Business owners, key employees and high-income individuals may have a retirement savings gap and therefore a different set of planning considerations when it comes to reaching retirement income goals. To help financial professionals work with clients to fill this gap and address their complete retirement needs, the Principal Financial Group® introduces a new suite of tools and resources.

Through Principal® Retirement+, financial professionals have access to comprehensive information, education and resources including:

  • A simple online retirement gap calculator to prepare a customized gap analysis for clients.
  • Consultative expertise including one-on-one case design, analysis and presentation.
  • Post-sale support and ongoing administrative services.

"Financial professionals play a critical role in helping individuals determine their retirement readiness by identifying gaps and offering ways to save more," said Patti Bell, director of Advanced Solutions for The Principal®. "The world of supplemental retirement solutions can be overwhelming, which is why we created a simple process for financial professionals to get the help and tools they need, allowing them time to focus on their clients."

The new Principal Retirement+ site, www.principal.com/retirementplus, leads financial professionals through the entire sales process from identifying the savings gap to creating an action plan. Financial professionals have direct access to a team of CPAs, attorneys and plan design consultants with years of experience in the business market. Choosing from a wide range of possible supplemental retirement solutions, professionals at The Principal will develop a customized proposal to help meet each individual client's needs.

"Our top-tier product portfolio includes products designed specifically for the business market with flexible funding options, coupled with traditional and innovative policy riders," notes Bell. "And, fast and easy underwriting will help financial professionals place their business fast and effectively."

For more news and insights from The Principal, connect with us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ThePrincipal.

About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group® (The Principal ®)1 is a global investment management leader including retirement services, insurance solutions and asset management. The Principal offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement, asset management and insurance through its diverse family of financial services companies. Founded in 1879 and a member of the FORTUNE 500®, the Principal Financial Group has $367.1 billion in assets under management2 and serves some 18.2 million customers worldwide from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and the United States. Principal Financial Group, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PFG. For more information, visit www.principal.com.

1 "The Principal Financial Group" and "The Principal" are registered service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a member of the Principal Financial Group.
2 As of June 30, 2012.

The Principal
Sonja R. Sorrel, 515-362-2431
sorrel.sonja@principal.com