Other after-tax adjustment for the impact of a court ruling on some uncertain tax positions.

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- Definition

Other after-tax adjustment for the estimated obligation associated with Executive Life of New York's liquidation petition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue recognized during the period for an exited group medical insurance business that does not qualify for discontinued accounting treatment.

+ References

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The after-tax gain (loss) resulting from an exited group medical insurance business that is not a discontinued operation. It is included in income from continuing operations in the income statement.

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- Definition

Operating earnings is a measure of profit or loss for the operating segments that is used to evaluate performance on a basis comparable to that used by securities analysts. It is derived by adjusting net income for net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, and other after-tax adjustments management believes are not indicative of overall operating trends.

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- Definition

Other after-tax adjustment for charitable contribution to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Net realized capital gains (losses) net of recognition of deferred front-end fee revenues for sales charges on retirement products and services and certain market value adjustments to fee revenues. It excludes periodic settlements and accruals on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Net realized capital gains (losses) net of income taxes, related changes in the amortization pattern of deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements, recognition of deferred front-end fee revenues for sales charges on retirement products and services, net realized capital gains and losses distributed, noncontrolling interest capital gains and losses and certain market value adjustments to fee revenues. Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted, exclude periodic settlements and accruals on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments and exclude certain market value adjustments of embedded derivatives.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The after-tax impact of specific transactions that are not recurring in nature and that management does not believe are indicative of overall operating trends.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The tax impact of healthcare reform, which eliminates the tax deductibility of retiree prescription drug expenses related to the Company's employees. It is included in income taxes in the income statement.

+ References

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- Definition

The after-tax gain (loss) resulting from a terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation that is not a discontinued operation. It is included in income from continuing operations in the income statement.

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No definition available.

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period for a terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation that was exited but does not qualify for discontinued operations accounting treatment.

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- Definition

Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

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Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

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Amount of total revenue for the reportable segments, including revenue from external customers, transactions with other operating segments of the same entity, and (gross) interest revenue. All considered to be "operating revenue" for purposes of the taxonomy.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-Paragraph 27

-Subparagraph a, b, c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 280

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 22

-Subparagraph (a),(b),(c)

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Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information
Net realized capital gains (losses), net of related revenue adjustments									$ (221.8)	$ (286.4)	$ (473.2)
Exited group medical insurance business									606.3	1,403.9	1,610.6
Terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation										(0.8)	(0.5)
Total revenues	2,059.0	2,088.8	2,342.0	2,219.8	2,372.5	2,288.5	2,233.6	2,264.0	8,709.6	9,158.6	8,849.1
Net realized capital gains (losses), as adjusted									(148.3)	(194.2)	(213.4)
Other after-tax adjustments									(47.8)	15.7	69.8
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	164.0	63.7	258.0	196.3	199.3	142.2	134.0	190.8	682.0	666.3	589.7
After-tax gains (losses) associated with exited group medical insurance business that does not qualify for discontinued operations										24.0	70.5
After-tax gains (losses) associated with terminated commercial mortgage securities issuance operation that has been exited but does not qualify for discontinued operations									50.9	(0.5)	(0.7)
Tax impact of healthcare reform										(7.8)
Impact of court ruling on uncertain tax positions									(68.9)
Contribution to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc.									(19.5)
Estimated obligation associated with Executive Life of New York's liquidation petition									(10.3)
Aggregate Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Operating revenues									8,325.1	8,041.9	7,712.2
Operating earnings (loss)									878.1	844.8	733.3
Retirement and Investor Services
Segment Reporting Information
Operating revenues									4,074.1	4,124.4	4,041.5
Operating earnings (loss)									581.1	584.4	510.4
Principal Global Investors
Segment Reporting Information
Operating revenues									546.3	481.4	439.4
Operating earnings (loss)									74.0	58.5	38.2
Principal International
Segment Reporting Information
Operating revenues									909.5	779.9	562.1
Operating earnings (loss)									154.0	136.9	118.9
U.S. Insurance Solutions
Segment Reporting Information
Operating revenues									2,984.4	2,775.1	2,812.6
Operating earnings (loss)									215.9	193.7	204.1
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information
Operating revenues									(189.2)	(118.9)	(143.4)
Operating earnings (loss)									$ (146.9)	$ (128.7)	$ (138.3)