The Principal Financial Group® introduces new ways for customers to battle the uncertain markets. Principal Universal Life (UL) FlexSM, true to its name, offers clients both flexible protection and greater cash accumulation potential in one product.

Principal UL Flex gives customers choice with adjustable death benefit protection and flexible premium payments. For those who want to supplement retirement rather than survivor benefits, an additional rider focuses on long-term cash accumulation.

"Many investment portfolios were rattled this past year. As markets begin to rebound, individuals may be reassessing their financial goals and diversifying their portfolios to protect their financial future," said Greg Linde, vice president of individual life for the Principal Financial Group. "Life insurance like Principal UL Flex offers a known benefit, not directly tied to market performance which gives some stability against life's uncertainties."

Designed to meet a number of different protection and investment needs, Principal UL Flex has several additional options including:Surrender Charge Flex rider waives a portion of the surrender charges allowing individuals to access cash sooner if needed.A Life Paid - Up rider keeps the policy from lapsing when a policy is used for supplemental retirement income.Automated income feature gives customers the ability to take withdrawals from their policy on a regular basis.

This is the latest enhancement to the complete universal life insurance portfolio. For more information about Principal UL Flex, visit www.principal.com .


About the Principal Financial GroupThe Principal Financial Group® (The Principal ®)1 is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $236.6 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 18.8 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com .

Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company and Principal Life Insurance Company, Des Moines, IA 50392.

1 "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

2 As of March 31, 2009 CONTACT: The Principal Financial GroupSonja Sorrel, 515-362-2431 Sorrel.Sonja@principal.com http://www.businesswire.com