What Is Principal Financial Group Used For: Features, Reviews & Alternatives
Retirement services & investment management.
Editorially updated Oct 25, 2025
The overview
What Principal Financial Group is for
1Core Capabilitie
- Account Balance Dashboard: Displays current 401(k)/403(b) balances, vested amounts, and recent transaction history
- Contribution Management Portal: Interface for adjusting pre-tax and Roth contribution percentages from payroll
- Investment Fund Lineup Browser: Interactive list of available mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment options with performance data
- Beneficiary Designation Form: Online submission and update of primary and contingent beneficiarie
2Specialized Workflow
- Retirement Income Projection Calculator: Tool to model future retirement income based on current savings, contributions, and investment assumption
- Rollover Initiation Wizard: Guided process for transferring funds from previous employer plans into a Principal account or an IRA
- Financial Wellness Resource Library: Curated articles, videos, and webinars on budgeting, debt management, and investment strategie
- Advisor Connect Portal: Secure messaging and scheduling interface for connecting with a Principal financial professional
Who it helps
Useful ways to use Principal Financial Group
A practical path
Log In and View Account Summary
Navigate to the Principal website, click 'Log In' for 'Retirement Plan Participants' or 'Plan Sponsors', enter credentials, and land on the personalized account dashboard displaying current balances and recent activity
External signals
Reviews & reputation
Aggregated review score
Users value the secure online access for managing retirement accounts, particularly the ease of checking balances and adjusting contributions. Some feedback points to occasional navigation complexities or desire for more advanced investment analysis tools.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
1Can I roll over an old 401(k) from a previous employer into my Principal account?⌄
Yes, the Principal website provides a guided rollover wizard. You can initiate a direct rollover from a previous employer's qualified plan or an IRA into your current Principal 401(k) or a Principal IRA. Navigate to the 'Rollovers' section within your account to begin the process, which typically involves providing details of the originating account.
2What security measures are in place to protect my retirement account information online?⌄
Principal employs multi-factor authentication (MFA) for login, robust encryption for all data transmission (TLS 1.2+), and continuous monitoring for suspicious activity. Your personal and financial data are protected by industry-standard security protocols and regular third-party audits.
3Are there fees associated with changing my investment allocations or contributions?⌄
No, Principal does not charge direct fees for making changes to your contribution percentages or rebalancing your investment allocations within your retirement plan account. However, underlying investment funds may have their own expense ratios, which are disclosed in the fund prospectuses available on the site.
4How do I get personalized financial advice through the website?⌄
The website offers access to financial wellness resources and a 'Find an Advisor' tool. You can schedule a consultation with a Principal financial professional directly through the 'Advisor Connect' portal or by calling the participant service center. Some plans may also offer access to a dedicated plan advisor.
5What happens to my account if I leave my employer?⌄
If you leave your employer, your Principal 401(k) account becomes a 'terminated participant' account. You will have options to leave the funds with Principal, roll them over to an IRA or a new employer's plan, or take a distribution (subject to taxes and penalties). The website provides detailed information and tools to explore these options.
Keep exploring