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

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings relating to positions still held.

No definition available.

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

No definition available.

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

Amount of net issuances of financial instruments measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

No definition available.

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

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings relating to positions still held.

No definition available.

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

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from net derivatives assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings relating to positions still held.

No definition available.

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

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income from asset measured at fair value on recurring basis using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) from asset measured at fair value on recurring basis using unobservable input (level 3).

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

Amount of issuances of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Amount of purchases of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Amount of purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Amount of sale of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Amount of settlement of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Amount of transfer of financial instrument classified as an asset into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of transfers of financial instrument classified as an asset out of level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Fair value of financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income from liability measured at fair value on recurring basis using unobservable input (level 3).

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

Amount of purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Amount of settlements of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

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

Fair value of financial instrument classified as a liability measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income from derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured at fair value on recurring basis using unobservable input (level 3).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19279-110258

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

Amount of purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) of financial instrument classified as a derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19279-110258

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

Amount of sales of financial instrument classified as a derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19279-110258

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

Fair value of financial instrument classified as derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126976982&loc=d3e19279-110258

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisWithUnobservableInputs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Indicates line item in statement in which net income is reported that includes gain (loss) from asset measured at fair value using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates line item in statement in which other comprehensive income (OCI) is reported that includes gain (loss) from asset measured at fair value using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationAssetGainLossStatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates line item in statement in which net income is reported that includes gain (loss) from liability measured at fair value using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLiabilityGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates line item in statement in which other comprehensive income (OCI) is reported that includes gain (loss) from liability measured at fair value using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLiabilityGainLossStatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates line item in statement in which net income is reported that includes gain (loss) from derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured at fair value using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityGainLossStatementOfIncomeExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Indicates line item in statement in which other comprehensive income (OCI) is reported that includes gain (loss) from derivative asset (liability) after deduction of derivative liability (asset), measured at fair value using unobservable input (level 3).

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityGainLossStatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleList
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=pfg_InvestmentAndUniversalLifeContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis=pfg_FundsWithheldPayableEmbeddedDerivativeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=pfg_AvailableForSaleSecurityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=pfg_TradingSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=pfg_InvestmentsOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: