The Principal Recognizes National 401(k) Day by Encouraging Saving at Any Stage

In recognition of National 401(k) Day on Sept. 10, the Principal Financial Group^® is reminding workers that wherever they are on the road to retirement, saving more can help them get where they want to go.

"National 401(k) Day is a good reminder for plan sponsors to reinforce with employees the advantages of participating in their workplace retirement plan,” said Greg Burrows, senior vice president of retirement and investor services. "This year’s theme highlights the fact that saving more, at any stage in life, can provide a better outcome at retirement.”

For the ninth consecutive year, The Principal has teamed up with Profit Sharing/401k Council of America (PSCA) to spotlight the importance of employer-sponsored retirement plans and draw attention to the need for American workers to save for retirement. The 2010 theme, "Taking You There,” targets workers at three different stages in their journey to retirement with a message that saving more is vital at any stage.

The Principal encourages clients to celebrate 401(k) Day 2010 with their employees and to distribute its easy-to-use tools and resources that raise awareness, appreciation and participation in this valuable benefit. Also available is an action planner to help clients plan events to celebrate 401(k) Day 2010. For more information, visit www.principal.com/401kday.

The Principal Names 401-K Challenge Winner
As another reminder that contributing more is part of a winning plan for retirement, The Principal sponsors the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest 401-K Challenge.

This friendly rivalry among minor league baseball teams takes place annually as part of the world’s largest traveling baseball celebration, which toured 139 different parks across the United States in the 2010 season. The Kinston (N.C.) Indians were the first minor league baseball team to reach 401 strikeouts, or Ks, at home during the 2010 Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest 401-K Challenge.

Held alongside the 401-K Challenge for teams is a 401-K Sweepstakes for fans. This year’s $5,000 sweepstakes winner was Indians fan Gail Fleming of Pikeville, N.C. Her name was drawn at random from those who correctly guessed the Indians would win the 401-K Challenge.

About the Principal Financial Group
The 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 $284.7 billion in assets under management² and serves some 18.9 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.

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 June 30, 2010.