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New Advisor Tools Address Estate Tax Uncertainty

"There's always uncertainty with estate planning because death is unpredictable, but add to that the current unknowns surrounding estate tax and many clients are left with more questions than answers," said Steve Parrish, national advanced solutions consultant for the Principal Financial Group. "Even when the law was clearer, estate tax planning is more about ranges than exacts. Our tools helps advisors focus on a range of likely outcomes so clients can take action now to protect their estate with the ability to adjust protection depending on the outcome of future legislation."

By going to www.principal.com/estatetax advisors become armed with ways to navigate the estate tax uncertainty. The site offers wealth transfer strategies based on three estate tax scenarios so advisors can suggest appropriate actions. Specific features of the site include:

• Client profiles
• Advisor education on legislation
• Customized proposals using a federal estate tax calculator
• Marketing support

"Despite the commotion, the basics are still important and sound planning still makes good sense," notes Parrish. "This site gives advisors the tools they need to walk their clients through three of the most likely scenarios so they are protected both today and when the estate tax dust settles."

For more information about life insurance from The Principal, visit www.principal.com

About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group (The Principal)¹ is a leader in offering businesses, individuals and institutional clients a wide range of financial products and services, including retirement and investment services, life and health insurance, and banking through its diverse family of financial services companies. A member of the Fortune 500, the Principal Financial Group has $284.7 billion in assets under management² and serves some 18.9 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 December 31, 2009

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