Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	6. Income Taxes The effective income tax rate for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, was lower than the U.S. corporate income tax rate of 35% (“U.S. statutory rate”) primarily due to income tax deductions allowed for corporate dividends received, the presentation of taxes on our share of earnings generated from equity method investments reflected in net investment income and lower tax rates of foreign jurisdictions. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012, was lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to income tax deductions allowed for corporate dividends received, tax benefits associated with a contribution of appreciated stock made to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. and a third quarter adjustment to reflect a decrease in our estimated annual effective income tax rate. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to income tax deductions allowed for corporate dividends received, the presentation of taxes on our share of earnings generated from equity method investments in net investment income and tax benefits associated with a contribution of appreciated stock made to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. We are a U.S. shareholder in various foreign entities classified as controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) for U.S. tax purposes. U.S. shareholders of CFCs are generally required to take into account as gross income in the U.S. certain passive income earned by the CFCs (“Subpart F income”) even if the income is not currently distributed. A temporary exception (the “active financing exception”) was applicable for tax years beginning before January 1, 2012, to avoid the current recognition of Subpart F income derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing, insurance or similar business. The U.S. Congress and the President enacted legislation on January 2, 2013, retroactive to January 1, 2012, to extend the active financing exception. The legislation did not have a material impact on our consolidated results for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examinations of tax years 2004 through 2008. We filed claims for refund for tax years 2004 and 2005 during 2012 and will file claims for refund relating to disputed adjustments for tax years 2006 through 2008. The IRS commenced audit of our federal income tax return for 2009 during the fourth quarter of 2011, for 2010 during the first quarter of 2012 and for 2011 during the first quarter of 2013. We do not expect the results of these audits or developments in other tax areas for all open tax years to significantly change the possible increase in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, but the outcome of tax reviews is uncertain and unforeseen results can occur. We do not believe there is a reasonable possibility the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months. The range disclosed in our 2012 financial statements was prior to the January 2013 expiration of the right to appeal the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa decision in the case of Pritired 1, LLC. We believe we have adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, contested issues, but final resolution of the contested issues could take several years while legal remedies are pursued. Consequently, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of issues from tax years 1995 - 2003 to have a material impact on our net income. Similarly, we believe there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, any challenges that might arise in tax years subsequent to 2003.

6. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, was lower than the U.S. corporate income tax rate of 35% (“U.S. statutory rate”) primarily due to income tax deductions allowed for corporate dividends received, the presentation of taxes on our share of earnings generated from equity method investments reflected in net investment income and lower tax rates of foreign jurisdictions.

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012, was lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to income tax deductions allowed for corporate dividends received, tax benefits associated with a contribution of appreciated stock made to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. and a third quarter adjustment to reflect a decrease in our estimated annual effective income tax rate.

The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to income tax deductions allowed for corporate dividends received, the presentation of taxes on our share of earnings generated from equity method investments in net investment income and tax benefits associated with a contribution of appreciated stock made to The Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc.

We are a U.S. shareholder in various foreign entities classified as controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) for U.S. tax purposes. U.S. shareholders of CFCs are generally required to take into account as gross income in the U.S. certain passive income earned by the CFCs (“Subpart F income”) even if the income is not currently distributed. A temporary exception (the “active financing exception”) was applicable for tax years beginning before January 1, 2012, to avoid the current recognition of Subpart F income derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing, insurance or similar business. The U.S. Congress and the President enacted legislation on January 2, 2013, retroactive to January 1, 2012, to extend the active financing exception. The legislation did not have a material impact on our consolidated results for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examinations of tax years 2004 through 2008. We filed claims for refund for tax years 2004 and 2005 during 2012 and will file claims for refund relating to disputed adjustments for tax years 2006 through 2008. The IRS commenced audit of our federal income tax return for 2009 during the fourth quarter of 2011, for 2010 during the first quarter of 2012 and for 2011 during the first quarter of 2013. We do not expect the results of these audits or developments in other tax areas for all open tax years to significantly change the possible increase in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, but the outcome of tax reviews is uncertain and unforeseen results can occur.

We do not believe there is a reasonable possibility the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months. The range disclosed in our 2012 financial statements was prior to the January 2013 expiration of the right to appeal the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa decision in the case of Pritired 1, LLC. We believe we have adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, contested issues, but final resolution of the contested issues could take several years while legal remedies are pursued. Consequently, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of issues from tax years 1995 - 2003 to have a material impact on our net income. Similarly, we believe there are adequate defenses against, or sufficient provisions for, any challenges that might arise in tax years subsequent to 2003.