Principal Financial Group Employer Reviews

no time to communicate with co-workers
I learned a lot about insurance
management was nice

Great place to work.Great people and great benefits.I woulod highly recomend this company to work at.

The handbook states it is up to management's disgression which again leaves not consistency so you better pray you stay on managements good side.

Even you join this company as IT consultant...you will be groomed for leadership position which can take you to places.

Principal Financial Group decided to exit the health insurance business. Their decision resulted in the lose of over 1500 employee's jobs. The hardest part of the job for me was to continue to work for Principal from the time they announced the exit until my release date on 3-28-2013. I had to say good-bye to the friends and co-workers that were released – more... before I was. But at the same time I am very proud to have been one of the last specialist to close down the health division. – less

Principal Financial Group was a wonderful company to work for. They treated their employees well and we all had fun and learned a lot while we were there. It was like going to work with family.

Unfortunately, the company re-designed their structure in 1997 and we were laid off. The hardest part was not working with my fellow co-workers anymore. We – more... truly cared about each other and I miss that environment very much. – less

The company itself, is a great company! Local management leaves A LOT to be desired!! Phoenix AZ

Many of the financial advisors and other employees show up at the office sporadically. Whenever they're not visiting clients, they have the freedom to show up and get their work done on their own time. I learned that you maximize your earnings when you dedicate more time doing work. One's success depends solely on their own efforts. The co-workers were – more... very helpful and a joy to be around. The hardest part of the job is dealing with so many physical files and folders for clients because of the strict laws of the SEC requiring physical correspondence to be kept on record between advisor and client. The most enjoyable part of the job is being able to create your own schedule and the freedom it offers to get your work done at your own convenience. I found that I was much more productive at work when I took leisure at my own convenience. – less

The Specialty Benefits department was an excellent place to start a career with Principal Financial Group. A typical day at work would be arriving, doing your 8 hours on the phone to assist members, providers, and third parties with specific benefit questions or claims. The management and co workers were a great aspect of the job. It was a very professional – more... calm atmosphere with many resources to help you excell in your position. – less

Not a good company by any measure. Low pay, long hours, no training, weak management, favoritism runs deep, knowledge by their "experts" is low, and there is no support or culture that inspires a long-term career, especially on the sales / financial representative side of the house. The Denver office is the worst. Omaha and Lincoln offices aren't any – more... better. These guys need to blow up the existing model and start from scratch. Don't waste your time working for this company. – less

Strong training for new employees with no prior experience.

Political, favoritism, and HR only protects the company not the employees. I was bullied and belittled by management only to have HR tell me that they have had the same complaints about the same people and there was nothing that they could do about it. Watch your back because if you are new, they will be out for you

Principal Financial Group is a pleasure to work for, however, there is not any opportunity for advancement.

I've been with the company for 10 years with various managers. My time here has been pretty good, but flexibility really depends on your manager.

I was lucky enough to land a job at Principal Financial Group when I was just 21. I have nothing but great things to say about them. The way they treat their employees to their benefits package. They promote work/life balance is one of the most important parts of the job. They take care of their employees even when you are being let go due to downsizing.

This was a fun office to work at. As a salaried employee I was allowed flexible schedule.

My typical workday:
Accept mutual fund wires (~25-80 daily) into Sungard EXP AG imaging system for others to process that were received overnight; update any participant address changes submitted to our system overnight; throughout the remainder of the day: check the processed payments entered by 6 other members of our group (~50-170) and accept any – more... mutual fund wires (~25-80) coming into system and ready for processing by others – less

Principal Financial Group
- Sales Support Specialist
- Provided quotes for sales offices

I loved my job at Principal. Hated to quit but with a sick adult daughter that had a rare blood disease and personal problems, I felt it was in my best intrests to quit. I miss it though, especially the insurance.

I learned dental claims processing on the job. Management was the best ever and the hardest part of the job was not getting personally involved with the insured/clients.