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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QizU3T5o/AlhWSaNM7sf/oQd42I5kN6GQe85EcI8XV1FYtBQqzmtrjf5XATpX82/
 0+s/PMxoWNjDL/tzPjzoXQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001126328-04-000068.txt : 20040309
<SEC-HEADER>0001126328-04-000068.hdr.sgml : 20040309
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040309164959
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001126328-04-000068
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040305
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040309

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001126328
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE [6321]
		IRS NUMBER:				421520346
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		711 HIGH STREET
		CITY:			DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50392
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152475111

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ZIMPLEMAN LARRY D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001166875

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16725
		FILM NUMBER:		04657943

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		711 HIGH STREET
		CITY:			DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50392-0300
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152359417

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		711 HIGH STREET
		CITY:			DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50392-0300
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-05</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001126328</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PFG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001166875</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ZIMPLEMAN LARRY D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>711 HIGH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DES MOINES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50392</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Ret. &amp; Invst. Svcs.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2610.9</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.74</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2610.9</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5049.8</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Security converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Pursuant to 10b5-1 plan adopted February 27, 2002.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The reported phantom stock units were acquired pursuant to the Principal Select Savings Excess Plan and may be transferred at any time into another investment alternative under the plan.  Interests under the plan will be settled upon the reporting person's retirement or other termination of service.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Joyce N. Hoffman, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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