Name:	pfg_NetGainLossExcludingAvailableForSaleImpairments
Namespace Prefix:	pfg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale securities reported in the consolidated statement of operations.

No definition available.

Name:	pfg_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesNetOfRecoveriesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	pfg_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount by which the fair value of an investment in securities categorized as available-for-sale is less than or more than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

No definition available.

Name:	pfg_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesRecoveriesInvestmentsAvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	pfg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121645371&loc=d3e27405-111563

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120395209&loc=SL114868664-224227

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/recommendedDisclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), recognized in earnings.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121553693&loc=SL6284422-111562

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRecognizedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount, before tax, of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI).

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 10A
-Subparagraph (g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121641772&loc=SL7669646-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 8A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121553693&loc=SL6284422-111562