DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Recognizing that investing too aggressively or too conservatively each carry their own risks, the Principal Financial Group® has launched the Principal Secure Choice Indexed Annuity^SM. The new indexed annuity offers safety along with the opportunity for additional growth to help individuals meet their long-term retirement savings goals.

“Overly conservative investments may not keep pace with inflation, and excessively aggressive investments may struggle in down markets,” said Sara Wiener, assistant vice president of annuities at The Principal®. “This particular annuity offers individuals an option to grow their wealth while taking on less risk.”

The Principal Secure Choice Indexed Annuity is a single-premium, fixed deferred indexed annuity with performance based in part on performance of the S&P 500® Index¹ (excluding dividends). It is simpler than other indexed annuities since there’s just one index to track and one application process for the two index-crediting methods investors can choose from.

In addition, the product offers a four-year surrender charge period, which is rare in the indexed annuity marketplace.

The product may be a fit for retirement savers who:

• Seek growth potential
• Want protection from market volatility
• Are interested in tax-deferred growth²

“Indexed annuities are the fastest-growing product line in our industry,” Wiener said. “It appears the value proposition these products offer resonates with consumers.”

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About the Principal Financial Group
The Principal Financial Group^® (The Principal^®)³ is a global investment management leader offering retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500^®, the Principal Financial Group has $516.2 billion in assets under management⁴and serves some 20.6 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, visitwww.principal.com.

Purchasing an indexed annuity does not provide a direct investment into the stock market and guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of Principal Life Insurance Company. They are a long-term non-security (fixed) annuity product that provides an opportunity to earn an interest rate based partially on a specific index without the risk of loss of premium due to market downturns. Indexed annuities may not be suitable for all individuals.

¹ “S&P 500^®” is a trademark of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and has been licensed for use by Principal Life Insurance Company. The product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor’s and Standard & Poor’s makes no representation regarding the advisability of purchasing the product.

² Tax-qualified retirement arrangements are already tax-deferred. Consequently, an annuity should be used to fund an IRA, or other tax qualified retirement arrangements, to benefit from the annuity’s features other than tax deferral. These features may include guaranteed lifetime income, death benefits without surrender changes, guaranteed caps on fees and the ability to transfer among investment options without sales or withdrawal charges. Withdrawals prior to age 59½ are subject to a 10% IRS penalty tax.

³ “The Principal Financial Group” and “The Principal” are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

⁴ As of Sept. 30, 2015.