8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: July 27, 2016

(Date of earliest event reported)

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-16725	42-1520346
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission file number)	(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)		Identification Number)

711 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50392

(Address of principal executive offices)

(515) 247-5111

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ]    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR

240.14d-2(b))

[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR

240.13e-4(c))

__________________

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

(d) On July 27, 2016, the Board of Directors of Principal Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) elected Scott M. Mills as a new director of the Company and of Principal Life Insurance Company, effective immediately. There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Mills and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Mills was selected as a director. Mr. Mills has no material interest in any prior, existing or proposed transaction or series of transactions with the Company or its management.

Effective with the next regularly scheduled meetings to be held in August, Mr. Mills will serve as a member of the audit and human resources committees of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Mills’ compensation as a non-employee director will be consistent with that provided to all Company non-employee directors, as described in the Company’s most recent proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2016.  Pursuant to the established compensation program for non-employee directors, Mr. Mills will receive a pro-rated grant of Company restricted stock units which will be determined based upon the closing price of Company stock on July 27, 2016, the effective date of the grant.  

A press release announcing Mr. Mills’ election is included herewith as Exhibit 99.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)    Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99	Press Release Concerning Election of Scott M. Mills, dated July 27, 2016

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
	By: /s/ Karen E. Shaff
	Name:    Karen E. Shaff
	Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Date: July 27, 2016

EX-99

Release:             On receipt, July 27, 2016

Media contact:         Erica Jensen, 515-248.2268, jensen.erica@principal.com

Investor contact:    John Egan, 515-235-9500, egan.john@principal.com

Principal Financial Group Names Scott Mills to Board of Directors

(Des Moines, Iowa) - The Principal Financial Group^® (NYSE: PFG) announced today that Scott M. Mills, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Viacom, Inc., has been elected to the Principal^® Board of Directors, effective July 27, 2016.

“Scott will be a valuable board member. He is an accomplished executive with significant experience in capital markets, finance and operations. His experience with accounting, human resources, business development and strategic planning fit well with our global strategy,” said Dan Houston, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Principal.

Mills, 48, has been in his current role with Viacom since 2012. Prior to that, he was president and chief operating officer of Viacom’s BET Networks unit, where he previously served as chief financial officer and president of Digital Media. He worked in investment banking and served as Deputy Treasurer for the City of Philadelphia before joining BET. A native of New York, Mills received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of Principal’s continued expansion as the company deepens its extensive global reach and executes its aggressive growth strategy,” said Mills.

For more research, analysis and insights from The Principal^®, visit The Principal Knowledge Center and connect with us on Twitter.

About Principal^® 

Principal helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals - offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com.

Principal, Principal and symbol design and Principal Financial Group are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.

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