Dividends

Generally, shareholders who own Principal Financial Group, Inc. common stock should receive their dividend payment within a week after the dividend payable date.

If your shares are registered at our transfer agent, Computershare, and you have not received your dividend payment within 10 business days after the payable date, contact Computershare at 866-781-1368.

If your shares are held by your broker and you have not received notice of the dividend within 10 business days after the payable date, contact your broker.

The change to a quarterly dividend demonstrates our commitment to consistently returning capital to our shareholders and is just one of many ways we carefully consider to increase long-term value for our shareholders.

The declaration, payment and amount of our common stock dividend is based on several factors deemed relevant by the board of directors. Those factors include results of operation, financial condition, cash requirements, available capital, future outlook and regulatory restrictions.

The board of directors regularly reviews pertinent information and takes steps to maximize the long-term value of Principal to its shareholders. Although a dividend is never guaranteed, a dividend has consistently been paid since becoming a public company in 2001.

Yes, as of September 30, 2016, we introduced a voluntary direct stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan, the Computershare CIP (the “Plan”) for PFG, Inc. common stock shareholders at Computershare. To request Plan materials, including an Enrollment Form or more information, you may contact Computershare at 866-781-1368 or computershare.com/investor.

Yes, you may contact Computershare at 866-781-1368 for an automatic deposit authorization form.

Dividends paid to individual shareholders are generally considered taxable income. For additional information, we suggest you contact your tax advisor.

If your shares are held at Computershare, the Form 1099-DIV and yearly dividend information is attached to your fourth quarter dividend check (payable in December).

If your quarterly dividend payments are being reinvested or are being deposited electronically to your bank account, Computershare will mail your 1099-DIV form by the end of December.

If you have sold your shares during the year, Computershare will mail your 1099-DIV form by the end of December.

If your shares are held at a brokerage firm, you should contact them.

To avoid withholding from future cash dividends, you must certify your taxpayer identification number. To certify your number, visit www.computershare.com/investor, or call Computershare at 866-781-1368 for instructions.

No. Owners of dividend-paying policies issued by Principal Life Insurance Company continue to be eligible for policyholder dividends, as declared by its board. As always, policyholder dividends are not guaranteed and will vary due to factors such as investment and mortality experience.

The common stock and preferred stock dividends are unrelated. For common stock, the board of directors of Principal regularly reviews the many factors that they deem relevant before deciding the amount and declaring any common stock dividend. Preferred stock dividends have a fixed rate and are also different in that there are restrictions that must be taken into account by the board before declaring a dividend.