted ranging from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of

$275 depending upon a participant’s investment account values and the number of

participants under the retirement plan and their participant investment account value.

Personal Variable contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are

compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to

an annual rate of 0.64% of the asset value of each contract. The contract provides for

recordkeeping and other services and allows the Contractholders, in their sole discretion, a

customized Plan-level service package and charges. An annual administration charge of

$34 (increased 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 which correlate to a plan participant will be deducted on a

quarterly basis.

Premier Variable contracts – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life are

compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent to

an annual rate of 0.42% of the asset value of each contract. The contract provides for

recordkeeping and other services and allows the Contractholders, in their sole discretion, a

customized Plan-level service package and charges. The amount varies by Plan document

and account balance of contract. Recordkeeping charges are also paid by the

Contractholder. The annual charge ranges from $2,250 to $25,316 plus $10 per

participant. The amount varies by total plan participants. There were no contingent sales

charges provided for in these contracts.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

2. Expenses and Related Party Transactions (continued)

Principal Freedom Variable Annuity – Mortality and expenses risk assumed by Principal

Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value

equivalent to an annual rate of 0.85% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender

charge up to 6.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first six years

of a contract, except for withdrawals related to death, annuitization, permanent disability,

confinement in a health facility, or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to

charge an additional administrative fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division.

This fee is currently being waived.

Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2 – Mortality and expenses risk assumed by Principal

Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value

equivalent to an annual rate of 0.95% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender

charge up to 3.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first three

years of a contract, except for death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a

health facility, or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional

administrative fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently

being waived.

The Principal Variable Annuity – Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Life

are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit value equivalent

to an annual rate of 1.25% of the asset value of each contract. A surrender charge of up to

6.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the first six years of a contract,

except for death, annuitization, permanent disability, confinement in a health care facility,

or terminal illness. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administrative

fee of up to 0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently being waived.

The product also contains an optional purchase payment credit rider, which charges an

annual rate of 0.6%. For electing participants, the rider is deducted from the daily unit

value. For contracts with the purchase payment credit rider, the maximum surrender

charge is 8.0% from withdrawals made during the first eight years.

The Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity - Mortality and expense risks assumed by

Principal Life are compensated for by a daily charge resulting in a reduction of the unit

value equivalent to an annual rate of 1.25% of the asset value of each contract. A

surrender charge of up to 6.0% may be deducted from the withdrawals made during the

first six years of a contract, except for death, annuitization, permanent disability,

confinement in a health care facility, or terminal illness. An annual administration charge of

the lesser of 2.0% of the accumulated value or $30 is deducted at the end of the contract

year. Principal Life reserves the right to charge an additional administrative fee of up to

0.15% of the asset value of each Division. This fee is currently being waived. The product

also contains an optional premium payment credit rider, which charges an


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


2. Expenses and Related Party Transactions (continued)

annual rate of 0.6%. For electing participants, the rider is deducted from the daily unit
value. For contracts with the premium payment credit rider, the maximum surrender
charge is 8.0% from withdrawals made during the first eight years.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, management fees were paid indirectly to Principal
Management Corporation (wholly owned by Principal Financial Services, Inc. ), an affiliate of
Principal Life, in its capacity as advisor to Principal Variable Contracts Fund, Inc. Investment
advisory and management fees are computed on an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net
assets of the LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account and 0.03% of each of the Principal LifeTime
Accounts’ average daily net assets. Prior to July 1, 2009, the annual rate paid by each Principal
LifeTime Account was 0.1225% of the average daily net assets up to $3 billion and 0.1125% of
the average daily net assets over $3 billion. The annual rate paid by the SAM Portfolios is based
upon the aggregate average daily net assets (“aggregate net assets”) of the SAM Portfolios. The
investment advisory and management fee schedule for the SAM Portfolios is 0.25% of aggregate
net assets up to the first $1 billion and 0.20% of aggregate net assets over $1 billion.

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

		Net Assets of Accounts (in millions)

					Over
	First $100	Next $100	Next $100	Next $100	$400
Asset Allocation Account	0.80%	0.75%	0.70%	0.65%	0.60%
Balanced Account	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45	0.40
Bond & Mortgage Securities Account	0.50	0.45	0.40	0.35	0.30
Equity Income Account	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45	0.40
LargeCap Growth Account I	0.80	0.75	0.70	0.65	0.60
MidCap Blend Account	0.65	0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45
Money Market Account	0.50	0.45	0.40	0.35	0.30
Real Estate Securities Account	0.90	0.85	0.80	0.75	0.70
SmallCap Blend Account	0.85	0.80	0.75	0.70	0.65
SmallCap Growth Account II	1.00	0.95	0.90	0.85	0.80
SmallCap Value Account I	1.10	1.05	1.00	0.95	0.90


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


2. Expenses and Related Party Transactions (continued)

				Net Assets of Accounts (in millions)
							Over
			First $250	Next $250	Next $250	Next $250	$1000
Diversified International Account			0.85%	0.80%	0.75%	0.70%	0.65%
International Emerging Markets Account			1.25	1.20	1.15	1.10	1.05
LargeCap Blend Account II			0.75	0.70	0.65	0.60	0.55
LargeCap Value Account			0.60	0.55	0.50	0.45	0.40
LargeCap Value Account III			0.75	0.70	0.65	0.60	0.55



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


			Net Assets of Accounts (in millions)
				Next $1	Next $1	Over $3
		First $500	Next $500	billion	billion	billion
LargeCap Growth Account		0.68%	0.63%	0.61%	0.56%	0.51%

Net Assets of Accounts
	First $2	Over $2
	billion	billion				Overall Fee
Equity Income	0.50%	0.45%				0.25%
Account			LargeCap S&P 500 Index Account
Government & High
Quality Bond Account	0.50	0.45



		All Assets
Diversified Balanced
Account		.05%
Diversified Growth Account		.05%


	Principal Life Insurance Company
	Separate Account B

	Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




4. Purchases and Sales of Investments

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments were as follows for the
period ended December 31, 2010:

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A Division:	$ 1,744,627	$ 704,390
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$ 1,360,391	$ 663,994
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	384,236	40,396

	American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division:	$ 2,739,657	$ 5,504,994
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	188,877	610,283
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,907	28,458
	The Principal Variable Annuity	2,353,299	2,724,032
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	195,574	2,142,221

	American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II Division:	19,182,161	16,912,433
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	15,350,539	13,235,186
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	3,831,622	3,677,247

	American Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II Division:	700,695	72,956
	The Principal Variable Annuity	329,328	7,979
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	48,346	7,061
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	243,931	57,592
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	79,090	324

	American Century VP Ultra® Class I Division:	1,176,575	2,023,488
	The Principal Variable Annuity	1,073,625	1,141,414
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	102,950	882,074


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	American Century VP Ultra® Class II Division:	6,004,248	12,171,707
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$ 4,627,228	$ 9,112,959
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,377,020	3,058,748

American Century VP Value Class II Division:		$ 2,854,312	$ 6,102,336
	The Principal Variable Annuity	2,144,169	3,693,139
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	710,143	2,409,197

	American Century VP Vista^SMClass I Division:	616,017	348,750
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	581,104	300,009
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	34,913	48,741

Asset Allocation Division:		6,154,698	12,692,485
	Premier Variable	30,381	57,564
	The Principal Variable Annuity	3,292,654	8,048,121
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	493,743	2,122,253
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,776,715	1,728,548
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	561,205	735,999

Balanced Division:		4,960,949	10,549,887
	Personal Variable	77,843	311,177
	Premier Variable	471,359	602,464
	The Principal Variable Annuity	3,926,011	6,443,708
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	485,736	3,192,538


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases		Sales

	Bond & Mortgage Securities Division:		57,961,653	70,268,779
	Personal Variable	$ 81,102		$ 124,574
	Premier Variable		1,018,377	1,715,870
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		835,916	1,549,407
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		245,841	220,932
	The Principal Variable Annuity		24,878,495	28,211,444
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		4,106,887	15,722,414
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		21,153,779	17,149,589
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		5,641,256	5,574,549

	Principal Capital Appreciation Division:	$ 3,390,841		$ 1,294,545
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		12,064	5,273
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,577,186	907,645
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		801,591	381,627

	Diversified Balanced Division:	167,126,980		7,667,323
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	156,621,500		7,501,515
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		10,505,480	165,808

	Diversified Growth Division:	308,672,441		8,253,438
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	288,247,170		7,544,031
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		20,425,271	709,407


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases		Sales

	Diversified International Division:		87,504,238	55,951,599
	Personal Variable	$ 87,994		$ 103,472
	Premier Variable		758,587	1,240,851
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		292,624	1,109,534
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		214,991	227,558
	The Principal Variable Annuity		48,509,048	29,175,720
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		11,852,608	13,375,244
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		18,668,431	8,578,332
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		7,119,955	2,140,888

	Dreyfus IP Technology Growth Service Shares Division:		2,145,709	1,418,136
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,952,178	1,204,771
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		193,531	213,365

Equity Income Division:			21,689,441	30,369,644
	Premier Variable		25,037	18,029
	The Principal Variable Annuity		5,966,810	6,688,118
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		944,437	2,630,520
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		12,200,476	16,470,134
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		2,552,681	4,562,843

	Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2 Division:	$ 5,892,064		$11,496,118
	The Principal Variable Annuity		3,654,310	6,480,931
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		915,188	3,751,185
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,055,798	1,012,349
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		266,768	251,653


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales
		0
	Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class Division:	2,409,769	5,177,363
	The Principal Variable Annuity	$ 2,205,990	$ 3,366,690
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	203,779	1,810,673

	Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 Division:	1,458,897	1,326,974
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,329,764	858,699
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	129,133	468,275

	Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 Division:	7,377,799	10,533,588
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	5,678,586	7,805,489
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,699,213	2,728,099

	Fidelity VIP II Contrafund Service Class Division:	9,305,619	20,876,787
	The Principal Variable Annuity	7,969,677	13,520,497
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	1,335,942	7,356,290

	Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 Division:	9,279,052	9,224,640
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	7,785,582	7,514,442
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,493,470	1,710,198

	Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2 Division:	5,013,574	2,180,014
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	4,378,712	1,701,841
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	634,862	478,173

	Franklin Small Cap Value Securities Class 2 Division:	471,851	87,476
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	377,913	82,889
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	93,938	4,587


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional Class
	Division:	2,132,830	4,124,771
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$ 1,949,748	$ 3,298,793
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	183,082	825,978

	Goldman Sachs VIT Structured Small Cap Equity Institutional
	Class Division:	$ 1,616,344	$ 1,297,388
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,503,411	1,122,748
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	112,933	174,640

	Government & High Quality Bond Division:	248,250,225	39,500,083
	Pension Builder Plus	150,713	20,491
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA	30,863	141
	Personal Variable	257,645	127,624
	Premier Variable	4,720,137	1,218,717
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	4,111,451	441,626
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	474,277	164,143
	The Principal Variable Annuity	137,748,944	19,119,350
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	30,964,398	9,887,256
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	55,709,099	6,741,757
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	14,082,698	1,778,978

	International Emerging Markets Division:	21,640,982	32,340,015
	Premier Variable	242,271	227,597
	The Principal Variable Annuity	10,170,655	13,938,359
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	1,658,943	8,412,559
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	8,019,391	7,304,673
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,549,722	2,456,827


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Invesco V.I. Basic Value Series I Division:	1,347,326	888,458
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$ 1,145,016	$ 710,739
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity With Purchase
	Rider	202,310	177,719

	Invesco V.I. Capital Appreciation Series I Division:	644,641	1,592,386
	The Principal Variable Annuity	592,315	1,334,353
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	52,326	258,033

	Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Division:	4,219,145	10,222,070
	The Principal Variable Annuity	3,913,935	6,819,990
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	305,210	3,402,080

	Invesco V.I. Dynamics Series I Division:	767,960	995,713
	The Principal Variable Annuity	623,632	508,862
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	144,328	486,851

	Invesco V.I. Global Health Care Series I Division:	$ 1,458,804	$ 3,137,438
	The Principal Variable Annuity	1,276,840	1,771,299
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	181,964	1,366,139

	Invesco V.I. International Growth Series I Division:	2,196,086	1,338,220
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,980,600	1,249,570
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	215,486	88,650


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Invesco V.I. Small Cap Equity Series I Division:	3,095,836	2,852,758
	The Principal Variable Annuity	$ 1,013,861	$ 990,101
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	208,690	364,436
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,719,348	1,325,293
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	153,937	172,928

	Invesco V.I. Technology Series I Division:	1,232,579	2,478,572
	The Principal Variable Annuity	1,030,711	1,648,069
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	201,868	830,503

	Janus Aspen Enterprise Service Shares Division:	2,686,021	5,167,947
	The Principal Variable Annuity	2,513,933	3,337,908
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	172,088	1,830,039

	LargeCap Blend II Division:	17,405,285	34,836,841
	The Principal Variable Annuity	5,988,410	11,146,633
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	1,350,459	6,341,206
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	7,746,738	13,353,361
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	2,319,678	3,995,641


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	LargeCap Growth Division:	7,286,795	16,561,420
	Personal Variable	$ 511,156	$ 608,741
	Premier Variable	576,682	1,326,804
	The Principal Variable Annuity	2,921,871	9,196,319
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	408,453	2,098,629
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,162,407	2,721,691
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	706,226	609,236

LargeCap Growth I Division:		$11,931,203	$33,590,246
	Premier Variable	41,156	261,741
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	115,480	266,649
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	3,336	14,962
	The Principal Variable Annuity	8,383,081	21,749,477
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	817,392	7,586,459
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,161,511	2,985,456
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	409,247	725,502

LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division:		15,200,774	25,955,099
	Premier Variable	109,515	656,609
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	360,396	1,536,322
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	313,319	403,900
	The Principal Variable Annuity	7,380,372	10,811,155
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	1,341,556	7,157,779
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	4,967,960	4,528,202
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	727,656	861,132


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases		Sales

	LargeCap Value Division:		10,873,998	23,335,970
	Bankers Flexible Annuity	$ 19,672		$ 77,975
	Pension Builder Plus		27,771	145,873
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA		3,732	26,723
	Personal Variable		74,769	247,207
	Premier Variable		713,644	1,566,412
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity		149,488	612,349
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		39,464	59,088
	The Principal Variable Annuity		6,591,604	13,040,154
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		537,103	4,935,203
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,070,411	1,932,059
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		646,340	692,927

	LargeCap Value III Division:		13,468,238	28,270,764
	The Principal Variable Annuity		4,280,036	8,771,703
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		803,998	4,480,686
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		6,201,906	11,134,218
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		2,182,298	3,884,157

MFS® VIT Utilities Service Class Division:		$ 1,478,711		$ 633,161
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,304,968	614,729
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity With Purchase
	Rider		173,743	18,432

	MFS® VIT Value Service Class Division:		1,123,731	227,705
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		1,078,666	220,168
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		45,065	7,537


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

MidCap Blend Division:		145,788,804	78,490,678
	Personal Variable	$ 112,868	$ 257,411
	Premier Variable	997,525	1,800,693
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	5,379,658	1,102,385
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	557,093	189,432
	The Principal Variable Annuity	63,225,787	39,626,397
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	19,042,489	16,883,604
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	43,399,293	14,077,924
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	13,074,091	4,552,832

	Money Market Division:	86,669,092	136,254,151
	Pension Builder Plus	1	19,840
	Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA	2	7,566
	Personal Variable	538,911	619,455
	Premier Variable	2,607,340	4,204,613
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	1,073,721	1,795,231
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	213,445	789,900
	The Principal Variable Annuity	28,945,280	57,501,559
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	4,730,340	13,620,969
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	38,025,930	45,176,411
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	10,534,122	12,518,607

Neuberger Berman AMT Partners I Class Division:		1,341,442	2,003,779
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,206,553	1,806,485
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	134,889	197,294


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth S Class Division:	455,558	560,349
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	$ 376,798	$ 390,156
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	78,760	170,193

	Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive I Class
	Division:	$ 1,212,950	$ 1,431,474
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	961,640	1,210,127
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	251,310	221,347

PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class Division:		3,372,784	920,028
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,372,373	844,639
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,000,411	75,389

	PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class Division:	9,744,829	1,869,030
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	6,806,553	1,420,892
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	2,938,276	448,138

	PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class Division:	17,004,023	4,652,838
i	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	14,549,135	3,397,245
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
i	Payment Credit Rider	2,454,888	1,255,593


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases		Sales

	Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division:		5,582,585	4,049,613
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	$ 46,342		$ 224,865
	The Principal Variable Annuity		1,502,391	406,012
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		332,146	294,063
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,438,268	2,627,428
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		1,263,438	497,245

	Principal LifeTime 2010 Division:		4,247,543	4,512,086
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		146,754	200,971
	The Principal Variable Annuity		435,106	325,491
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		60,049	88,314
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		2,545,034	3,374,833
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		1,060,600	522,477

	Principal LifeTime 2020 Division:		16,257,578	17,738,442
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		883,999	975,068
	The Principal Variable Annuity		1,651,520	550,612
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		91,900	201,782
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		10,243,184	13,323,419
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		3,386,975	2,687,561


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Principal LifeTime 2030 Division:	$10,876,518	$ 6,111,576
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	$ 166,602	$ 253,653
	The Principal Variable Annuity	303,248	141,427
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	27,837	74,198
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	9,285,368	4,625,135
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,093,463	1,017,163

	Principal LifeTime 2040 Division:	2,466,234	1,015,067
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	46,440	55,716
	The Principal Variable Annuity	89,998	26,787
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	50,861	9,341
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,136,882	719,264
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	142,053	203,959

	Principal LifeTime 2050 Division:	1,071,136	967,300
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	2,654	27,788
	The Principal Variable Annuity	163,837	40,037
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	24,070	79,926
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	634,538	522,235
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	246,037	297,314


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Real Estate Securities Division:	16,351,262	27,545,130
	Premier Variable	$ 243,283	$ 378,422
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	100,266	119,396
	The Principal Variable Annuity	9,356,001	12,335,045
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	1,778,210	9,186,611
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	3,926,112	4,367,058
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	947,390	1,158,598

	SAM Balanced Portfolio Division:	127,863,037	79,268,662
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	389,226	363,363
	The Principal Variable Annuity	11,352,472	10,504,240
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	3,911,094	5,844,717
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	97,491,717	54,756,895
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	14,718,528	7,799,447

	SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Division:	$43,371,503	$33,997,144
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	788,616	154,290
	The Principal Variable Annuity	8,665,086	6,202,153
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	1,894,673	2,601,328
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	29,867,496	20,683,279
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	2,155,632	4,356,094


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases		Sales

	SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Division:		19,997,336	11,760,557
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	$ 98,841		$ 135,471
	The Principal Variable Annuity		3,891,566	3,048,035
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		1,382,585	1,784,575
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		12,213,862	4,588,120
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		2,410,482	2,204,356

	SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Division:		56,496,826	34,653,358
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		509,488	75,869
	The Principal Variable Annuity		15,420,523	9,987,301
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		2,340,077	3,982,085
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		31,836,285	16,110,016
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		6,390,453	4,498,087

	SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Division:		12,114,153	7,941,582
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2		143,316	122,715
	The Principal Variable Annuity		3,441,533	2,101,633
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider		204,705	1,185,577
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity		6,389,179	2,364,486
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider		1,935,420	2,167,171


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	Short-Term Income Division:	186,527,234	48,208,590
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	$ 2,972,014	$ 609,470
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	125,802	109,071
	The Principal Variable Annuity	35,054,213	12,339,174
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	9,554,840	2,541,964
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	111,693,811	29,461,900
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	27,126,554	3,147,011

	SmallCap Blend Division:	$ 4,419,277	$ 9,985,345
	Premier Variable	92,008	121,459
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	78,482	583,174
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	74,916	69,383
	The Principal Variable Annuity	3,594,222	6,273,619
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	579,649	2,937,710

	SmallCap Growth II Division:	4,265,934	7,991,743
	Premier Variable	99,034	76,918
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	20,836	157,088
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	13,164	9,693
	The Principal Variable Annuity	2,401,190	4,394,254
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	321,209	2,061,115
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,218,193	906,387
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	192,308	386,288


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)







4. Purchases and Sales of Investments (continued)

	Division:	Purchases	Sales

	SmallCap Value I Division:	11,240,279	23,799,356
	Premier Variable	$ 166,388	$ 145,382
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	20,302	27,356
	The Principal Variable Annuity	5,625,425	8,256,102
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	739,860	5,180,954
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	3,522,621	7,672,051
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	1,165,683	2,517,511

	T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth II Division:	2,224,032	1,507,762
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,964,144	1,316,644
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	259,888	191,118

	T. Rowe Price Health Sciences II Division:	1,757,262	1,025,935
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,460,309	840,297
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	296,953	185,638

	Templeton Growth Securities Class 2 Division:	48,370	221,766
	Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	48,370	221,766

	Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets Class Division:	3,980,846	589,503
	The Principal Variable Annuity	1,224,810	130,227
	The Principal Variable Annuity with Purchase Payment
	Credit Rider	99,556	14,636
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,168,534	336,943
	Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with Premium
	Payment Credit Rider	487,946	107,697


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding

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

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

AllianceBernstein Small Cap Growth Class A
Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	97,233	51,152	55,641	42,447
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	27,463	3,112	11,007	6,855

American Century VP Income & Growth Class I
Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	14,447	60,875	14,243	73,516
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	116	3,428	60	4,990
The Principal Variable Annuity	235,782	289,145	175,242	281,099
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	19,595	227,388	41,712	247,627

American Century VP Inflation Protection Class II
Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,188,390	1,035,921	2,186,229	1,587,697
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	296,632	287,819	437,848	385,596

American Century VP Mid Cap Value Class II
Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	30,088	730	–	–
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	4,417	646	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	22,555	5,681	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	7,313	32	–	–

American Century VP Ultra® Class I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	124,820	135,179	81,832	123,790
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	11,969	104,465	55,296	99,562


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

American Century VP Ultra® Class II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	484,585	833,468	519,671	1,121,101
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	144,208	279,752	84,109	356,216

American Century VP Value Class II Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	150,913	297,383	163,935	381,966
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	49,982	193,996	73,185	267,985

American Century VP Vista^SMClass I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	45,240	22,854	32,558	35,007
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	2,718	3,713	5,375	8,630

Asset Allocation Division:
Premier Variable	19,052	42,371	69,592	58,686
The Principal Variable Annuity	107,087	330,347	152,397	386,578
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	16,058	87,111	17,393	156,032
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	66,908	69,957	173,611	86,245
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	21,134	29,787	25,146	20,748

Balanced Division:
Personal Variable	32,228	160,074	57,264	84,810
Premier Variable	200,790	295,799	252,260	361,205
The Principal Variable Annuity	164,885	342,341	139,000	527,132
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	20,400	169,613	26,159	188,085


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Bond & Mortgage Securities Division:
Personal Variable	29,404	55,515	41,115	22,468
Premier Variable	371,399	748,833	317,685	230,967
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	29,362	99,956	37,888	172,908
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	20,139	19,443	15,455	35,423
The Principal Variable Annuity	953,714	1,369,109	768,546	1,715,864
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	157,437	763,013	347,151	961,114
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	812,023	802,112	941,287	1,005,552
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	216,549	260,730	231,579	299,659

Principal Capital Appreciation Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,123	514	18	46
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	270,778	97,584	251,542	69,296
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	84,221	41,030	78,501	30,163

Diversified Balanced Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	15,235,407	642,169	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	1,021,924	14,194	–	–

Diversified Growth Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	28,024,931	581,631	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	1,985,854	54,694	–	–

Diversified International Division:
Personal Variable	34,248	45,082	61,074	90,337
Premier Variable	287,415	521,578	341,345	425,703
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	17,294	87,098	50,601	99,687
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	21,042	24,582	16,143	20,737
The Principal Variable Annuity	2,341,567	1,337,057	672,532	1,230,330
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	572,134	612,957	205,222	629,131
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	917,137	380,732	594,116	362,187
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	349,787	95,019	100,095	83,972


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Dreyfus IP Technology Growth Service Shares
Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	145,981	97,109	157,092	63,886
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	14,472	17,198	25,622	11,268

Equity Income Division:
Premier Variable	21,779	17,475	21,602	33,890
The Principal Variable Annuity	614,455	770,451	592,175	858,128
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	97,257	303,028	121,933	488,474
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,041,983	1,783,705	2,691,074	2,658,326
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	218,012	494,153	385,891	610,168

Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Service Class 2
Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	315,280	605,881	369,927	587,377
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	78,959	350,686	175,048	378,876
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	92,916	91,241	154,896	170,557
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	23,477	22,681	25,785	33,733

Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	273,190	427,805	291,841	515,089
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	25,236	230,082	56,462	301,356

Fidelity VIP Growth Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	117,815	77,531	77,754	86,992
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	11,441	42,280	18,078	26,508

Fidelity VIP Overseas Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	432,598	584,369	708,435	672,618
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	129,447	204,243	156,327	219,744


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	555,080	992,668	669,805	1,116,432
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	93,047	540,095	210,962	641,001

Fidelity VIP Contrafund Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	580,732	544,356	1,197,898	973,294
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	111,399	123,889	152,197	141,617

Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service Class 2 Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	260,883	99,059	181,357	141,950
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	37,825	27,833	36,517	44,730

Franklin Small Cap Value Securities Class 2
Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	34,654	7,481	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	8,614	414	–	–

Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap Value Institutional
Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	142,012	241,625	104,746	174,565
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	13,335	60,500	46,009	63,986

Goldman Sachs VIT Structured Small Cap Equity
Institutional Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	145,079	109,870	114,420	76,095
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	10,898	17,090	15,655	27,196


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Government & High Quality Bond Division:
Pension Builder Plus	47,918	6,326	–	–
Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA	8,721	–	–	–
Personal Variable	107,222	53,257	–	–
Premier Variable	1,873,141	487,758	–	–
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	356,884	36,934	21,985	10,390
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	41,492	14,565	1,280	561
The Principal Variable Annuity	11,889,262	1,482,389	404,254	128,362
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	2,672,571	766,593	153,802	68,287
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	4,851,060	539,874	804,901	122,767
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	1,226,299	142,459	124,151	25,847

International Emerging Markets Division:
Premier Variable	66,816	68,477	132,252	112,723
The Principal Variable Annuity	301,985	438,103	515,924	510,836
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	49,257	264,419	145,132	298,066
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	240,392	224,219	346,347	224,871
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	46,455	75,413	81,980	94,628

Invesco V.I. Basic Value Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	126,585	72,934	365,552	146,427
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	22,366	18,237	43,256	9,914

Invesco V.I. Capital Appreciation Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	74,077	170,119	132,141	204,722
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	6,544	32,897	5,736	89,398

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	380,262	694,067	404,222	745,983
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	29,653	346,228	35,511	394,899


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Invesco V.I. Dynamics Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	71,680	59,881	36,222	38,413
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	16,589	57,291	24,873	29,835

Invesco V.I. Global Health Care Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	119,233	164,001	112,275	176,220
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	16,992	126,488	22,988	143,083

Invesco V.I. International Growth Series I Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	234,489	146,538	417,031	72,911
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	25,512	10,396	41,640	4,163

Invesco V.I. Small Cap Equity Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	77,270	73,628	45,900	61,881
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	15,905	27,101	7,577	30,851
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	132,522	101,247	132,229	26,381
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	11,865	13,211	14,226	15,367

Invesco V.I. Technology Series I Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	188,146	301,533	499,585	351,364
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	36,849	151,950	145,337	100,178

Janus Aspen Enterprise Service Shares Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	322,509	427,451	439,368	389,732
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	22,077	234,354	62,706	367,149

LargeCap Blend II Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	436,531	979,404	431,804	1,021,961
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	98,443	557,173	174,371	607,464
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	577,299	1,124,814	998,697	1,412,870
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	172,866	336,571	156,683	423,159


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

LargeCap Growth Division:
Personal Variable	298,145	358,071	261,267	387,290
Premier Variable	314,479	733,147	381,871	622,068
The Principal Variable Annuity	176,849	540,926	270,082	569,800
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	24,722	123,441	78,281	201,633
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	132,177	159,079	336,767	121,951
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	43,168	35,609	59,500	36,463

LargeCap Growth I Division:
Premier Variable	36,502	257,433	784,793	406,700
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	12,175	27,285	28,198	40,572
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	328	1,619	142	949
The Principal Variable Annuity	280,919	715,433	366,116	792,951
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	27,391	249,551	85,964	307,404
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	72,866	99,851	114,310	72,908
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	13,796	24,265	31,619	27,770

LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division:
Premier Variable	104,110	645,040	172,130	283,611
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	26,224	160,236	63,527	263,228
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	33,298	43,656	41,240	43,978
The Principal Variable Annuity	775,768	1,218,564	968,609	1,498,753
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	141,014	806,779	336,539	920,812
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	538,125	487,178	1,294,878	766,267
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	78,819	92,647	166,235	130,815


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

LargeCap Value Division:
Bankers Flexible Annuity	–	2,258	–	10,373
Pension Builder Plus	–	22,117	2	18,122
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	3,807	8,800	17,733
Personal Variable	24,862	91,237	41,215	139,054
Premier Variable	214,993	556,119	420,756	765,646
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	10,504	65,436	23,431	73,419
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	3,562	6,703	614	5,514
The Principal Variable Annuity	252,151	575,841	266,421	660,646
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	20,546	217,934	34,007	204,438
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	88,715	82,156	193,897	128,784
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	27,695	29,465	52,495	50,461

LargeCap Value III Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	372,646	863,581	441,149	924,480
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	70,001	441,127	157,092	468,477
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	556,089	1,045,247	1,434,778	1,248,879
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	195,674	364,633	420,165	370,842

MFS® VIT Utilities Service Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	96,147	42,155	31,084	621
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	12,801	1,264	15,229	76

MFS® VIT Value Service Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	84,685	16,680	31,848	93
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	3,538	571	6,756	17


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

MidCap Blend Division:
Personal Variable	21,400	61,635	41,150	104,630
Premier Variable	200,030	405,931	229,464	377,033
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	262,147	49,093	18,989	41,480
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	48,853	16,403	4,943	5,253
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,590,784	973,524	388,886	967,953
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	479,116	414,789	79,997	394,153
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,129,841	335,443	330,271	325,185
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	340,366	108,483	53,872	100,015

Money Market Division:
Pension Builder Plus	–	7,760	–	3,206
Pension Builder Plus – Rollover IRA	–	3,002	–	16
Personal Variable	328,762	376,226	330,846	384,119
Premier Variable	1,528,408	2,452,525	1,765,593	2,013,513
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	86,846	142,484	119,853	334,460
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	19,823	72,368	68,767	77,198
The Principal Variable Annuity	2,050,176	4,017,169	3,649,065	6,605,042
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	335,047	951,587	1,323,797	2,888,997
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,706,448	3,181,863	3,532,919	3,978,080
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	749,753	881,710	912,682	1,196,262

Neuberger Berman AMT Partners I Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	97,257	152,443	160,465	172,874
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	10,873	16,649	22,485	33,065

Neuberger Berman AMT Small-Cap Growth S Class
Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	44,674	42,559	80,003	37,747
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	9,338	18,565	24,952	17,992


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Neuberger Berman AMT Socially Responsive I
Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	82,603	93,706	169,363	122,798
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	21,587	17,140	46,922	29,253

PIMCO All Asset Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	183,015	65,430	37,500	2,087
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	77,176	5,840	9,849	93

PIMCO High Yield Administrative Class Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	615,743	127,695	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	265,806	40,274	–	–

PIMCO Total Return Administrative Class
Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,245,783	289,782	362,358	9,471
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	210,202	107,101	50,069	2,181

Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	6	21,495	10,805	19,942
The Principal Variable Annuity	126,729	35,252	47,227	72,811
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	28,017	25,532	42,548	9,653
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	161,557	213,071	568,383	338,734
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	83,714	40,324	64,601	97,649

Principal LifeTime 2010 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	739	16,782	–	65,777
The Principal Variable Annuity	32,976	27,550	42,114	42,497
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	4,551	7,475	9,045	18,758
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	134,333	259,670	559,036	426,510
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	55,981	40,201	71,024	80,179


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Principal LifeTime 2020 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	70,905	92,793	17,322	73,074
The Principal Variable Annuity	132,678	44,727	133,990	22,747
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	7,383	16,391	48,285	12,835
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	500,462	993,213	2,170,141	1,336,807
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	165,481	200,348	337,381	357,460

Principal LifeTime 2030 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	10,634	24,182	18,613	91,834
The Principal Variable Annuity	25,186	12,115	53,212	22,194
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	2,312	6,356	5,045	2,254
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	730,983	360,466	2,304,264	267,889
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	86,082	79,274	631,822	139,772

Principal LifeTime 2040 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	4,398	5,971	10	10,629
The Principal Variable Annuity	7,554	2,383	347	4,377
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	4,269	831	1,206	2,898
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	171,789	56,128	61,228	95,545
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	11,420	15,916	21,997	58,906

Principal LifeTime 2050 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	–	3,008	–	5,795
The Principal Variable Annuity	13,899	3,527	1,378	3,137
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	2,042	7,041	19,732	10,541
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	49,453	41,805	55,534	41,275
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	19,175	23,800	14,638	24,773


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

Real Estate Securities Division:
Premier Variable	105,096	151,615	50,222	52,753
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	10,524	12,288	9,014	13,037
The Principal Variable Annuity	282,804	436,827	287,038	502,930
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	53,750	325,330	131,116	318,886
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	125,990	148,720	159,238	122,341
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	30,402	39,456	45,685	53,068

SAM Balanced Portfolio Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	33,933	36,300	96,258	37,861
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,090,110	1,082,778	1,960,167	637,041
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	375,559	602,474	586,391	446,853
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	8,385,040	5,130,846	31,601,567	3,524,872
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	1,265,907	730,826	3,260,796	496,159

SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	74,533	14,329	25,862	16,702
The Principal Variable Annuity	782,238	590,656	1,076,882	299,127
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	171,041	247,735	399,093	417,847
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,437,221	1,910,427	6,520,200	1,259,636
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	175,902	402,354	1,256,439	471,221

SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	6,817	14,407	42,850	13,020
The Principal Variable Annuity	408,011	340,298	614,175	134,095
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	144,957	199,239	391,402	330,062
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	1,307,458	508,300	1,296,712	413,304
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	258,035	244,212	360,583	187,139


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	46,524	6,797	6,797	–
The Principal Variable Annuity	1,321,772	904,930	1,120,624	896,320
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	200,580	360,809	498,896	525,267
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	2,529,261	1,401,616	5,631,313	1,359,905
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	507,695	391,346	1,432,454	1,037,592

SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	15,796	14,261	50,381	3,461
The Principal Variable Annuity	387,504	254,702	540,802	272,116
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	23,049	143,683	228,434	115,749
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	722,550	272,727	813,782	261,462
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	218,876	249,968	384,464	157,962

Short-Term Income Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	233,900	25,228	9,311	607
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	11,127	9,662	4,749	–
The Principal Variable Annuity	3,076,190	1,042,146	648,474	145,251
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	838,487	214,690	282,217	117,634
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	9,923,549	2,558,945	1,492,632	189,874
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	2,410,086	273,337	226,614	64,063

SmallCap Blend Division:
Premier Variable	77,523	116,753	62,611	34,318
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	4,585	40,956	17,803	45,402
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	8,491	8,288	9,006	11,283
The Principal Variable Annuity	319,261	564,184	367,028	594,924
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	51,488	264,187	57,724	337,505


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








5. Changes in Units Outstanding (continued)

	2010		2009
Division:	Purchased	Redeemed	Purchased	Redeemed

SmallCap Growth II Division:
Premier Variable	129,833	114,231	339,591	272,832
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	2,482	18,741	7,600	18,526
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	1,313	1,110	115	917
The Principal Variable Annuity	267,846	485,686	285,723	485,373
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	35,830	227,810	64,737	242,677
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	132,596	97,392	150,826	97,162
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	20,932	41,507	50,215	35,433

SmallCap Value I Division:
Premier Variable	100,575	99,021	158,948	136,017
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity 2	2,027	3,143	147	5,285
The Principal Variable Annuity	277,941	418,869	268,036	446,076
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	36,555	262,853	51,274	227,598
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	170,806	363,707	541,262	454,240
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	56,522	119,347	107,571	121,592

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	180,258	110,137	388,099	119,494
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	23,851	15,987	36,633	12,329

T. Rowe Price Health Sciences II Division:
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	98,579	52,209	118,200	122,885
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	20,046	11,534	27,866	21,003

Templeton Growth Securities Class 2 Division:
Principal Freedom Variable Annuity	2,295	15,448	5,875	19,173

Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets Class Division:
The Principal Variable Annuity	86,673	9,369	63,824	4,206
The Principal Variable Annuity With Purchase
Payment Credit Rider	7,045	1,053	31,414	8,853
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity	152,983	22,689	–	–
Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity with
Premium Payment Credit Rider	34,423	7,252	–	–


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




6. Financial Highlights

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

Separate Account B has presented the following disclosures for 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006
in accordance with AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies. The following
table was developed by determining which products issued by Principal Life have the lowest and
highest total return. Only product designs within each division that had units outstanding during the
respective periods were considered when determining the lowest and highest total return. The
summary may not reflect the minimum and maximum contract charges offered by Principal Life as
contract owners may not have selected all available and applicable contract options as discussed in
Note 2.

				For the Year Ended December 31,
		December 31		Except as Noted
		Unit Fair Value			Expense
		Corresponding to	Net	Investment	Ratio (2)
	Units	Lowest to Highest	Assets	Income	Lowest to	Total Return (3)
Division	(000’s)	Expense Ratio	(000’s)	Ratio (1)	Highest	Lowest to Highest
AllianceBernstein VP Series
Small Cap Growth Class A
Division:
2010	234	$15.80 to $15.21	$3,666	–%	1.25% to 1.85%	35.16% to 34.36%
2009	164	11.69 to 11.32	1,902	–	1.25 to 1.85	40.00 to 39.24
2008	147	8.35 to 8.13	1,217	–	1.25 to 1.85	(46.23) to (46.58)
2007	120	15.53 to 15.22	1,843	–	1.25 to 1.85	12.65 to 11.97
2006	72	13.78 to 13.59	994	–	1.25 to 1.85	9.31 to 8.66
American Century VP Income &
Growth Class I Division:
2010	1,644	10.54 to 9.62	16,653	1.52	0.85 to 1.85	13.09 to 12.12
2009	1,954	9.32 to 8.58	17,506	4.89	0.85 to 1.85	17.09 to 15.95
2008	2,330	7.96 to 7.40	17,876	2.11	0.85 to 1.85	(35.13) to (35.82)
2007	2,869	12.27 to 11.53	34,147	1.87	0.85 to 1.85	(0.92) to (1.91)
2006	3,173	12.38 to 11.76	38,341	1.80	0.85 to 1.85	16.10 to 14.95


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)








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

American Century VP Inflation
Protection Class II Division:
2010	7,137	$12.17 to $11.72	$86,144	1.68%	1.25% to 1.85%	3.75% to 3.17%
2009	6,976	11.73 to 11.36	81,192	1.75	1.25 to 1.85	8.91 to 8.29
2008	6,325	10.77 to 10.49	67,684	4.86	1.25 to 1.85	(2.89) to (3.50)
2007	6,990	11.09 to 10.87	77,061	4.39	1.25 to 1.85	8.17 to 7.52
2006	4,767	10.25 to 10.11	48,661	3.17	1.25 to 1.85	0.33 to (0.27)

American Century VP Mid Cap
Value Class II Division:
2010 (12)	57	11.58 to 11.54	663	3.40	1.25 to 1.85	17.33 to 16.92

American Century VP Ultra®
Class I Division:
2010	526	9.51 to 8.98	4,935	0.55	1.25 to 1.85	14.58 to 13.96
2009	629	8.30 to 7.88	5,126	0.29	1.25 to 1.85	32.80 to 31.99
2008	715	6.25 to 5.97	4,393	–	1.25 to 1.85	(42.18) to (42.54)
2007	907	10.81 to 10.39	9,654	–	1.25 to 1.85	19.51 to 18.79
2006	1,057	9.04 to 8.74	9,446	–	1.25 to 1.85	(4.47) to (5.04)

American Century VP Ultra®
Class II Division:
2010	5,256	11.26 to 10.84	58,641	0.36	1.25 to 1.85	14.31 to 13.75
2009	5,741	9.85 to 9.53	56,071	0.18	1.25 to 1.85	32.93 to 31.99
2008	6,614	7.41 to 7.22	48,692	–	1.25 to 1.85	(42.38) to (42.74)
2007	4,877	12.86 to 12.61	62,389	–	1.25 to 1.85	19.33 to 18.62
2006	3,842	10.78 to 10.63	41,243	–	1.25 to 1.85	(4.59) to (5.16)

American Century VP Value
Class II Division:
2010	1,961	13.04 to 12.38	25,180	2.05	1.25 to 1.85	11.64 to 11.03
2009	2,252	11.68 to 11.15	25,912	5.58	1.25 to 1.85	18.22 to 17.49
2008	2,665	9.88 to 9.49	25,960	2.38	1.25 to 1.85	(27.67) to (28.16)
2007	3,286	13.66 to 13.21	44,384	1.46	1.25 to 1.85	(6.49) to (7.05)
2006	3,494	14.61 to 14.21	50,565	1.17	1.25 to 1.85	17.00 to 16.30


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

American Century VP Vista^SM
Class I Division:
2010	219	$13.93 to $13.41	$3,007	–%	1.25% to 1.85%	22.41% to 21.69%
2009	197	11.38 to 11.02	2,219	–	1.25 to 1.85	20.94 to 20.17
2008	203	9.41 to 9.17	1,892	–	1.25 to 1.85	(49.27) to (49.56)
2007	163	18.55 to 18.18	2,996	–	1.25 to 1.85	38.03 to 37.20
2006	52	13.44 to 13.25	694	–	1.25 to 1.85	7.66 to 7.01

Asset Allocation Division:
2010	2,101	1.43 to 23.53	49,340	2.45	0.46 to 1.85	8.64 to 7.10
2009	2,430	1.32 to 21.97	52,865	2.97	0.44 to 1.85	18.28 to 16.61
2008	2,701	1.11 to 18.84	50,513	3.02	0.51 to 1.85	(25.15) to (26.20)
2007	3,276	1.49 to 25.53	85,057	1.39	0.42 to 1.85	11.31 to 9.72
2006	3,514	1.34 to 23.27	84,221	0.77	0.42 to 1.85	12.29 to 10.71

Balanced Division:
2010	3,334	2.19 to 18.46	42,696	2.76	0.42 to 1.85	13.15 to 11.54
2009	3,884	1.94 to 16.55	44,052	4.94	0.41 to 1.85	20.65 to 18.98
2008	4,571	1.61 to 13.91	44,975	3.67	0.41 to 1.85	(31.21) to (32.21)
2007	5,932	2.34 to 20.52	85,957	2.60	0.42 to 1.85	4.93 to 3.43
2006	6,432	2.17 to 19.84	92,320	2.49	0.42 to 1.85	10.73 to 9.40

Bond & Mortgage Securities
Division:
2010	13,628	2.40 to 19.61	253,669	5.27	0.43 to 1.85	11.19 to 9.61
2009	15,157	2.16 to 17.89	251,405	11.41	0.40 to 1.85	20.41 to 18.71
2008	16,901	1.79 to 15.07	238,616	6.18	0.44 to 1.85	(17.41) to (18.58)
2007	20,618	2.17 to 18.51	358,686	4.24	0.42 to 1.85	2.97 to 1.50
2006	18,814	2.11 to 18.24	319,793	3.87	0.42 to 1.85	4.21 to 2.73

Principal Capital Appreciation
2010	754	10.07 to 9.74	7,466	1.80	0.95 to 1.85	14.30 to 13.26
2009	537	8.81 to 8.60	4,670	1.68	0.95 to 1.85	28.61 to 27.41
2008	306	6.85 to 6.75	2,080	1.08	0.95 to 1.85	(34.01) to (34.59)
2007 (7)	139	10.38 to 10.32	1,433	0.08	0.95 to 1.85	3.48 to 2.86

Diversified Balanced Division:
2010 (11)	15,601	10.88 to 10.82	169,723	–	1.25 to 1.85	7.94 to 7.34


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

Diversified Growth Division:
2010 (11)	29,374	$11.03 to $10.97	$323,912	–%	1.25% to 1.85%	9.10% to 8.51%

Diversified International Division:
2010	11,979	2.67 to 22.17	237,656	2.09	0.41 to 1.85	13.25 to 11.63
2009 (4)	10,543	2.36 to 19.86	176,753	5.22	0.40 to 1.85	27.22 to 26.50
2008	11,444	1.85 to 15.70	151,539	1.79	0.41 to 1.85	(46.44) to (47.19)
2007	13,180	3.46 to 29.73	325,698	0.91	0.42 to 1.85	15.60 to 13.95
2006	13,309	2.99 to 26.09	290,731	1.18	0.42 to 1.85	27.43 to 25.63

Dreyfus IP Technology Growth
Service Shares Division:
2010	243	15.86 to 15.26	3,834	–	1.25 to 1.85	28.01 to 27.27
2009	197	12.39 to 11.99	2,425	0.12	1.25 to 1.85	55.26 to 54.11
2008	90	7.98 to 7.78	710	–	1.25 to 1.85	(42.01) to (42.33)
2007	75	13.76 to 13.49	1,018	–	1.25 to 1.85	13.01 to 12.33
2006	37	12.18 to 12.00	452	–	1.25 to 1.85	2.75 to 2.13

Equity Income Division:
2010	19,001	1.17 to 8.99	173,784	3.26	0.29 to 1.85	15.69 to 14.09
2009	20,376	1.01 to 7.88	162,644	5.86	0.55 to 1.85	19.23 to 17.79
2008	21,213	0.85 to 6.69	142,949	2.55	0.48 to 1.85	(34.22) to (35.17)
2007 (6)	20,275	1.29 to 10.32	209,477	0.94	0.42 to 1.85	5.73 to 3.46

Fidelity VIP Equity-Income
Service Class 2 Division:
2010	3,931	11.47 to 10.89	44,413	1.59	1.25 to 1.85	13.45 to 12.85
2009	4,491	10.11 to 9.65	44,737	2.08	1.25 to 1.85	28.30 to 27.48
2008	4,936	7.88 to 7.57	38,384	2.15	1.25 to 1.85	(43.51) to (43.88)
2007	5,796	13.95 to 13.49	79,977	1.62	1.25 to 1.85	0.01 to (0.59)
2006	5,585	13.95 to 13.57	77,174	2.96	1.25 to 1.85	18.44 to 17.74

Fidelity VIP Growth Service
Class Division:
2010	2,117	8.87 to 8.35	18,620	0.17	1.25 to 1.85	22.51 to 21.90
2009	2,477	7.24 to 6.85	17,734	0.33	1.25 to 1.85	26.57 to 25.69
2008	2,945	5.72 to 5.45	16,640	0.68	1.25 to 1.85	(47.91) to (48.19)
2007	3,524	10.98 to 10.52	38,299	0.62	1.25 to 1.85	25.29 to 24.53
2006	3,889	8.76 to 8.45	33,789	0.30	1.25 to 1.85	5.41 to 4.78


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

Fidelity VIP Growth Service
Class 2 Division:
2010	666	$12.12 to $11.67	$7,988	0.03%	1.25% to 1.85%	22.30% to 21.56%
2009	657	9.91 to 9.60	6,438	0.21	1.25 to 1.85	26.40 to 25.65
2008	675	7.84 to 7.64	5,242	0.61	1.25 to 1.85	(47.98) to (48.27)
2007	607	15.07 to 14.77	9,071	0.30	1.25 to 1.85	25.08 to 24.33
2006	364	12.05 to 11.88	4,365	0.09	1.25 to 1.85	5.25 to 4.62

Fidelity VIP Overseas Service
Class 2 Division:
2010	3,425	14.23 to 13.70	48,259	1.28	1.25 to 1.85	11.52 to 10.84
2009	3,652	12.76 to 12.36	46,197	1.96	1.25 to 1.85	24.61 to 23.97
2008	3,679	10.24 to 9.97	37,380	2.74	1.25 to 1.85	(44.65) to (45.01)
2007	2,903	18.50 to 18.13	53,358	2.91	1.25 to 1.85	15.59 to 14.90
2006	2,197	16.00 to 15.78	35,000	0.42	1.25 to 1.85	16.31 to 15.62

Fidelity VIP Contrafund
Service Class Division:
2010	4,237	15.07 to 14.18	63,341	1.05	1.25 to 1.85	15.66 to 14.91
2009	5,121	13.03 to 12.34	66,028	1.28	1.25 to 1.85	33.92 to 33.26
2008	5,998	9.73 to 9.26	57,669	0.83	1.25 to 1.85	(43.30) to (43.71)
2007	7,435	17.16 to 16.45	126,342	0.83	1.25 to 1.85	16.04 to 15.34
2006	8,076	14.79 to 14.26	118,478	1.10	1.25 to 1.85	10.21 to 9.55

Fidelity VIP Contrafund
Service Class 2 Division:
2010	3,317	14.60 to 14.05	48,069	1.05	1.25 to 1.85	15.51 to 14.79
2009	3,293	12.64 to 12.24	41,367	1.25	1.25 to 1.85	33.76 to 32.90
2008	3,058	9.45 to 9.21	28,737	0.84	1.25 to 1.85	(43.41) to (43.70)
2007	2,571	16.70 to 16.36	42,751	0.90	1.25 to 1.85	15.84 to 15.14
2006	1,620	14.41 to 14.21	23,281	1.10	1.25 to 1.85	10.05 to 9.39

Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Service
Class 2 Division:
2010	693	18.57 to 17.87	12,784	0.14	1.25 to 1.85	26.93 to 26.20
2009	522	14.63 to 14.16	7,571	0.48	1.25 to 1.85	38.02 to 37.21
2008	490	10.60 to 10.32	5,161	0.24	1.25 to 1.85	(40.35) to (40.72)
2007	426	17.77 to 17.41	7,539	0.49	1.25 to 1.85	13.90 to 13.21
2006	283	15.60 to 15.38	4,393	0.09	1.25 to 1.85	11.01 to 10.35

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


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

Franklin Small Cap Value
Securities Class 2 Division:
2010 (11)	35	$12.66 to $12.59	$447	0.42%	1.25% to 1.85%	23.75% to 23.07%

Goldman Sachs VIT Mid Cap
Value Institutional Class Division:
2010	1,150	15.29 to 14.71	17,385	0.67	1.25 to 1.85	23.51 to 22.69
2009	1,297	12.38 to 11.99	15,906	1.88	1.25 to 1.85	31.42 to 30.75
2008	1,385	9.42 to 9.17	12,939	1.07	1.25 to 1.85	(37.82) to (38.25)
2007	1,341	15.15 to 14.85	20,193	0.93	1.25 to 1.85	1.91 to 1.30
2006	853	14.86 to 14.65	12,621	1.43	1.25 to 1.85	14.72 to 14.04

Goldman Sachs VIT Structured
Small Cap Equity Institutional
Class Division:
2010	516	11.74 to 11.30	6,007	0.57	1.25 to 1.85	28.59 to 27.83
2009	487	9.13 to 8.84	4,414	1.30	1.25 to 1.85	26.10 to 25.21
2008	460	7.24 to 7.06	3,310	0.71	1.25 to 1.85	(34.89) to (35.23)
2007	419	11.12 to 10.90	4,626	0.42	1.25 to 1.85	(17.53) to (18.02)
2006	298	13.48 to 13.29	4,001	0.94	1.25 to 1.85	10.88 to 10.22

Government & High Quality
Bond Division:
2010 (22)	20,724	2.47 to 10.96	216,707	5.00	0.44 to 1.85	5.71 to 3.98
2009	1,180	10.66 to 10.54	12,511	8.98	0.85 to 1.85	5.54 to 103.87
2008 (9)	26	10.10 to 5.17	259	–	0.85 to 1.85	1.20 to (48.20)

International Emerging Markets
Division:
2010	3,189	4.03 to 34.45	108,919	1.25	0.41 to 1.85	18.76 to 17.10
2009 (4)	3,554	3.40 to 29.42	103,506	2.08	0.42 to 1.85	68.27 to 66.50
2008	3,574	2.02 to 17.67	62,435	1.14	0.43 to 1.85	(55.05) to (55.69)
2007	4,121	4.49 to 39.88	163,677	0.91	0.42 to 1.85	41.51 to 39.49
2006	3,632	3.17 to 28.59	104,347	–	0.42 to 1.85	37.74 to 35.79


Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

Invesco V.I. Basic Value Series I
Division:
2010 (13)	446	$9.71 to $9.34	$4,298	0.65%	1.25% to 1.85%	6.00% to 5.30%
2009	388	9.16 to 8.87	3,530	2.35	1.25 to 1.85	46.09 to 45.41
2008	136	6.27 to 6.10	842	1.04	1.25 to 1.85	(52.32) to (52.68)
2007	113	13.15 to 12.89	1,479	0.55	1.25 to 1.85	0.28 to (0.33)
2006	82	13.12 to 12.93	1,073	0.64	1.25 to 1.85	11.80 to 11.13

Invesco V.I. Capital Appreciation
Series I Division:
2010 (14)	714	8.46 to 8.23	6,028	0.74	1.25 to 1.85	14.02 to 13.36
2009	836	7.42 to 7.26	6,191	0.63	1.25 to 1.85	19.68 to 19.02
2008	992	6.20 to 6.10	6,141	–	1.25 to 1.85	(43.22) to (43.62)
2007	1,295	10.92 to 10.82	14,126	–	1.25 to 1.85	10.61 to 9.95
2006 (5)	1,579	9.88 to 9.84	15,582	0.07	1.25 to 1.85	(1.12) to (1.52)

Invesco V.I. Core Equity Series I
Division:
2010 (15)	2,686	10.38 to 9.77	27,717	0.95	1.25 to 1.85	8.12 to 7.48
2009	3,316	9.60 to 9.09	31,520	1.80	1.25 to 1.85	26.82 to 26.07
2008	4,018	7.57 to 7.21	30,085	1.97	1.25 to 1.85	(31.06) to (31.46)
2007	5,185	10.98 to 10.52	56,331	1.05	1.25 to 1.85	6.77 to 6.12
2006	6,064	10.28 to 9.91	61,828	0.61	1.25 to 1.85	15.26 to 14.57

Invesco V.I. Dynamics Series I
Division:
2010 (16)	280	10.03 to 9.46	2,742	–	1.25 to 1.85	22.32 to 21.44
2009	309	8.20 to 7.79	2,468	–	1.25 to 1.85	40.65 to 39.86
2008	316	5.83 to 5.57	1,800	–	1.25 to 1.85	(48.72) to (48.99)
2007	395	11.37 to 10.92	4,416	–	1.25 to 1.85	10.79 to 10.12
2006	303	10.26 to 9.92	3,068	–	1.25 to 1.85	14.68 to 13.99

Invesco V.I. Global Health Care
Series I Division:
2010 (17)	663	11.20 to 10.58	7,323	–	1.25 to 1.85	3.99 to 3.42
2009	818	10.77 to 10.23	8,655	0.34	1.25 to 1.85	25.96 to 25.37
2008	1,002	8.55 to 8.16	8,405	–	1.25 to 1.85	(29.46) to (29.96)
2007	1,170	12.12 to 11.65	13,957	–	1.25 to 1.85	10.46 to 9.79
2006	1,279	10.98 to 10.61	13,857	–	1.25 to 1.85	3.93 to 3.31


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)









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

Invesco V.I. International
Growth Series I Division:
2010 (18)	503	$9.05 to $8.90	$4,542	2.48%	1.25% to 1.85%	11.45% to 10.70%
2009	400	8.12 to 8.04	3,243	2.96	1.25 to 1.85	33.55 to 32.89
2008 (8)	18	6.08 to 6.05	112	1.65	1.25 to 1.85	(39.14) to (39.44)

Invesco V.I. Small Cap Equity
Series I Division:
2010 (19)	498	15.23 to 14.66	7,524	–	1.25 to 1.85	27.02 to 26.27
2009	476	11.99 to 11.61	5,662	0.20	1.25 to 1.85	19.78 to 19.08
2008	410	10.01 to 9.75	4,072	–	1.25 to 1.85	(32.18) to (32.62)
2007	413	14.76 to 14.47	6,049	0.05	1.25 to 1.85	(1.03) to 3.25
2006	55	14.21 to 14.01	775	–	1.25 to 1.85	15.98 to 15.29

Invesco V.I. Technology Series I
Division:
2010 (20)	772	6.58 to 6.21	4,981	–	1.25 to 1.85	19.85 to 19.19
2009	1,000	5.49 to 5.21	5,388	–	1.25 to 1.85	55.52 to 54.60
2008	807	3.53 to 3.37	2,798	–	1.25 to 1.85	(45.19) to (45.56)
2007	1,034	6.44 to 6.19	6,561	–	1.25 to 1.85	6.36 to 5.72
2006	1,028	6.06 to 5.86	6,148	–	1.25 to 1.85	9.11 to 8.46

Janus Aspen Enterprise
Service Shares Division:
2010	1,395	9.13 to 8.59	12,638	–	1.25 to 1.85	24.05 to 23.24
2009	1,712	7.36 to 6.97	12,455	–	1.25 to 1.85	42.64 to 41.67
2008	1,967	5.16 to 4.92	9,984	0.06	1.25 to 1.85	(44.58) to (44.84)
2007	2,454	9.31 to 8.92	22,519	0.07	1.25 to 1.85	20.22 to 19.50
2006	2,530	7.74 to 7.47	19,323	–	1.25 to 1.85	11.90 to 11.23

LargeCap Blend II Division:
2010	13,116	12.15 to 11.54	157,179	2.47	1.25 to 1.85	11.88 to 11.18
2009	14,829	10.86 to 10.38	159,053	1.87	1.25 to 1.85	28.07 to 27.36
2008	16,533	8.48 to 8.15	138,623	1.40	1.25 to 1.85	(37.23) to (37.60)
2007	16,908	13.51 to 13.06	226,044	0.67	1.25 to 1.85	3.81 to 3.19
2006	14,897	13.01 to 12.65	192,106	0.62	1.25 to 1.85	14.38 to 13.70


		Principal Life Insurance Company

		Separate Account B


	Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

LargeCap Growth Division:
2010	5,184	$2.02 to $17.40	$59,163	0.06%	0.42% to 1.85%	17.88% to 16.23%
2009	6,145	1.72 to 14.97	58,964	0.76	0.40 to 1.85	26.48 to 24.65
2008	6,697	1.36 to 12.01	49,772	0.52	0.41 to 1.85	(43.40) to (44.19)
2007	7,931	2.40 to 21.52	104,201	0.17	0.42 to 1.85	22.68 to 20.93
2006	8,539	1.95 to 17.80	96,085	0.27	0.42 to 1.85	9.46 to 7.91

LargeCap Growth I Division:
2010	3,814	1.23 to 31.66	116,970	0.13	0.53 to 1.85	19.10 to 17.43
2009	4,745	1.03 to 26.96	118,873	0.05	0.49 to 1.85	52.05 to 49.86
2008	4,983	0.68 to 17.99	89,910	0.17	0.49 to 1.85	(40.85) to (41.69)
2007	6,013	1.14 to 30.85	185,017	0.53	0.42 to 1.85	8.14 to 6.52
2006	6,016	1.06 to 28.96	179,750	–	0.42 to 1.85	5.71 to 4.27

LargeCap S&P 500 Index
Division:
2010	10,207	1.15 to 9.07	96,644	1.44	0.21 to 1.85	14.19 to 12.67
2009	11,964	1.01 to 8.05	96,031	4.51	0.37 to 1.85	25.78 to 23.85
2008	12,828	0.80 to 6.50	82,148	2.42	0.43 to 1.85	(37.36) to (38.21)
2007	14,712	1.28 to 10.52	154,077	1.39	0.42 to 1.85	4.70 to 3.21
2006	15,070	1.22 to 10.19	152,650	1.33	0.42 to 1.85	15.09 to 13.46

LargeCap Value Division:
2010	6,439	35.82 to 22.60	97,515	1.77	0.29 to 1.85	13.54 to 11.99
2009	7,449	31.55 to 20.18	99,153	5.02	0.35 to 1.85	15.90 to 14.14
2008	8,481	2.34 to 17.68	97,288	2.36	0.41 to 1.85	(35.44) to (36.36)
2007	10,935	3.63 to 27.78	193,783	1.66	0.42 to 1.85	(0.52) to (1.94)
2006	11,695	3.65 to 28.33	213,650	1.57	0.42 to 1.85	19.45 to 17.76

LargeCap Value III Division:
2010	11,898	10.78 to 10.23	126,523	1.79	1.25 to 1.85	11.48 to 10.71
2009	13,417	9.67 to 9.24	128,180	3.72	1.25 to 1.85	18.36 to 17.71
2008	13,977	8.17 to 7.85	113,001	2.34	1.25 to 1.85	(41.56) to (41.89)
2007	13,775	13.98 to 13.51	190,694	1.26	1.25 to 1.85	(4.92) to (5.49)
2006	11,912	14.70 to 14.30	173,683	0.94	1.25 to 1.85	20.04 to 19.33

MFS® VIT Utilities Service Class
Division:
2010	111	14.60 to 14.46	1,619	2.09	1.25 to 1.85	12.05 to 11.40
2009 (11)	46	13.03 to 12.98	594	–	1.25 to 1.85	27.62 to 27.13


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)









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

MFS® VIT Value Service Class
Division:
2010	109	$13.34 to $13.21	$1,459	1.08%	1.25% to 1.85%	9.79% to 9.17%
2009 (11)	38	12.15 to 12.10	467	–	1.25 to 1.85	18.31 to 17.82

MidCap Blend Division:
2010	10,174	4.92 to 41.29	378,975	2.61	0.44 to 1.85	23.58 to 21.84
2009	8,467	3.98 to 33.89	245,427	0.86	0.40 to 1.85	33.20 to 31.31
2008	9,635	2.99 to 25.81	211,731	0.63	0.44 to 1.85	(34.20) to (35.15)
2007	11,351	4.54 to 39.80	380,164	0.61	0.42 to 1.85	8.99 to 7.43
2006	11,881	4.17 to 37.04	367,161	1.03	0.42 to 1.85	13.75 to 12.14

Money Market Division:
2010	10,709	1.70 to 13.31	115,064	–	0.40 to 1.85	(0.42) to (1.84)
2009	14,990	1.71 to 13.56	164,649	0.32	0.43 to 1.85	(0.20) to (1.60)
2008	20,768	1.71 to 13.78	244,388	2.44	0.40 to 1.85	2.15 to 0.73
2007	12,707	1.68 to 13.68	131,679	4.73	0.42 to 1.85	4.55 to 2.96
2006	9,838	1.60 to 13.29	94,506	4.53	0.42 to 1.85	4.32 to 2.71

Neuberger Berman AMT Partners
I Class Division:
2010	395	13.54 to 13.03	5,296	0.62	1.25 to 1.85	14.26 to 13.50
2009	456	11.85 to 11.48	5,364	2.65	1.25 to 1.85	54.10 to 53.27
2008	479	7.69 to 7.49	3,660	0.54	1.25 to 1.85	(53.00) to (53.28)
2007	440	16.36 to 16.03	7,154	0.70	1.25 to 1.85	7.97 to 7.32
2006	310	15.15 to 14.94	4,672	0.96	1.25 to 1.85	10.85 to 10.19

Neuberger Berman AMT Small
Cap Growth S Class Division:
2010	330	9.84 to 9.47	3,211	–	1.25 to 1.85	18.13 to 17.49
2009	338	8.33 to 8.06	2,780	–	1.25 to 1.85	21.25 to 20.48
2008	288	6.87 to 6.69	1,961	–	1.25 to 1.85	(40.21) to (40.59)
2007	273	11.49 to 11.26	3,111	–	1.25 to 1.85	(0.74) to (1.34)
2006	174	11.58 to 11.42	2,008	–	1.25 to 1.85	3.95 to 3.33


		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B


	Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

Neuberger Berman AMT Socially
Responsive I Class Division:
2010	470	$13.63 to $13.12	$6,359	0.04%	1.25% to 1.85%	21.37% to 20.59%
2009	477	11.23 to 10.88	5,324	2.33	1.25 to 1.85	29.83 to 29.06
2008	413	8.65 to 8.43	3,555	2.30	1.25 to 1.85	(40.22) to (40.55)
2007	325	14.47 to 14.18	4,689	0.10	1.25 to 1.85	6.27 to 5.63
2006	186	13.62 to 13.43	2,519	0.14	1.25 to 1.85	12.29 to 11.62


PIMCO All Asset
Administrative Class Division:
2010	234	12.83 to 12.71	2,994	9.57	1.25 to 1.85	11.66 to 11.00
2009 (10)	45	11.49 to 11.45	519	15.41	1.25 to 1.85	14.21 to 13.82

PIMCO High Yield
Administrative Class Division:
2010 (11)	714	11.31 to 11.24	8,052	6.63	1.25 to 1.85	12.65 to 11.95

PIMCO Total Return
Administrative Class Division:
2010	1,460	11.39 to 11.28	16,609	2.31	1.25 to 1.85	6.75 to 6.11
2009 (10)	401	10.67 to 10.63	4,273	3.19	1.25 to 1.85	6.70 to 6.30

Principal LifeTime Strategic
Income Division:
2010	2,070	10.61 to 11.40	24,280	4.80	0.95 to 1.85	10.29 to 9.20
2009	2,006	9.62 to 10.44	21,415	5.09	0.95 to 1.85	17.75 to 16.78
2008	1,811	8.17 to 8.94	16,446	3.91	0.95 to 1.85	(24.63) to (25.25)
2007	1,725	10.84 to 11.97	20,783	1.19	0.95 to 1.85	1.15 to (0.06)
2006	1,035	10.71 to 11.93	12,491	0.13	0.95 to 1.85	1.69 to 8.24

Principal LifeTime 2010 Division:
2010	3,413	10.67 to 11.79	41,055	4.30	0.95 to 1.85	12.79 to 11.86
2009	3,536	9.46 to 10.54	37,830	4.27	0.95 to 1.85	23.98 to 22.84
2008	3,489	7.63 to 8.58	30,145	4.31	0.95 to 1.85	(31.57) to (32.17)
2007	3,408	11.15 to 12.66	43,289	1.12	0.95 to 1.85	2.75 to 0.95
2006	2,089	10.85 to 12.43	26,166	0.04	0.95 to 1.85	2.75 to 10.24


Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Notes to Financial Statements (continued)









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

Principal LifeTime 2020 Division:
2010	14,045	$10.76 to $12.25	$176,256	3.85%	0.95% to 1.85%	13.86% to 12.90%
2009	14,515	9.45 to 10.85	160,531	3.46	0.95 to 1.85	26.34 to 25.14
2008	13,611	7.48 to 8.67	119,536	4.33	0.95 to 1.85	(34.79) to (35.35)
2007	12,818	11.47 to 13.42	173,292	0.49	0.95 to 1.85	3.87 to 1.54
2006	7,291	11.04 to 13.03	95,945	–	0.95 to 1.85	3.41 to 13.06

Principal LifeTime 2030 Division:
2010	5,131	10.56 to 12.02	63,026	2.32	0.95 to 1.85	14.29 to 13.29
2009	4,758	9.24 to 10.61	51,252	1.78	0.95 to 1.85	26.92 to 25.86
2008	2,269	7.28 to 8.43	18,995	4.09	0.95 to 1.85	(36.97) to (37.60)
2007	1,816	11.55 to 13.52	24,342	0.35	0.95 to 1.85	4.96 to 1.97
2006	914	11.01 to 12.99	11,982	0.01	0.95 to 1.85	3.90 to 12.73

Principal LifeTime 2040 Division:
2010	869	10.48 to 12.14	10,823	2.23	0.95 to 1.85	14.79 to 13.78
2009	751	9.13 to 10.67	8,167	2.73	0.95 to 1.85	28.23 to 27.18
2008	839	7.12 to 8.39	7,122	3.94	0.95 to 1.85	(38.73) to (39.33)
2007	799	11.62 to 13.84	11,107	0.29	0.95 to 1.85	5.52 to 2.13
2006	390	11.01 to 13.22	5,191	0.02	0.95 to 1.85	4.22 to 13.03

Principal LifeTime 2050 Division:
2010	469	10.42 to 12.12	5,830	2.13	0.95 to 1.85	15.14 to 14.02
2009	464	9.05 to 10.63	5,018	2.41	0.95 to 1.85	28.73 to 27.76
2008	458	7.03 to 8.32	3,856	4.05	0.95 to 1.85	(39.60) to (40.19)
2007	426	11.64 to 13.92	5,960	0.21	0.95 to 1.85	5.61 to 2.26
2006	260	11.02 to 13.29	3,485	0.01	1.25 to 1.85	4.59 to 13.38

Real Estate Securities Division:
2010	2,507	2.80 to 29.17	75,755	2.99	0.67 to 1.85	25.17 to 23.44
2009	3,012	2.24 to 23.63	72,274	4.21	0.37 to 1.85	28.33 to 26.50
2008	3,393	1.74 to 18.68	64,057	2.39	0.47 to 1.85	(33.14) to (34.09)
2007	4,085	2.61 to 28.34	116,915	0.83	0.42 to 1.85	(18.04) to (19.21)
2006	5,236	3.18 to 35.07	181,645	1.59	0.42 to 1.85	35.90 to 34.11

SAM Balanced Portfolio
Division:
2010	66,480	10.43 to 10.09	684,067	3.60	0.95 to 1.85	12.51 to 11.49
2009	62,913	9.27 to 9.05	577,353	3.66	0.95 to 1.85	22.62 to 21.64
2008	30,551	7.56 to 7.44	229,327	3.52	0.95 to 1.85	(26.82) to (27.56)
2007 (7)	3,428	10.33 to 10.28	35,315	0.06	0.95 to 1.85	3.35 to 2.20


		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Separate Account B


	Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




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

SAM Conservative Balanced
Portfolio Division:
2010	14,635	$10.96 to $10.61	$158,220	4.32%	0.95% to 1.85%	10.71% to 9.83%
2009	14,160	9.90 to 9.66	138,649	3.08	0.95 to 1.85	20.00 to 18.97
2008	7,346	8.25 to 8.12	60,144	3.11	0.95 to 1.85	(19.98) to (20.70)
2007 (7)	843	10.31 to 10.25	8,661	0.29	0.95 to 1.85	3.07 to 1.64

SAM Conservative Growth
Portfolio Division:
2010	5,760	9.73 to 9.41	55,154	3.12	0.95 to 1.85	14.07 to 13.10
2009	4,941	8.53 to 8.32	41,606	4.97	0.95 to 1.85	24.53 to 23.44
2008	3,313	6.85 to 6.74	22,494	3.79	0.95 to 1.85	(33.75) to (34.37)
2007 (7)	670	10.34 to 10.28	6,902	0.54	0.95 to 1.85	3.30 to 2.62

SAM Flexible Income Portfolio
Division:
2010	14,055	11.38 to 11.01	157,635	5.26	0.95 to 1.85	9.42 to 8.47
2009	12,515	10.40 to 10.15	128,680	4.54	0.95 to 1.85	18.86 to 17.75
2008	7,644	8.75 to 8.62	66,370	4.86	0.95 to 1.85	(14.55) to (15.32)
2007 (7)	149	10.24 to 10.19	1,519	0.49	0.95 to 1.85	2.43 to 1.12

SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio
Division:
2010	4,212	9.32 to 9.02	38,641	2.50	0.95 to 1.85	15.35 to 14.32
2009	3,779	8.08 to 7.89	30,169	3.70	0.95 to 1.85	26.25 to 25.04
2008	2,572	6.40 to 6.31	16,339	3.61	0.95 to 1.85	(38.04) to (38.56)
2007 (7)	659	10.33 to 10.27	6,786	0.18	0.95 to 1.85	3.16 to 2.87

Short-Term Income Division:
2010	14,544	11.25 to 11.02	161,858	2.79	0.85 to 1.85	3.31 to 2.32
2009	2,174	10.89 to 10.77	23,551	7.36	0.85 to 1.85	9.01 to 110.35
2008 (9)	28	9.99 to 5.12	261	–	0.85 to 1.85	0.30 to (48.59)

SmallCap Blend Division:
2010	2,886	1.26 to 11.71	33,079	0.50	0.20 to 1.85	23.74 to 21.98
2009	3,419	1.02 to 9.60	33,829	0.73	0.33 to 1.85	21.60 to 19.85
2008	3,928	0.84 to 8.01	32,501	0.45	0.43 to 1.85	(37.00) to (37.86)
2007	4,859	1.33 to 12.89	65,212	0.31	0.42 to 1.85	1.22 to (0.23)
2006	5,338	1.31 to 12.92	71,752	0.16	0.42 to 1.85	12.23 to 10.64

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


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

SmallCap Growth II Division:
2010	3,144	$0.81 to $9.95	$31,722	–%	0.23% to 1.85%	26.40% to 24.69%
2009	3,540	0.64 to 7.98	28,675	–	0.72 to 1.85	31.00 to 29.34
2008	3,794	0.49 to 6.17	24,055	–	0.43 to 1.85	(41.39) to (42.28)
2007	4,379	0.83 to 10.69	47,856	–	0.42 to 1.85	4.48 to 3.06
2006	4,608	0.80 to 10.37	48,773	–	0.42 to 1.85	8.52 to 6.98

SmallCap Value I Division:
2010	4,063	1.79 to 21.02	86,698	0.84	0.36 to 1.85	25.53 to 23.72
2009	4,686	1.42 to 16.99	80,632	2.30	0.46 to 1.85	15.68 to 14.10
2008	4,949	1.23 to 14.89	74,626	0.98	0.41 to 1.85	(32.10) to (33.08)
2007	5,471	1.81 to 22.25	123,310	0.36	0.42 to 1.85	(9.90) to (11.18)
2006	4,998	2.01 to 25.05	126,060	0.29	0.42 to 1.85	18.24 to 16.47

T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth
II Division:
2010	535	12.61 to 12.14	6,703	–	1.25 to 1.85	14.53 to 13.88
2009	457	11.01 to 10.66	5,001	–	1.25 to 1.85	40.08 to 39.16
2008	164	7.86 to 7.66	1,278	0.11	1.25 to 1.85	(43.37) to (43.68)
2007	136	13.88 to 13.60	1,872	0.11	1.25 to 1.85	11.08 to 10.42
2006	83	12.49 to 12.32	1,028	0.24	1.25 to 1.85	7.97 to 7.33

T. Rowe Price Health Sciences II
Division:
2010	396	16.36 to 15.75	6,429	–	1.25 to 1.85	13.85 to 13.23
2009	342	14.37 to 13.91	4,869	–	1.25 to 1.85	29.69 to 28.92
2008	339	11.08 to 10.79	3,736	–	1.25 to 1.85	(30.05) to (30.48)
2007	245	15.84 to 15.52	3,858	–	1.25 to 1.85	16.24 to 15.54
2006	162	13.62 to 13.43	2,197	–	1.25 to 1.85	7.09 to 6.45

Templeton Growth Securities
Class 2 Division:
2010	79	15.23	1,200	1.41	0.85	6.43
2009	92	14.31	1,315	3.15	0.85	29.97
2008	105	11.01	1,158	1.81	0.85	(42.81)
2007	138	19.25	2,663	1.33	0.85	1.48
2006	160	18.97	3,029	1.28	0.85	20.78

Principal Life Insurance Company

Separate Account B

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)


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

Van Eck VIP Global Hard Assets
Class Division:
	2010 (21)	323	$16.74 to $16.58	$5,397	0.14%	1.25% to 1.85%	27.11% to 41.23%
	2009 (10)	82	13.17 to 13.12	1,081	–	1.25 to 1.85	26.63 to 26.28

(1)	These amounts represent the dividends, excluding distributions of capital gains, received by the division from the underlying
	mutual fund, net of management fees assessed by the fund manager, divided by the average net assets. These ratios exclude
	those expenses, such as mortality and expense charges, that result in direct reductions in the unit values. The recognition of
	investment income by the subaccount is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying fund in which
	the subaccounts invest.
(2)	These ratios represent the annualized contract expenses of Separate Account B, consisting primarily of mortality and expense
	charges, for each period indicated. The ratios include only those expenses that result in adirect reduction to unit values.
	Charges made directly to contract owner 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 areduction in the total return presented.
	Investment options with adate notation indicate the effective date of that investment option in the variable account. The total
	return is calculated for the period indicated or from the effective date through the end of the reporting period. These
	percentages represent the range of total returns available as of the report date and correspond with the expense ratio lowest to
	highest.
(4)	These divisions received payment from an affiliate as compensation for foreign income tax credits. The total returns for these
	divisions would have been lower without the inclusion of the Payment from Affiliate.
(5)	Commenced operations April 28, 2006.
(6)	Commenced operations January 5, 2007.
(7)	Commenced operations May 1, 2007.
(8)	Commenced operations May 19, 2008.
(9)	Commenced operations November 24, 2008.
(10)	Commenced operations May 18, 2009.
(11)	Commenced operations January 4, 2010.
(12)	Commenced operations May 24, 2010.
(13)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Basic Value Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(14)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Core Equity Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(15)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(16)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Dynamics Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(17)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Small Cap Equity Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(18)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. International Growth Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(19)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Global Health Care Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(20)	Formerly known as AIM V.I. Technology Fund Series I Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(21)	Formerly known as Van Eck Worldwide Hard Assets Service Class Division when the name was changed on May 24, 2010.
(22)	Formerly known as Mortgage Securities Division when the name was changed on July 16, 2010.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




6. Financial Highlights (continued)

There are divisions that have total return outside of the ranges indicated above. The following is
a list of the divisions and corresponding lowest total return and highest total return.

Division	2010 Unit Value	2010 Total Return

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


Division	2009 Unit Value	2009 Total Return

American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division	$8.44	–%
Asset Allocation Division	23.21	–
Balanced Division	1.88 and 17.48	–
Bond & Mortgage Securities Division	2.09 and 18.89	–


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




6. Financial Highlights (continued)

Division	2009 Unit Value	2009 Total Return

Diversified International Division	$2.28 and $20.97	–%
Equity Income Division	8.02	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.25 and 19.27	–
International Emerging Markets Division	31.08	–
International Small Cap Division	21.74	–
LargeCap Growth Division	1.66 and 15.81	–
LargeCap Growth I Division	28.48	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division	8.51, 8.88 and 9.00	–
	2.61, 2.71, 5.27,
LargeCap Value Division	6.16, 8.27 and 8.99	–
MidCap Blend Division	3.85 and 35.80	–
		32.72, 33.42 and
MidCap Growth I Division	10.62 and 11.86	33.94
MidCap Value II Division	12.17 and 18.45	–
Money Market Division	1.64 and 14.32	–
Mortgage Securities Division	–	5.15 and 5.45
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division	10.78	–
Principal LifeTime 2010 Division	10.88	–
Principal LifeTime 2020 Division	11.20	–
Principal LifeTime 2030 Division	10.96	–
Principal LifeTime 2040 Division	11.02	–
Principal LifeTime 2050 Division	10.97	–
Real Estate Securities Division	24.96	–
Short-Term Income Division	–	8.51 and 8.91
SmallCap Blend Division	10.14 and 12.95	–
SmallCap Growth II Division	8.43	–
SmallCap Value I Division	17.94	–


Division	2008 Unit Value	2008 Total Return

American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division	$7.22	–%
Asset Allocation Division	19.78	–
Balanced Division	1.56 and 14.61	–
Bond & Mortgage Securities Division	1.74 and 15.82	–
Diversified International Division	1.80 and 16.48	–
Equity Income Division	6.77	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.15 and 18.53	–
International Emerging Markets Division	18.55	–


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




6. Financial Highlights (continued)

Division	2008 Unit Value	2008 Total Return

International SmallCap Division	$16.33	–%
LargeCap Growth Division	1.32 and 12.61	–
LargeCap Growth I Division	18.88	–
LargeCap S&P 500 Index Division	6.82, 7.09 and 7.19	–
LargeCap Value Division	2.26, 18.56 and 27.22	–
MidCap Blend Division	2.90 and 27.10	–
MidCap Growth I Division	7.96 and 8.85	–
MidCap Value II Division	9.19 and 13.88	–
Money Market Division	1.65 and 14.47	–
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division	9.17	(25.31)
Principal LifeTime 2010 Division	8.81	(32.23)
Principal LifeTime 2020 Division	8.90	(35.39)
Principal LifeTime 2030 Division	8.65	(37.65)
Principal LifeTime 2040 Division	8.61	(39.38)
Principal LifeTime 2050 Division	8.54	(40.23)
Real Estate Securities Division	19.61	–
SAM Balanced Portfolio Division	–	(27.63)
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Division	–	(20.78)
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Division	–	(34.44)
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Division	–	(15.41)
SmallCap Blend Division	8.40 and 10.69	–
SmallCap Growth II Division	6.48	–
SmallCap Value I Division	15.63	–


Division	2007 Unit Value	2007 Total Return

AIM V.I. SmallCap Equity Series I Division	$ –	(1.43)% and 3.87%
American Century VP Income and Growth Class I Division	11.14	–
Asset Allocation Division	26.65	–
Balanced Division	2.27 and 21.41	–
Bond Division	2.11 and 19.32	–
Principal Capital Value Division	3.51, 28.99 and 42.27	–
Diversified International Division	3.36 and 31.03	–
Equity Growth Division	32.19	2.66 and 2.73
Equity Income I Division	10.38	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.20 and 19.07	–
Growth Division	2.33 and 22.46	–
International Emerging Markets Division	41.62	–


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)




6. Financial Highlights (continued)

Division	2007 Unit Value	2007 Total Return

International SmallCap Division	$33.26	–%
	10.98, 11.37 and
LargeCap Stock Index Division	11.55	–
MidCap Division	4.41 and 41.53	–
MidCap Growth Division	13.69 and 15.16	–
MidCap Value Division	16.60 and 24.95	–
Money Market Division	1.62 and 14.28	–
Principal LifeTime Strategic Income Division	12.20	–
Principal LifeTime 2010 Division	12.91	–
Principal LifeTime 2020 Division	13.68	–
Principal LifeTime 2030 Division	13.78	–
Principal LifeTime 2040 Division	14.11	–
Principal LifeTime 2050 Division	14.20	–
Real Estate Securities Division	29.57	–
SAM Balanced Portfolio Division	10.27	–
SAM Conservative Balanced Portfolio Division	10.24	–
SAM Conservative Growth Portfolio Division	10.27	–
SAM Flexible Income Portfolio Division	10.18	–
SAM Strategic Growth Portfolio Division	–	2.54
SmallCap Division	13.45 and 17.04	–
SmallCap Growth Division	11.15	–
SmallCap Value Division	23.22	–


Division	2006 Unit Value	2006 Total Return

American Century VP Income & Growth Class I Division	$11.25	4.83%
Asset Allocation Division	24.14	–
Balanced Division	2.17 and 20.58	–
Bond Division	2.05 and 18.92	0.35
Capital Value Division	3.53, 29.38 and 42.51	4.47
Diversified International Division	2.91 and 27.07	6.56
Equity Growth Division	30.04	–
Government & High Quality Bond Division	2.11 and 18.41	0.29
Growth Division	1.90 and 18.46	–
International Emerging Markets Division	29.66	–
International SmallCap Division	30.83	–
	10.57, 10.90 and
LargeCap Stock Index Division	11.09	3.93

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholder
Principal Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Principal Life Insurance Company (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder’s equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Principal Life Insurance Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in response to new accounting standards, the Company changed its methods of accounting for credit derivatives embedded in beneficial interests in securitized financial assets effective July 1, 2010; for variable interest entities effective January 1, 2010; for other-than-temporary impairments on debt securities and for the treatment of noncontrolling interests effective January 1, 2009; and for its pension and other postretirement benefits effective January 1, 2008.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
March 16, 2011


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (2010 includes $257.9 million related to consolidated variable interest
entities)	$ 45,184.8	$ 43,518.4
Fixed maturities, trading (2010 includes $131.4 million related to consolidated variable interest entities)	606.9	484.8
Equity securities, available-for-sale	165.9	211.7
Equity securities, trading (2010 includes $158.6 million related to consolidated variable interest entities)	258.3	177.2
Mortgage loans	10,477.1	11,250.5
Real estate	1,052.3	1,022.2
Policy loans	878.3	881.3
Other investments (2010 includes $128.7 million related to consolidated variable interest entities of
which $128.3 million are measured at fair value under the fair value option)	1,407.6	1,398.5
Total investments	60,031.2	58,944.6
Cash and cash equivalents (2010 includes $100.0 million related to consolidated variable interest
entities)	1,546.8	2,044.5
Accrued investment income	655.7	681.7
Premiums due and other receivables	999.7	1,011.2
Deferred policy acquisition costs	3,258.8	3,454.8
Property and equipment	432.4	466.0
Goodwill	214.6	258.2
Other intangibles	139.7	145.7
Separate account assets	62,738.4	57,380.8
Other assets	921.8	1,311.3
Total assets	$ 130,939.1	$ 125,698.8

Liabilities
Contractholder funds	$ 37,092.1	$ 39,764.7
Future policy benefits and claims	16,068.1	15,944.4
Other policyholder funds	569.9	539.7
Short-term debt	294.4	312.1
Long-term debt	120.4	120.8
Income taxes currently payable	0.3	1.9
Deferred income taxes	267.8	4.9
Separate account liabilities	62,738.4	57,380.8
Other liabilities (2010 includes $433.6 million related to consolidated variable interest entities of which
$114.5 million are measured at fair value under the fair value option)	5,821.5	5,162.6
Total liabilities	122,972.9	119,231.9
Stockholder’s equity
Common stock, par value $1 per share — 5.0 million shares authorized, 2.5 million shares issued and
outstanding (wholly owned indirectly by Principal Financial Group, Inc.)	2.5	2.5
Additional paid-in capital	6,145.0	6,408.9
Retained earnings	1,472.4	1,024.3
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	195.4	(1,086.8)
Total stockholder’s equity attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company	7,815.3	6,348.9
Noncontrolling interest	150.9	118.0
Total stockholder’s equity	7,966.2	6,466.9
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity	$ 130,939.1	$ 125,698.8

See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations

	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Revenues
Premiums and other considerations	$ 3,300.3	$ 3,511.5	$ 4,005.1
Fees and other revenues	1,755.1	1,619.0	1,849.5
Net investment income	3,085.8	3,188.2	3,472.0
Net realized capital gains (losses), excluding impairment losses on available-for-sale
securities	(47.4)	6.2	(144.9)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale securities	(297.1)	(712.4)	(477.7)
Portion of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale recognized in other
comprehensive income	56.1	260.9	—
Net impairment losses on available-for-sale securities	(241.0)	(451.5)	(477.7)
Net realized capital losses	(288.4)	(445.3)	(622.6)
Total revenues	7,852.8	7,873.4	8,704.0
Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	4,840.6	5,005.9	5,634.0
Dividends to policyholders	219.9	242.2	267.3
Operating expenses	2,169.4	1,975.1	2,345.7
Total expenses	7,229.9	7,223.2	8,247.0
Income before income taxes	622.9	650.2	457.0
Income taxes	120.4	124.8	44.3
Net income	502.5	525.4	412.7
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	16.6	23.0	9.6
Net income attributable to Principal Life Insurance Company	$ 485.9	$ 502.4	$ 403.1

See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity


				Accumulated
		Additional			other		Total
	Common	paid-in	Retained		comprehensive	Noncontrolling	stockholder’s
	stock	capital	earnings		income (loss)	interest	equity
				(in millions)
Balances at January 1, 2008	$ 2.5	$ 5,595.9	$ 760.8	$ 117.5		$ 89.9	$ 6,566.6
Return of capital to parent	—	(5.2)	—		—	—	(5.2)
Capital transactions of equity method investee, net of related income taxes	—	0.6			—	—	0.6
Stock-based compensation and additional related tax benefits	—	35.3	(0.8)		—	—	34.5
Dividends to parent	—	—	(5.5)		—	—	(5.5)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—	—	—		—	(14.7)	(14.7)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	—	—	—		—	7.0	7.0
Effects of changing postretirement benefit plan measurement date, net of related income
taxes	—	—	0.9		(2.0)	—	(1.1)
Comprehensive loss:
Net income	—	—	403.1		—	9.6	412.7
Net unrealized losses, net	—	—	—		(4,205.1)	—	(4,205.1)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of related income taxes	—	—	—		(15.5)	—	(15.5)
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation, net of related income taxes	—	—	—		(632.5)	—	(632.5)
Comprehensive loss							(4,440.4)
Balances at December 31, 2008	2.5	5,626.6	1,158.5		(4,737.6)	91.8	2,141.8
Contributions from parent	—	795.9	—		—	—	795.9
Stock-based compensation and additional related tax benefits	—	32.3	(1.5)		—	—	30.8
Dividends to parent	—	—	(645.0)		—	—	(645.0)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—	—	—		—	(7.1)	(7.1)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	—	—	—		—	10.1	10.1
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	—	(45.9)	—		—	0.2	(45.7)
Effects of reclassifying noncredit component of previously recognized impairment
losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale, net	—	—	9.9		(9.9)	—	—
Comprehensive income:
Net income	—	—	502.4		—	23.0	525.4
Net unrealized gains, net	—	—	—		3,620.9	—	3,620.9
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale, net	—	—	—		(152.9)	—	(152.9)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of related income taxes	—	—	—		21.6	—	21.6
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation, net of related income taxes	—	—	—		171.1	—	171.1
Comprehensive income							4,186.1
Balances at December 31, 2009	2.5	6,408.9	1,024.3		(1,086.8)	118.0	6,466.9
Return of capital to parent	—	(301.8)	—		—	—	(301.8)
Stock-based compensation and additional related tax benefits	—	37.9	(1.7)		—	—	36.2
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—	—	—		—	(7.8)	(7.8)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	—	—	—		—	24.1	24.1
Effects of implementation of accounting change related to variable interest entities,
net	—	—	(10.7)		10.7	—	—
Effects of electing fair value option for fixed maturities upon implementation of
accounting change related to embedded credit derivatives, net	—	—	(25.4)		25.4	—	—
Comprehensive income:
Net income	—	—	485.9		—	16.6	502.5
Net unrealized gains, net	—	—	—		1,076.2	—	1,076.2
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale, net	—	—	—		(33.5)	—	(33.5)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of related income taxes	—	—	—		(4.6)	—	(4.6)
Unrecognized postretirement benefit obligation, net of related income taxes	—	—	—		208.0	—	208.0
Comprehensive income							1,748.6
Balances at December 31, 2010	$ 2.5	$ 6,145.0	$ 1,472.4	$ 195.4		$ 150.9	$ 7,966.2

See accompanying notes.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

		For the year ended December 31,
		2010	2009	2008
			(in millions)
Operating activities
Net income	$ 502.5		$ 525.4	$ 412.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		201.6	93.9	375.0
Additions to deferred policy acquisition costs		(461.1)	(454.3)	(637.9)
Accrued investment income		26.0	62.3	22.3
Net cash flows for trading securities		78.8	299.9	(457.9)
Premiums due and other receivables		1.3	(124.6)	(74.9)
Contractholder and policyholder liabilities and dividends		1,165.9	1,422.3	2,010.4
Current and deferred income taxes (benefits)		29.8	35.4	(194.3)
Net realized capital losses		288.4	445.3	622.6
Depreciation and amortization expense		139.1	98.4	91.4
Mortgage loans held for sale, acquired or originated		—	(3.0)	(36.8)
Mortgage loans held for sale, sold or repaid, net of gain		1.7	17.5	18.1
Real estate acquired through operating activities		—	(19.8)	(77.5)
Real estate sold through operating activities		116.5	5.2	24.5
Stock-based compensation		36.2	30.0	23.2
Other		621.3	152.4	(58.9)
Net adjustments		2,245.5	2,060.9	1,649.3
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,748.0	2,586.3	2,062.0
Investing activities
Available-for-sale securities:
Purchases		(6,442.4)	(7,046.2)	(6,179.9)
Sales		1,491.6	3,115.5	1,087.1
Maturities		4,783.0	4,128.8	3,039.4
Mortgage loans acquired or originated		(1,189.8)	(514.8)	(3,395.7)
Mortgage loans sold or repaid		1,678.4	1,615.4	2,791.1
Real estate acquired		(53.8)	(62.2)	(33.3)
Real estate sold		—	25.3	68.7
Net purchases of property and equipment		(9.8)	(17.9)	(104.1)
Purchases of interest in subsidiaries, net of cash acquired		—	(45.7)	(18.0)
Net change in other investments		(15.1)	(8.7)	(31.5)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$ 242.1		$ 1,189.5	$ (2,776.2)


Principal Life Insurance Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — (continued)

		For the year ended December 31,
		2010	2009	2008
			(in millions)
Financing activities
Proceeds from financing element derivatives	$ 79.3		$ 122.0	$ 142.2
Payments for financing element derivatives		(46.5)	(67.4)	(114.6)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		0.8	0.2	2.7
Dividends to parent		—	(645.0)	(5.5)
Capital contributions from (to) parent		(301.8)	795.9	(5.2)
Issuance of long-term debt		—	—	0.1
Principal repayments of long-term debt		(0.4)	(0.4)	(65.8)
Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings		(17.7)	21.0	(53.3)
Investment contract deposits		4,099.9	4,220.2	11,349.0
Investment contract withdrawals		(7,343.3)	(8,752.7)	(9,813.7)
Net increase in banking operation deposits		46.2	43.9	373.1
Other		(4.3)	(5.7)	(5.4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(3,487.8)	(4,268.0)	1,803.6
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(497.7)	(492.2)	1,089.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		2,044.5	2,536.7	1,447.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 1,546.8		$ 2,044.5	$ 2,536.7

Supplemental Information:
Cash paid for interest	$ 10.7		$ 14.7	$ 15.2
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 88.6		$ 107.1	$ 227.5

See accompanying notes.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2010

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 engaged in promoting retirement savings and investment and insurance products and services in the U.S. We are a

direct wholly owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Services, Inc. (“PFSI”), which in turn is a direct wholly owned subsidiary

of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“PFG”).

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, which include our majority-owned subsidiaries and consolidated

variable interest entities (“VIEs”), have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S.

GAAP”). Less than majority-owned entities in which we have at least a 20% interest and limited liability companies (“LLCs”),

partnerships and real estate joint ventures in which we have at least a 5% interest, are reported on the equity method in the

consolidated statements of financial position as other investments. Investments in LLCs, partnerships and real estate joint

ventures in which we have an ownership percentage of 3% to 5% are accounted for under the equity or cost method depending

upon the specific facts and circumstances of our ownership and involvement. All significant intercompany accounts and

transactions have been eliminated. Information included in the notes to the financial statements excludes information applicable

to less than majority-owned entities reported on the equity and cost methods, unless otherwise noted.

We have evaluated subsequent events through March 16, 2011, which was the date our consolidated financial

statements were issued.

Reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the December 31, 2010,

presentation. See Recent Accounting Pronouncements for impact of new accounting guidance on prior period financial

statements.

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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance that modifies the

definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the successful acquisition of new or

renewal insurance contracts. Capitalized costs should include incremental direct costs of contract acquisition, as well as certain

costs related directly to acquisition activities such as underwriting, policy issuance and processing, medical and inspection and

sales force contract selling. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2012, with retrospective application permitted

but not required. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires new and expanded disclosures related to the credit

quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. Reporting entities are required to provide qualitative and

quantitative disclosures on the allowance for credit losses, credit quality, impaired loans, modifications and nonaccrual and past

due financing receivables. The disclosures are required to be presented on a disaggregated basis by portfolio segment and class

of financing receivable. Disclosures required by the guidance that relate to the end of a reporting period were effective for us in

our December 31, 2010, consolidated financial statements. See Note 5, Investments, for further details. Disclosures required by

the guidance that relate to an activity that occurs during a reporting period will be effective for us on January 1, 2011, and will

not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance

that deferred indefinitely the disclosures relating to troubled debt restructuring.

In April 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance addressing how investments held through the separate accounts

of an insurance entity affect the entity’s consolidation analysis. This guidance clarifies that an insurance entity should not

consider any separate account interests held for the benefit of policyholders in an investment to be the insurer’s interests and

should not combine those interests with its general account interest in the same investment when assessing the investment for

consolidation. This guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2011, and will not have a material impact on our consolidated

financial statements.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

In March 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends and clarifies the guidance on evaluation of credit

derivatives embedded in beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, including asset-backed securities, credit-linked notes,

collateralized loan obligations and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). This guidance eliminates the scope exception for

bifurcation of embedded credit derivatives in interests in securitized financial assets, unless they are created solely by

subordination of one financial instrument to another. We adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2010, and within the scope of

this guidance reclassified fixed maturities with a fair value of $75.3 million, from available-for-sale to trading. The cumulative

change in accounting principle related to unrealized losses on these fixed maturities resulted in a net $25.4 million decrease to

retained earnings, with a corresponding increase to accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires new disclosures related to fair value

measurements and clarifies existing disclosure requirements about the level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques.

Specifically, reporting entities now must disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level

2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. In addition, in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value

measurements, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. The

guidance clarifies that a reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities for

disclosure of fair value measurement, considering the level of disaggregated information required by other applicable U.S.

GAAP guidance and should also provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for

each class of assets and liabilities. This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2010, except for the disclosures about

purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation for Level 3 fair value measurements, which will be effective for

us on January 1, 2011. This guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2009, FASB issued authoritative guidance for measuring the fair value of certain alternative investments

and to offer investors a practical means for measuring the fair value of investments in certain entities that calculate net asset

value per share. This guidance was effective for us on October 1, 2009, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated

financial statements.

In August 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to provide additional guidance on measuring the fair value of

liabilities. This guidance clarifies that the quoted price for the identical liability, when traded as an asset in an active market, is

also a Level 1 measurement for that liability when no adjustment to the quoted price is required. In the absence of a quoted price

in an active market, an entity must use one or more of the following valuation techniques to estimate fair value: (1) a valuation

technique that uses a quoted price (a) of an identical liability when traded as an asset or (b) of a similar liability when traded as

an asset; or (2) another valuation technique such as (a) a present value technique or (b) a technique based on the amount an

entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into an identical liability. This guidance was effective

for us on October 1, 2009, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the establishment of the FASB Accounting Standards

Codification^TM(“Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by

nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Rules and interpretive

releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative

U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. This guidance

was effective for us on July 1, 2009, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness and

comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a transfer of financial assets; the

effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement

in transferred financial assets. The most significant change is the elimination of the concept of a qualifying special-purpose

entity (“QSPE”). Therefore, former QSPEs, as defined under previous accounting standards, should be evaluated for

consolidation by reporting entities on and after the effective date in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance.

This guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2010, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial

statements.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

Also in June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the accounting for VIEs, which amends prior

guidance and requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests

give it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise with

(1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the

obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to

the VIE. In addition, this guidance requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a

VIE. Furthermore, we are required to enhance disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more

transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a VIE. We adopted this guidance prospectively effective

January 1, 2010. Due to the implementation of this guidance, certain previously unconsolidated VIEs were consolidated and

certain previously consolidated VIEs were deconsolidated. The cumulative change in accounting principle from adopting this

guidance resulted in a net $10.7 million decrease to retained earnings and a net $10.7 million increase to AOCI. In February

2010, the FASB issued an amendment to this guidance. The amendment indefinitely defers the consolidation requirements

for reporting enterprises’ interests in entities that have the characteristics of investment companies and regulated money

market funds. This amendment was effective January 1, 2010, and did not have a material impact to our consolidated

financial statements. The required disclosures are included in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 4, Variable

Interest Entities, for further details.

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which relates to the recognition and presentation of an other-

than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of securities and requires additional disclosures. The recognition provisions apply only

to debt securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity, while the presentation and disclosure requirements

apply to both debt and equity securities. An impaired debt security will be considered other-than-temporarily impaired if a

holder has the intent to sell, or it more likely than not will be required to sell prior to recovery of the amortized cost. If a

holder of a debt security does not expect recovery of the entire cost basis, even if there is no intention to sell the security, it

will be considered an OTTI as well. This guidance also changes how an entity recognizes an OTTI for a debt security by

separating the loss between the amount representing the credit loss and the amount relating to other factors, if a holder does

not have the intent to sell or it more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery of the amortized cost less any

current period credit loss. Credit losses will be recognized in net income and losses relating to other factors will be

recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). If the holder has the intent to sell or it more likely than not will be

required to sell before its recovery of amortized cost less any current period credit loss, the entire OTTI will continue to be

recognized in net income. Furthermore, this guidance requires a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of

retained earnings in the period of adoption with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated OCI. We adopted this guidance

effective January 1, 2009. The cumulative change in accounting principle from adopting this guidance resulted in a net $9.9

million increase to retained earnings and a corresponding decrease to accumulated OCI. The required disclosures have been

included in our consolidated financial statements.

Also in April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which provides additional information on estimating fair

value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market

activity for the asset or liability and clarifies that the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. It also provides

additional guidance on circumstances that may indicate a transaction is not orderly. Further, it requires additional disclosures

about fair value measurements in annual and interim reporting periods. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009, and

it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for further

details.

In January 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the assessment of the OTTI of certain beneficial

interests in securitized financial assets, which eliminated the requirement that a financial instrument holder’s best estimate of

cash flows be based upon those that a market participant would use. Instead, this guidance requires the use of management’s

judgment in the determination of whether it is probable there has been an adverse change in estimated cash flow. This guidance

was effective for us on October 1, 2008, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance requiring additional disclosures by public entities with

continuing involvement in transfers of financial assets to special purpose entities and with variable interests in VIEs. This

guidance was effective for us on October 1, 2008. We have included the required disclosures in our consolidated financial

statements. See Note 4, Variable Interest Entities for further details.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)


1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

In September 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance (1) requiring disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives,
including credit derivatives embedded in a hybrid instrument and (2) requiring an additional disclosure about the current
status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee. This guidance was effective for us on October 1, 2008. We have
included the required disclosures in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for
further details relating to our credit derivatives.

In March 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance requiring (1) qualitative disclosures about objectives and
strategies for using derivatives, (2) quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative
instruments and related hedged items and (3) disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.
The disclosures are intended to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of how and why derivative
instruments are used, how they are accounted for and the financial statement impacts. We adopted these changes on January 1,
2009. See Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further details.

In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance requiring that the acquiring entity in a business
combination establish the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed,
including any noncontrolling interests, and requires the acquirer to disclose additional information needed to more
comprehensively evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. In addition, direct
acquisition costs are to be expensed. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009, and all requirements are applied
prospectively.

Also in December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance mandating the following changes to noncontrolling
interests:

(1)	Noncontrolling interests are to be treated as a separate component of equity, rather than as a liability or other item
	outside of equity.
(2)	Net income includes the total income of all consolidated subsidiaries, with separate disclosures on the face of the
	statement of operations of the income attributable to controlling and noncontrolling interests. Previously, net
	income attributable to the noncontrolling interest was reported as an operating expense in arriving at consolidated
	net income.
(3)	This guidance revises the accounting requirements for changes in a parent’s ownership interest when the parent
	retains control and for changes in a parent’s ownership interest that results in deconsolidation.

We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009. Presentation and disclosure requirements have been applied
retrospectively for all periods presented. All other requirements have been applied prospectively.

In February 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance permitting entities to choose, at specified election dates, to
measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be reported at fair
value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option is elected shall be reported in net income. The
decision about whether to elect the fair value option (1) is applied instrument by instrument, with certain exceptions (2) is
irrevocable and (3) is applied to an entire instrument and not only to specified risks, specific cash flows, or portions of that
instrument. This guidance also requires additional disclosures that are intended to facilitate comparisons between entities that
choose different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities and between assets and liabilities in the financial
statements of an entity that selects different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. At the effective date, the fair
value option may be elected for eligible items that exist at that date and the effect of the first remeasurement to fair value for
those items should be reported as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. We adopted this guidance on January 1,
2008, and the resulting cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle was immaterial. Therefore, the pre-tax
cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle is reflected in net realized capital gains (losses). Election of this option
upon acquisition or assumption of eligible items could introduce period to period volatility in net income.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)


1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

	In September 2006, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to defined benefit pension plans and other
postretirement benefit plans, which eliminated the ability to choose a measurement date by requiring that plan assets and benefit
obligations be measured as of the annual balance sheet date. This guidance was effective for us on December 31, 2008. For
2007, we used a measurement date of October 1 for the measurement of plan assets and benefit obligations. Two transition
methods were available when implementing the change in measurement date for 2008. We chose the alternative that allowed us
to use the October 1, 2007, measurement date as a basis for determining the 2008 expense and transition adjustment. The effect
of changing the measurement date resulted in a $0.9 million increase to retained earnings and a $2.0 million decrease to
accumulated OCI in the first quarter of 2008.

	In September 2006, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, which
applies whenever other standards require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value, but does not expand the use
of fair value measurement. This guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in
active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data, and requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by
level within the hierarchy. In February 2008, the FASB deferred the effective date of this guidance for one year for nonfinancial
assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. In February 2008, the
FASB issued authoritative guidance excluding instruments covered by lease accounting and its related interpretive guidance
from the scope of its fair value measurement guidance. In October 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which clarifies
the application of its fair value measurement guidance in an inactive market and provides an illustrative example to demonstrate
how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the market for that financial asset is inactive. Our adoption of the
FASB’s fair value measurement guidance on January 1, 2008, for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring
basis and financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis did not have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements. We deferred the adoption for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a
nonrecurring basis until January 1, 2009, which also did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See
Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for further details.

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 deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) and other actuarial balances where the amortization is based on
	estimated gross profits;
•	the measurement of goodwill, indefinite lived intangible assets, finite lived intangible assets and related impairments
	or amortization, if any;
•	the liability for future policy benefits and claims;
•	the value of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and
•	accounting for income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

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

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

Investments

Fixed maturities include bonds, mortgage-backed securities, redeemable preferred stock and certain nonredeemable

preferred stock. Equity securities include mutual funds, common stock and nonredeemable preferred stock. We classify fixed

maturities and equity securities as either available-for-sale or trading at the time of the purchase and, accordingly, carry them at

fair value. See Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for policies related to the determination of fair value. Unrealized gains and

losses related to available-for-sale securities, excluding those in fair value hedging relationships, are reflected in stockholder’s

equity, net of adjustments related to DPAC, sales inducements, unearned revenue reserves, derivatives in cash flow hedge

relationships and applicable income taxes. Unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale securities in fair value

hedging relationships and mark-to-market adjustments on trading securities are reflected in net realized capital gains (losses).

The cost of fixed maturities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts, both computed using the

interest method. The cost of fixed maturities and equity securities is adjusted for declines in value that are other than temporary.

Impairments in value deemed to be other than temporary are primarily reported in net income as a component of net realized

capital gains (losses), with noncredit impairment losses for certain fixed maturities reported in OCI. See further discussion in

Note 4, Investments. For loan-backed and structured securities, we recognize income using a constant effective yield based on

currently anticipated cash flows.

Real estate investments are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation. The initial cost 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 bases of the properties

are reduced to fair value. Real estate expected to be disposed is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less cost to sell, with

valuation allowances established accordingly and depreciation no longer recognized. The carrying amount of real estate held for

sale was $41.7 million and $23.8 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Any impairment losses and any

changes in valuation allowances are reported in net income.

Commercial and residential mortgage loans are generally reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and

accrual of discounts, computed using the interest method, net of valuation allowances. Interest income is accrued on the

principal amount of the loan based on the loan’s contractual interest rate. Interest income, as well as prepayment of fees and the

amortization of the related premium or discount, is reported in net investment income. Any changes in the valuation allowances

are reported in net income as net realized capital gains (losses). We measure impairment based upon the difference between

carrying value and estimated value less cost to sell. Estimated value is based on either the present value of expected cash flows

discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. If foreclosure

is probable, the measurement of any valuation allowance is based upon the fair value of the collateral.

Net realized capital gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification. In

general, in addition to realized capital gains and losses on investment sales and periodic settlements on derivatives not

designated as hedges, we report gains and losses related to the following in net realized capital gains (losses): other than

temporary impairments of securities and subsequent recoveries, mark-to-market adjustments on trading securities, mark-to-

market adjustments on certain seed money investments, fair value and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness, mark-to-market

adjustments on derivatives not designated as hedges, changes in the mortgage loan valuation allowance provision and

subsequent commercial mortgage loan recoveries and impairments of real estate held for investment. Investment gains and

losses on sales of certain real estate held for sale, which do not meet the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation are

reported as net investment income and are excluded from net realized capital gains (losses).

Policy loans and other investments, excluding investments in unconsolidated entities, are primarily reported at cost.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)


1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

Derivatives
*Overview.* Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are derived from interest rates, foreign exchange rates,
financial indices or the values of securities. Derivatives generally used by us include interest rate swaps, interest rate collars,
swaptions, futures, currency swaps, credit default swaps and options. Derivatives may be exchange traded or contracted in the
over-the-counter market. Derivative positions are either assets or liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position
and are measured at fair value, generally by obtaining quoted market prices or through the use of pricing models. See Note 15,
Fair Value Measurements, for policies related to the determination of fair value. Fair values can be affected by changes in
interest rates, foreign exchange rates, financial indices, values of securities, credit spreads, and market volatility and liquidity.
*Accounting and Financial Statement Presentation.* We designate derivatives as either:
(a)	a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm
	commitment, including those denominated in a foreign currency (“fair value hedge”);
(b)	a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the exposure to variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to
	a recognized asset or liability, including those denominated in a foreign currency (“cash flow hedge”) or
(c)	a derivative not designated as a hedging instrument.

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

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

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

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

*Hedge Documentation and Effectiveness Testing.* At inception, we formally document all relationships between
hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge
transactions. This process includes associating all derivatives designated as fair value or cash flow hedges with specific assets or
liabilities on the statement of financial position or with specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. Effectiveness of
the hedge is formally assessed at inception and throughout the life of the hedging relationship. Even if a derivative is highly
effective and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, the hedge might have some ineffectiveness.
We use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess hedge effectiveness. Qualitative methods may include
monitoring changes to terms and conditions and counterparty credit ratings. Quantitative methods may include statistical tests
including regression analysis and minimum variance and dollar offset techniques.

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

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

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

If it is determined that a derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative will continue to be carried

on the consolidated statements of financial position at its fair value, with changes in fair value recognized prospectively in net

realized capital gains (losses). The asset or liability under a fair value hedge will no longer be adjusted for changes in fair value

pursuant to hedging rules and the existing basis adjustment is amortized to the consolidated statements of operations line

associated with the asset or liability. The component of OCI related to discontinued cash flow hedges that are no longer highly

effective is amortized to the consolidated statements of operations consistent with the net income impacts of the original hedged

cash flows. If a cash flow hedge is discontinued because it is probable the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the

deferred gain or loss is immediately reclassified from OCI into net income.

Embedded Derivatives. We purchase and issue certain financial instruments and products that contain a derivative that

is embedded in the financial instrument or product. We assess whether this embedded derivative is clearly and closely related to

the asset or liability that serves as its host contract. If we deem that the embedded derivative's terms are not clearly and closely

related to the host contract, and a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the

derivative is bifurcated from that contract and held at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial position, with

changes in fair value reported in net income.

Contractholder and Policyholder Liabilities

Contractholder and policyholder liabilities (contractholder funds, future policy benefits and claims and other

policyholder funds) include reserves for investment contracts and reserves for universal life, term life insurance, participating

traditional individual life insurance, group life insurance, accident and health insurance and disability income policies, as well as

a provision for dividends on participating policies.

Investment contracts are contractholders' funds on deposit with us and generally include reserves for pension and

annuity contracts. Reserves on investment contracts are equal to the cumulative deposits less any applicable charges and

withdrawals plus credited interest. Reserves for universal life insurance contracts are equal to cumulative deposits less charges

plus credited interest, which represents the account balances that accrue to the benefit of the policyholders.

We hold additional reserves on certain long duration contracts where benefit features result in gains in early years

followed by losses in later years, universal life/variable universal life contracts that contain no lapse guarantee features, or

annuities with guaranteed minimum death benefits.

Reserves for nonparticipating term life insurance and disability income contracts are computed on a basis of assumed

investment yield, mortality, morbidity and expenses, including a provision for adverse deviation, which generally varies by plan,

year of issue and policy duration. Investment yield is based on our experience. Mortality, morbidity and withdrawal rate

assumptions are based on our experience and are periodically reviewed against both industry standards and experience.

Reserves for participating life insurance contracts are based on the net level premium reserve for death and endowment

policy benefits. This net level premium reserve is calculated based on dividend fund interest rates and mortality rates guaranteed

in calculating the cash surrender values described in the contract.

Participating business represented approximately 16%, 17% and 17% of our life insurance in force and 53%, 55% and

57% of the number of life insurance policies in force at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Participating business

represented approximately 67%, 68% and 68% of life insurance premiums for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and

2008, 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 operations over the estimated lives of these policies and contracts in relation to the

emergence of estimated gross profit margins.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

The liability for unpaid disability and health claims is an estimate of the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported

losses not yet settled. This liability is estimated using actuarial analyses and case basis evaluations. Although considerable

variability is inherent in such estimates, we believe that the liability for unpaid claims is adequate. These estimates are

continually reviewed and, as adjustments to this liability become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in net income.

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

Traditional individual life insurance products include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits

and consist principally of whole life and term life insurance policies. Premiums from these products are recognized as premium

revenue when due. Related policy benefits and expenses for individual life products are associated with earned premiums and

result in the recognition of profits over the expected term of the policies and contracts.

Immediate annuities with life contingencies include products with fixed and guaranteed annuity considerations and

benefits and consist principally of group and individual single premium annuities with life contingencies. Annuity considerations

from these products are recognized as revenue. However, the collection of these annuity considerations does not represent the

completion of the earnings process, as we establish annuity reserves, using estimates for mortality and investment assumptions,

which include provision for adverse deviation as required by U.S. GAAP. We anticipate profits to emerge over the life of the

annuity products as we earn investment income, pay benefits and release reserves.

Group life and health insurance premiums are generally recorded as premium revenue over the term of the coverage.

Certain group contracts contain experience premium refund provisions based on a pre-defined formula that reflects their claim

experience. Experience premium refunds reduce revenue over the term of the coverage and are adjusted to reflect current

experience. Related policy benefits and expenses for group life and health insurance products are associated with earned

premiums and result in the recognition of profits over the term of the policies and contracts. Fees for contracts providing claim

processing or other administrative services are recorded as revenue over the period the service is provided.

Universal life-type policies are insurance contracts with terms that are not fixed. Amounts received as payments for

such contracts are not reported as premium revenues. Revenues for universal life-type insurance contracts consist of policy

charges for the cost of insurance, policy initiation and administration, surrender charges and other fees that have been assessed

against policy account values and investment income. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include interest

credited to contracts and benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy account balances.

Investment contracts do not subject us to significant risks arising from policyholder mortality or morbidity and consist

primarily of guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), funding agreements and certain deferred annuities. Amounts received as

payments for investment contracts are established as investment contract liability balances and are not reported as premium

revenues. Revenues for investment contracts consist of investment income and policy administration charges. Investment

contract benefits that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related investment

contract liability balances and interest credited to investment contract liability balances.

Fees and other revenues are earned for asset management services provided to retail and institutional clients based

largely upon contractual rates applied to the market value of the client's portfolio. Additionally, fees and other revenues are

earned for administrative services performed including recordkeeping and reporting services for retirement savings plans. Fees

and other revenues received for performance of asset management and administrative services are recognized as revenue when

earned, typically when the service is performed.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Commissions and other costs (underwriting, issuance and field expenses) that vary with and are primarily related to the

acquisition of new and renewal insurance policies and investment contract business are capitalized to the extent recoverable.

Maintenance costs and acquisition costs that are not deferrable are charged to operations as incurred.

DPAC for universal life-type insurance contracts, participating life insurance policies and certain investment contracts

are being amortized over the lives of the policies and contracts in relation to the emergence of estimated gross profit margins.

This amortization is adjusted in the current period when estimated gross profits are revised. For individual variable life

insurance, individual variable annuities and group annuities which have separate account equity investment options, we utilize a

mean reversion method (reversion to the mean assumption), a common industry practice, to determine the future domestic equity

market growth assumption used for the amortization of DPAC. The DPAC of nonparticipating term life insurance and individual

disability policies are being amortized over the premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with

those used in computing policyholder liabilities.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

DPAC are subject to recoverability testing at the time of policy issue and loss recognition testing on an annual basis, or

when an event occurs that may warrant loss recognition. If loss recognition is necessary, DPAC would be written off to the

extent that it is determined that future policy premiums and investment income or gross profits are not adequate to cover related

losses and expenses.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs on Internal Replacements

All insurance and investment contract modifications and replacements are reviewed to determine if the internal

replacement results in a substantially changed contract. If so, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue

associated with the new contract are deferred and amortized over the lifetime of the new contract. In addition, the existing

DPAC, sales inducement costs and unearned revenue balances associated with the replaced contract are written off. If an internal

replacement results in a substantially unchanged contract, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue

associated with the new contract are immediately recognized in the period incurred. In addition, the existing DPAC, sales

inducement costs or unearned revenue balance associated with the replaced contract is not written off, but instead is carried over

to the new contract.

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt includes notes payable, nonrecourse mortgages and other debt with a maturity date greater than one

year at the date of issuance. Current maturities of long-term debt are classified as long-term debt in our statement of financial

position.

Reinsurance

We enter into reinsurance agreements with other companies in the normal course of business. We may assume

reinsurance from or cede reinsurance to other companies. Assets and liabilities related to reinsurance ceded are reported on a

gross basis. Premiums and expenses are reported net of reinsurance ceded. The cost of reinsurance related to long-duration

contracts is accounted for over the life of the underlying reinsured policies using assumptions consistent with those used to

account for the underlying policies. We are contingently liable with respect to reinsurance ceded to other companies in the event

the reinsurer is unable to meet the obligations it has assumed. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, our largest exposures to a single

third-party reinsurer in our individual life insurance business was $23.3 billion and $22.0 billion of life insurance in force,

representing 15% and 14% of total net individual life insurance in force, respectively. The financial statement exposure is

limited to the reinsurance recoverable related to this single third party reinsurer, which was $27.5 million and $26.8 million at

December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Premiums and other considerations:
Direct	$ 3,604.0	$ 3,807.9 $	4,290.5
Assumed	3.5	5.2	9.7
Ceded	(307.2)	(301.6)	(295.1)
Net premiums and other considerations	$ 3,300.3	$ 3,511.5 $	4,005.1
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses:
Direct	$ 5,007.4	$ 5,234.0 $	5,853.7
Assumed	36.8	38.9	43.5
Ceded	(203.6)	(267.0)	(263.2)
Net benefits, claims and settlement expenses	$ 4,840.6	$ 5,005.9 $	5,634.0

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

1. Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies — (continued)

Separate Accounts

The separate account assets presented in the consolidated financial statements represent the fair value of funds that are

separately administered by us for contracts with equity, real estate and fixed income investments. The separate account contract

owner, rather than us, bears the investment risk of these funds. The separate account assets are legally segregated and are not

subject to claims that arise out of any of our other business. We receive fees for mortality, withdrawal and expense risks, as well

as administrative, maintenance and investment advisory services that are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

Net deposits, net investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses on the separate accounts are not

reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the separate accounts include a separate account valued at $221.7 million and

$191.5 million, respectively, which primarily includes shares of PFG stock that were allocated and issued to eligible participants

of qualified employee benefit plans administered by us as part of the policy credits issued under Principal Mutual Holding

Company’s 2001 demutualization. The separate account shares are recorded at fair value and are reported as separate account

assets with a corresponding separate account liability to eligible participants of the qualified plan. Changes in fair value of the

separate account shares are reflected in both the separate account assets and separate account liabilities and do not impact our

results of operations.

Income Taxes

Our ultimate parent, PFG, files a U.S. consolidated income tax return that includes all of our qualifying subsidiaries. In

addition, we file income tax returns in all states in which we conduct business. PFG allocates income tax expenses and benefits

to companies in the group generally based upon pro rata contribution of taxable income or operating losses. We are taxed at

corporate rates on taxable income based on existing tax laws. Current income taxes are charged or credited to net income based

upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year. Deferred income taxes

are provided for the tax effect of temporary differences in the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities

and net operating losses using enacted income tax rates and laws. The effect on deferred income tax assets and deferred income

tax liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period in which the change is enacted.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and other intangible assets include the cost of acquired subsidiaries in excess of the fair value of the net

tangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized.

Rather, they are tested for impairment during the fourth quarter each year, or more frequently if events or changes in

circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level to which it was assigned. A

reporting unit is an operating segment or a business one level below that operating segment, if financial information is prepared

and regularly reviewed by management at that level. Once goodwill has been assigned to a reporting unit, it is no longer

associated with a particular acquisition; therefore, all of the activities within a reporting unit, whether acquired or organically

grown, are available to support the goodwill value. Impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a

comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value.

Intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized as related benefits emerge and are reviewed periodically for

indicators of impairment in value. If facts and circumstances suggest possible impairment, the sum of the estimated

undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset is compared to the current carrying value of the asset.

If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the

carrying amount of assets over their fair value.

2. Related Party Transaction

We have entered into various related party transactions with our ultimate parent and its other affiliates. During the

years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we received $210.8 million, $196.1 million and $199.2 million,

respectively, of expense reimbursements from affiliated entities.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

2. Related Party Transaction — (continued)

We and our direct parent, PFSI, are parties to a cash advance agreement, which allows us, collectively, to pool our

available cash in order to more efficiently and effectively invest our cash. The cash advance agreement allows (i) us to

advance cash to PFSI in aggregate principal amounts not to exceed $1.0 billion, with such advanced amounts earning interest

at the daily 30-day LIBOR rate (the “Internal Crediting Rate”); and (ii) PFSI to advance cash to us in aggregate principal

amounts not to exceed $1.0 billion, with such advance amounts paying interest at the Internal Crediting Rate plus 10 basis

points to reimburse PFSI for the costs incurred in maintaining short-term investing and borrowing programs. Under this cash

advance agreement, we had a receivable from PFSI of $547.5 million and $458.7 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009,

respectively, and earned interest of $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $10.9 million during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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

information.

We and an affiliated entity, Principal National Life Insurance Company, are parties to a reinsurance agreement to

reinsure certain life insurance business. Under this agreement, we had an assumed reinsurance liability of $178.9 million and

$5.0 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In addition, we had assumed reinsurance expenses of $115.2

million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We receive commission fees, distribution and services fees from Principal Funds for distributing proprietary

products on our behalf. Furthermore, we receive management and administrative fees from Principal Funds for investments

our products hold in the Principal Mutual Funds and Principal Variable Contracts. Fees and other revenue was $282.4

million, $172.7 million and $101.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In addition,

we pay commission expense to affiliated registered representatives to sell proprietary products. Commission expense was

$61.4 million, $57.8 million and $145.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

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

payments of our subsidiaries and have agreements with affiliates to provide and/or receive management, administrative and

other services, all of which, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to our business, financial condition and net

income.

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

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


	Retirement	Principal	U.S.
	and Investor	Global	Insurance
	Services	Investors	Solutions	Corporate	Consolidated
			(in millions)
Balances at December 31, 2009	$ 18.7	$ 152.5	$ 43.4	$ 43.6	$ 258.2

Balances at January 1, 2010	$ 18.7	$ 152.5	$ 43.4	$ 43.6	$ 258.2
Impairment	—	—	—	(43.6)	(43.6)
Balances at December 31, 2010	$ 18.7	$ 152.5	$ 43.4	$ —	$ 214.6

On September 30, 2010, we announced our decision to exit the group medical insurance business. This event

constituted a substantive change in circumstances that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our group medical

insurance reporting unit below its carrying amount. Accordingly, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test as of

September 30, 2010. As a result of the shortened period of projected cash flows, we determined that the goodwill related to

this reporting unit within our Corporate operating segment was impaired and it was written down to a value of zero. We

recorded a $43.6 million pre-tax impairment loss as an operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations during

the year ended December 31, 2010.

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

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets— (continued)

Finite Lived Intangible Assets

Amortized intangible assets that continue to be subject to amortization over a weighted average remaining expected life

of 18 years were as follows:


			December 31,
		2010			2009
	Gross		Net	Gross		Net
	carrying	Accumulated	carrying	carrying	Accumulated	carrying
	amount	amortization	amount	amount	amortization	amount
			(in millions)
Total finite lived intangible assets	$ 74.8	$ 29.6	$ 45.2	$ 80.3	$ 29.1	$ 51.2

During 2010, we recorded a $1.6 million pre-tax impairment loss as an operating expense related to finite lived

intangible assets with a gross carrying amount of $5.5 million and $3.9 million of accumulated amortization at the time of

impairment resulting from our decision to exit the group medical insurance business. We had no significant impairments in 2009

and 2008. The amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $4.5 million, $6.0 million and $8.3 million

for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At December 31, 2010, the estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as

follows (in millions):


Year ending December 31:
2011	$ 4.4
2012	4.2
2013	3.7
2014	3.5
2015	2.0

Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

The net carrying amount of unamortized indefinite lived intangible assets was $94.5 million as of both December 31,

2010 and 2009. This represents our share of the purchase price from our parent’s December 31, 2006, acquisition of WM

Advisors, Inc. related to investment management contracts that are not subject to amortization. We were allocated $99.9 million

of the purchase price based on the fact that we will benefit from our parent’s acquisition, which also included $3.2 million

related to goodwill and $2.2 million related to amortizable finite lived intangible assets that were subject to a three-year

amortization period.

4. Variable Interest Entities

We have relationships with and may have a variable interest in various types of special purpose entities. Following is a

discussion of our interest in entities that meet the definition of a VIE. When we are the primary beneficiary we are required to

consolidate the entity in our financial statements. On January 1, 2010, we adopted authoritative guidance that changed the

method of determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Prior to January 1, 2010, the primary beneficiary was the enterprise

who absorbed the majority of the entity’s expected losses, received a majority of the expected residual returns or both. The new

guidance identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise with (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that

most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right

to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We assess whether we are the primary

beneficiary of VIEs we have relationships with on an ongoing basis. See further discussion of the adoption in Note 1, Nature of

Operations and Significant Accounting Policies.

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

Grantor Trusts

We contributed undated subordinated floating rate notes to three grantor trusts. The trusts separated the cash flows by

issuing an interest-only certificate and a residual certificate related to each note contributed. Each interest-only certificate entitles

the holder to interest on the stated note for a specified term, while the residual certificate entitles the holder to interest payments

subsequent to the term of the interest-only certificate and to all principal payments. We retained the interest-only certificates and

the residual certificates were subsequently sold to third parties.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

4. Variable Interest Entities — (continued)

We have determined these grantor trusts are VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain them. As our interest-only

certificates are exposed to the majority of the risk of loss due to interest rate risk, we determined we were the primary

beneficiary prior to January 1, 2010. Beginning January 1, 2010, we determined we remain the primary beneficiary as a result of

our contribution of securities into the trusts.

Collateralized Private Investment Vehicles

We invest in synthetic CDOs, collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations, collateralized commodity

obligations and other collateralized structures, which are VIEs due to insufficient equity to sustain the entities (collectively

known as “collateralized private investment vehicles”). The performance of the notes of these structures is primarily linked to a

synthetic portfolio by derivatives; each note has a specific loss attachment and detachment point. The notes and related

derivatives are collateralized by a pool of permitted investments. The investments are held by a trustee and can only be

liquidated to settle obligations of the trusts. These obligations primarily include derivatives, financial guarantees and the notes

due at maturity or termination of the trusts.

Prior to January 1, 2010, we determined we were the primary beneficiary of a certain number of these entities due to

the nature of our direct investment in the VIEs. As of December 31, 2009, we consolidated five collateralized private investment

vehicles with assets of $135.6 million. Upon adoption of the new accounting guidance as of January 1, 2010, we determined we

were no longer the primary beneficiary of three of these entities with assets of $65.4 million. For these three entities, we do not

control the decisions affecting the economic performance of the entities and we were not involved with the design of the entities.

As of December 31, 2010, we continue to hold $53.9 million of investments in these entities classified on the consolidated

statements of financial position as fixed maturities, available-for-sale or fixed maturities, trading. We also determined we are the

primary beneficiary of two additional collateralized private investment vehicles. For all the collateralized structures consolidated

as of December 31, 2010, we are the primary beneficiary because we act as the investment manager of the underlying portfolio

and we have an ownership interest.

In October 2009, a synthetic CDO we had previously consolidated was terminated. During the year ended December

31, 2009, we recognized a pre-tax gain of $49.8 million related to the change in fair value and termination of the credit default

swaps within the VIE. We were considered the primary beneficiary due to our direct investment in the VIE and management of

the synthetic reference portfolios.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

In September 2000, we sold commercial mortgage loans to a real estate mortgage investment conduit trust. The trust

issued various commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) certificates using the cash flows of the underlying commercial

mortgages it purchased. Prior to January 1, 2010, this entity was scoped out of the consolidation guidance as a QSPE. Based on

the new accounting guidance, the previous scope exception for QSPEs no longer exists and this entity is now a VIE due to the

entity having insufficient equity to sustain itself. We have determined we are the primary beneficiary as we retained the special

servicing role for the assets within the trust as well as the ownership of the bond class which controls the unilateral kick out

rights of the special servicer.

Hedge Funds

We are a general partner with an insignificant equity ownership in various hedge funds. These entities are deemed VIEs

due to the equity owners not having decision-making ability. Before January 1, 2010, we consolidated these VIEs due to our

related parties’ ownership. Beginning January 1, 2010, we continue to consolidate these entities due to our control through our

management relationship, related party ownership and our fee structure in certain of these funds. These entities contain various

fixed maturities held as available-for-sale and trading and equity securities held as trading.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

4. Variable Interest Entities — (continued)

The carrying amounts of our consolidated VIE assets, which can only be used to settle obligations of consolidated

VIEs, and liabilities of consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse are as follows:


		Collateralized
		private investment
	Grantor trusts	vehicles	CMBS	Hedge funds (2)	Total
			(in millions)
December 31, 2010
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 243.1	$ 14.8	$ —	$ —	$ 257.9
Fixed maturities, trading	—	131.4	—	—	131.4
Equity securities, trading	—	—	—	158.6	158.6
Other investments	—	—	128.4	0.3	128.7
Cash and cash equivalents	—	55.0	—	45.0	100.0
Accrued investment income	0.7	0.1	0.8	—	1.6
Premiums due and other receivables	—	1.6	—	13.9	15.5
Total assets	$ 243.8	$ 202.9	$ 129.2	$ 217.8	$ 793.7
Deferred income taxes	$ 2.4	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ 2.4
Other liabilities (1)	135.8	132.6	94.1	71.1	433.6
Total liabilities	$ 138.2	$ 132.6	$ 94.1	$ 71.1	$ 436.0
December 31, 2009
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 226.6	$ 59.2	$ —	$ —	$ 285.8
Fixed maturities, trading	—	19.8	—	—	19.8
Equity securities, trading	—	—	—	90.9	90.9
Cash and cash equivalents	—	55.0	—	45.1	100.1
Accrued investment income	0.8	0.2	—	—	1.0
Premiums due and other receivables	—	1.4	—	18.1	19.5
Total assets	$ 227.4	$ 135.6	$ —	$ 154.1	$ 517.1
Deferred income taxes	$ 2.7	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ 2.7
Other liabilities (1)	89.1	24.6	—	43.1	156.8
Total liabilities	$ 91.8	$ 24.6	$ —	$ 43.1	$ 159.5

(1) Grantor trusts contain an embedded derivative of a forecasted transaction to deliver the underlying securities;

collateralized private investment vehicles include derivative liabilities, financial guarantees and obligation to redeem

notes at maturity or termination of the trust; CMBS includes obligation to the bondholders; and hedge funds include

liabilities to securities brokers.

(2) The consolidated statements of financial position included a $145.9 million and $110.2 million as of December 31, 2010

and 2009, respectively, noncontrolling interest for hedge funds.

We did not provide financial or other support to investees designated as VIEs for the years ended December 31, 2010

and 2009.

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

Invested Securities

We hold a variable interest in a number of VIEs where we are not the primary beneficiary. Our investments in

securities issued by these VIEs are reported in fixed maturities, available-for-sale and fixed maturities, trading in the

consolidated statements of financial position and are described below.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

4. Variable Interest Entities — (continued)

VIEs include CMBS, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. All of these entities were

deemed VIEs upon the removal of the QSPE scope exception because the equity within these entities is insufficient to sustain

them. We currently are not the primary beneficiary in any of the entities within these categories of investments. This

determination was based primarily on the fact we do not own the class of security that controls the unilateral right to replace

the special servicer or equivalent function.

As previously discussed, we invest in several types of collateralized private investment vehicles, which are VIEs.

These include cash and synthetic structures that we do not manage. We are currently not the primary beneficiary of these

collateralized private investment vehicles primarily because we do not control the economic performance of the entities and

were not involved with the design of the entities.

We have invested in various VIE trusts as a debt holder. All of these entities are classified as VIEs due to

insufficient equity to sustain them. Prior to January 1, 2010, we had performed a quantitative analysis and concluded that

although we held a significant variable interest in these entities we were not the primary beneficiary due to lack of majority of

the risk of loss or because they were scoped out as a QSPE. Beginning January 1, 2010, we concluded 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.

Prior to January 1, 2010, we were only required to disclose information about carrying value and maximum loss

exposure for our significant unconsolidated VIEs. The carrying value and maximum loss exposure for our unconsolidated

VIEs as of December 31, 2010, and for our significant unconsolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2009, were as follows:


		Maximum exposure to
	Asset carrying value	loss (1)
	(in millions)
December 31, 2010
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate	$ 429.0	$ 367.7
Residential mortgage-backed securities	3,164.0	3,047.9
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	3,842.2	4,424.9
Collateralized debt obligations	293.0	380.5
Other debt obligations	3,114.1	3,184.9
Fixed maturities, trading:
Residential mortgage-backed securities	130.3	130.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	5.1	5.1
Collateralized debt obligations	87.2	87.2
Other debt obligations	88.9	88.9

December 31, 2009
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Corporate	$ 162.8	$ 144.2

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

to fair value for our fixed maturities, trading.

Sponsored Investment Funds

We provide asset management and other services to certain investment structures that are considered VIEs as we

generally earn management fees and in some instances performance based fees. We are not the primary beneficiary of these

entities as we do not have the obligation to absorb losses of the entities that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the

right to receive benefits from these entities that could be potentially significant.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, other-than-temporary impairments in AOCI and fair value of

fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale are summarized as follows:


				Other-than-
		Gross	Gross	temporary
		unrealized	unrealized	impairments in
	Amortized cost	gains	losses	AOCI	Fair value
	(in millions)
December 31, 2010
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$ 529.1	$ 20.7	$ 0.1	$ —	$ 549.7
Non-U.S. governments	389.3	34.9	—	—	424.2
States and political subdivisions	2,615.0	64.7	23.3	—	2,656.4
Corporate	29,917.7	1,725.1	483.6	18.0	31,141.2
Residential mortgage-backed securities	3,047.9	122.0	5.9	—	3,164.0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	4,424.9	118.0	506.1	194.6	3,842.2
Collateralized debt obligations	380.5	1.7	51.8	37.4	293.0
Other debt obligations	3,184.9	53.7	40.0	84.5	3,114.1
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 44,489.3	$ 2,140.8	$ 1,110.8	$ 334.5	$ 45,184.8
Total equity securities, available-for-sale	$ 177.3	$ 6.8	$ 18.2		$ 165.9
December 31, 2009
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$ 530.4	$ 8.7	$ 0.5	$ —	$ 538.6
Non-U.S. governments	421.1	42.4	1.1	—	462.4
States and political subdivisions	2,008.7	53.4	13.5	—	2,048.6
Corporate	30,592.6	1,222.0	989.6	58.0	30,767.0
Residential mortgage-backed securities	3,019.1	86.0	3.8	—	3,101.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	4,898.0	20.9	1,211.5	107.7	3,599.7
Collateralized debt obligations	607.5	1.8	200.7	39.0	369.6
Other debt obligations	2,900.2	34.5	229.8	73.7	2,631.2
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 44,977.6	$ 1,469.7	$ 2,650.5	$ 278.4	$ 43,518.4
Total equity securities, available-for-sale	$ 229.9	$ 16.1	$ 34.3		$ 211.7

The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities available-for-sale at December 31, 2010, by expected maturity,

were as follows:


	Amortized
	cost	Fair value
	(in millions)
Due in one year or less	$ 2,325.6	$ 2,364.7
Due after one year through five years	13,357.5	13,937.6
Due after five years through ten years	8,495.7	8,919.3
Due after ten years	9,272.3	9,549.9
Subtotal	33,451.1	34,771.5
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities	11,038.2	10,413.3
Total	$ 44,489.3	$ 45,184.8

Actual maturities may differ because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Our portfolio is

diversified by industry, issuer and asset class. Credit concentrations are managed to established limits.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)


5. Investments — (continued)

Net Investment Income

Major categories of net investment income are summarized as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 2,500.1	$ 2,587.0	$ 2,748.3
Fixed maturities, trading	21.1	29.8	30.5
Equity securities, available-for-sale	11.4	16.8	16.2
Equity securities, trading	0.7	0.3	0.4
Mortgage loans	630.2	675.3	743.2
Real estate	57.1	35.8	54.0
Policy loans	54.9	57.0	54.1
Cash and cash equivalents	4.8	9.1	63.0
Derivatives	(153.2)	(128.3)	(56.8)
Other	47.1	15.9	(31.0)
Total	3,174.2	3,298.7	3,621.9
Investment expenses	(88.4)	(110.5)	(149.9)
Net investment income	$ 3,085.8	$ 3,188.2	$ 3,472.0

Net Realized Capital Gains and Losses

The major components of net realized capital gains (losses) on investments are summarized as follows:


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
Gross gains	$ 56.9	$ 109.0	$ 39.3
Gross losses	(339.5)	(701.9)	(436.2)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in OCI	56.1	260.9	—
Hedging, net	142.2	(229.1)	496.3
Fixed maturities, trading	7.4	50.8	(41.1)
Equity securities, available-for-sale:
Gross gains	8.8	26.3	12.0
Gross losses	(3.2)	(46.2)	(56.6)
Equity securities, trading	24.2	37.3	(62.7)
Mortgage loans	(150.7)	(153.1)	(44.3)
Derivatives	(142.0)	230.1	(595.7)
Other	51.4	(29.4)	66.4
Net realized capital losses	$ (288.4)	$ (445.3)	$ (622.6)

Proceeds from sales of investments (excluding call and maturity proceeds) in fixed maturities, available-for-sale were

$1.4 billion, $3.0 billion and $1.1 billion in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

We have a process in place to identify fixed maturity and equity securities that could potentially have a credit

impairment that is other than temporary. This process involves monitoring market events that could impact issuers’ credit

ratings, business climate, management changes, litigation and government actions and other similar factors. This process also

involves monitoring late payments, pricing levels, downgrades by rating agencies, key financial ratios, financial statements,

revenue forecasts and cash flow projections as indicators of credit issues.

During first quarter 2009, we adopted authoritative guidance that changed the recognition and presentation of other-

than-temporary impairments. See further discussion of the adoption in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting

Policies. The recognition provisions of the guidance apply only to debt securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-

maturity, while the presentation and disclosure requirements apply to both debt and equity securities.

Each reporting period, all securities are reviewed to determine whether an other-than-temporary decline in value exists

and whether losses should be recognized. We consider relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest

rate-related impairment of a security is other than temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances considered include: (1) the extent

and length of time the fair value has been below cost; (2) the reasons for the decline in value; (3) the financial position and

access to capital of the issuer, including the current and future impact of any specific events; (4) for structured securities, the

adequacy of the expected cash flows; (5) for fixed maturities, our intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not we

will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity and

(6) for equity securities, our ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time that allows for the recovery in value. Prior

to 2009, our ability and intent to hold fixed maturities for a period of time that allowed for a recovery in value was considered

rather than our intent to sell these securities. To the extent we determine that a security is deemed to be other than temporarily

impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.

Impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in net income and are measured as the difference between

amortized cost and fair value. The way in which impairment losses on fixed maturities are now recognized in the financial

statements is dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intend to sell a security or it is more

likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period

credit loss, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment in net income for the difference between amortized cost and fair

value. If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than

not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, the

recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. We recognize the credit loss portion in net income and the

noncredit loss portion in OCI. Prior to 2009, other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturities were recorded in net income

in their entirety and the amount recognized was the difference between amortized cost and fair value.

We estimate the amount of the credit loss component of a fixed maturity security impairment as the difference between

amortized cost and the present value of the expected cash flows of the security. The present value is determined using the best

estimate cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or the current yield to

accrete an asset-backed or floating rate security. The methodology and assumptions for establishing the best estimate cash flows

vary depending on the type of security. The asset-backed securities 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.

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

follows:


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ (300.8)	$ (692.2)	$ (430.4)
Equity securities, available-for-sale	3.7	(20.2)	(47.3)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses, net of recoveries from the sale of
previously impaired securities	$ (297.1)	$ (712.4)	$ (477.7)

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

5. Investments — (continued)

The change in accumulated credit losses associated with other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturities for

which an amount related to credit losses was recognized in net realized capital gains (losses) and an amount related to noncredit

losses was recognized in OCI (“bifurcated OTTI”) is summarized as follows:


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Total other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturities for which an amount related to
noncredit losses was recognized in OCI	$ (180.6) $	(448.7)
Noncredit loss recognized in OCI	56.1	260.9
Credit loss impairment recognized in net realized capital losses (1)	$ (124.5) $	(187.8)

(1) Includes additions to bifurcated credit losses recognized in net realized capital gains (losses) during the period for fixed

maturities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized and additional credit losses for

previously recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $222.1 million and $221.2 million for the years ended

December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These losses were offset by reductions for previously recognized bifurcated

credit losses on fixed maturities now sold or intended to be sold and fixed maturities reclassified from available-for-sale to

trading due to the adoption of new accounting guidance, which did not impact net income for the period, of $97.6 million

and $33.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. See the credit loss rollforward table below

for further details on bifurcated credit losses.

Non-bifurcated other-than-temporary impairment losses, net of recoveries from the sale of previously impaired available-

for-sale securities, for fixed maturities recognized in net realized capital gains (losses) during the period were $22.6 million

and $210.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated credit losses for fixed maturities with bifurcated credit

losses. The purpose of the table is to provide detail of (1) additions to the bifurcated credit loss amounts recognized in net

realized capital gains (losses) during the period and (2) decrements for previously recognized bifurcated credit losses where the

loss is no longer bifurcated and/or there has been a positive change in expected cash flows or accretion of the bifurcated credit

loss amount.


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010		2009
	(in millions)
Beginning balance	$ (204.7)	$ (18.5)
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously
recognized	(112.4)	(168.5)
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	(109.7)	(52.7)
Reduction for credit losses previously recognized on fixed maturities now sold or intended
to be sold	53.2	33.4
Reduction for credit losses previously recognized on fixed maturities reclassified to
trading (1)	44.4	—
Reduction for positive changes in cash flows expected to be collected and amortization (2)	3.5	1.6
Ending balance	$ (325.7)	$ (204.7)

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

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

interests in securitized financial assets.

(2) Amounts are recognized in net investment income.

Gross Unrealized Losses for Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

For fixed maturities and equity securities available-for-sale with unrealized losses, including other-than-temporary

impairment losses reported in OCI, the gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of

time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position are summarized as follows:


Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
5. Investments — (continued)

	December 31, 2010
	Less than		Greater than or
	twelve months		equal to twelve months		Total
		Gross		Gross		Gross
	Carrying	unrealized	Carrying	unrealized	Carrying	unrealized
	value	losses	value	losses	value	losses
			(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$ 14.9	$ 0.1	$ —	$ —	$ 14.9	$ 0.1
States and political subdivisions	771.0	18.4	44.2	4.9	815.2	23.3
Corporate	2,189.5	57.5	3,759.9	444.1	5,949.4	501.6
Residential mortgage-backed securities	384.9	5.9	—	—	384.9	5.9
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	340.1	4.9	1,186.4	695.8	1,526.5	700.7
Collateralized debt obligations	10.4	0.5	233.0	88.7	243.4	89.2
Other debt obligations	401.5	8.4	578.4	116.1	979.9	124.5
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 4,112.3	$ 95.7	$ 5,801.9	$ 1,349.6	$ 9,914.2	$ 1,445.3
Total equity securities, available-for-sale	$ 47.3	$ 7.2	$ 77.0	$ 11.0	$ 124.3	$ 18.2

Our consolidated portfolio consists of fixed maturities where 77% were investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-)

with an average price of 87 (carrying value/amortized cost) at December 31, 2010. Gross unrealized losses in our fixed

maturities portfolio decreased during the year ended December 31, 2010, due to a decline in interest rates and a tightening of

credit spreads primarily in the corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities sectors.

For those securities that had been in a loss position for less than twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 534

securities with a carrying value of $4,112.3 million and unrealized losses of $95.7 million reflecting an average price of 98 at

December 31, 2010. Of this portfolio, 94% was investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) at December 31, 2010, with

associated unrealized losses of $88.7 million. The 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 loss position greater than or equal to twelve months, our consolidated

portfolio held 773 securities with a carrying value of $5,801.9 million and unrealized losses of $1,349.6 million. The average

rating of this portfolio was BBB with an average price of 81 at December 31, 2010. Of the $1,349.6 million in unrealized losses,

the commercial mortgage-backed securities sector accounts for $695.8 million in unrealized losses with an average price of 63

and an average credit rating of BBB. The remaining unrealized losses consist primarily of $444.1 million within the corporate

sector at December 31, 2010. The average price of the corporate sector was 89 and the average credit rating was BBB. The

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 it was not our intent to sell the fixed maturity available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses and it was not

more likely than not that we would be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost, which may be

maturity, we did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010.


Principal Life Insurance Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)
5. Investments — (continued)

	December 31, 2009
	Less than		Greater than or
	twelve months		equal to twelve months		Total
		Gross		Gross		Gross
	Carrying	unrealized	Carrying	unrealized	Carrying	unrealized
	value	losses	value	losses	value	losses
			(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$ 32.7	$ 0.4	$ 1.0	$ 0.1	$ 33.7	$ 0.5
Non-U.S. governments	9.6	0.4	30.2	0.7	39.8	1.1
States and political subdivisions	242.8	1.9	247.9	11.6	490.7	13.5
Corporate	2,183.3	54.1	7,474.5	993.5	9,657.8	1,047.6
Residential mortgage-backed securities	489.9	3.7	0.6	0.1	490.5	3.8
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	468.1	16.7	2,217.3	1,302.5	2,685.4	1,319.2
Collateralized debt obligations	—	—	366.1	239.7	366.1	239.7
Other debt obligations	312.9	23.3	902.3	280.2	1,215.2	303.5
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 3,739.3	$ 100.5	$ 11,239.9	$ 2,828.4	$ 14,979.2	$ 2,928.9
Total equity securities, available-for-sale	$ 4.4	$ 0.1	$ 116.1	$ 34.2	$ 120.5	$ 34.3

Our consolidated portfolio consists of fixed maturities where 83% were investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-)

with an average price of 84 (carrying value/amortized cost) at December 31, 2009. Due to the credit disruption that began in the

last half of 2007 and continued into first quarter of 2009, which reduced liquidity and led to wider credit spreads, we saw an

increase in unrealized losses in our securities portfolio. The unrealized losses were more pronounced in the Corporate sector and

in structured products, such as commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and asset-backed

securities (included in other debt obligations). During the second quarter of 2009 and continuing through the end of the year, a

narrowing of credit spreads and improvement in liquidity resulted in a decrease in the unrealized losses in our securities portfolio

relative to year-end 2008.

For those securities that had been in a loss position for less than twelve months, our consolidated portfolio held 406

securities with a carrying value of $3,739.3 million and unrealized losses of $100.5 million reflecting an average price of 97 at

December 31, 2009. Of this portfolio, 97% was investment grade (rated AAA through BBB-) at December 31, 2009, with

associated unrealized losses of $82.7 million. The 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 loss position greater than or equal to twelve months, our consolidated

portfolio held 1,481 securities with a carrying value of $11,239.9 million and unrealized losses of $2,828.4 million. The average

rating of this portfolio was BBB+ with an average price of 80 at December 31, 2009. Of the $2,828.4 million in unrealized

losses, the commercial mortgage-backed securities sector accounts for $1,302.5 million in unrealized losses with an average

price of 63 and an average credit rating of AA-. The remaining unrealized losses consist primarily of $993.5 million within the

Corporate sector at December 31, 2009. The average price of the Corporate sector was 88 and the average credit rating was

BBB. The 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 it was not our intent to sell the fixed maturity available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses and it was not

more likely than not that we would be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost, which may be

maturity, we did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2009.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)


5. Investments — (continued)

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

	The net unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturities available-for-sale, equity securities available-for-
sale and derivative instruments are reported as a separate component of stockholder’s equity. The cumulative amount of net
unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments net of adjustments related to DPAC, sales
inducements, unearned revenue reserves and applicable income taxes was as follows:
				December 31,
				2010		2009
				(in millions)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)			$ 957.2		$ (1,180.8)
Noncredit component of impairment losses on fixed maturities, available-for-sale				(334.5)		(260.9)
Net unrealized losses on equity securities, available-for-sale				(11.4)		(18.2)
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns				(273.8)		211.9
Net unrealized gains on derivative instruments				122.4		90.4
Net unrealized gains on equity method subsidiaries and noncontrolling interest adjustments				74.9		103.2
Provision for deferred income tax benefits (taxes)				(186.3)		370.1
Effects of implementation of accounting change related to variable interest entities, net				10.7		—
Effects of electing fair value option for fixed maturities upon implementation of accounting
changes related to embedded credit derivatives, net				25.4		—
Effects of reclassifying noncredit component of previously recognized impairment losses on
fixed maturities, available-for-sale, net				—		(9.9)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments			$ 384.6		$ (694.2)

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

Mortgage Loans

	Mortgage loans consist of commercial and residential mortgage loans. We evaluate risks inherent in our commercial
mortgage loans in two classes: (1) brick and mortar property loans, where we analyze the property's rent payments as support
for the loan, and (2) credit tenant loans (“CTL”), where we rely on the credit analysis of the tenant for the repayment of the loan
We evaluate risks inherent in our residential mortgage loan portfolio in two classes: (1) home equity mortgages and (2) first
lien mortgages. The carrying amount of our mortgage loan portfolio was as follows:
			December 31,
			2010		2009
			(in millions)

Commercial mortgage loans		$ 9,680.2		$ 10,254.4
Residential mortgage loans			915.2			1,157.4
Total amortized cost			10,595.4			11,411.8

Valuation allowance			(118.3)			(161.3)
Total carrying value		$ 10,477.1		$ 11,250.5

	Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio consists primarily of non-recourse, fixed rate mortgages on fully or near fully
leased properties. Commercial mortgage loans represent a primary area of credit risk exposure.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

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

follows:


	December 31,
	2010		2009
	Amortized	Percent	Amortized	Percent
	cost	of total	cost	of total
		($ in millions)
Geographic distribution
New England	$ 430.3	4.4% $	446.3	4.4%
Middle Atlantic	1,648.4	17.0	1,535.4	15.0
East North Central	841.1	8.7	941.8	9.2
West North Central	466.7	4.8	504.3	4.9
South Atlantic	2,358.1	24.4	2,641.9	25.8
East South Central	231.5	2.4	300.0	2.9
West South Central	548.6	5.7	672.1	6.5
Mountain	691.0	7.1	835.4	8.1
Pacific	2,464.5	25.5	2,377.2	23.2
Total	$ 9,680.2	100.0% $	10,254.4	100.0%
Property type distribution
Office	$ 2,886.2	29.8% $	2,782.1	27.1%
Retail	2,503.0	25.9	2,782.0	27.1
Industrial	2,334.5	24.1	2,394.4	23.4
Apartments	1,138.1	11.8	1,415.2	13.8
Hotel	471.8	4.9	497.2	4.8
Mixed use/other	346.6	3.5	383.5	3.8
Total	$ 9,680.2	100.0% $	10,254.4	100.0%

Our residential mortgage loan portfolio is composed of home equity mortgages with an amortized cost of $719.3

million and $912.2 million and first lien mortgages with an amortized cost of $195.9 million and $245.2 million as of December

31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our residential home equity mortgages are concentrated in the United States and are generally

second lien mortgages comprised of closed-end loans and lines of credit.

Mortgage Loan Credit Monitoring

Commercial Credit Risk Profile Based on Internal Rating

We actively monitor and manage our commercial mortgage loan portfolio. All commercial mortgage loans are

analyzed regularly and substantially all are internally rated, based on a proprietary risk rating cash flow model, in order to

monitor the financial quality of these assets. The model stresses expected cash flows at various levels and at different points in

time depending on the durability of the income stream, which includes our assessment of factors such as location (macro and

micro markets), tenant quality and lease expirations. Our internal rating analysis results in expected credit losses comparable to

equivalent bond ratings. Internal ratings on commercial mortgage loans are updated at least annually and potentially more often

for certain loans with material changes in collateral value or occupancy and for loans on an internal “watch list”.

Commercial mortgage loans that require more frequent and detailed attention than other loans in our portfolio are

identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that would indicate a potential problem are imbalances in

ratios of loan to value or contract rents to debt service, major tenant vacancies or bankruptcies, borrower sponsorship problems,

late payments, delinquent taxes and loan relief/restructuring requests.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio by credit risk, as determined by our internal rating system expressed in terms

of an S&P bond equivalent rating, was as follows:


	December 31, 2010
	Brick and mortar	CTL	Total
		(in millions)
A- and above	$ 4,780.1	$ 324.7	$ 5,104.8
BBB+ thru BBB-	2,629.5	249.5	2,879.0
BB+ thru BB-	726.1	38.5	764.6
B+ and below	927.9	3.9	931.8
Total	$ 9,063.6	$ 616.6	$ 9,680.2

Residential Credit Risk Profile Based on Performance Status

Our residential mortgage loan portfolio is monitored based on performance of the loans. Monitoring on a residential

mortgage loan increases when the loan is delinquent or earlier if there is an indication of impairment. We define non-

performing residential mortgage loans as loans 90 days or greater delinquent or on non-accrual status.


Our performing and non-performing residential mortgage loans were as follows:
	December 31, 2010
	Home equity	First liens	Total
		(in millions)
Performing	$ 705.0 $	186.2	$ 891.2
Nonperforming	14.3	9.7	24.0
Total	$ 719.3 $	195.9	$ 915.2

Non-Accrual Mortgage Loans

Commercial and residential mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status if we have concern regarding the

collectability of future payments. 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 for residential mortgage loans. Based on an assessment as to the collectability of the principal, a determination is made to

apply any payments received either against the principal or according to the contractual terms of the loan. Accrual of interest

resumes after factors resulting in doubts about collectability have improved.


Mortgage loans on non-accrual status were as follows:
	December 31, 2010
	(in millions)
Commercial:
Brick and mortar	$ 67.1
Residential:
Home equity	14.3
First liens	9.7
Total	$ 91.1

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

The aging of mortgage loans was as follows:


	December 31, 2010
			90 days or
	30-59 days	60-89 days	more past	Total past
	past due	past due	due	due	Current	Total loans
				(in millions)
Commercial-brick and mortar	$ —	$ 22.5	$ 9.1	$ 31.6	$ 9,032.0	$ 9,063.6
Commercial-CTL	—	—	—	—	616.6	616.6
Residential-home equity	9.3	4.5	9.2	23.0	696.3	719.3
Residential-first liens	1.5	2.0	7.0	10.5	185.4	195.9
Total	$ 10.8	$ 29.0	$ 25.3	$ 65.1	$ 10,530.3	$ 10,595.4

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

31, 2010.

Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowance

We establish a valuation allowance to provide for the risk of credit losses inherent in our portfolio. The valuation

allowance includes loan specific reserves for loans that are deemed to be impaired as well as reserves for pools of loans with

similar risk characteristics where a property risk or market specific risk has not been identified but for which we expect to incur

a loss. Mortgage loans on real estate are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that

we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to contractual terms of the loan agreement. When we determine that a

loan is impaired, a valuation allowance is established equal to the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan

and the estimated value reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value is based on either the present value of the expected future

cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price or fair value of the collateral.

Amounts on loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and removed from the valuation allowance. When a valuation

allowance is established, subsequent recoveries are removed from the valuation allowance and subsequent losses are added to

the valuation allowance. The change in the valuation allowance is included in net realized capital gains (losses) on our

consolidated statements of operations.

The valuation allowance is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated probable credit

losses. Management's periodic evaluation and assessment of the valuation allowance adequacy is based on known and inherent

risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a borrower's ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying

collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, portfolio delinquency information, underwriting standards, peer group information,

current economic conditions, loss experience and other relevant factors. The evaluation of our impaired loan component is

subjective, as it requires the estimation of timing and amount of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans.

We review our commercial mortgage loan portfolio and analyze the need for a valuation allowance for any loan that is

delinquent for 60 days or more, in process of foreclosure, restructured, on the internal “watch list” or that currently has a

valuation allowance. In addition to establishing allowance levels for specifically identified impaired commercial mortgage loans,

management determines an allowance for all other loans in the portfolio for which historical experience and current economic

conditions indicate certain losses exist. These loans are segregated by major product type and/or risk level with an estimated loss

ratio applied against each product type and/or risk level. The loss ratio is generally based upon historic loss experience for each

loan type as adjusted for certain environmental factors management believes to be relevant.

For our residential mortgage loan portfolio, we separate the loans into several homogeneous pools, each of which

consist of loans of a similar nature including but not limited to loans similar in collateral, term and structure and loan purpose or

type. We evaluate loan pools based on aggregated risk ratings, estimated specific loss potential in the different classes of credits,

and historical loss experience by pool type. We adjust these quantitative factors for qualitative factors of present conditions.

Qualitative factors include items such as economic and business conditions, changes in the portfolio, value of underlying

collateral, and concentrations. Residential mortgage loan pools exclude loans that have been restructured or impaired, as those

loans are evaluated individually.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

A rollforward of our valuation allowance and ending balances of the allowance and loan balance by basis of

impairment method was as follows:


	Commercial	Residential	Total
		(in millions)
December 31, 2010
Beginning balance	$ 132.5	$ 28.8	$ 161.3
Provision	54.1	97.5	151.6
Charge-offs	(106.0)	(89.7)	(195.7)
Recoveries	—	1.1	1.1
Ending balance	$ 80.6	$ 37.7	$ 118.3
Allowance ending balance by basis of impairment method:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$ 9.1	$ 3.0	$ 12.1
Collectively evaluated for impairment	71.5	34.7	106.2
Allowance ending balance	$ 80.6	$ 37.7	$ 118.3
Loan balance by basis of impairment method:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$ 29.8	$ 16.1	$ 45.9
Collectively evaluated for impairment	9,650.4	899.1	10,549.5
Loan ending balance	$ 9,680.2	$ 915.2	$ 10,595.4
December 31, 2009
Beginning balance	$ 57.0	$ 12.1	$ 69.1
Provision	115.4	32.9	148.3
Charge-offs/recoveries	(39.9)	(16.2)	(56.1)
Ending balance	$ 132.5	$ 28.8	$ 161.3
December 31, 2008
Beginning balance	$ 42.8	$ 5.7	$ 48.5
Provision	42.2	11.5	53.7
Charge-offs/recoveries	(28.0)	(5.1)	(33.1)
Ending balance	$ 57.0	$ 12.1	$ 69.1

We periodically purchase mortgage loans as well as sell mortgage loans we have originated. We sold $34.1 million of

commercial mortgage loans as of December 31, 2010.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

Impaired Mortgage Loans

Impaired mortgage loans include loans with a related specific valuation allowance, loans whose carrying amount has

been reduced to the expected collectible amount because the impairment has been considered other than temporary or troubled

debt restructurings. Based on an assessment as to the collectability of the principal, a determination is made to apply any

payments received either against the principal or according to the contractual terms of the loan. Our recorded investment in and

unpaid principal balance of impaired loans along with the related loan specific allowance for losses, if any, for each reporting

period and the average recorded investment and interest income recognized during the time the loans were impaired were as

follows:


		Unpaid		Average
	Recorded	principal	Related	recorded	Interest income
	investment	balance	allowance	investment	recognized
			(in millions)
For the year ended, December 31, 2010
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial-brick and mortar	$ 22.5	$ 28.9	$ —	$ 13.4	$ 1.1
Residential-first liens	5.3	5.2	—	5.3	—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial-brick and mortar	29.8	29.7	9.1	77.2	1.8
Residential-home equity	11.5	11.2	2.4	12.2	—
Residential-first liens	4.6	4.6	0.6	11.7	—
Total:
Commercial	$ 52.3	$ 58.6	$ 9.1	$ 90.6	$ 2.9
Residential	$ 21.4	$ 21.0	$ 3.0	$ 29.2	$ —
For the year ended, December 31, 2009
Total:
Commercial	$ 120.7	$ 120.5	$ 43.8	$ 97.6	$ 0.3
Residential	$ 10.2	$ 14.7	$ 6.3	$ 12.5	$ —
For the year ended, December 31, 2008
Total:
Commercial	$ 74.4	$ 74.4	$ 13.4	$ 45.7	$ 0.1
Residential	$ 14.7	$ 14.7	$ 4.5	$ 15.5	$ —

Real Estate

Depreciation expense on invested real estate was $41.1 million, $41.7 million and $32.1 million in 2010, 2009 and

2008, respectively. Accumulated depreciation was $331.2 million and $290.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009,

respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

5. Investments — (continued)

Other Investments

Other investments include minority 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,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Total assets	$ 6,366.8	$ 5,371.7
Total liabilities	2,972.9	2,839.8
Total equity	$ 3,393.9	$ 2,531.9

Net investment in unconsolidated entities	$ 77.4	$ 31.1

Derivative assets are carried at fair value and reported as a component of other investments. Certain seed money

investments are also carried at fair value and reported as a component of other investments, with changes in fair value included

in net realized capital gains (losses) on our consolidated statements of operations.

Securities Posted as Collateral

We posted $1,052.5 million in fixed maturities, available-for-sale securities at December 31, 2010, to satisfy collateral

requirements primarily associated with our derivative credit support annex (collateral) agreements and a reinsurance

arrangement. In addition, we posted $1,695.1 million in commercial mortgage loans as of December 31, 2010, to satisfy

collateral requirements associated with our obligation under funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des

Moines. Since we did not relinquish ownership rights on these securities, they are reported as fixed maturities, available-for-

sale and commercial mortgage loans, respectively, on our consolidated statements of financial position.


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Total revenues	$ 3,076.1	$ 2,594.8	$ 2,198.6
Total expenses	2,782.7	2,770.2	2,414.4
Net income	269.8	129.4	(32.5)

Our share of net income of unconsolidated entities	28.9	2.5	(41.9)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

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 that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Sources of

interest rate risk include the difference between the maturity and interest rate changes of assets with the liabilities they support,

timing differences between the pricing of liabilities and the purchase or procurement of assets and changing cash flow profiles

from original projections due to prepayment options embedded within asset and liability contracts. We use various derivatives to

manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates.

Interest rate swaps are contracts in which we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference

between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts based upon designated market rates or rate indices and an agreed upon

notional principal amount. Generally, no cash is exchanged at the outset of the contract and no principal payments are made by

either party. Cash is paid or received based on the terms of the swap. These transactions are entered into pursuant to master

agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty at each due date. We use interest rate swaps

primarily to more closely match the interest rate characteristics of assets and liabilities and to mitigate the risks arising from

timing mismatches between assets and liabilities (including duration mismatches). We also use interest rate swaps to hedge

against changes in the value of assets we anticipate acquiring and other anticipated transactions and commitments. Interest rate

swaps are used to hedge against changes in the value of the guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (“GMWB”) liability. The

GMWB rider on our variable annuity products provides for guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits regardless of the actual

performance of various equity and/or fixed income funds available with the product.

Interest rate caps and interest rate floors, which can be combined to form interest rate collars, are contracts that entitle

the purchaser to pay or receive the amounts, if any, by which a specified market rate exceeds a cap strike interest rate, or falls

below a floor strike interest rate, respectively, at specified dates. We have entered into interest rate collars whereby we receive

amounts if a specified market rate falls below a floor strike interest rate, and we pay if a specified market rate exceeds a cap

strike interest rate. We use interest rate collars to manage interest rate risk related to guaranteed minimum interest rate liabilities

in our individual annuities contracts.

A swaption is an option to enter into an interest rate swap at a future date. We purchase swaptions to offset existing

exposures. We have also written these options and received a premium in order to transform our callable liabilities into fixed

term liabilities. Swaptions provide us the benefit of the agreed-upon strike rate if the market rates for liabilities are higher, with

the flexibility to enter into the current market rate swap if the market rates for liabilities are lower. Swaptions not only hedge

against the downside risk, but also allow us to take advantage of any upside benefits.

In exchange-traded futures transactions, we agree to purchase or sell a specified number of contracts, the values of

which are determined by the values of designated classes of securities, and to post variation margin on a daily basis in an amount

equal to the difference in the daily market values of those contracts. We enter into exchange-traded futures with regulated futures

commissions merchants who are members of a trading exchange. We have used exchange-traded futures to reduce market risks

from changes in interest rates and to alter mismatches between the assets in a portfolio and the liabilities supported by those

assets.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

Foreign currency risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse fluctuations in foreign currency

exchange rates. This risk arises from foreign currency-denominated funding agreements we issue and foreign currency-

denominated fixed maturities we invest in. We may use currency swaps to hedge foreign currency risk.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

Currency swaps are contracts in which we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, a series of

principal and interest payments in one currency for that of another currency. Generally, the principal amount of each currency is

exchanged at the beginning and termination of the currency swap by each party. The interest payments are primarily fixed-to-

fixed rate; however, they may also be fixed-to-floating rate or floating-to-fixed rate. These transactions are entered into pursuant

to master agreements that provide for a single net payment to be made by one counterparty for payments made in the same

currency at each due date. We use currency swaps to reduce market risks from changes in currency exchange rates with respect

to investments or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that we either hold or intend to acquire or sell.

Equity Contracts

Equity risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse fluctuations in common stock. We use various

derivatives to manage our exposure to equity risk, which arises from products in which the interest we credit is tied to an

external equity index as well as products subject to minimum contractual guarantees.

We may sell an investment-type insurance contract with attributes tied to market indices (an embedded derivative as

noted below), in which case we write an equity call option to convert the overall contract into a fixed-rate liability, essentially

eliminating the equity component altogether. We purchase equity call spreads to hedge the equity participation rates promised to

contractholders in conjunction with our fixed deferred annuity products that credit interest based on changes in an external

equity index. We use exchange-traded futures and equity put options to hedge against changes in the value of the GMWB

liability related to the GMWB rider on our variable annuity product, as previously explained. The premium associated with

certain options is paid quarterly over the life of the option contract.

Credit Contracts

Credit risk relates to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given obligor to make timely payments of

principal and interest. We use credit default swaps to enhance the return on our investment portfolio by providing comparable

exposure to fixed income securities that might not be available in the primary market. They are also used to hedge credit

exposures in our investment portfolio. Credit derivatives are used to sell or buy credit protection on an identified name or names

on an unfunded or synthetic basis in return for receiving or paying a quarterly premium. The premium generally corresponds to a

referenced name's credit spread at the time the agreement is executed. In cases where we sell protection, at the same time we

enter into these synthetic transactions, we buy a quality cash bond to match against the credit default swap. 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

Commodity Swaps. Commodity swaps are used to sell or buy protection on commodity prices in return for receiving or

paying a quarterly premium. We have purchased secured limited recourse notes from VIEs that were consolidated in our

financial results prior to 2010, but for which we are no longer the primary beneficiary. These VIEs used a commodity swap to

enhance the return on an investment portfolio by selling protection on a static portfolio of commodity trigger swaps, each

referencing a base or precious metal. The portfolio of commodity trigger swaps was a portfolio of deep out-of-the-money

European puts on various base or precious metals. The VIEs provided mezzanine protection that the average spot rate would not

fall below a certain trigger price on each commodity trigger swap in the portfolio and received guaranteed quarterly premiums in

return until maturity. At the same time the VIEs entered into this synthetic transaction, they bought a quality cash bond to match

against the commodity swaps.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

Embedded Derivatives. We purchase or issue certain financial instruments or products that contain a derivative

instrument that is embedded in the financial instrument or product. When it is determined that the embedded derivative

possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly or closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and a

separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is bifurcated from the

host instrument for measurement purposes. The embedded derivative, which is reported with the host instrument in the

consolidated statements of financial position, is carried at fair value.

We sell investment-type insurance contracts in which the return is tied to an external equity index, a leveraged inflation

index or leveraged reference swap. We economically hedge the risk associated with these investment-type insurance contracts.

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

We have structured investment relationships with trusts we have determined to be VIEs, which are consolidated in our

financial statements. The notes issued by these trusts include obligations to deliver an underlying security to residual interest

holders and the obligations contain an embedded derivative of the forecasted transaction to deliver the underlying security.

We have fixed deferred annuities that credit interest based on changes in an external equity index. We also have certain

variable annuity products with a GMWB rider, which provides that the contractholder will receive at least their principal deposit

back through withdrawals of up to a specified annual amount, even if the account value is reduced to zero. Declines in the equity

market may increase our exposure to benefits under contracts with the GMWB. We economically hedge the exposure in these

annuity contracts, as previously explained.

Exposure

Our risk of loss is typically limited to the fair value of our derivative instruments and not to the notional or contractual

amounts of these derivatives. Risk arises from changes in the fair value of the underlying instruments. We are also exposed to

credit losses in the event of nonperformance of the counterparties. Our current credit exposure is limited to the value of

derivatives that have become favorable to us. This credit risk is minimized by purchasing such agreements from financial

institutions with high credit ratings and by establishing and monitoring exposure limits. We also utilize various credit

enhancements, including collateral and credit triggers to reduce the credit exposure to our derivative instruments.

Our derivative transactions are generally documented under International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.

(“ISDA”) Master Agreements. Management believes that such agreements provide for legally enforceable set-off and close-out

netting of exposures to specific counterparties. Under such agreements, in connection with an early termination of a transaction,

we are permitted to set off our receivable from a counterparty against our payables to the same counterparty arising out of all

included transactions. For reporting purposes, we do not offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash

collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed

with the same counterparties under master netting agreements.

We posted $376.8 million and $273.7 million in cash and securities under collateral arrangements as of December 31,

2010 and 2009, respectively, to satisfy collateral requirements associated with our derivative credit support agreements.

Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain an investment grade rating from

each of the major credit rating agencies on our debt. If the rating on our debt were to fall below investment grade, it would be in

violation of these provisions and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand

immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair

value, inclusive of accrued interest, of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that were in a

liability position without regard to netting under derivative credit support annex agreements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009,

was $1,262.0 million and $1,139.7 million, respectively. With respect to these derivatives, we posted collateral of $376.8 million

and $273.7 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, in the normal course of business, which reflects netting

under derivative credit support annex agreements. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were

triggered on December 31, 2010, we would be required to post an additional $56.6 million of collateral to our counterparties.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had received $233.1 million and $341.3 million, respectively, of cash collateral

associated with our derivative credit support annex agreements. The cash collateral is included in other assets on the

consolidated statements of financial position, with a corresponding liability reflecting our obligation to return the collateral

recorded in other liabilities.

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, 2010	December 31, 2009
	(in millions)
Notional amounts of derivative instruments
*Interest rate contracts:*
Interest rate swaps	$ 19,803.0	$ 19,531.0
Interest rate collars	500.0	—
Swaptions	68.5	—
Futures	0.8	43.3
*Foreign exchange contracts:*
Foreign currency swaps	4,553.9	5,253.2
*Equity contracts:*
Options	997.5	818.2
Futures	—	84.6
*Credit contracts:*
Credit default swaps	1,482.4	1,586.4
*Other contracts:*
Embedded derivative financial instruments	3,478.2	2,838.6
Commodity swaps	—	40.0
Total notional amounts at end of period	$ 30,884.3	$ 30,195.3

Credit exposure of derivative instruments
*Interest rate contracts:*
Interest rate swaps	$ 607.1	$ 578.9
Interest rate collars	1.7	—
Swaptions	0.1	—
*Foreign exchange contracts:*
Foreign currency swaps	471.8	578.7
*Equity contracts:*
Options	64.9	149.8
*Credit contracts:*
Credit default swaps	6.7	15.5
Total gross credit exposure	1,152.3	1,322.9
Less: collateral received	233.1	383.5
Net credit exposure	$ 919.2	$ 939.4

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

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


	Derivative assets (1)		Derivative liabilities (2)
	December 31, 2010	December 31, 2009	December 31, 2010	December 31, 2009
	(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate contracts	$ 66.6	$ 81.5	$ 405.4	$ 309.1
Foreign exchange contracts	390.8	444.4	142.5	240.6
Total derivatives designated as hedging
instruments	$ 457.4	$ 525.9	$ 547.9	$ 549.7

Derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments
Interest rate contracts	$ 488.4	$ 433.4	$ 459.5	$ 336.8
Foreign exchange contracts	41.1	88.0	60.3	72.2
Equity contracts	64.9	149.8	31.7	—
Credit contracts	6.7	15.5	171.7	84.0
Other contracts	—	—	131.8	121.7
Total derivatives not designated as hedging
instruments	$ 601.1	$ 686.7	$ 855.0	$ 614.7

Total derivative instruments	$ 1,058.5	$ 1,212.6	$ 1,402.9	$ 1,164.4


(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 derivative liabilities with a net (asset)
	liability fair value of $(7.4) million and $17.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are reported with
	contractholder funds on the consolidated statements of financial position.

Credit Derivatives Sold

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

	These credit derivative transactions are subject to events of default defined within the terms of the contract, which
normally consist of bankruptcy, failure to pay, or modified restructuring of the reference entity and/or issue. If a default event
occurs for a reference name or security, we are obligated to pay the counterparty an amount equal to the notional amount of the
credit derivative transaction. As a result, our maximum future payment is equal to the notional amount of the credit derivative. In
certain cases, we also have purchased credit protection with identical underlyings to certain of our sold protection transactions.
The effect of this purchased protection would reduce our total maximum future payments by $10.0 million and $47.0 million as
of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These credit derivative transactions had a net asset (liability) fair value of $(0.8)
million and $2.4 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our potential loss could also be reduced by any
amount recovered in the default proceedings of the underlying credit name.

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

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

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, 2010
				Weighted
			Maximum	average
	Notional	Fair	future	expected life
	amount	value	payments	(in years)
		(in millions)
Single name credit default swaps
Corporate debt
AA	$ 135.0	$ (0.5)	$ 135.0	3.9
A	564.0	0.9	564.0	2.9
BBB	150.0	0.3	150.0	1.1
Structured finance
B	25.9	(20.0)	25.9	5.9
CCC	22.0	(18.4)	22.0	9.4
Total single name credit default swaps	896.9	(37.7)	896.9	3.0

Basket and index credit default swaps
Corporate debt
A	6.0	—	6.0	1.0
CCC (1)	125.0	(103.0)	125.0	6.2
CC	15.0	(8.5)	15.0	2.0
Government/municipalities
A	40.0	(11.2)	40.0	5.4
Structured finance
AA	20.0	(2.0)	20.0	4.4
BBB	5.0	(0.3)	5.0	14.9
Total basket and index credit default swaps	211.0	(125.0)	211.0	5.6
Total credit default swap protection sold	$ 1,107.9	$ (162.7)	$ 1,107.9	3.5


(1)	The increase from December 31, 2009, resulted from the consolidation of additional collateralized private investment
	vehicles due to our implementation of new authoritative guidance related to the accounting for VIEs effective January 1,
	2010.


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

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)
	December 31, 2009
				Weighted
			Maximum	average
	Notional	Fair	future	expected life
	amount	value	payments	(in years)
		(in millions)
Single name credit default swaps
Corporate debt
AA	$ 135.0	$ (0.6)	$ 135.0	4.9
A	609.0	1.2	609.0	3.6
BBB	220.0	0.2	220.0	1.8
BB	10.0	—	10.0	0.8
Structured finance
AA	9.9	(6.0)	9.9	2.5
BBB	16.0	(15.2)	16.0	9.6
CCC	22.0	(20.2)	22.0	10.4
Total single name credit default swaps	1,021.9	(40.6)	1,021.9	3.6

Basket and index credit default swaps
Corporate debt
A	6.0	(0.1)	6.0	2.0
BBB	20.0	—	20.0	0.5
CCC	15.0	(11.9)	15.0	3.0
Government/municipalities
A	50.0	(9.3)	50.0	5.1
Structured finance
AA	20.0	(5.9)	20.0	5.4
BBB	5.0	(1.2)	5.0	15.9
Total basket and index credit default swaps	116.0	(28.4)	116.0	4.4
Total credit default swap protection sold	$ 1,137.9 $	(69.0)	$ 1,137.9	3.6

We also have invested in fixed maturities classified as available-for-sale that contain credit default swaps that do not

require bifurcation and fixed maturities classified as trading that contain credit default swaps. These securities are subject to the

credit risk of the issuer, normally a special purpose vehicle, which consists of the underlying credit default swaps and high

quality fixed maturities that serve as collateral. A default event occurs if the cumulative losses exceed a specified attachment

point, which is typically not the first loss of the portfolio. If a default event occurs that exceeds the specified attachment point,

our investment may not be fully returned. We would have no future potential payments under these investments. The following

tables show, by the types of referenced/underlying asset class and external rating, our fixed maturities with embedded credit

derivatives.


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

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)
		December 31, 2010
				Weighted
				average
		Amortized	Carrying	expected life
		cost	value	(in years)
		(in millions)
Corporate debt
BB		$ 18.1	$18.1	6.0
CCC		50.0	46.2	2.1
CC		12.1	1.6	4.9
Total corporate debt		80.2	65.9	3.4
Structured finance
AA		5.2	5.2	5.8
BBB		26.8	23.1	5.5
BB		15.5	15.0	3.7
B		10.5	10.5	6.4
CCC		9.2	8.7	5.9
C		13.5	5.8	12.8
Total structured finance		80.7	68.3	6.6
Total fixed maturities with credit derivatives		$ 160.9	$ 134.2	5.0

		December 31, 2009
				Weighted
				average
		Amortized	Carrying	expected life
		cost	value	(in years)
		(in millions)
Corporate debt
AA		$ 15.0	$ 14.3	0.7
A		15.0	14.6	0.3
BBB		5.0	4.9	0.3
BB		35.0	29.1	5.1
CCC		51.4	43.8	4.5
C		22.7	6.5	6.6
Total corporate debt		144.1	113.2	4.3
Structured finance
AA		9.5	5.6	9.1
A		7.0	5.0	6.8
BBB		41.1	23.2	6.8
BB		32.6	17.4	7.3
B		7.4	3.1	7.3
CCC		16.1	5.7	19.4
CC		18.0	0.8	7.8
C		10.8	3.3	12.9
Total structured finance		142.5	64.1	11.2
Total fixed maturities with credit derivatives		$ 286.6	$ 177.3	8.3

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

Fair Value Hedges

We use fixed-to-floating rate interest rate swaps to more closely align the interest rate characteristics of certain assets

and liabilities. In general, these swaps are used in asset and liability management to modify duration, which is a measure of

sensitivity to interest rate changes.

We enter into currency exchange swap agreements to convert certain foreign denominated assets and liabilities into

U.S. dollar floating-rate denominated instruments to eliminate the exposure to future currency volatility on those items.

We also sell callable investment-type insurance contracts and use cancellable interest rate swaps and have written

interest rate swaptions to hedge the changes in fair value of the callable feature.

The net interest effect of interest rate swap and currency swap transactions for derivatives in fair value hedges is

recorded as an adjustment to income or expense of the underlying hedged item in our consolidated statements of operations.

Hedge effectiveness testing for fair value relationships is performed utilizing a regression analysis approach for both

prospective and retrospective evaluations. This regression analysis will consider multiple data points for the assessment that the

hedge continues to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value. In certain periods, the comparison of the

change in value of the derivative and the change in the value of the hedged item may not be offsetting at a specific period in time

due to small movements in value. However, any amounts recorded as fair value hedges have shown to be highly effective in

achieving offsetting changes in fair value both for present and future periods.

The following table shows the effect of derivatives in fair value hedging relationships and the related hedged items on

the consolidated statements of operations. All gains or losses on derivatives were included in the assessment of hedge

effectiveness.


	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in net income				Amount of gain (loss) recognized in net
Derivatives in fair	on derivatives for the year				income on related hedged item for the year
value hedging	ended December 31, (1)			Hedged items in fair value	ended December 31, (1)
relationships	2010	2009	2008	hedging relationships	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)				(in millions)
Interest rate				Fixed maturities,
contracts	$ (100.2)	$ 308.6	$ (532.2)	available-for-sale	$ 106.4	$ (264.0) $	510.8
Interest rate				Investment-type
contracts	(19.2)	(30.8)	47.8	insurance contracts	20.6	46.9	(68.1)
Foreign
exchange				Fixed maturities,
contracts	6.9	4.8	(0.1)	available-for-sale	(5.6)	(6.0)	0.6
Foreign
exchange				Investment-type
contracts	(23.3)	82.4	(199.8)	insurance contracts	18.1	(86.2)	214.4
Total	$ (135.8)	$ 365.0	$ (684.3)	Total	$ 139.5	$ (309.3)	$ 657.7

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

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

(1) The gain (loss) on both derivatives and hedged items in fair value relationships is reported in net realized capital gains

(losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. The net amount represents the ineffective portion of our fair value

hedges.

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

value hedging relationships.


	Amount of gain (loss) for the year ended December 31,
Hedged Item	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)	$ (161.9) $	(143.5) $	(63.4)
Investment-type insurance contracts (2)	76.3	106.2	64.8


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

Cash Flow Hedges

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

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

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

	The maximum length of time that we are hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted
transactions, excluding those related to the payments of variable interest on existing financial assets and liabilities, is 9.5 years.
At December 31, 2010, we had $65.8 million of gross unrealized gains reported in AOCI on the consolidated statements of
financial position related to active hedges of forecasted transactions. If a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable of
occurring, cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued. If it is probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the
deferred gain or loss is immediately reclassified from OCI into net income. No amounts were reclassified from AOCI into net
realized capital gains (losses) as a result of the determination that hedged cash flows were probable of not occurring during the
years ended December 31, 2010 and 2008. During the year ended December 31, 2009, $40.4 million of gross unrealized losses
were reclassified from AOCI into net realized capital gains (losses) as a result of the determination that hedged cash flows of a
forecasted liability issuance were probable of not occurring.

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

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

The following table shows the effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of

operations and consolidated statements of financial position. All gains or losses on derivatives were included in the assessment

of hedge effectiveness.


		Amount of gain (loss) recognized in				Amount of gain (loss) reclassified
Derivatives in		AOCI on derivatives (effective			Location of gain (loss)	from AOCI on derivatives
cash flow		portion) for the year ended			reclassified from AOCI	(effective portion) for the year
hedging			December 31,		into net income	ended December 31,
relationships	Related hedged item	2010	2009	2008	(effective portion)	2010	2009	2008
			(in millions)				(in millions)
Interest rate	Fixed maturities,				Net investment
contracts	available-for-sale	$ (18.0)	$ (124.4) $	206.7	income	$ 7.1	$ 4.8	$ 3.6
					Benefits, claims and
Interest rate	Investment-type				settlement
contracts	insurance contracts	18.4	112.3	(38.1)	expenses	(1.0)	(1.0)	(0.3)
Foreign
exchange	Fixed maturities,				Net investment
contracts	available-for-sale	136.7	(216.8)	234.6	income	—	—	—
Foreign					Benefits, claims and
exchange	Investment-type				settlement
contracts	insurance contracts	(76.5)	167.4	(316.0)	expenses	(6.1)	(5.6)	1.0
					Net realized capital
					gains (losses)	(0.1)	22.8	(4.0)
Total		$ 60.6	$ (61.5) $	87.2	Total	$ (0.1)	$ 21.0	$ 0.3

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

flow hedging relationships.


	Amount of gain (loss) for the year ended December 31,
Hedged Item	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale (1)	$ 11.1 $	16.9 $		8.0
Investment-type insurance contracts (2)	(12.5)	(20.0)		(2.7)


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

	The ineffective portion of our cash flow hedges is reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated
statements of operations. The net loss resulting from the ineffective portion of interest rate contracts in cash flow hedging
relationships was zero for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, and $1.8 million for the year ended December 31,
2008. The net gain resulting from the ineffective portion of foreign currency contracts in cash flow hedging relationships was
$0.9 million, $2.2 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

	We expect to reclassify net gains of $31.1 million from AOCI into net income in the next 12 months, which includes
both net deferred gains on discontinued hedges and net deferred losses on periodic settlements of active hedges. Actual amounts
may vary from this amount as a result of market conditions.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

6. Derivative Financial Instruments — (continued)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Our use of futures, certain swaptions and swaps, collars and options are effective from an economic standpoint, but

they have not been designated as hedges for financial reporting purposes. As such, periodic changes in the market value of these

instruments, which includes mark-to-market gains and losses as well as periodic and final settlements, flow directly into net

realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations.

The following tables show the effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, including market value

changes of embedded derivatives that have been bifurcated from the host contract, on the consolidated statements of operations.


	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in net income on derivatives for the year
	ended December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Interest rate contracts	$ 45.3	$ (58.8)	$ 90.4
Foreign exchange contracts	(79.6)	68.3	(128.3)
Equity contracts	(24.0)	(107.7)	86.3
Credit contracts	5.3	61.7	(102.0)
Other contracts (1)	(1.2)	7.8	(43.2)
Total	$ (54.2)	$ (28.7)	$ (96.8)

(1) Primarily includes the change in fair value of embedded derivatives.

7. Closed Block

In connection with the 1998 MIHC formation, we formed a Closed Block to provide reasonable assurance to

policyholders included therein that, after the formation of the MIHC, assets would be available to maintain dividends in

aggregate in accordance with the 1997 policy dividend scales, if the experience underlying such scales continued. Certain of our

assets were allocated to the Closed Block in an amount that produces cash flows which, together with anticipated revenue from

policies and contracts included in the Closed Block, were expected to be sufficient to support the Closed Block policies,

including, but not limited to, provisions for payment of claims, certain expenses, charges and taxes, and to provide for

continuation of policy and contract dividends in aggregate in accordance with the 1997 dividend scales, if the experience

underlying such scales continues, and to allow for appropriate adjustments in such scales, if such experience changes. Due to

adjustable life policies being included in the Closed Block, the Closed Block is charged with amounts necessary to properly fund

for certain adjustments, such as face amount and premium increases, that are made to these policies after the Closed Block

inception date. These amounts are referred to as Funding Adjustment Charges and are treated as capital transfers from the

Closed Block.

Assets allocated to the Closed Block inure solely to the benefit of the holders of policies included in the Closed Block.

Closed Block assets and liabilities are carried on the same basis as other similar assets and liabilities. We will continue to pay

guaranteed benefits under all policies, including the policies within the Closed Block, in accordance with their terms. If the

assets allocated to the Closed Block, the investment cash flows from those assets and the revenues from the policies included in

the Closed Block, including investment income thereon, prove to be insufficient to pay the benefits guaranteed under the policies

included in the Closed Block, we will be required to make such payments from their general funds. No additional policies were

added to the Closed Block, nor was the Closed Block affected in any other way, as a result of the demutualization.

A policyholder dividend obligation (“PDO”) is required to be established for earnings in the Closed Block that are not

available to PFG stockholders. A model of the Closed Block was established to produce the pattern of expected earnings in the

Closed Block, adjusted to eliminate the impact of related amounts in AOCI.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

7. Closed Block — (continued)

If actual cumulative earnings of the Closed Block are greater than the expected cumulative earnings of the Closed

Block, only the expected cumulative earnings will be recognized in income with the excess recorded as a PDO. This PDO

represents undistributed accumulated earnings that will be paid to Closed Block policyholders as additional policyholder

dividends unless offset by future performance of the Closed Block that is less favorable than originally expected. If actual

cumulative performance is less favorable than expected, only actual earnings will be recognized in income. At December 31,

2010 and 2009, cumulative actual earnings have been less than cumulative expected earnings. Additionally, cumulative net

unrealized gains were not greater than expected. Therefore, we had no PDO liability as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.


Closed Block liabilities and assets designated to the Closed Block were as follows:
	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Closed Block liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	$ 5,003.1	$ 5,172.9
Other policyholder funds	21.7	23.9
Policyholder dividends payable	294.2	308.9
Other liabilities	79.2	14.7
Total Closed Block liabilities	5,398.2	5,520.4
Assets designated to the Closed Block
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	2,833.7	2,748.6
Fixed maturities, trading	29.5	31.0
Equity securities, available-for-sale	11.2	14.4
Mortgage loans	677.9	591.8
Policy loans	725.4	747.2
Other investments	163.5	157.5
Total investments	4,441.2	4,290.5
Cash and cash equivalents	—	33.6
Accrued investment income	64.3	69.2
Premiums due and other receivables	17.9	18.7
Deferred income tax asset	60.2	133.3
Total assets designated to the Closed Block	4,583.6	4,545.3
Excess of Closed Block liabilities over assets designated to the Closed Block	814.6	975.1
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	33.0	(61.6)
Maximum future earnings to be recognized from Closed Block assets and liabilities	$ 847.6	$ 913.5


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

7. Closed Block — (continued)

Closed Block revenues and expenses were as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Revenues
Premiums and other considerations	$ 459.3	$ 508.6	$ 550.4
Net investment income	257.6	268.6	280.9
Net realized capital gains (losses)	1.8	(23.5)	(12.7)
Total revenues	718.7	753.7	818.6
Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	385.5	422.1	467.6
Dividends to policyholders	215.1	235.9	261.8
Operating expenses	6.4	6.8	7.4
Total expenses	607.0	664.8	736.8
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses, before income taxes	111.7	88.9	81.8
Income taxes	36.2	28.1	25.6
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses and income taxes	75.5	60.8	56.2
Funding adjustment charges	(9.6)	(6.6)	(8.5)
Closed Block revenues, net of Closed Block expenses, income taxes and funding
adjustment charges	$ 65.9	$ 54.2	$ 47.7

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


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Beginning of year	$ 913.5	$ 967.7	$ 1,015.4
End of year	847.6	913.5	967.7
Change in maximum future earnings	$ (65.9)	$ (54.2)	$ (47.7)

We charge the Closed Block with federal income taxes, payroll taxes, state and local premium taxes and other state or

local taxes, licenses and fees as provided in the plan of reorganization.


8. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized were as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year	$ 3,454.8	$ 3,970.1	$ 2,626.7
Cost deferred during the year	461.1	454.3	637.9
Amortized to expense during the year (1)	(201.6)	(93.9)	(375.0)
Adjustment related to unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities
and derivative instruments	(455.5)	(875.7)	1,080.5
Balance at end of year	$ 3,258.8	$ 3,454.8	$ 3,970.1

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

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

9. Insurance Liabilities

Contractholder Funds

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

follows:


	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Liabilities for investment-type insurance contracts:
GICs	$ 10,013.6	$ 10,839.2
Funding agreements	10,226.9	12,511.2
Other investment-type insurance contracts	758.6	891.4
Total liabilities for investment-type insurance contracts	20,999.1	24,241.8
Liabilities for individual annuities	11,718.7	11,428.4
Universal life and other reserves	4,374.3	4,094.5
Total contractholder funds	$ 37,092.1	$ 39,764.7

Our GICs and funding agreements contain provisions limiting or prohibiting early surrenders, which typically include

penalties for early surrenders, minimum notice requirements or, in the case of funding agreements with survivor options,

minimum pre-death holding periods and specific maximum amounts.

Funding agreements include those issued directly to nonqualified institutional investors, as well as to four 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 are authorized to issue up to $4.0 billion of funding agreements under a program established in 1998 to support the

prospective issuance of medium term notes by an unaffiliated entity in non-U.S. markets. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009,

$2,055.4 million and $2,502.2 million, respectively, of liabilities are outstanding with respect to the issuance outstanding under

this program. We do not anticipate any new issuance activity under this program as we are authorized to issue up to Euro

4.0 billion (approximately USD$5.3 billion) of funding agreements under a program established in 2006 to support the

prospective issuance of medium term notes by an unaffiliated entity in non-U.S. markets. The unaffiliated entity is an

unconsolidated special purpose vehicle. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $1,340.0 million and $1,404.2 million,

respectively, of liabilities are outstanding with respect to the issuances outstanding under this program.

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 qualifying special purpose entity. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $2,224.7

million and $2,474.0 million, respectively, of liabilities are being held with respect to the issuance 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 SEC-registered program described in the following paragraph.

We were authorized to issue up to $4.0 billion of funding agreements under a program established in March 2004 to

support the prospective issuance of medium term notes by unaffiliated entities in both domestic and international markets. In

February 2006, this program was amended to authorize issuance of up to an additional $5.0 billion in recognition of the use of

nearly all $4.0 billion of initial issuance authorization. In recognition of the use of nearly all $9.0 billion, this program was

amended in November 2007 to authorize issuance of up to an additional $5.0 billion. Under this program, both the notes and the

supporting funding agreements are registered with the SEC. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $3,597.8 million and

$5,122.4 million, respectively, of liabilities are being held with respect to the issuance outstanding under this program. In

contrast with direct funding agreements, GIC issuances and the other three funding agreement-backed medium term note

programs described above, our payment obligations on each funding agreement issued under this SEC-registered program are

guaranteed by PFG.

Due to a downturn in the credit market, we reduced the amount of medium term note issuances in 2008 and had no

issuances in 2009 and 2010. As economic conditions change, we will reassess the issuance of funding agreements to these

medium term note programs.

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

9. Insurance Liabilities — (continued)


Future Policy Benefits and Claims

Activity associated with unpaid disability and health claims is summarized as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,025.6	$ 991.8	$ 964.3
Incurred:
Current year	1,611.9	1,888.3	1,994.5
Prior years	11.1	(33.4)	(56.7)
Total incurred	1,623.0	1,854.9	1,937.8
Payments:
Current year	1,269.4	1,507.1	1,588.6
Prior years	317.4	314.0	321.7
Total payments	1,586.8	1,821.1	1,910.3
Balance at end of year:
Current year	342.5	381.2	405.9
Prior years	719.3	644.4	585.9
Total balance at end of year	$ 1,061.8	$ 1,025.6	$ 991.8

Supplemental information:
Claim adjustment expense liabilities	$ 42.7	$ 40.7	$ 39.1
Reinsurance recoverables	1.6	3.7	4.3

Incurred liability adjustments relating to prior years, which affected current operations during 2010, 2009 and 2008,

resulted in part from developed claims for prior years being different than were anticipated when the liabilities for unpaid

disability and health claims were originally estimated. These trends have been considered in establishing the current year

liability for unpaid disability and health claims.

10. Debt

Short-Term Debt

As of both December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had credit facilities with various financial institutions in an aggregate

amount of $644.0 million. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had $294.4 million and $312.1 million, respectively, of

outstanding borrowings related to our credit facilities, which consisted of a payable to PFSI, with zero assets pledged as support

as of December 31, 2010. Interest paid on intercompany debt was $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $8.3 million during 2010, 2009

and 2008.

The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings as of both December 31, 2010 and 2009, was 0.4%.

Long-Term Debt

The components of long-term debt were as follows:


	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
8% surplus notes payable, due 2044	$ 99.3	$ 99.2
Other mortgages and notes payable	21.1	21.6
Total long-term debt	$ 120.4	$ 120.8

The amounts included above are net of the discount and premium associated with issuing these notes, which are being

amortized to expense over their respective terms using the interest method.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

10. Debt — (continued)

On March 10, 1994, we issued $100.0 million of surplus notes due March 1, 2044, at an 8% annual interest rate. None

of our affiliates hold any portion of the notes. Each payment of interest and principal on the notes, however, may be made only

with the prior approval of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Iowa (the “Commissioner”) and only to the extent that

we have sufficient surplus earnings to make such payments. Interest of $8.0 million for each of the years ended December 31,

2010, 2009 and 2008 was approved by the Commissioner, and charged to expense.

Subject to Commissioner approval, the notes due March 1, 2044, may be redeemed at our election on or after March 1,

2014, in whole or in part at a redemption price of approximately 102.3% of par. The approximate 2.3% premium is scheduled to

gradually diminish over the following ten years. These notes may be redeemed on or after March 1, 2024, at a redemption price

of 100% of the principal amount plus interest accrued to the date of redemption.

The non-recourse mortgages, other mortgages and notes payable are primarily financings for real estate developments.

Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2010, ranged from $5.8 million to $8.9 million per development with interest

rates generally ranging from 5.5% to 5.8%. Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 2009, ranged from $5.9 million

to $9.1 million per development with interest rates generally ranging from 5.5% to 5.8%. Outstanding debt is secured by the

underlying real estate properties, which were reported as real estate on our consolidated statements of financial position with a

carrying value of $29.6 million and $30.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

At December 31, 2010, future annual maturities of the long-term debt were as follows (in millions):


Year ending December 31:
2011	$ 0.4
2012	0.4
2013	8.8
2014	6.0
2015	—
Thereafter	104.8
Total future maturities of the long-term debt	$ 120.4

11. Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense (benefit) was as follows:


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Current income taxes:
U.S. federal	$ 120.0	$ 140.4	$ 116.0
State and foreign	15.8	10.3	34.7
Total current income taxes	135.8	150.7	150.7
Deferred income taxes	(15.4)	(25.9)	(106.4)
Total income taxes	$ 120.4	$ 124.8	$ 44.3

Effective Income Tax Rate

Our provision for income taxes may not have the customary relationship of taxes to income. A reconciliation between

the U.S. corporate income tax rate and the effective income tax rate is as follows:


	For the year ended
	December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
U.S. corporate income tax rate	35%	35%	35%
Dividends received deduction	(14)	(11)	(19)
Interest exclusion from taxable income	(4)	(4)	(6)
Other	2	(1)	—
Effective income tax rate	19%	19%	10%

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

11. Income Taxes — (continued)

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A summary of the changes in unrecognized tax benefits follows.


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Balance at beginning of year	$ 52.6	$ 62.9
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	1.6	1.6
Additions for tax positions of prior years	1.2	0.3
Reductions for tax positions related to the current year	(2.4)	(7.1)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—	(1.6)
Settlements	—	(3.5)
Balance at end of year (1)	$ 53.0	$ 52.6


(1)	Of this amount, $20.5 million, if recognized, would reduce the 2010 effective income tax rate. We recognize interest and
	penalties related to uncertain tax positions in operating expenses.

	As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had recognized $23.4 million and $22.5 million of accumulated pre-tax interest
and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, respectively.


Net Deferred Income Taxes

Significant components of our net deferred income taxes were as follows:
	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Deferred income tax assets:
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	$ —	$ 375.4
Insurance liabilities	337.1	344.6
Net operating and capital loss carryforwards	312.8	344.7
Postretirement benefits	320.9	327.0
Stock-based compensation	59.2	51.7
Other deferred income tax assets	67.6	54.3
Gross deferred income tax assets	1,097.6	1,497.7
Valuation allowance	(0.6)	—
Total deferred income tax assets	1,097.0	1,497.7
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(1,012.7)	(924.0)
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities	(205.9)	—
Real estate	(115.6)	(103.5)
Intangible assets	(26.5)	(42.1)
Other deferred income tax liabilities	(4.1)	(40.9)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,364.8)	(1,110.5)
Total net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	$ (267.8)	$ 387.2


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

11. Income Taxes — (continued)

Net deferred income taxes by jurisdiction are as follows:

	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Deferred income tax assets:
U.S.	$ —	$ 392.1
Deferred income tax liabilities:
U.S.	(262.6)	—
State	(5.2)	(4.9)
Total net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	$ (267.8)	$ 387.2

No valuation allowance was provided on the deferred income tax asset attributable to the net unrealized losses on

available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2009. This deferred tax asset reversed during 2010 to a deferred tax liability

position attributable to the net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2010.

The total deferred income tax asset also includes capital and net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes available

to offset future capital gains and taxable income, respectively. The total capital loss carryforward, available to offset future

capital gains, was $209.1 million as of December 31, 2010. If not used, this remaining capital loss carryforward generated in

2009 will expire in 2014. Domestic state net operating loss carryforwards were $0.8 million as of December 31, 2010, and will

expire between 2017 and 2029. We maintain valuation allowances by jurisdiction against the deferred income tax assets related

to certain of these carryforwards, as utilization of these income tax benefits fail the more likely than not criteria in certain

jurisdictions. A valuation allowance has been recorded on income tax benefits associated with state net operating loss

carryforwards and foreign net operating loss carryforwards. Adjustments to the valuation allowance will be made if there is a

change in management’s assessment of the amount of the deferred income tax asset that is more likely than not to be realized.

Accumulated net operating losses of $640.8 million and $485.2 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively,

are attributed to captive reinsurance companies that are temporarily excluded from our consolidated U.S. federal income tax

return. These net operating losses will expire between 2021 and 2025. One of the captive reinsurance companies will be able to

join the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return in 2012, with the other in 2013. All accumulated net operating losses are

anticipated to be utilized before expiration. Therefore, no valuation allowance has been provided for the deferred income tax

assets attributable to these net operating losses.

Other Tax Information

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has completed examination of the consolidated federal income tax returns for

years prior to 2004. We are contesting certain issues and have filed suit in the Court of Federal Claims, requesting refunds for

the years 1995-2003. We are also litigating a partnership issue for the years 2002-2003 in the federal district court of Iowa.

We had $229.1 million and $241.0 million of current income tax receivables associated with outstanding audit issues

reported as other assets in our consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We do not expect the litigation to be resolved within the next twelve months.

The IRS commenced examination of the U.S. consolidated federal income tax returns for 2004-2005 in March 2007.

The fieldwork is substantially complete and the final report is expected to be received sometime in the first or second quarter of

2011. The statute of limitations for the 2004-2005 tax years expires on September 15, 2011. The IRS commenced examination

of the U.S. consolidated federal income tax returns for 2006-2007 in March 2009 and of the tax return for 2008 in January 2010.

We do not believe there is a reasonable possibility that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly

increase or decrease in the next twelve months. We believe that we have adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for,

the contested issues, but final resolution of the contested issues could take several years while legal remedies are pursued.

Consequently, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of issues from tax years 1995 - 2003 to have a material impact on our net

income. Similarly, we believe there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, any challenges that might arise in

tax years subsequent to 2003.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits

We have post-retirement benefit plans covering substantially all of our employees and certain agents, including

employees of other companies affiliated with our ultimate parent, PFG ("affiliated companies"). Actuarial information

regarding the status of the post-retirement benefit plans is calculated for the total plan only. The affiliated company portion of

the actuarial present value of the accumulated or projected benefit obligations, or net assets available for benefits, is not

separately determined. However, we are reimbursed for employee benefits related to the affiliated companies. The

reimbursement is not reflected in our employee and agent benefits disclosures.

We have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our employees and certain agents. Some of these

plans provide supplemental pension benefits to employees and agents with salaries and/or pension benefits in excess of the

qualified plan limits imposed by federal tax law. The employees and agents are generally first eligible for the pension plans

when they reach age 21. For plan participants employed prior to January 1, 2002, the pension benefits are based on the greater of

a final average pay benefit or a cash balance benefit. The final average pay benefit is based on the years of service and generally

the employee's or agent's average annual compensation during the last five years of employment. Partial benefit accrual of final

average pay benefits is recognized from first eligibility until retirement based on attained service divided by potential service to

age 65 with a minimum of 35 years of potential service. The cash balance portion of the plan started on January 1, 2002. An

employee's account is credited with an amount based on the employee's salary, age and service. These credits accrue with

interest. For plan participants hired on and after January 1, 2002, only the cash balance plan applies. Our policy is to fund the

cost of providing pension benefits in the years that the employees and agents are providing service to us. Our funding policy for

the qualified defined benefit plan is to contribute an amount annually at least equal to the minimum annual contribution required

under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), and, generally, not greater than the maximum amount that can

be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Our funding policy for the nonqualified benefit plan is to fund the plan in the years

that the employees are providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust. While we designate assets to cover

the computed liability of the nonqualified plan, the assets are not included as part of the asset balances presented in this footnote

as they do not qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

We also provide certain health care, life insurance and long-term care benefits for retired employees. Subsidized retiree

health benefits are provided for employees hired prior to January 1, 2002. Employees hired after December 31, 2001, have

access to retiree health benefits but it is intended that they pay for the full cost of the coverage. The health care plans are

contributory with participants' contributions adjusted annually. The contributions are based on the number of years of service

and age at retirement for those hired prior to January 1, 2002, who retired prior to January 1, 2011. For employees hired prior to

January 1, 2002, who retire on or after January 1, 2011, the contributions are 60% of the expected cost. As part of the substantive

plan, the retiree health contributions are assumed to be adjusted in the future as claim levels change. The life insurance plans are

contributory for a small group of previously grandfathered participants that have elected supplemental coverage and dependent

coverage.

Covered employees are first eligible for the health and life postretirement benefits when they reach age 57 and have

completed ten years of service with us. Retiree long-term care benefits are provided for employees whose retirement was

effective prior to July 1, 2000. Our policy is to fund the cost of providing retiree benefits in the years that the employees are

providing service, taking into account the funded status of the trust.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

Obligations and Funded Status

The plans' combined funded status, reconciled to amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial

position and consolidated statements of operations, was as follows:


			Other postretirement
	Pension benefits		benefits
	December 31,		December 31,
	2010	2009	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ (1,797.4)	$ (1,712.1)	$ (360.1)	$ (335.0)
Service cost	(45.6)	(51.4)	(8.8)	(11.3)
Interest cost	(105.7)	(100.8)	(18.1)	(19.7)
Actuarial gain (loss)	(59.6)	(26.8)	62.5	(2.8)
Participant contributions	—	—	(6.0)	(5.5)
Benefits paid	70.2	72.8	15.3	15.0
Amount recognized due to special events	—	—	(0.2)	—
Plan amendment	—	—	153.6	—
Other	4.3	20.9	(0.8)	(0.8)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$ (1,933.8)	$ (1,797.4)	$ (162.6)	$ (360.1)
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 1,250.3	$ 1,010.5	$ 421.5	$ 362.0
Actual return on plan assets	181.1	217.0	58.1	68.3
Employer contribution	56.5	95.6	1.4	0.7
Participant contributions	—	—	6.0	5.5
Benefits paid	(70.2)	(72.8)	(15.3)	(15.0)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 1,417.7	$ 1,250.3	$ 471.7	$ 421.5
Amount recognized in statement of financial position
Other assets	$ —	$ —	$ 309.4	$ 78.4
Other liabilities	(516.1)	(547.1)	(0.3)	(17.0)
Total	$ (516.1)	$ (547.1)	$ 309.1	$ 61.4
Amount recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
(income) loss
Total net actuarial loss	$ 469.7	$ 564.9	$ 10.2	$ 104.1
Prior service benefit	(41.6)	(52.7)	(148.8)	(6.8)
Pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	$ 428.1	$ 512.2	$ (138.6)	$ 97.3

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $1,811.7 million and $1,640.5 million at

December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Employer contributions to the pension plans include contributions made directly to the qualified pension plan assets

and contributions from corporate assets to pay nonqualified pension benefits. Benefits paid from the pension plans include both

qualified and nonqualified plan benefits. Nonqualified pension plan assets are not included as part of the asset balances

presented in this footnote. The nonqualified pension plan assets are held in Rabbi trusts for the benefit of all nonqualified plan

participants. The assets held in a Rabbi trust are available to satisfy the claims of general creditors only in the event of

bankruptcy. Therefore, these assets are fully consolidated in our consolidated statements of financial position and are not

reflected in our funded status as they do not qualify as plan assets under U.S. GAAP. The market value of assets held in these

trusts was $265.3 million and $245.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Pension Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

On January 1, 2010, benefits under the Principal Pension Plan are frozen for certain participants. This change was

recognized as a prior service cost and resulted in a decrease in liabilities as of December 31, 2009.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

For the year ended December 31, 2010, the pension plans had a loss primarily due to a decrease in the discount rate and

a change in the mortality assumption. The plans also had a gain resulting from asset returns greater than expected. The net result

was an actuarial gain for the year ended December 31, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the pension plans had an

actuarial loss primarily due to a greater than expected cost of living adjustment and greater number of early retirements.

Other Postretirement Plan Changes and Plan Gains/Losses

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Medicare

Modernization Act”) was signed into law. The Medicare Modernization Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under

Medicare (“Medicare Part D”) as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree medical benefit plans. During each of the years

ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Medicare subsidies we received and accrued for were $0.8 million.

An actuarial gain occurred during 2010 for the other postretirement benefit plans. This was due to a decrease in the

trend and claim cost assumptions and greater than expected increase in the medical premium equivalents. This was partially

offset by the decrease in the discount rate. An actuarial loss occurred during 2009 for the other postretirement benefit plans. This

was due to a less than expected increase in retiree contributions, an increase in assumed health care costs for our agents and an

increase in the trend assumption.

Impact of Amendment to Retiree Health Benefits

In September 2010, an amendment to retiree health benefits was announced. This amendment, which is effective for

individuals retiring on or after January 1, 2011, resulted in a plan remeasurement as of September 30, 2010. Under this

amendment, the company-paid subsidy for pre-Medicare-eligible coverage will be 40% and the cost of coverage for

Medicare-eligible retirees (or their dependents) will no longer be subsidized. Prior to amendment, the subsidy calculation was

complex and varied based on age and service with the company at the time of retirement. In addition to the changes for

individuals retiring on or after January 1, 2011, the plan was simplified to a single consolidated plan design, the coordination

with Medicare was changed for certain post-1984 retirees and the method for determining the premium equivalent rate was

changed to be based solely on retiree experience. For the remeasurement of the retiree health benefits as of September 30,

2010, the assumptions used were a 5.40% discount rate to determine the benefit obligation; a 7.25% weighted-average

expected long-term return on plan assets used to determine the net periodic benefit cost; and a health care cost initial trend

rate of 9.5% pre-Medicare and 9.0% post-Medicare, decreasing to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in the year 2022. The plan

amendment resulted in a $153.6 million reduction to the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30,

2010. The plan amendment and remeasurement resulted in a $14.0 million reduction in the 2010 net periodic postretirement

benefit cost, which was reflected in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Impact from Exit of Group Medical Insurance Business

On September 30, 2010, we announced our decision to exit the group medical insurance business and entered into an

agreement with United Healthcare Services, Inc. to renew medical insurance coverage for our customers as the business

transitions. Our exit from the group medical insurance business will result in a curtailment associated with the pension and

other postretirement benefits of the impacted employees. We have determined that the curtailment will result in a gain, which

will be recognized quarterly in our consolidated financial statements as impacted employees are terminated. In the fourth

quarter of 2010, the curtailment gain recognized was $0.9 million for the pension benefits and $2.6 million for the other

postretirement benefits from the accelerated recognition of the existing prior service benefits. Also in the fourth quarter of

2010, the recognition of terminations resulted in a $0.2 million increase in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

resulting from losses associated with individuals who were retirement eligible at termination exceeding the gains associated

with those individuals who were not retirement eligible at termination.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

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

For 2010 and 2009, both the qualified and nonqualified plans had accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan

assets. As noted previously, the nonqualified plans have assets that are deposited in trusts that fail to meet the U.S. GAAP

requirements to be included in plan assets; however, these assets are included in our consolidated statements of financial

position.


	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Projected benefit obligation	$ 1,933.8	$ 1,797.4
Accumulated benefit obligation	1,811.7	1,640.5
Fair value of plan assets	1,417.7	1,250.3

Information for Other Postretirement Benefit Plans with an Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation in Excess of

Plan Assets


					December 31,
					2010	2009
					(in millions)
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation					$ 1.5	$ 98.7
Fair value of plan assets					1.4	81.7

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
		Pension benefits		Other postretirement benefits
		For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008	2010	2009	2008
			(in millions)
Service cost	$ 45.6	$ 51.4	$ 62.0	$ 8.8	$ 11.3	$ 10.5
Interest cost	105.7	100.8	124.3	18.1	19.7	20.9
Expected return on plan assets	(98.4)	(79.5)	(162.8)	(30.6)	(25.9)	(46.9)
Amortization of prior service benefit	(10.1)	(7.7)	(9.6)	(9.1)	(2.1)	(3.1)
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss	67.6	92.6	1.5	4.1	9.3	(4.0)
Amount recognized due to special events	(0.9)	—	—	(2.6)	—	—
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ 109.5	$ 157.6	$ 15.4	$ (11.3)	$ 12.3	$ (22.6)

For 2008, 2009 and 2010, we used a December 31 measurement date in connection with our adoption of required

measurement date guidance. Net periodic benefit cost shown above for 2008 covers the period of 15 months from October 1,

2007, through December 31, 2008. Net periodic benefit cost for the period from October 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007, was

recognized as a direct adjustment to retained earnings during 2008 as required by the measurement date guidance. The

breakdown of 2008 net periodic benefit cost between the two periods was as follows:


	Pension benefits		Other postretirement benefits
	10/1/07-	1/1/08-		10/1/07-	1/1/08-
	12/31/07	12/31/08	Total	12/31/07	12/31/08	Total
			(in millions)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ 3.1	$ 12.3 $	15.4 $ (4.5) $ (18.1)			$ (22.6)

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

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

The pension plans' actuarial gains and losses are amortized using a straight-line amortization method over the average

remaining service period of plan participants. For the qualified pension plan, gains and losses are amortized without use of the

10% allowable corridor. For the nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans, the corridors allowed are

used.


			Other
			postretirement
	Pension benefits		benefits
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income)
loss
Net actuarial gain	$ (27.5)	$ (110.7)	$ (89.8)	$ (39.6)
Prior service benefit	—	(20.9)	(153.7)	—
Amortization of net loss	(67.6)	(92.6)	(4.1)	(9.3)
Amortization of prior service benefit	11.0	7.7	11.7	2.1
Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive income	$ (84.1)	$ (216.5)	$(235.9)	$ (46.8)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and pre-tax accumulated other
comprehensive (income) loss	$ 25.4	$ (58.9)	$(247.2)	$ (34.5)

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

The estimated net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost (benefit) that will be amortized from AOCI into net

periodic benefit cost for the pension benefits during the 2011 fiscal year are $62.8 million and $(9.8) million, respectively. The

estimated net actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost (benefit) for the postretirement benefits that will be amortized from

AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during the 2011 fiscal year are $0.4 million and $(29.7) million, respectively. The estimated

amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss does not reflect future curtailment recognition.

Assumptions

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

section


						Other postretirement
			Pension benefits			benefits
			For the year ended December 31,
			2010		2009	2010	2009
Discount rate			5.65%		6.00%	5.65%	6.00%
Rate of compensation increase			5.00%		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%

*Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost*
		Pension benefits		Other postretirement benefits
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008	2010		2009	2008
Discount rate	6.00%	6.00%	6.30%	6.00%		6.00%	6.30%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	8.00%	8.00%	8.25%	7.30%		7.30%	7.30%
Rate of compensation increase	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%		5.00%	5.00%

For the pension benefits, the expected return on plan assets is the long-term rate we expect to be earned based on the

plans’ investment strategy. Historical and expected future returns of multiple asset classes were analyzed to develop a risk free

rate of return and risk premiums for each asset class. The overall rate for each asset class was developed by combining a long-

term inflation component, the risk free real rate of return and the associated risk premium. A weighted average rate was

developed based on those overall rates and the target asset allocation of the plans.

For other postretirement benefits, the 7.3% expected long-term return on plan assets for 2010 is based on the weighted

average expected long-term asset returns for the medical, life and long-term care plans. The expected long-term rates for the

medical, life and long-term care plans are 7.25%, 7.75% and 5.85%, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates


	December 31,
	2010	2009
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year under age 65	9.5%	11.0%
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year age 65 and over	9.0%	10.5%
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)	5.0%	5.0%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate	2022	2021

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-

percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


	1-percentage-	1-percentage-
	point increase	point decrease
	(in millions)
Effect on total of service cost and interest cost components	$ 4.2 $	(3.4)
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	(9.4)	8.2

Pension Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets


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

•	Level 1 – Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Our Level 1 assets include
	cash, fixed income investment funds and exchange traded equity securities.
•	Level 2 – Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either
	directly or indirectly. Our Level 2 assets primarily include fixed income and equity investment funds.
•	Level 3 – Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset. Our Level 3 assets include a real estate
	investment fund and a general account investment of ours.

	Our pension plan assets consist of investments in separate accounts. Net asset value (“NAV”) of the separate accounts
is calculated in a manner consistent with U.S. GAAP for investment companies and is determinative of their fair value. Several
of the separate accounts invest in publicly quoted mutual funds or actively managed stocks. The fair value of the underlying
mutual funds or stock is used to determine the NAV of the separate account, which is not publicly quoted. Some of the separate
accounts also invest in fixed income securities. The fair value of the underlying securities is based on quoted prices of similar
assets and used to determine the NAV of the separate account. One separate account invests in real estate, for which the fair
value of the underlying real estate is based on unobservable inputs and used to determine the NAV of the separate account. The
fair value of the underlying real estate is estimated using discounted cash flow valuation models that utilize public real estate
market data inputs such as transaction prices, market rents, vacancy levels, leasing absorption, market cap rates and discount
rates. In addition, each property is appraised annually by an independent appraiser.

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

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

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

Pension Plan Assets

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

follows:


		As of December 31, 2010
Assets /
	(liabilities)	Fair value hierarchy level
measured at fair
	value	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
U.S. large cap equity portfolios (1)	$ 580.9	$ —		$ 580.9	$ —
U.S. small/mid cap equity portfolios (2)	143.5	—		143.5	—
International equity portfolios (3)	241.7	—		241.7	—
Fixed income security portfolios (4)	331.5	—		331.5	—
Real estate investment portfolios:
Real estate investment trusts (5)	35.4	—		35.4	—
Direct real estate investments (6)	84.7	—		—	84.7
Total	$ 1,417.7	$ —		$ 1,333.0	$ 84.7

		As of December 31, 2009
Assets /
	(liabilities)		Fair value hierarchy level
measured at fair
	value	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
U.S. large cap equity portfolios (1)	$ 555.5	$ —	$ 555.5 $		—
U.S. small/mid cap equity portfolios (2)	103.6	—		103.6	—
International equity portfolios (3)	215.5	—		215.5	—
Fixed income security portfolios (4)	288.3	—		288.3	—
Real estate investment portfolios:
Real estate investment trusts (5)	33.4	—		33.4	—
Direct real estate investments (6)	54.0	—		—	54.0
Total	$ 1,250.3	$ —	$ 1,196.3 $		54.0


(1)	The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of large U.S. companies.
(2)	The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of mid-sized and small U.S. companies.
(3)	The portfolios invest primarily in publicly traded equity securities of non-U.S. companies.
(4)	The portfolios invest in various fixed income securities, primarily of U.S. origin. These include, but are not limited to,
	corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities,
	agency securities, asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.
(5)	The portfolio invests primarily in publicly traded securities of U.S. equity real estate investment trusts.
(6)	The portfolio invests primarily in U.S. commercial real estate properties.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

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


		For the year ended December 31, 2010
		Actual return gains (losses) on
	Beginning	plan assets				Ending
	asset	Relating to				asset
	balance as	assets still	Relating to			balance
	of	held at the	assets sold	Purchases,	Transfers	as of
	December	reporting	during the	sales and	in (out) of	December
	31, 2009	date	period	settlements	Level 3	31, 2010
			(in millions)
Asset category
Direct real estate investments	$ 54.0	$ 10.7	$ —	$ 20.0	$ —	$ 84.7
Total	$ 54.0	$ 10.7	$ —	$ 20.0	$ —	$ 84.7

		For the year ended December 31, 2009
		Actual return gains (losses) on
		plan assets				Ending
	Beginning	Relating to				asset
	asset	assets still	Relating to			balance
	balance as	held at the	assets sold	Purchases,	Transfers	as of
	of January	reporting	during the	sales and	in (out) of	December
	1, 2009	date	period	settlements	Level 3	31, 2009
			(in millions)
Asset category
Direct real estate investments	$ 78.8	$ (24.8)	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ 54.0
Total	$ 78.8	$ (24.8)	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ 54.0


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

•	Obtain a reasonable long-term return consistent with the level of risk assumed and at a cost of operation within
	prudent levels. Performance benchmarks are monitored.
•	Ensure sufficient liquidity to meet the emerging benefit liabilities for the plan.
•	Provide for diversification of assets in an effort to avoid the risk of large losses and maximize the investment
	return to the pension plan consistent with market and economic risk.

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

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


Asset category	Target allocation
U.S. equity portfolios	35% - 60%
International equity portfolios	5% - 20%
Fixed income security portfolios	20% - 37%
Real estate investment portfolios	3% - 10%

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets

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

is as follows:


		As of December 31, 2010
	Assets /
	(liabilities)	Fair value hierarchy level
	measured at fair
	value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1.3	$ 1.3	$ —	$ —
Fixed income security portfolios:
Fixed income investment funds (1)	143.5	143.5	—	—
Principal Life general account investment (2)	44.5	—	—	44.5
U.S. equity portfolios (3)	232.2	190.0	42.2	—
International equity portfolios (4)	50.2	38.3	11.9	—
Total	$ 471.7	$ 373.1	$ 54.1	$ 44.5

		As of December 31, 2009
	Assets /
	(liabilities)	Fair value hierarchy level
	measured at fair
	value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
		(in millions)
Asset category
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1.0	$ 1.0	$ —	$ —
Fixed income security portfolios:
Fixed income investment funds (1)	131.1	131.1	—	—
Principal Life general account investment (2)	45.5	—	—	45.5
U.S. equity portfolios (3)	198.9	162.5	36.4	—
International equity portfolios (4)	45.0	34.3	10.7	—
Total	$ 421.5	$ 328.9	$ 47.1	$ 45.5


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

	As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, $54.1 million and $47.1 million of assets in the U.S. equity and
international equity portfolios were included in a trust owned life insurance contract.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

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


	For the year ended December 31, 2010
		Actual return gains (losses) on
	Beginning	plan assets				Ending
	asset	Relating to				asset
	balance as	assets still	Relating to			balance
	of	held at the	assets sold	Purchases,	Transfers	as of
	December	reporting	during the	sales and	in (out) of	December
	31, 2009	date	period	settlements	Level 3	31, 2010
			(in millions)
Asset category
Principal Life general account investment	$ 45.5	$ 4.3 $	—	$ (5.3)	$ —	$ 44.5
Total	$ 45.5	$ 4.3 $	—	$ (5.3)	$ —	$ 44.5

	For the year ended December 31, 2009
		Actual return gains (losses) on
		plan assets				Ending
	Beginning	Relating to				asset
	asset	assets still	Relating to			balance
	balance as	held at the	assets sold	Purchases,	Transfers	as of
	of January	reporting	during the	sales and	in (out) of	December
	1, 2009	date	period	settlements	Level 3	31, 2009
			(in millions)
Asset category
Principal Life general account investment	$ 54.9	$ (1.3) $	—	$ (8.1)	$ —	$ 45.5
Total	$ 54.9	$ (1.3) $	—	$ (8.1)	$ —	$ 45.5

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


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

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

qualified pension plan.

Contributions

Our funding policy for the qualified pension plan is to fund the plan annually in an amount at least equal to the

minimum annual contribution required under ERISA and, generally, not greater than the maximum amount that can be deducted

for federal income tax purposes. We do not anticipate contributions will be needed to satisfy the minimum funding requirements

of ERISA for our qualified plan. At this time, it is too early to estimate the amount that may be contributed, but it is possible that

we may fund the plans in 2011 in the range of $60-$90 million. This includes funding for both our qualified and nonqualified

pension plans. While we designate assets to cover the computed liability of the nonqualified plan, the assets are not included as

part of the asset balances presented in this footnote as they do not qualify as plan assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We may

contribute to our other postretirement benefit plans in 2011 pending future analysis.

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

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, and the expected amount of subsidy

receipts under Medicare Part D are:


		Other postretirement benefits
		(gross benefit payments,
		including prescription drug	Amount of Medicare Part D
	Pension benefits	benefits)	subsidy receipts
		(in millions)
Year ending December 31:
2011	$ 76.9	$ 19.3	$ 0.9
2012	81.6	20.2	1.0
2013	86.5	21.3	1.1
2014	91.0	22.4	1.2
2015	95.2	23.4	1.3
2016-2020	567.0	126.8	6.9

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, 2010.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

12. Employee and Agent Benefits — (continued)

The information that follows shows supplemental information for our defined benefit pension plans. Certain key

summary data is shown separately for qualified and nonqualified plans.


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010				2009
	Qualified	Nonqualified		Qualified	Nonqualified
	plan	plans	Total	plan	plans	Total
			(in millions)
Amount recognized in statement of financial position
Other assets	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ —	$ —
Other liabilities	(210.8)	(305.3)	(516.1)	(249.9)	(297.2)	(547.1)
Total	$ (210.8)	$ (305.3)	$ (516.1)	$ (249.9)	$ (297.2)	$ (547.1)
Amount recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive loss
Total net actuarial loss	$ 404.1	$ 65.6	$ 469.7	$ 495.0	$ 69.9	$ 564.9
Prior service cost benefit	(26.6)	(15.0)	(41.6)	(33.9)	(18.8)	(52.7)
Total pre-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 377.5	$ 50.6	$ 428.1	$ 461.1	$ 51.1	$ 512.2
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$ 39.3	$ 6.3	$ 45.6	$ 41.8	$ 9.6	$ 51.4
Interest cost	88.2	17.5	105.7	83.0	17.8	100.8
Expected return on plan assets	(98.4)	—	(98.4)	(79.5)	—	(79.5)
Amortization of prior service cost benefit	(6.6)	(3.5)	(10.1)	(5.4)	(2.3)	(7.7)
Recognized net actuarial loss	62.5	5.1	67.6	86.5	6.1	92.6
Amount recognized due to special events	(0.6)	(0.3)	(0.9)	—	—	—
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 84.4	$ 25.1	$ 109.5	$ 126.4	$ 31.2	$ 157.6
Other changes recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive (income) loss
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$ (28.4)	$ 0.9	$ (27.5)	$ (108.8)	$ (1.9)	$ (110.7)
Prior service benefit	—	—	—	(10.7)	(10.2)	(20.9)
Amortization of net loss	(62.5)	(5.1)	(67.6)	(86.5)	(6.1)	(92.6)
Amortization of prior service cost benefit	7.3	3.7	11.0	5.4	2.3	7.7
Total recognized in pre-tax accumulated other
comprehensive income	$ (83.6)	$ (0.5)	$ (84.1)	$ (200.6)	$ (15.9)	$ (216.5)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and pre-
tax accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss	$ 0.8	$ 24.6	$ 25.4	$ (74.2)	$ 15.3	$ (58.9)

In addition, we have defined contribution plans that are generally available to all U.S. employees and agents. Eligible

participants could not contribute more than $16,500 of their compensation to the plans in 2010. Effective January 1, 2006, we

made several changes to the retirement programs. In general, the pension and supplemental executive retirement plan benefit

formulas were reduced, and the 401(k) matching contribution was increased. Employees who were ages 47 or older with at least

ten years of service on December 31, 2005, could elect to retain the prior benefit provisions and forgo receipt of the additional

matching contributions. The employees who elected to retain the prior benefit provisions are referred to as “Grandfathered

Choice Participants.” We match the Grandfathered Choice Participant's contribution at a 50% contribution rate up to a maximum

contribution of 3% of the participant's compensation. For all other participants, we match the participant's contributions at a 75%

contribution rate up to a maximum of 6% of the participant's compensation. The defined contribution plans allow employees to

choose among various investment options, including PFG common stock. We contributed $35.7 million, $33.9 million and

$41.2 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to our qualified defined contribution plans.

We also have nonqualified deferred compensation plans available to select employees and agents that allow them to

defer compensation amounts in excess of limits imposed by federal tax law with respect to the qualified plans. In 2010, we

matched the Grandfathered Choice Participant's deferral at a 50% match deferral rate up to a maximum matching deferral of 3%

of the participant's compensation. For all other participants, we matched the participant's deferral at a 75% match deferral rate up

to a maximum matching deferral of 6% of the participant's compensation. We contributed $2.8 million, $4.6 million and

$7.3 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to our nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

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

13. Contingencies, Guarantees and Indemnifications

Litigation and Regulatory Contingencies

We are regularly involved in litigation, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff, but primarily as a defendant. Litigation

naming us as a defendant ordinarily arises out of our business operations as a provider of asset management and accumulation

products and services, life, health and disability insurance. Some of the lawsuits are class actions, or purport to be, and some

include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive and treble damages. In addition, regulatory bodies such as state insurance

departments, the Securities Exchange Commission, 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, ERISA and laws governing the activities of broker-dealers. We receive

requests from regulators and other governmental authorities relating to industry issues and may receive additional requests,

including subpoenas and interrogatories, in the future.

On November 8, 2006, a trustee of Fairmount Park Inc. Retirement Savings Plan filed a putative class action lawsuit

the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against us. Our motion to transfer venue was granted and the

case is now pending in the Southern District of Iowa. The complaint alleged, among other things, that we breached our alleged

fiduciary duties while performing services to 401(k) plans by failing to disclose, or adequately disclose, to employers or plan

participants the fact that we receive “revenue sharing fees from mutual funds that are included in its pre-packaged 401(k) plans”

and allegedly failed to use the revenue to defray the expenses of the services provided to the plans. Plaintiff further alleged that

these acts constitute prohibited transactions under ERISA. Plaintiff sought to certify a class of all retirement plans to which we

were a service provider and for which we received and retained “revenue sharing” fees from mutual funds. On August 27, 2008,

the plaintiff's motion for class certification was denied. The plaintiff’s new motion for class certification, filed May 11, 2009,

was stricken by the court on March 31, 2010. We continue to aggressively defend the lawsuit.

On October 28, 2009, Judith Curran filed a derivative action lawsuit on behalf of Principal Funds, Inc. Strategic Asset

Management Portfolios in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against Principal Management

Corporation, Principal Global Investors, LLC, and Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. (the “Curran Defendants”). The lawsuit

alleges the Curran Defendants breached their fiduciary duty under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act by charging

advisory fees and distribution fees that were excessive. The Curran Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the case on January

29, 2010. That motion was granted in part and overruled in part. Principal Global Investors, LLC was dismissed from the suit.

The remaining Curran Defendants are aggressively defending the lawsuit.

On December 2, 2009 and December 4, 2009, two plaintiffs, Cruise and Mullaney, each filed putative class action

lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us, PFG, Principal Global

Investors, LLC, and Principal Real Estate Investors, LLC (the “Cruise/Mullaney Defendants”). The lawsuits alleged the

Cruise/Mullaney Defendants failed to manage the Principal U.S. Property Separate Account (“PUSPSA”) in the best interests

of investors, improperly imposed a “withdrawal freeze” on September 26, 2008, and instituted a “withdrawal queue” to honor

withdrawal requests as sufficient liquidity became available. Plaintiffs allege these actions constitute a breach of fiduciary

duties under ERISA. Plaintiffs seek to certify a class including all qualified ERISA plans and the participants of those plans

that invested in PUSPSA between September 26, 2008, and the present that have suffered losses caused by the queue. The

two lawsuits, as well as two subsequently filed complaints asserting similar claims, have been consolidated and are now

known as In re Principal U.S. Property Account Litigation. On April 22, 2010, an order was entered granting the motion

made by the Cruise/Mullaney Defendants for change of venue to the United States District Court for the Southern District of

Iowa. The plaintiffs have filed a Consolidated Complaint adding five new plaintiffs. The Cruise/Mullaney Defendants are

aggressively defending the lawsuit.

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

13. Contingencies, Guarantees and Indemnifications — (continued)

On July 1, 2010, Debra and Russell Hurd filed a putative class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for

the Southern District of Iowa against us and PFG (the “Hurd Defendants”). The complaint alleges the Hurd Defendants

underpay out-of-network health claims by using an allegedly flawed database to calculate usual and customary charges.

Plaintiffs are suing on behalf of "all participants and/or beneficiaries in group health plans in the United States issued, insured

or administered by [us] as to which [we] have administered claims and/or paid or denied benefits for out-of-network benefit

claims." The complaint alleged four causes of action, all based on violations of ERISA. The Hurd Defendants filed a

stipulated dismissal with prejudice on December 8, 2010.

While the outcome of any pending or future litigation or regulatory matter cannot be predicted, management does not

believe that any pending litigation or regulatory matter will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial position.

The outcome of such matters is always uncertain, and unforeseen results can occur. It is possible that such outcomes could

materially affect net income in a particular quarter or annual period.

Guarantees and Indemnifications

In the normal course of business, we have provided guarantees to third parties primarily related to a former subsidiary,

joint ventures and industrial revenue bonds. These agreements generally expire through 2019. The maximum exposure under

these agreements as of December 31, 2010, was approximately $226.0 million. At inception, the fair value of such guarantees

was insignificant. In addition, we believe the likelihood is remote that material payments will be required. Therefore, any

liability accrued within our consolidated statements of financial position is insignificant. Should we be required to perform under

these guarantees, we generally could recover a portion of the loss from third parties through recourse provisions included in

agreements with such parties, the sale of assets held as collateral that can be liquidated in the event that performance is required

under the guarantees or other recourse generally available to us; therefore, such guarantees would not result in a material adverse

effect on our business or financial position. While the likelihood is remote, such outcomes could materially affect net income in

a particular quarter or annual period.

We are also subject to various other indemnification obligations issued in conjunction with divestitures, acquisitions

and financing transactions whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. Certain portions of these

indemnifications may be capped, while other portions are not subject to such limitations; therefore, the overall maximum

amount of the obligation under the indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated. At inception, the fair value of such

indemnifications was insignificant. In addition, we believe the likelihood is remote that material payments will be required.

Therefore, any liability accrued within our consolidated statements of financial position is insignificant. While we are unable to

estimate with certainty the ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to these indemnifications, we believe that

performance under these indemnifications would not result in a material adverse effect on our business or financial position.

While the likelihood is remote, performance under these indemnifications could materially affect net income in a particular

quarter or annual period.

Guaranty Funds

Under state insurance guaranty fund laws, insurers doing business in a state can be assessed, up to prescribed limits, for

certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants. A state’s fund assesses its members based

on their pro rata market share of written premiums in the state for the classes of insurance for which the insolvent insurer was

engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets. We accrue

liabilities for guaranty fund assessments when an assessment is probable, can be reasonably estimated and when the event

obligating us to pay has occurred. While we cannot predict the amount and timing of any future assessments, we have

established reserves we believe are adequate for assessments relating to insurance companies that are currently subject to

insolvency proceedings. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the liability balance for guaranty fund assessments, which is not

discounted, was $14.5 million and $15.1 million, respectively, and was reported within other liabilities in the consolidated

statements of financial position. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $6.9 million and $7.4 million, respectively, related to

premium tax offsets were included in premiums due and other receivables in the consolidated statements of financial position.

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

13. Contingencies, Guarantees and Indemnifications — (continued)

Operating Leases

As a lessee, we lease office space, data processing equipment, office furniture and office equipment under various

operating leases. Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, was $45.0 million,

$47.8 million and $46.7 million.

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


Year ending December 31:
2011	$ 41.0
2012	31.7
2013	23.6
2014	18.8
2015	14.5
2016 and thereafter	64.3
Total operating lease obligations	193.9
Less: Future sublease rental income on noncancelable leases	3.9
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 190.0

Capital Leases

We lease hardware storage equipment under capital leases. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, these leases had a

gross asset balance of $17.4 million and $16.1 million and accumulated depreciation of $13.4 million and $9.2 million,

respectively. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $4.2 million, $5.2 million

and $6.2 million, respectively.

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


Year ending December 31:
2011	$ 3.0
2012	1.1
2013	0.3
Total	4.4
Less: Amounts representing interest	0.2
Net present value of minimum lease payments	$ 4.2

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

14. Stockholder’s Equity

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholder’s equity during a period except those resulting from

investments by our stockholder and distributions to our stockholder.

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:


	Net unrealized	Net unrealized	Foreign	Unrecognized	Accumulated
	gains (losses) on	gains on	currency	postretirement	other
	available-for-sale	derivative	translation	benefit	comprehensive
	securities	instruments	adjustment	obligations	income (loss)
			(in millions)
Balances at January 1, 2008	$ 31.2	$ 21.6	$ (2.5)	$ 67.2	$ 117.5
Net change in unrealized gains on fixed
maturities, available-for-sale	(7,782.1)	—	—	—	(7,782.1)
Net change in unrealized gains on equity
securities, available-for-sale	(61.1)	—	—	—	(61.1)
Net change in unrealized gains on equity
method subsidiaries and minority interest
adjustments	76.2	—	—	—	76.2
Adjustments for assumed changes in
amortization pattern	1,173.0	—	—	—	1,173.0
Net change in unrealized gains on derivative
instruments	—	124.5	—	—	124.5
Change in net foreign currency translation
adjustment	—	—	(23.8)	—	(23.8)
Effects of changing postretirement benefit
plan measurement date	—	—	—	(3.1)	(3.1)
Change in unrecognized postretirement
benefit obligations	—	—	—	(973.1)	(973.1)
Net change in provision for deferred income
tax benefit (expense)	2,307.9	(43.5)	8.3	341.7	2,614.4
Balances at December 31, 2008	$ (4,254.9)	$ 102.6	$ (18.0)	$ (567.3)	$ (4,737.6)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

14. Stockholder’s Equity — (continued)


	Net unrealized	Net unrealized	Foreign	Unrecognized	Accumulated
	losses on	gains on	currency	postretirement	other
	available-for-sale	derivative	translation	benefit	comprehensive
	securities	instruments	adjustment	obligations	loss
			(in millions)
Balances at January 1, 2009	$ (4,254.9)	$ 102.6	$ (18.0)	$ (567.3)	$ (4,737.6)
Net change in unrealized losses on fixed
maturities, available-for-sale	6,548.5	—	—	—	6,548.5
Net change in noncredit component of
impairment losses on fixed maturities,
available-for-sale	(260.9)	—	—	—	(260.9)
Net change in unrealized losses on equity
securities, available-for-sale	47.8	—	—	—	47.8
Net change in unrealized losses on equity
method subsidiaries and noncontrolling
interest adjustments	29.6	—	—	—	29.6
Adjustments for assumed changes in
amortization pattern	(963.3)	—	—	—	(963.3)
Net change in unrealized gains on derivative
instruments	—	(66.4)	—	—	(66.4)
Change in net foreign currency translation
adjustment	—	—	33.2	—	33.2
Change in unrecognized postretirement benefit
obligations	—	—	—	263.3	263.3
Cumulative effect of reclassifying noncredit
component of previously recognized
impairment losses on fixed maturities,
available-for-sale, net	(9.9)	—	—	—	(9.9)
Net change in provision for deferred income
tax benefit (expense)	(1,890.6)	23.3	(11.6)	(92.2)	(1,971.1)
Balances at December 31, 2009	$ (753.7)	$ 59.5	$ 3.6	$ (396.2)	$ (1,086.8)

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

14. Stockholder’s Equity — (continued)


	Net unrealized	Net unrealized	Foreign	Unrecognized	Accumulated
	gains (losses) on	gains on	currency	postretirement	other
	available-for-sale	derivative	translation	benefit	comprehensive
	securities	instruments	adjustment	obligations	income (loss)
		(in millions)
Balances at January 1, 2010	$ (753.7)	$ 59.5	$ 3.6	$ (396.2)	$ (1,086.8)
Net change in unrealized losses on fixed
maturities, available-for-sale	2,138.0	—	—	—	2,138.0
Net change in noncredit component of
impairment losses on fixed maturities,
available-for-sale	(56.1)	—	—	—	(56.1)
Net change in unrealized losses on equity
securities, available-for-sale	6.8	—	—	—	6.8
Net change in unrealized losses on equity
method subsidiaries and noncontrolling
interest adjustments	(28.3)	—	—	—	(28.3)
Adjustments for assumed changes in
amortization pattern	(488.0)	—	—	—	(488.0)
Net change in unrealized gains on derivative
instruments	—	32.0	—	—	32.0
Change in net foreign currency translation
adjustment	—	—	(7.1)	—	(7.1)
Change in unrecognized postretirement benefit
obligations	—	—	—	320.0	320.0
Cumulative effect of implementation of
accounting change related to variable interest
entities, net	10.7	—	—	—	10.7
Cumulative effect of electing fair value option
for fixed maturities upon implementation of
accounting change related to embedded
credit derivatives, net	25.4	—	—	—	25.4
Net change in provision for deferred income
tax benefit (expense)	(550.5)	(11.2)	2.5	(112.0)	(671.2)
Balances at December 31, 2010	$ 304.3	$ 80.3	$ (1.0)	$ (188.2)	$ 195.4

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

14. Stockholder’s Equity — (continued)

The following table sets forth the adjustments necessary to avoid duplication of items that are included as part of net

income for a year that had been part of other comprehensive income in prior years:


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments,
as reported	$ 1,078.8	$ 3,458.1	$ (4,205.1)
Adjustment for realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and derivative
instruments included in net income	(94.0)	(465.4)	15.1
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and derivative instruments
arising during the year	$ 984.8	$ 2,992.7	$ (4,190.0)

The above table includes unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and derivatives in cash flow hedge

relationships net of adjustments related to DPAC, sales inducements, unearned revenue reserves, changes in policyholder

benefits and claims and applicable income taxes.

Dividend Limitations

Under Iowa law, we may pay stockholder dividends only from the earned surplus arising from our business and must

receive the prior approval of the Commissioner to pay a stockholder dividend if such a stockholder dividend would exceed

certain statutory limitations. The current statutory limitation is the greater of 10% of our policyholder surplus as of the preceding

year-end or the net gain from operations from the previous calendar year. Based on this limitation and 2010 statutory results, we

could pay approximately $509.7 million in stockholder dividends in 2011 without exceeding the statutory limitation.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements

We use fair value measurements to record fair value of certain assets and liabilities and to estimate fair value of

financial instruments not recorded at fair value but required to be disclosed at fair value. Certain financial instruments,

particularly policyholder liabilities other than investment-type insurance contracts, are excluded from these fair value

disclosure requirements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments were as follows:


	December 31, 2010		December 31, 2009
	Carrying amount	Fair value	Carrying amount	Fair value
		(in millions)
Assets (liabilities)
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 45,184.8 $	45,184.8 $	43,518.4 $	43,518.4
Fixed maturities, trading	606.9	606.9	484.8	484.8
Equity securities, available-for-sale	165.9	165.9	211.7	211.7
Equity securities, trading	258.3	258.3	177.2	177.2
Mortgage loans	10,477.1	10,540.3	11,250.5	10,808.7
Policy loans	878.3	986.6	881.3	1,001.4
Other investments	271.7	271.7	154.8	154.8
Cash and cash equivalents	1,546.8	1,546.8	2,044.5	2,044.5
Derivative assets	1,058.5	1,058.5	1,212.6	1,212.6
Separate account assets	62,738.4	62,738.4	57,380.8	57,380.8
Cash collateral	219.9	219.9	374.3	374.3
Investment-type insurance contracts	(32,717.8)	(32,826.2)	(35,670.2)	(34,873.7)
Short-term debt	(294.4)	(294.4)	(312.1)	(312.1)
Long-term debt	(120.4)	(130.7)	(120.8)	(104.7)
Separate account liabilities	(55,864.5)	(54,989.5)	(51,559.8)	(50,709.1)
Derivative liabilities	(1,274.5)	(1,274.5)	(1,048.1)	(1,048.1)
Bank deposits	(2,219.2)	(2,230.9)	(2,185.8)	(2,188.5)
Cash collateral payable	(219.9)	(219.9)	(355.6)	(355.6)
Other liabilities	(250.3)	(250.3)	(99.2)	(99.2)


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.

•	Level 1 – Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Our Level
	1 assets and liabilities primarily include exchange traded equity securities, mutual funds and U.S. Treasury bonds.
•	Level 2 – Fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or
	liability, either directly or indirectly. Our Level 2 assets and liabilities primarily include fixed maturities (including
	public and private bonds), equity securities, over-the-counter derivatives and other investments for which public
	quotations are not available but that are priced by third-party pricing services or internal models using substantially all
	observable inputs.
•	Level 3 – Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Our Level 3 assets and
	liabilities include certain fixed maturities, private equity securities, real estate and commercial mortgage loan
	investments of our separate accounts, commercial mortgage loan investments and obligations of consolidated VIEs for
	which the fair value option was elected, complex derivatives and embedded derivatives that must be priced using broker
	quotes or other valuation methods that utilize at least one significant unobservable input.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

Determination of Fair Value

The following discussion describes the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets and liabilities measured

at fair value on a recurring basis or disclosed at fair value. The techniques utilized in estimating the fair values of financial

instruments are reliant on the assumptions used. Care should be exercised in deriving conclusions about our business, its

value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial instruments presented below.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about

the financial instrument. 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 2010.

Fixed Maturities

Fixed maturities include bonds, asset-backed securities, redeemable preferred stock and certain nonredeemable

preferred stock. When available, the fair value of fixed maturities is based on quoted prices of identical assets in active

markets. These are reflected in Level 1 and primarily include U.S. Treasury bonds and actively traded redeemable corporate

preferred securities.

When quoted prices are not available, our first priority is to obtain prices from third party pricing vendors. We have

regular interaction with these vendors to ensure we understand their pricing methodologies and to confirm they are utilizing

observable market information. Their methodologies vary by asset class and include inputs such as estimated cash flows,

benchmark yields, reported trades, broker quotes, credit quality, industry events and economic events. Fixed maturities with

validated prices from pricing services, which includes the majority of our public fixed maturities in all asset classes, are

generally reflected in Level 2. Also included in Level 2 are corporate bonds where quoted market prices are not available, for

which a matrix pricing valuation approach is used. In this approach, securities are grouped into pricing categories that vary

by sector, rating and average life. Each pricing category is assigned a risk spread based on studies of observable public

market data from the investment professionals assigned to specific security classes. The expected cash flows of the security

are then discounted back at the current Treasury curve plus the appropriate risk spread. Although the matrix valuation

approach provides a fair valuation of each pricing category, the valuation of an individual security within each pricing

category may actually be impacted by company specific factors.

If we are unable to price a fixed maturity security using prices from third party pricing vendors or other sources specific

to the asset class, we may obtain a broker quote or utilize an internal pricing model specific to the asset utilizing relevant market

information, to the extent available, which are reflected in Level 3 and can include fixed maturities across all asset classes. These

models primarily use projected cash flows discounted using a rate derived from market interest rate curves and relevant risk

spreads. As of December 31, 2010, less than 1% of our fixed maturities were valued using internal pricing models, which were

classified as Level 3 assets accordingly.

The primary inputs, by asset class, for valuations of the majority of our Level 2 investments from third party pricing

vendors or our internal pricing valuation approach are described below.

U.S. government and agencies/Non-U.S. governments – Inputs include recently executed market transactions,

interest rate yield curves, maturity dates, market price quotations and credit spreads relating to similar instruments.

State and political subdivisions – Inputs include Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board reported trades, U.S.

Treasury and other benchmark curves, material event notices, new issue data, and issuer financial statements.

Corporates – Inputs include recently executed transactions, market price quotations, benchmark yields, issuer

spreads and observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer. For private placement corporate

securities valued through the matrix valuation approach inputs include the current U.S. Treasury curve and risk spreads based

on sector, rating and average life of the issuance.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

RMBS, CMBS, CDOs and Other debt obligations — Inputs include cash flows, priority of the tranche in the capital

structure, expected time to maturity for the specific tranche, reinvestment period remaining and performance of the

underlying collateral including prepayments, defaults, deferrals, loss severity of defaulted collateral and, for RMBS,

prepayment speed assumptions. Other inputs include market indices and recently executed market transactions.

Equity Securities

Equity securities include mutual funds, common stock and nonredeemable preferred stock. Fair values of equity

securities are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets when available, which are reflected in Level

1. When quoted prices are not available, we may utilize internal valuation methodologies appropriate for the specific asset that

use observable inputs such as underlying share prices, which are reflected in Level 2. Fair values might also be determined using

broker quotes or through the use of internal models or analysis that incorporate significant assumptions deemed appropriate

given the circumstances and consistent with what other market participants would use when pricing such securities, which are

reflected in Level 3.

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values of commercial and residential mortgage

loans are primarily determined by discounting the expected cash flows at current treasury rates plus an applicable risk spread,

which reflects credit quality and maturity of the loans. The risk spread is based on market clearing levels for loans with

comparable credit quality, maturities and risk. The fair value of mortgage loans may also be based on the fair value of the

underlying real estate collateral less cost to sell, which is estimated using appraised values.

Policy Loans

Policy loans are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values of policy loans are estimated by discounting

expected cash flows using a risk-free rate based on the U.S. Treasury curve.

Derivatives

The fair values of exchange-traded derivatives are determined through quoted market prices, which are reflected in

Level 1. Exchange-traded derivatives include interest rate and equity futures that are settled daily such that their fair value is not

reflected in the consolidated statements of financial position. The fair values of over-the-counter derivative instruments are

determined using either pricing valuation models that utilize market observable inputs or broker quotes. The majority of our

over-the-counter derivatives are valued with models that use market observable inputs, which are reflected in Level 2.

Significant inputs include contractual terms, interest rates, currency exchange rates, credit spread curves, equity prices, and

volatilities. These valuation models consider projected discounted cash flows, relevant swap curves, and appropriate implied

volatilities. Certain over-the-counter derivatives utilize unobservable market data, primarily independent broker quotes that are

nonbinding quotes based on models that do not reflect the result of market transactions, which are reflected in Level 3.

Our derivative contracts are generally documented under ISDA Master Agreements, which provide for legally

enforceable set-off and close-out netting of exposures to specific counterparties. Collateral arrangements are bilateral and based

on current ratings of each entity. We utilize the LIBOR interest rate curve to value our positions, which includes a credit spread.

This credit spread incorporates an appropriate level of nonperformance risk into our valuations given the current ratings of our

counterparties, as well as the collateral agreements in place. Counterparty credit risk is routinely monitored to ensure our

adjustment for non-performance risk is appropriate.

Interest Rate Contracts. We use discounted cash flow valuation techniques to determine the fair value of interest rate

swaps using observable swap curves as the inputs. These are reflected in Level 2. In addition, we have a limited number of

complex inflation-linked interest rate swaps and interest rate collars that are valued using broker quotes. These are reflected in

Level 3. We use option pricing models to determine the fair value of swaptions using observable swap interest rate curves and

observable implied volatilities as inputs. These are reflected in Level 2.

Foreign Exchange Contracts. We use discounted cash flow valuation techniques that utilize observable swap curves

and exchange rates as the inputs to determine the fair value of foreign currency swaps. These are reflected in Level 2. In

addition, we have a limited number of non-standard currency swaps that are valued using broker quotes. These are reflected

within Level 3.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

Equity Contracts. We use an option pricing model using observable implied volatilities, dividend yields, index prices

and swap curves as the inputs to determine the fair value of equity options. These are reflected in Level 2.

Credit Contracts. We use either the ISDA Credit Default Swap Standard discounted cash flow model that utilizes

observable default probabilities and recovery rates as inputs or broker prices to determine the fair value of credit default swaps.

These are reflected in Level 3.

Other Contracts. We use broker prices to determine the fair value of commodity swaps. These are reflected in Level 3.

Other Investments

Other investments reported at fair value primarily include seed money investments, for which the fair value is

determined using the net asset value of the fund. The net asset value of the fund represents the price at which we feel we would

be able to initiate a transaction. Seed money investments in mutual funds for which the net asset value is published are reflected

in Level 1. Seed money investments in mutual funds or other investment funds in markets that do not have a published net asset

value are reflected in Level 2.

Other investments reported at fair value also include commercial mortgage loans of consolidated VIEs for which the

fair value option was elected, which are reflected in Level 3. Fair value of these commercial mortgage loans is computed

utilizing a discount rate based on the current market. The market discount rate is then adjusted based on various factors that

differentiate it from our pool of loans.

The carrying amounts of other assets classified as other investments in the accompanying consolidated statements of

financial position, which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, approximate their fair values.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Certain cash equivalents are reported at fair value on a recurring basis and include money market instruments and other

short-term investments with maturities of less than three months. Fair values of these cash equivalents may be determined using

public quotations, when available, which are reflected in Level 1. When public quotations are not available, because of the

highly liquid nature of these assets, carrying amounts may be used to approximate fair values, which are reflected in Level 2.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are not reported at fair value on a recurring basis approximate

their fair value.

Separate Account Assets

Separate account assets include equity securities, debt securities and derivative instruments, for which fair values are

determined as previously described, and are reflected in Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. Separate account assets also include

commercial mortgage loans, for which the fair value is estimated by discounting the expected total cash flows using market rates

that are applicable to the yield, credit quality and maturity of the loans. The market clearing spreads vary based on mortgage

type, weighted average life, rating and liquidity. These are reflected in Level 3. Finally, separate account assets include real

estate, for which the fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow valuation models that utilize public real estate market

data inputs such as transaction prices, market rents, vacancy levels, leasing absorption, market cap rates and discount rates. In

addition, each property is appraised annually by an independent appraiser. The real estate within the separate accounts is

reflected in Level 3.

Cash Collateral and Cash Collateral Payable

Cash collateral is not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The carrying amounts of cash collateral received and

posted under derivative credit support annex (collateral) agreements and the carrying amount of the payable associated with

our obligation to return the cash collateral received approximate their fair value.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

Investment-Type Insurance Contracts

Investment-type insurance contracts are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of our

reserves and liabilities for investment-type insurance contracts are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on

current interest rates, including non-performance risk, being offered for similar contracts with maturities consistent with

those remaining for the investment-type contracts being valued. Investment-type insurance contracts include insurance,

annuity and other policy contracts that do not involve significant mortality or morbidity risk and are only a portion of the

policyholder liabilities appearing in the consolidated statements of financial position. Insurance contracts include insurance,

annuity and other policy contracts that do involve significant mortality or morbidity risk. The fair values for our insurance

contracts, other than investment-type contracts, are not required to be disclosed.

Certain annuity contracts and other investment-type insurance contracts include embedded derivatives that have

been bifurcated from the host contract and that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which are reflected in Level 3.

The key assumptions for calculating the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities are market assumptions (such as

equity market returns, interest rate levels, market volatility and correlations) and policyholder behavior assumptions (such as

lapse, mortality, utilization and withdrawal patterns). They are valued using a combination of historical data and actuarial

judgment. Stochastic models are used to value the embedded derivatives that incorporate a spread reflecting our own

creditworthiness and risk margins.

The assumption for our own non-performance risk for investment-type insurance contracts and any embedded

derivatives bifurcated from certain annuity and investment-type insurance contracts is based on the current market credit

spreads for debt-like instruments that we have issued and are available in the market.

Short-Term Debt

Short-term debt is not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The carrying amount of short-term debt

approximates its fair value because of the relatively short time between origination of the debt instrument and its maturity.

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt is not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values for debt issues are estimated using

discounted cash flow analysis based on our incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements.

Separate Account Liabilities

Separate account liabilities are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values of separate account

liabilities, excluding insurance-related elements, are estimated based on market assumptions around what a potential acquirer

would pay for the associated block of business, including both the separate account assets and liabilities. As the applicable

separate account assets are already reflected at fair value, any adjustment to the fair value of the block is an assumed adjustment

to the separate account liabilities. To compute fair value, the separate account liabilities are originally set to equal separate

account assets because these are pass-through contracts. The separate account liabilities are reduced by the amount of future fees

expected to be collected that are intended to offset upfront acquisition costs already incurred that a potential acquirer would not

have to pay. The estimated future fees are adjusted by an adverse deviation discount and the amount is then discounted at a risk-

free rate as measured by the yield on U.S. Treasury securities at maturities aligned with the estimated timing of fee collection.

Bank Deposits

Bank deposits are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of deposits of our Principal Bank

subsidiary with no stated maturity, such as demand deposits, savings, and interest-bearing demand accounts, is equal to the

amount payable on demand (i.e., their carrying amounts). The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted

value of contractual cash flows. The discount is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining

maturities.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

Other Liabilities

Certain obligations reported in other liabilities include embedded derivatives to deliver underlying securities of

structured investments to third parties. The fair value of the embedded derivatives is calculated based on the value of the

underlying securities. We have had an embedded derivative in which the fair value of the underlying securities was obtained

from a third party pricing vendor and was reflected in Level 2. We also have an embedded derivative in which the fair value of

the underlying securities is calculated utilizing the yield, credit quality and average maturity of each security, which is reflected

in Level 3.

Additionally, obligations of consolidated VIEs for which the fair value option was elected are included in other

liabilities. These obligations are valued either based on prices obtained from third party pricing vendors as utilized and described

in our discussion of how fair value is determined for fixed maturities, which are reflected in Level 2, or broker quotes, which are

reflected in Level 3.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

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


		As of December 31, 2010
	Assets /
	(liabilities)	Fair value hierarchy level
	measured at fair
	value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale:
U.S. government and agencies	$ 549.7	$ 15.0	$ 534.7	$ —
Non-U.S. governments	424.2	—	424.2	—
States and political subdivisions	2,656.4	—	2,656.4	—
Corporate	31,141.2	95.4	30,531.9	513.9
Residential mortgage-backed securities	3,164.0	—	3,164.0	—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	3,842.2	—	3,826.0	16.2
Collateralized debt obligations	293.0	—	183.7	109.3
Other debt obligations	3,114.1	—	3,025.3	88.8
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale	45,184.8	110.4	44,346.2	728.2
Fixed maturities, trading	606.9	—	337.8	269.1
Equity securities, available-for-sale	165.9	122.7	—	43.2
Equity securities, trading	258.3	162.2	96.1	—
Derivative assets (1)	1,058.5	—	1,025.2	33.3
Other investments (2)	198.0	1.4	68.3	128.3
Cash equivalents (3)	659.1	210.4	448.7	—
Sub-total excluding separate account assets	48,131.5	607.1	46,322.3	1,202.1

Separate account assets	62,738.4	49,789.3	9,311.0	3,638.1
Total assets	$ 110,869.9	$ 50,396.4	$ 55,633.3	$ 4,840.2

Liabilities
Investment-type insurance contracts (4)	$ 7.4	$ —	$ —	$ 7.4
Derivative liabilities (1)	(1,274.5)	—	(1,093.0)	(181.5)
Other liabilities (4)	(250.3)	—	(93.5)	(156.8)
Total liabilities	$ (1,517.4)	$ —	$ (1,186.5)	$ (330.9)

Net assets (liabilities)	$ 109,352.5	$ 50,396.4	$ 54,446.8	$ 4,509.3

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)


		As of December 31, 2009
	Assets /
	(liabilities)	Fair value hierarchy level
	measured at fair
	value	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
		(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
U.S. government and agencies	$ 538.6	$ 11.2	$ 527.4		$ —
Non-U.S. governments	462.4	—	462.4		—
States and political subdivisions	2,048.6	—	2,037.1		11.5
Corporate	30,767.0	95.2	30,008.1		663.7
Residential mortgage-backed securities	3,101.3	—	3,101.3		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	3,599.7	—	3,565.4		34.3
Collateralized debt obligations	369.6	—	72.8		296.8
Other debt obligations	2,631.2	—	2,554.6		76.6
Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale	43,518.4	106.4	42,329.1		1,082.9
Fixed maturities, trading	484.8	—	421.3		63.5
Equity securities, available-for-sale	211.7	140.0	—		71.7
Equity securities, trading	177.2	91.2	86.0		—
Derivative assets (1)	1,212.6	—	1,158.2		54.4
Other investments (2)	63.1	4.1	59.0		—
Cash equivalents (3)	1,156.2	614.7	541.5		—
Sub-total excluding separate account assets	46,824.0	956.4	44,595.1		1,272.5

Separate account assets	57,380.8	39,511.7	13,872.1		3,997.0
Total assets	$ 104,204.8	$ 40,468.1	$ 58,467.2		$ 5,269.5

Liabilities
Investment-type insurance contracts (4)	$ (17.1)	$ —	$ —		$ (17.1)
Derivative liabilities (1)	(1,048.1)	—	(954.4)		(93.7)
Other liabilities (4)	(99.2)	—	(10.1)		(89.1)
Total liabilities	$ (1,164.4)	$ —	$ (964.5)		$ (199.9)

Net assets (liabilities)	$ 103,040.4	$ 40,468.1	$ 57,502.7		$ 5,069.6


(1)	Within the consolidated statements of financial position, derivative assets are reported with other investments and
	derivative liabilities are reported with other liabilities. Refer to Note 6, Derivative Financial Instruments, for further
	information on fair value by class of derivative instruments. Our derivatives are primarily Level 2, with the exception of
	some credit default swaps and other swaps that are Level 3.
(2)	Primarily includes seed money investments and, beginning in 2010, commercial mortgage loans of consolidated VIEs
	reported at fair value.
(3)	Includes money market instruments and short-term investments with a maturity date of three months or less when
	purchased.
(4)	Includes bifurcated embedded derivatives that are reported at fair value within the same line item in the consolidated
	statements of financial position in which the host contract is reported and, beginning in 2010, other liabilities include
	obligations of consolidated VIEs reported at fair value.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

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) are summarized as follows:


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

Liabilities
Investment-type
insurance
contracts	(17.1)	(0.7)	—	25.2	—	—	7.4	(1.1)
Derivative liabilities	(93.7)	9.9	(1.4)	(96.3)	—	—	(181.5)	8.0
Other liabilities (3)	(89.1)	9.3	(28.3)	(48.7)	—	—	(156.8)	2.3

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)


		For the year ended December 31, 2009					Changes in
	Beginning	Total realized/unrealized gains				Ending	unrealized
	asset /	(losses)				asset /	gains (losses)
	(liability)			Purchases,		(liability)	included in
	balance as		Included in	sales,		balance	net income
	of	Included in	other	issuances	Transfers	as of	relating to
	December	net income	comprehensive	and	in (out) of	December	positions still
	31, 2008	(1)	income	settlements	Level 3	31, 2009	held (1)
				(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
Non-U.S. governments	$ 33.6	$ (10.2)	$ 2.6	$ (26.0)	$ —	$ —	$ —
State and political subdivisions	—	—	1.3	—	10.2	11.5	—
Corporate	725.5	(25.9)	159.4	(382.9)	187.6	663.7	(31.5)
Commercial mortgage-backed
securities	58.0	(0.3)	9.8	(12.1)	(21.1)	34.3	—
Collateralized debt obligations	236.8	(63.9)	150.4	(10.6)	(15.9)	296.8	(63.5)
Other debt obligations	82.1	(2.1)	17.4	25.9	(46.7)	76.6	—
Total fixed maturities, available-
for-sale	1,136.0	(102.4)	340.9	(405.7)	114.1	1,082.9	(95.0)
Fixed maturities, trading	60.7	13.0	—	—	(10.2)	63.5	13.1
Equity securities, available-for-sale	56.2	(0.2)	30.3	(43.7)	29.1	71.7	(2.0)
Derivative assets	100.7	(43.6)	(0.2)	(2.5)	—	54.4	(30.5)
Separate account assets (2)	5,892.6	(1,577.4)	—	(290.2)	(28.0)	3,997.0	(1,464.2)

Liabilities
Investment-type insurance
contracts	(39.9)	(3.0)	—	25.8	—	(17.1)	(3.0)
Derivative liabilities	(266.9)	141.4	7.2	24.6	—	(93.7)	88.8
Other liabilities (3)	(103.8)	—	33.2	(18.5)	—	(89.1)	—

		For the year ended December 31, 2008					Changes in
		Total realized/unrealized gains				Ending	unrealized
	Beginning	(losses)				asset /	gains (losses)
	asset /			Purchases,		(liability)	included in
	(liability)		Included in	sales,		balance	net income
	balance as	Included in	other	issuances	Transfers	as of	relating to
	of January	net income	comprehensive	and	in (out) of	December	positions still
	1, 2008	(1)	income	settlements	Level 3	31, 2008	held (1)
			(in millions)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	$ 2,153.6	$ (148.5)	$ (508.7)	$ (567.8)	$ 207.4	$ 1,136.0	$ (116.7)
Fixed maturities, trading	92.3	(19.1)	—	(11.4)	(1.1)	60.7	(19.1)
Equity securities, available-for-sale	51.1	(41.5)	(12.1)	20.7	38.0	56.2	(35.3)
Derivative assets	54.3	74.7	(15.8)	(12.5)	—	100.7	62.4
Separate account assets (2)	7,122.2	(958.4)	—	(166.9)	(104.3)	5,892.6	(944.1)

Liabilities
Investment-type insurance
contracts	(49.3)	(38.2)	—	47.6	—	(39.9)	(50.3)
Derivative liabilities	(62.3)	(200.0)	(8.1)	3.5	—	(266.9)	(192.9)
Other liabilities (3)	(155.6)	—	70.0	(18.2)	—	(103.8)	—


(1)	Both realized gains (losses) and mark-to-market unrealized gains (losses) are generally reported in net realized capital
	gains (losses) within the consolidated statements of operations.

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


15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

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

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

(4)	As a result of our implementation of new authoritative guidance related to the accounting for VIEs effective January 1,
	2010, certain previously unconsolidated VIEs were consolidated and certain previously consolidated VIEs were
	deconsolidated. The fair value of the Level 3 assets and liabilities of the newly consolidated and deconsolidated VIEs is
	primarily included in fixed maturities, trading; other investments; derivative liabilities and other liabilities. As a result of
	our implementation of new authoritative guidance related to the accounting for embedded credit derivatives effective July
	1, 2010, we elected the fair value option for certain securities previously included in fixed maturities, available-for-sale,
	effectively reclassifying them to fixed maturities, trading.

Transfers

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

	Assets transferred into Level 3 during 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $226.1 million, $518.6 million and $1,405.6
million, respectively. The majority of assets transferred into Level 3 primarily include those assets for which we are now
unable to obtain pricing from a recognized third party pricing vendor and, to a lesser extent, assets added to our “watch list”
that were previously priced using a matrix pricing valuation approach that may no longer be relevant when applied to asset-
specific situations.

	Assets transferred out of Level 3 during 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $497.1 million, $413.6 million and $1,265.6
million, respectively. The majority of assets that transferred out of Level 3 include those for which we are now able to obtain
pricing from a recognized third party pricing vendor.

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

	Other transfers into and out of Level 2 during 2010 primarily included those that transferred out of and into Level 3,
respectively.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

	Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. During 2010, certain mortgage loans had been
impaired or written down to fair value of $250.7 million. The impairments resulted in a loss of $79.6 million that was
recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) as part of the mortgage loan valuation allowance. These collateral-dependent
mortgage loans are a Level 3 fair value measurement, as fair value is based on the fair value of the underlying real estate
collateral, which is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs.

	During 2010, real estate had been written down to fair value of $1.4 million. This write down resulted in a loss of
$0.3 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses). This is a Level 3 fair value measurement, as the fair value
of real estate is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs.

	During 2010, mortgage servicing rights had been written down to fair value of $1.0 million, resulting in a charge of
$0.6 million that was recorded in operating expenses. These mortgage servicing rights are a Level 3 fair value measurement,
as fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the future servicing cash flows from the underlying mortgage
loans.

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

15. Fair Value Measurements — (continued)

During 2010, we impaired goodwill and finite lived intangible assets. See Note 3, Goodwill and Other Intangible

Assets, for further details.

During 2009, mortgage loans had been written down to fair value of $3.9 million. This write down resulted in a loss

of $8.0 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses). These collateral-dependent mortgage loans are a Level

3 fair value measurement, as fair value is based on the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral, which is estimated

using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs.

During 2009, real estate had been written down to fair value of $0.9 million. This write down resulted in a loss of

$0.8 million that was recorded in net realized capital gains (losses). This is a Level 3 fair value measurement, as the fair value

of the real estate is estimated using appraised values that involve significant unobservable inputs.

During 2008, mortgage servicing rights had been written down to fair value of $13.4 million, resulting in a charge of

$1.5 million that was recorded in operating expenses. These mortgage servicing rights are a Level 3 fair value measurement,

as fair value is determined by calculating the present value of the future servicing cash flows from the underlying mortgage

loans.

Fair Value Option

As a result of our implementation of new authoritative guidance related to the accounting for VIEs effective January

1, 2010, we elected fair value accounting for certain assets and liabilities of newly consolidated VIEs for which it was not

practicable for us to determine the carrying value. The fair value option was elected for commercial mortgage loans reported

with other investments and obligations reported with other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position. The

changes in fair value of these items are reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of

operations.

The fair value and aggregate contractual principal amounts of commercial mortgage loans for which the fair value

option has been elected were $128.3 million and $124.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2010. The change in fair

value of the loans resulted in a $25.9 million pre-tax gain for the year ended December 31, 2010, none of which related to

instrument-specific credit risk. None of these loans were more than 90 days past due or in nonaccrual status. Interest income

on these commercial mortgage loans is included in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations and is

recorded based on the effective interest rates as determined at the closing of the loan. For the year ended December 31, 2010,

we recorded $10.5 million of interest income on these commercial mortgage loans.

The fair value and aggregate unpaid principal amounts of obligations for which the fair value option has been

elected were $114.5 million and $186.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2010. The change in fair value of the

obligations resulted in a $2.9 million pre-tax loss, which includes a $3.0 million pre-tax gain related to instrument-specific

credit risk that is estimated based on credit spreads and quality ratings for the year ended December 31, 2010. Interest

expense recorded on these obligations is included in operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and was

$8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

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

16. Statutory Insurance Financial Information

We prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the

Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce of the State of Iowa (the “State of Iowa”). The State of Iowa recognizes

only statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the State of Iowa for determining and reporting the financial

condition and results of operations of an insurance company to determine its solvency under the Iowa Insurance Law. The

National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (“NAIC”) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual has been adopted as

a component of prescribed practices by the State of Iowa. The Commissioner has the right to permit other specific practices that

deviate from prescribed practices. Our use of prescribed and permitted statutory accounting practices has resulted in higher

statutory capital and surplus of $244.9 million relative to the accounting practices and procedures of the NAIC primarily due to a

state prescribed practice associated with reinsurance of our term life products and “secondary” or “no lapse” guarantee

provisions on our universal life products. Statutory accounting practices differ from U.S. GAAP primarily due to charging policy

acquisition costs to expense as incurred, establishing reserves using different actuarial assumptions, valuing investments on a

different basis and not admitting certain assets, including certain net deferred income tax assets.

Life and health insurance companies are subject to certain risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements as specified by the

NAIC. Under those requirements, the amount of capital and surplus maintained by a life and health insurance company is to be

determined based on the various risk factors related to it. At December 31, 2010, we meet the minimum RBC requirements.

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


	As of or for the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
	(in millions)
Statutory net income	$ 404.6	$ 42.1 $	83.3
Statutory capital and surplus	4,377.8	4,588.7	4,810.2

17. Segment Information

We provide financial products and services through the following segments: Retirement and Investor Services,

Principal Global Investors and U.S. Insurance Solutions. In addition, there is a Corporate segment. The segments are managed

and reported separately because they provide different products and services, have different strategies or have different markets

and distribution channels.

Prior to third quarter 2010, amounts now reported in the U.S. Insurance Solutions segment and amounts for our group

medical insurance business now reported in the Corporate segment were reported together in the Life and Health Insurance

segment. This change was made due to our decision to exit the group medical insurance business (insured and administrative

services only) and has no impact on our consolidated financial statements for any period presented. Our segment results for 2009

and 2008 have been restated to conform to the current segment presentation. With the exception of corporate overhead, amounts

related to our group medical insurance business previously included in segment operating earnings have been removed from

operating earnings for all periods presented and are reported as other after-tax adjustments.

The Retirement and Investor Services segment provides retirement and related financial products and services

primarily to businesses, their employees and other individuals.

The Principal Global Investors segment provides asset management services to our asset accumulation business, our

insurance operations, the Corporate segment and third-party clients.

The U.S. Insurance Solutions segment provides individual life insurance and specialty benefits, which consists of group

dental and vision insurance, individual and group disability insurance and group life insurance, throughout the United States.

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

17. Segment Information — (continued)

The Corporate segment manages the assets representing capital that has not been allocated to any other segment.

Financial results of the Corporate segment primarily reflect our financing activities (including interest expense), income on

capital not allocated to other segments, inter-segment eliminations, income tax risks and certain income, expenses and other

after-tax adjustments not allocated to the segments based on the nature of such items.

Management uses segment operating earnings in goal setting, as a basis for determining employee compensation and

in evaluating performance on a basis comparable to that used by securities analysts. We determine segment operating

earnings by adjusting U.S. GAAP net income for net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, and other after-tax

adjustments which management believes are not indicative of overall operating trends. Net realized capital gains (losses), as

adjusted, are net of income taxes, related changes in the amortization pattern of DPAC and sales inducements, recognition of

deferred front-end fee revenues for sales charges on retirement products and services, net realized capital gains and losses

distributed, noncontrolling interest capital gains and losses and certain market value adjustments to fee revenues. Net realized

capital gains (losses), as adjusted, exclude periodic settlements and accruals on derivative instruments not designated as

hedging instruments and exclude certain market value adjustments of embedded derivatives and realized capital gains (losses)

associated with our exited group medical insurance business. Segment operating revenues exclude net realized capital gains

(losses) (except periodic settlements and accruals on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments), including their

impact on recognition of front-end fee revenues and certain market value adjustments to fee revenues, revenue from our

exited group medical insurance business and revenue from our terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance

operation. While these items may be significant components in understanding and assessing the consolidated financial

performance, management believes the presentation of segment operating earnings enhances the understanding of our results

of operations by highlighting earnings attributable to the normal, ongoing operations of the business.

The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with the accounting policies for the consolidated financial

statements, with the exception of income tax allocation. The Corporate segment functions to absorb the risk inherent in

interpreting and applying tax law. The segments are allocated tax adjustments consistent with the positions we took on tax

returns. The Corporate segment results reflect any differences between the tax returns and the estimated resolution of any

disputes.

The following tables summarize selected financial information by segment and reconcile segment totals to those

reported in the consolidated financial statements:


	December 31,
	2010	2009
	(in millions)
Assets:
Retirement and Investor Services	$ 109,335.7	$ 106,179.2
Principal Global Investors	1,095.6	1,069.0
U.S. Insurance Solutions	16,524.3	15,076.9
Corporate	3,983.5	3,373.7
Total consolidated assets	$ 130,939.1	$ 125,698.8

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

17. Segment Information — (continued)


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Operating revenues by segment:
Retirement and Investor Services	$ 3,705.0	$ 3,673.7	$ 4,331.3
Principal Global Investors	432.6	392.8	545.8
U.S. Insurance Solutions	2,773.0	2,810.4	2,891.5
Corporate	(82.1)	(94.5)	(112.5)
Total segment operating revenues	6,828.5	6,782.4	7,656.1
Net realized capital losses (except periodic settlements and accruals on non-
hedge derivatives), including recognition of front-end fee revenues and
certain market value adjustments to fee revenues	(381.7)	(522.1)	(685.5)
Exited group medical insurance business	1,406.8	1,613.6	1,765.5
Terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation	(0.8)	(0.5)	(32.1)
Total revenues per consolidated statements of operations	$ 7,852.8	$ 7,873.4	$ 8,704.0
Operating earnings (loss) by segment, net of related income taxes:
Retirement and Investor Services	$ 543.4	$ 485.5	$ 499.6
Principal Global Investors	48.1	33.8	86.6
U.S. Insurance Solutions	193.8	204.0	208.1
Corporate	(37.0)	(38.6)	(15.7)
Total segment operating earnings, net of related income taxes	748.3	684.7	778.6
Net realized capital losses, as adjusted (1)	(279.5)	(254.4)	(451.5)
Other after-tax adjustments (2)	17.1	72.1	76.0
Net income attributable to PLIC per consolidated statements of operations	$ 485.9	$ 502.4	$ 403.1

(1) Net realized capital losses, as adjusted, is derived as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Net realized capital losses:
Net realized capital losses	$ (288.4)	$ (445.3)	$ (622.6)
Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivatives	(88.4)	(70.9)	(59.0)
Certain market value adjustments to fee revenues	(3.4)	(1.5)	(3.9)
Recognition of front-end fee revenues	(1.5)	(4.4)	—
Net realized capital losses, net of related revenue adjustments	(381.7)	(522.1)	(685.5)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs	(26.6)	155.2	(47.2)
Capital (gains) losses distributed	(11.3)	(18.8)	49.6
Certain market value adjustments of embedded derivatives	7.2	11.8	(9.5)
Net realized capital losses associated with exited group medical insurance
business	3.0	0.5	2.8
Noncontrolling interest capital (gains) losses	(11.3)	(18.5)	0.9
Income tax effect	141.2	137.5	237.4
Net realized capital losses, as adjusted	$ (279.5)	$ (254.4)	$ (451.5)

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)


17. Segment Information — (continued)

(2)	In 2010, other after-tax adjustments included (1) the positive effect of gains associated with our exited group medical
	insurance business that does not yet qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($24.8
	million) and (2) the negative effect resulting from: (a) the tax impact of healthcare reform, which eliminates the tax
	deductibility of retiree prescription drug expenses related to our employees incurred after 2012 ($7.2 million) and (b)
	losses associated with our terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation that has been exited but does not
	qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($0.5 million).

	In 2009, other after-tax adjustments included the positive effect of gains associated with our exited group medical
	insurance business that does not yet qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($72.8
	million) and the negative effect of losses associated with our terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation
	that has been exited but does not qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($0.7 million).

	In 2008, other after-tax adjustments included (1) the positive effect of: (a) gains associated with our exited group medical
	insurance business that does not yet qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($96.4
	million) (b) a change in an estimated loss related to a prior year legal contingency ($7.6 million) and (2) the negative effect
	of losses associated with our terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation that has been exited but does
	not qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP ($28.0 million).

	The following is a summary of income tax expense (benefit) allocated to our segments for purposes of determining
operating earnings. Segment income taxes are reconciled to income taxes reported on our consolidated statements of operations.


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Income tax expense (benefit) by segment:
Retirement and Investor Services	$ 142.3	$ 127.2	$ 116.3
Principal Global Investors	26.0	18.6	46.4
U.S. Insurance Solutions	91.6	97.8	99.6
Corporate	(19.4)	(20.0)	(21.1)
Total segment income taxes from operating earnings	240.5	223.6	241.2
Tax benefit related to net realized capital losses, as adjusted	(141.2)	(137.5)	(237.4)
Tax expense related to other after-tax adjustments	21.1	38.7	40.5
Total income tax expense per consolidated statements of operations	$ 120.4	$ 124.8	$ 44.3

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

17. Segment Information — (continued)

The following table summarizes operating revenues for our products and services:


	For the year ended December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Retirement and Investor Services:
Full-service accumulation	$ 1,333.1	$ 1,280.7	$ 1,397.3
Individual annuities	1,018.6	945.6	1,017.1
Bank and trust services	91.8	83.9	74.4
Eliminations	(9.1)	(8.4)	(7.4)
Total Accumulation	2,434.4	2,301.8	2,481.4
Investment only	643.4	796.0	1,138.0
Full-service payout	627.2	575.9	711.9
Total Guaranteed	1,270.6	1,371.9	1,849.9
Total Retirement and Investor Services	3,705.0	3,673.7	4,331.3
Principal Global Investors (1)	432.6	392.8	545.8
U.S. Insurance Solutions:
Individual life insurance	1,360.9	1,357.7	1,393.3
Specialty benefits insurance	1,412.1	1,452.7	1,498.2
Total U.S. Insurance Solutions	2,773.0	2,810.4	2,891.5
Corporate	(82.1)	(94.5)	(112.5)
Total operating revenues	$ 6,828.5	$ 6,782.4	$ 7,656.1
Total operating revenues	$ 6,828.5	$ 6,782.4	$ 7,656.1
Net realized capital losses (except periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge
derivatives), including recognition of front-end fee revenues and certain market
value adjustments to fee revenues	(381.7)	(522.1)	(685.5)
Exited group medical insurance business	1,406.8	1,613.6	1,765.5
Terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation	(0.8)	(0.5)	(32.1)
Total revenues per consolidated statements of operations	$ 7,852.8	$ 7,873.4	$ 8,704.0


(1)	Reflects inter-segment revenues of $189.4 million, $183.8 million and $230.0 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008,
	respectively. These revenues are eliminated within the Corporate segment.

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

18. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2010, our ultimate parent, PFG, has the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (formerly known as the 2005

Stock Incentive Plan), the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan and the Long-Term Performance Plan

("Stock-Based Compensation Plans"), which resulted in an expense to us. As of May 17, 2005, no new grants will be made

under the Stock Incentive Plan or the Long-Term Performance Plan. Under the terms of the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, grants

may be nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options qualifying under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, restricted

stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance units or other stock based awards. To

date, PFG has not granted any incentive stock options, restricted stock or performance units. The following Stock-Based

Compensation Plans information represents all share based compensation data related to us and our subsidiaries’ employees.

For awards with graded vesting, we use an accelerated expense attribution method. The compensation cost that was

charged against income for stock-based awards granted under the Stock-Based Compensation Plans was as follows:


	For the year ended
	December 31,
	2010	2009	2008
		(in millions)
Compensation cost	$ 38.9	$ 39.5 $	26.1
Related income tax benefit	12.4	12.4	8.3
Capitalized as part of an asset	2.8	3.7	4.7

Nonqualified Stock Options

Nonqualified stock options were granted to certain employees under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock

Incentive Plan. Options outstanding under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan were granted at an

exercise price equal to the fair market value of PFG common stock on the date of grant, and expire ten years after the grant date.

These options have graded or cliff vesting over a three-year period, except in the case of approved retirement.

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1.7 million, zero and $3.4 million during 2010, 2009, and

2008, respectively.

The weighted-average remaining contractual lives for stock options exercisable is approximately 5 years as of

December 31, 2010.

The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following is a summary

of the assumptions used in this model for the stock options granted during the period:


	For the year ended
	December 31,
Options	2010	2009	2008
Expected volatility	66.6%	55.0%	25.4%
Expected term (in years)	6	6	6
Risk-free interest rate	2.8%	2.1%	3.1%
Expected dividend yield	2.25%	4.07%	1.51%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$ 11.48	$ 4.07	$15.41

We determine expected volatility based on, among other factors, historical volatility using daily price observations. The

expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. We previously determined

expected term based on the simplified method as described by the Securities Exchange Commission. Beginning with stock

options granted in 2008, 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, 2010, there was $3.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested stock

options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average service period of approximately 1.6 years.

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

18. Stock-Based Compensation Plans — (continued)

Performance Share Awards

Performance share awards were granted to certain employees under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. The performance

share awards are treated as an equity award and are paid in shares. Whether the performance shares are earned depends upon the

participant's continued employment through the performance period (except in the case of an approved retirement) and PFG’s

performance against three-year goals set at the beginning of the performance period. Performance goals based on various factors,

including return on equity, PFG’s earnings per common share, operating income and PFG’s book value per common share, must

be achieved for any of the performance shares to be earned. If the performance requirements are not met, the performance shares

will be forfeited, no compensation cost is recognized and any previously recognized compensation cost is reversed. There is no

maximum contractual term on these awards. Dividend equivalents are credited on performance shares outstanding as of the

record date. These dividend equivalents are only paid on the shares released.

The total intrinsic value of performance share awards vested was zero, $6.0 million and zero during 2010, 2009 and

2008, respectively.

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 2010, 2009 and 2008

were $22.21, $11.64 and $56.92, respectively.

As of December 31, 2010, there was $4.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested

performance share awards granted. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average service period of

approximately 1.6 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units were granted to certain employees and agents pursuant to the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the

Stock Incentive Plan. The restricted stock units are treated as an equity award. Under these plans, awards have graded or cliff

vesting over a three-year service period. When service for PFG ceases (except in the case of an approved retirement), all vesting

stops and unvested units are forfeited.There is no maximum contractual term on these awards. Dividend equivalents are credited

on restricted stock units outstanding as of the record date. These dividend equivalents are only paid on the shares released.

The total intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested was $8.8 million, $3.2 million and $23.8 million during 2010,

2009 and 2008, respectively.

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 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $22.42,

$11.70 and $57.96, respectively.

As of December 31, 2010, there was $19.7 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 had the opportunity to purchase shares of PFG

common stock on a quarterly basis through 2008. Beginning in 2009, participating employees have the opportunity to purchase

shares of PFG common stock on a semi-annual basis. Employees may purchase up to $25,000 worth of PFG common stock each

year. Employees may purchase shares of PFG common stock at a price equal to 85% of the shares' fair market value as of the

beginning or end of the purchase period, whichever is lower.

We recognize compensation expense for the fair value of the discount granted to employees participating in the

employee stock purchase plan in the period of grant. Shares of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are treated as an equity award.

The weighted-average fair value of the discount on the stock purchased was $7.37, $4.98 and $6.54 during 2010, 2009 and 2008,

respectively. The total intrinsic value of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan shares settled was $6.5 million, $5.2 million and

$4.8 million during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Principal Life Insurance Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (continued)

19. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations.


		For the three months ended
	December 31	September 30 (1)	June 30 (2)	March 31
		(in millions, except per share data)
2010
Total revenues	$ 2,053.3	$ 1,956.5	$ 1,865.3	$ 1,977.7
Total expenses	1,813.5	1,849.4	1,809.9	1,757.1
Net income	192.3	99.3	44.0	166.9
Net income attributable to PLIC	182.8	98.4	42.2	162.5
2009
Total revenues	$ 1,949.8	$ 2,009.0	$ 1,881.5	$ 2,033.1
Total expenses	1,808.1	1,782.9	1,721.0	1,911.2
Net income	119.5	174.5	122.4	109.0
Net income attributable to PLIC	114.8	163.2	117.0	107.4


(1) During the third quarter of 2009, we discovered a prior period error related to DPAC amortization of certain contracts in our
	full service accumulation business. We evaluated the materiality of the error from qualitative and quantitative perspectives
	and concluded it was not material to any prior periods. The correction of the error in the third quarter of 2009 could be
	considered material to the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009, but is not material to the
	results of operations for any annual period presented. Accordingly, we made an adjustment in the third quarter of 2009 that
	resulted in a decrease in DPAC amortization expense. On an after-tax basis, the adjustment for prior periods resulted in an
	$18.9 million increase in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

(2)	During the second quarter of 2010, we determined our residential mortgage loan portfolio, and in particular our home
	equity loan portfolio, had experienced an increase in severe delinquencies and loss severity from sustained elevated
	levels of unemployment along with continued depressed collateral values. The deterioration resulted in an increase in
	delinquencies and default costs. During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded a $41.9 million after-tax residential
	mortgage loan loss provision for our Bank and Trust Services business. Of this residential mortgage loan loss provision,
	$21.4 million after-tax could be attributed to 2009. We evaluated the qualitative and quantitative factors for materiality.
	The adjustment related to prior periods could be considered material to the results of operations for the three months ended
	June 30, 2010, but was not material to the results of operations for any annual period presented. The provision for loan loss
	is reported in net realized capital gains (losses) on our consolidated statements of operations and the adjustment for prior
	periods resulted in a decrease in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2010.


PART C
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.	Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)	Financial Statements included in the Registration Statement
	(1)	Part A:
		Condensed Financial Information for the 10 years ended
		December 31, 2010.

	(2)	Part B:
		Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B:
		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
		Statements of Assets and Liabilities, December 31, 2010
		Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2010
		Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
		Notes to Financial Statements.

		Principal Life Insurance Company:
		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31, 2010, and 2009.
		Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 20010, 2009 and 2008.
		Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009
		and 2008.
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

	(3)	Part C
		Principal Life Insurance Company
		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Schedules*
		Schedule I - Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties As of
		December 31, 2010*
		Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and
		for each of the years then ended*
		Schedule IV – Reinsurance as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and for each of the years
		then ended*


All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and
Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been
omitted.

(b)	Exhibits
	(1)		Resolution of Board of Directors of the Depositor – filed with the Commission on filed on
			9/14/98
	(3a)		Distribution Agreement (filed 9/14/98)
	(3b)		Selling Agreement (filed 4/20/99)
	(4a)		Form of Variable Annuity Contract (filed 9/14/98)
	(4b)		Form of Variable Annuity Contract (filed 9/14/98)
	(5)		Form of Variable Annuity Application (filed 9/14/98)
	(6a)		Articles of Incorporation of the Depositor (filed 9/14/98)
	(6b)		Bylaws of Depositor (filed 9/14/98)
	(8a1)		Shareholder Services Agreement with American Century Investment Management Inc., as
			amended (incorporated by reference from file number 333-116220, as filed on May 1, 2008)
	(8a2)		Rule 22c-2 Agreement with American Century Investment Management Inc., (incorporated by
			reference from file number 333-116220, as filed on May 1, 2008)
	(8b1)		Amended & Restated Participation Agreement with Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance
			Products Trust (filed on May 1, 2008)
	(8b2)		Administrative Services Agreement with Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (filed on May 1,
			2008)

Item 25. Officers and Directors of the Depositor

Principal Life Insurance Company is managed by a Board of Directors which is elected by its policyowners. The directors and

executive officers of the Company, their positions with the Company, including Board Committee

memberships, and their principal business address, are as follows:


DIRECTORS:

Name and Principal Business Address	Positions and Offices
BETSY J. BERNARD	Director
40 Shalebrook Drive	Chair, Nominating and Governance Committee
Morristown, NJ 07960	Member, Executive and Human Resources Committees

JOCELYN CARTER-MILLER	Director
TechEd Ventures	Member, Nominating and Governance Committee
3020 NW 33rd Avenue
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33311

GARY E. COSTLEY	Director
257 Barefoot Beach Boulevard, Suite 404	Member, Audit Committee
Bonita Springs, FL 34134

MICHAEL T. DAN	Director
The Brink's Company	Chair, Human Resources Committee
1801 Bayberry Court
Richmond, VA 23226

DENNIS H. FERRO	Director
100 Dove Plum Road
Vero Beach, FL 32963

C. DANIEL GELATT, JR.	Director
NMT Corporation	Member, Audit Committee
2004 Kramer Street
La Crosse, WI 54603

SANDRA L. HELTON	Director
1040 North Lake Shore Drive #26A	Member, Audit Committee
Chicago, IL 60611

RICHARD L. KEYSER	Director
5215 Old Orchard Place	Member, Nominating and Governance and Human
Ste. 440	Resources Committees
Skokie, IL 60077

ARJUN K. MATHRANI	Director
176 East 71st Street, Apt. 9-F	Chair, Audit Committee
New York, NY 10021	Member, Executive Committee

ELIZABETH E. TALLETT	Director
Hunter Partners, LLC	Member, Executive, Human Resources and Nominating
12 Windswept Circle	and Governance Committees
Thornton, NH 03285-6883

LARRY D. ZIMPLEMAN	Chairman of the Board and Chair, Executive Committee,
The Principal Financial Group	Principal Life: Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Des Moines, IA 50392	Officer


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (OTHER THAN DIRECTORS)

Name and Principal Business Address	Positions and Offices
REX AUYEUNG	Senior Vice President and President, Principal Financial Group
	– Asia

NED A. BURMEISTER	Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Principal
	International

GREGORY J. BURROWS	Senior Vice President Retirement and Investor Services

TERESA M. BUTTON	Vice President and Treasurer

RONALD L. DANILSON	Senior Vice President Retirement and Investor Services

TIMOTHY M. DUNBAR	Senior Vice President – Strategy and Finance

GREGORY B. ELMING	Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer

RALPH C. EUCHER	Senior Vice President Human Resources and Corporate
	Services

NORA M. EVERETT	Senior Vice President Retirement and Investor Services

JOYCE N. HOFFMAN	Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary

DANIEL J. HOUSTON	President – Retirement, Insurance and Financial Services

JULIA M. LAWLER	Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

TERRANCE J. LILLIS	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

JAMES P. MCCAUGHAN	President – Global Asset Management

TIMOTHY J. MINARD	Senior Vice President – Distribution

MARY A. O'KEEFE	Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

GARY P. SCHOLTEN	Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

KAREN E. SHAFF	Executive Vice President and General Counsel

NORMAN R. SORENSEN	Chairman – Principal International

DEANNA D. STRABLE	Senior Vice President – U.S. Insurance Solutions

LUIS E. VALDES	President – Principal International

Item 26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or the Registrant

The Registrant is a separate account of Principal Life Insurance Company (the "Depositor") and is operated as a unit

investment trust. Registrant supports benefits payable under Depositor's variable life contracts by investing assets allocated to

various investment options in shares of Principal Variable Contracts Funds, Inc. and other mutual funds registered under the

Investment Company Act of 1940 as open-end management investment companies of the "series" type. No person is directly

or indirectly controlled by the Registrant.

The Depositor is wholly-owned by Principal Financial Services, Inc. Principal Financial Services, Inc. (an Iowa corporation) an

intermediate holding company organized pursuant to Section 512A.14 of the Iowa Code. In turn, Principal Financial Services,

Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Principal Financial Group, Inc., a publicly traded company that filed consolidated financial

statements with the SEC. A list of persons directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with Depositor as of

December 31, 2010 appears below:

None of the companies listed in such organization chart is a subsidiary of the Registrant; therefore, only the separate financial

statements of Registrant and the consolidated financial statements of Depositor are being filed with this Registration Statement.


Item 27. Number of Contractowners – As of March 31, 2011

(1)	(2)	(3)
	Number of Plan	Number of
Title of Class	Participants	Contractowners
BFA Variable Annuity Contracts	28	6
Pension Builder Contracts	134	87
Personal Variable Contracts	230	17
Premier Variable Contracts	1158	35
Flexible Variable Annuity Contract	33,458	33,458
Freedom Variable Annuity Contract	1,304	1,304
Freedom 2 Variable Annuity Contract	345	345
Investment Plus Variable Annuity Contract	32,779	32,779
Principal Lifetime Income Solutions	N/A	N/A

Item 28. Indemnification

Sections 490.851 through 490.859 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act permit corporations to indemnify directors and

officers where (A) all of the following apply: the director or officer (i) acted in good faith; (ii) reasonably believed that (a) in the

case of conduct in the individual's official capacity, that the individual's conduct was in the best interests of the corporation or (b)

in all other cases, that the individual's conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (iii) in the

case of any criminal proceeding, the individual had no reasonable cause to believe the individual's conduct was unlawful; and

(B) the individual engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a

provision of the corporation's articles of incorporation.

Unless ordered by a court pursuant to the Iowa Business Corporation Act, a corporation shall not indemnify a director or

officer in either of the following circumstances: (A) in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except

for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant

standard of conduct (above) or (B) in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which the director was

adjudged liable on the basis that the director receive a financial benefit to which he or she was not entitled, whether or not

involving action in the director's official capacity.

Registrant's By-Laws provide that it shall indemnify directors and officers against damages, awards, settlements and costs

reasonably incurred or imposed in connection with any suit or proceeding to which such person is or may be made a party by

reason of being a director or officer of the Registrant. Such rights of indemnification are in addition to any rights to indemnity to

which the person may be entitled under Iowa law and are subject to any limitations imposed by the Board of Directors. The

Board has provided that certain procedures must be followed for indemnification of officers, and that there is no indemnity of

officers when there is a final adjudication of liability based upon acts which constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and

controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in

the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act

and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by

the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense

of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities

being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,

submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed

in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


Item 29. Principal Underwriters

(a)	Other Activity

Princor Financial Services Corporation acts as principal underwriter for variable annuity contracts issued by Principal Life Insurance
Company Separate Account B, a registered unit investment trust, and for variable life contracts issued by Principal Life Insurance
Company Variable Life Separate Account, a registered unit investment trust.


(b)	Management

	(b1)	(b2)
		Positions and offices
	Name and principal	with principal
	business address	underwriter
	Deborah J. Barnhart	Director/Distribution (PPN)
	The Principal
	Financial Group

	Patricia A. Barry	Assistant Corporate Secretary
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Michael J. Beer	President and Director
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Tracy W. Bollin	Assistant Controller
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	David J. Brown	Senior Vice President
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Jill R. Brown	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Bret J. Bussanmas	Vice President/Distribution
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	P. Scott Cawley	Product Marketing Officer
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Nicholas M. Cecere	Senior Vice President
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Ralph C. Eucher	Chairman of the Board
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Nora M. Everett	Director and Chief Financial Officer
	The Principal
	Financial Group (1)

	Stephen G. Gallaher	Assistant General Counsel
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Ernest H. Gillum	Vice President
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)

	Eric W. Hays	Senior Vice President/Chief Information Officer
	The Principal
	Financial Group(1)


(c)	Compensation from the Registrant


			(3)
		(2)	Compensation on Events
		Net Underwriting	Occasioning the	(4)
	(1)	Discounts &	Deduction of a Deferred	Brokerage	(5)
Name of Principal Underwriter		Commissions	Sales Load	Commissions	Compensation

	Princor Financial Services	$26,132,360.18	0	0	0
	Corporation


Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records

All accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant are located at the offices of the Depositor, The Principal Financial
Group, Des Moines, Iowa 50392.

Item 31. Management Services

N/A

Item 32. Undertakings

The Registrant undertakes that in restricting cash withdrawals from Tax Sheltered Annuities to prohibit cash withdrawals before
the Participant attains age 59 1/2, separates from service, dies, or becomes disabled or in the case of hardship, Registrant acts
in reliance on SEC No Action Letter addressed to American Counsel of Life Insurance (available November 28, 1988).
Registrant further undertakes that:

1.	Registrant has included appropriate disclosure regarding the redemption restrictions imposed by Section 403(b)(11) in its
	registration statement, including the prospectus, used in connection with the offer of the contract;

2.	Registrant will include appropriate disclosure regarding the redemption restrictions imposed by Section 403(b)(11) in any
	sales literature used in connection with the offer of the contract;

3.	Registrant will instruct sales representatives who solicit Plan Participants to purchase the contract specifically to bring the
	redemption restrictions imposed by Section 403(b)(11) to the attention of the potential Plan Participants; and

4.	Registrant will obtain from each Plan Participant who purchases a Section 403(b) annuity contract, prior to or at the time of
	such purchase, a signed statement acknowledging the Plan Participant's understanding of (a) the restrictions on
	redemption imposed by Section 403(b)(11), and (b) the investment alternatives available under the employer's Section
	403(b) arrangement, to which the Plan Participant may elect to transfer his contract value.

Fee Representation

Principal Life Insurance Company represents the fees and charges deducted under the Policy, in the aggregate, are reasonable
in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the Company.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed by the

following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.


Signature	Title	Date


/s/ L. D. Zimpleman
_________________________
L. D. Zimpleman	Chairman, President	April 27, 2011
	and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ G. B. Elming
______________________	Senior Vice President and	April 27, 2011
G. B. Elming	Controller
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ T. J. Lillis
_____________________	Executive Vice President	April 27, 2011
T. J. Lillis	and Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

(B. J. Bernard)*	Director	April 27, 2011
B. J. Bernard

(J. Carter-Miller)*	Director	April 27, 2011
J. Carter-Miller

(G. E. Costley)*	Director	April 27, 2011
G. E. Costley

(M.T. Dan)*	Director	April 27, 2011
M. T. Dan

(C. D. Gelatt, Jr.)*	Director	April 27, 2011
C. D. Gelatt, Jr.

(J. B. Griswell*	Chairman
J. B. Griswell	of the Board	April 27, 2011

(S. L. Helton)*	Director	April 27, 2011
S. L. Helton

(R. L. Keyser)*	Director	April 27, 2011
R. L. Keyser

(A. K. Mathrani)*	Director	April 27, 2011
A. K. Mathrani

(E. E. Tallett)*	Director	April 27, 2011
E. E. Tallett

*By /s/ L.D. Zimpleman
L. D. Zimpleman
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Powers of Attorney


GENERAL INFORMATION	34
Reservation Rights	34
Legal Opinions	34
Legal Proceedings	34
Other Variable Annuity Contracts	34
Payments to Financial Intermediaries	34
Service Arrangements and Compensation	35
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	35
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	35
TABLE OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT DIVISIONS	36
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	39
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION	40


SmallCap Growth II Division

Invests in:	Principal Variable Contracts Funds SmallCap Growth Account II - Class 1
Investment Advisor:	Emerald Advisors, Inc. through a sub-advisory agreement and Essex
	Investment Management Company, LLC through a sub-advisory agreement with
	Principal Management Corporation
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term growth of capital.


Templeton Growth Securities Division

Invests in:	Franklin Templeton VIP Trust Templeton Growth Securities Fund - Class 2
Investment Advisor:	Templeton Global Advisors Limited
Investment Objective:	seeks long-term capital growth.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY	3
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM	3
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER	3
CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA	3
TAXATION UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS	5
Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	7
Financial Statements	8
Principal Life Insurance Company
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	148
Financial Statements	149


Principal Life Insurance Company
Separate Account B


Statements of Operations


Year Ended December 31, 2010

			American
	AllianceBernstein		Century VP
		Small Cap	Income &
		Growth	Growth
		Class A	Class I
		Division	Division
Investment income (loss)
Income:
Dividends	$ –		$ 248,730

Expenses:
Mortality and expense risks		29,089	194,756
Separate account rider charges		3,489	23,423
Net investment income (loss)		(32,578)	30,551

Realized gains (losses) on investments
Realized gains (losses) on sale of fund shares		(43,302)	(559,787)
Capital gains distributions		–	–
Total realized gains (losses) on investments		(43,302)	(559,787)

Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of
investments		767,397	2,471,742
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$ 691,517		$ 1,942,506


(1) Commenced operations May 24, 2010.




See accompanying notes.


(8b3)	Rule 22c-2 Agreement with Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust (filed on
	May 1, 2008)
(8c1)	Form of Participation Agreement with Principal Variable Contracts Funds (incorporated by
	reference from file number 333-116220, as filed on May 1, 2008)
(8c2)	Form of Rule 22c-2 Agreement with Principal Variable Contracts Funds (incorporated by
	reference from file number 333-116220, as filed on May 1, 2008)
(9)	Opinion of Counsel (filed 9/14/98)
(10a)	Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*
(10b)	Powers of Attorney (filed with the Commission on 4/27/2007)*
(10c)	Consent of Counsel*
(11)	Financial Statement Schedules*
(13a)	Total Return Calculation (filed 4/26/01)
(13b)	Annualized Yield for Separate Account B (filed 4/26/01)

* Filed Herein
** To be filed by Amendment.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, Principal
Life Insurance Company Separate Account B, has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereto duly authorized, and its seal to be hereunto affixed and attested, in the City of Des Moines
and State of Iowa, on the 27th day of April, 2011.

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT B
	(Registrant)


By :	/s/ L. D. Zimpleman
L. D. Zimpleman
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer



PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
	(Depositor)

By :	/s/ L. D. Zimpleman
L. D. Zimpleman
	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer