2009-11-16 16:33:05 -

The Principal Financial Group ® came out on top as the best third-party benefit claims administrator according to readers of Business Insurance magazine. The annual “Readers Choice Awards” recognize readers’ top picks for the companies they believe offer the best combination of service, value, quality and innovation.

“We’re honored to receive this vote of confidence from Business Insurance readers,” said Renee Schaaf,

vice president of self-funded health insurance for The Principal ® . “The award exemplifies the work our employees do every day to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers. We help our customers make the most of their health care dollars by working together to find ways to stem rising health care costs.”

Launched in 2005, the Business Insurance’s annual “Readers Choice Awards” recognize the best overall commercial insurance companies. Business Insurance readers include business executives who are responsible for the purchase and administration of corporate insurance and self-funded programs, encompassing property and liability insurance and employee benefit programs including life, health and pensions.
Information on the award winners is included in the current issue of Business Insurance.


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 $280.4 billion in assets under management 2 and serves some 18.6 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 and services issued by Principal Life Insurance Company.

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 September 30, 2009


Principal Financial GroupSonja Sorrel, 515-362-2431 Sorrel.Sonja@principal.com : mailto:Sorrel.Sonja@principal.com