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Principal Financial Group

Engaged employer

Accountant - Anonymous employee Principal Financial Group Employee Review

4.0
11 Sept 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Senior leaders are genuinely interested in personal development and aiding employees to meet their career goals. Salaries are more than fair and the bonus program is generous. As an employee, I am pushed to be innovative in my space and share ideas. As a leader, I am taught to coach my direct reports to do the same. Principal is financially conservative but socially liberal and is doing a great job of developing a culture of inclusion and diversity.

Cons

They tighten up budgets when the economy gets rough, but doesn't loosen reigns when the market stables. Like many companies around the world, employees are asked to do more with less.

Explore other reviews about Principal Financial Group

5.0
2 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great worklife balance and flexible hours

Cons

Not top end in pay within the industry

2.0
4 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Decent work life balance and benefits. Principal offers a pension which is unheard of in today’s age.

Cons

Pay is below average and Principal does not offer inflation raises. Once you hit the midpoint of your salary, you will get a 0% raise until you’re promoted, which will take multiple years regardless of performance. Performance reviews are vague and often used against employees to avoid promotions. At least in my department, I’ve yet to see any of the remote workers be promoted. This is starting to affect attrition and we’re already starting to see people leaving. It’s well known at this point that the best way to get promoted is to leave Principal and get rehired, which even leadership has stated publicly. This is a huge frustration and blow to morale, as it starts to feel like employees need to compete against their co-workers for raises.

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Principal Financial Group Response
2w
We appreciate you sharing your feedback. As a leader in retirement solutions and employee benefits, we strive to provide our employees with a competitive benefits package. Our global pay philosophy is guided by market-driven principles. and we leverage third-party market data to ensure our base salary and incentives remain appropriately competitive.
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