<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2013-08-01</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <finalEffectivenessDispTime>15:45:00</finalEffectivenessDispTime>
        <form>N-4</form>
        <filer>
            <cik>0000009713</cik>
            <entityName>PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE CO SEPARATE ACCOUNT B</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-188293</fileNumber>
            <seriesClassContractData>
                <existing>
                    <seriesId>S000001542</seriesId>
                    <seriesName>PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE CO SEPARATE ACCOUNT B</seriesName>
                    <classContractId>C000129044</classContractId>
                    <classContractName>Principal Investment Plus Variable Annuity (Applications Signed On or After 08/01/2013)</classContractName>
                </existing>
            </seriesClassContractData>
        </filer>
    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
