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Forms for individuals

Find the Principal® form you need

While many of your Principal account to-dos, such as updating your address or increasing your deferral rate, can be done online, some changes may need you to fill out a form and mail, email, or fax information to us. Use the list below for next steps and to find the form you need.

What do you need to do?

View account details online

Do you have a Principal log in? Great: Enter your username and password on the login page and view your dashboard.

Don’t have a Principal log in set up? It takes just a few steps.

  1. Go to Principal.com. Click “Log in” in the upper right corner.
  2. Click “New user? Register here,” then “Individuals.”
  3. Enter your first name, last name, date of birth, phone number, and your ID number (either your Social Security Number or a number provided by your employer) or zip code. (We will use the phone number to text or call you to verify your identity; see Step 5.)
  4. Click the box “I consent to doing business electronically.”
  5. If your phone number matches our records, you’ll receive a one-time code via text. If not, you’ll be asked to verify your identity by answering a few questions from a trusted third party.
  6. Create a username and password, and provide an email address. (We recommend using an email you’ll keep even if you change jobs.)
  7. Select and answer three security questions, which we’ll use if we ever need to verify your identity.
  8. You’ll receive a confirmation email, but can log in and begin viewing your account information.

Need help creating or managing your online account? Download printable instructions (PDF).

Review your retirement savings account balance or change your contributions

Log in to your account. On your dashboard, look for the “defined contribution” box on the left. Click the button “I want to …” and scroll to “View the full account.” Click on “Contributions,” then “Manage contributions.” You can adjust the dollar contribution and frequency, too.

Download tax documents

Do you have a Principal.com account? Great, you can log in and it takes just a couple of steps. First, click on “My profile” on the top right. Select “Manage delivery preferences,” and check the box for “Tax documents.” Click the “View terms (PDF)” button, select email notification, and select the email to send notifications. Your e-documents should be available the next day.

Are you a Principal Funds account holder? Log in to Principal.com and select your Principal Funds account. Under "Statements & History," select "Statements & Tax Forms." Click the "Tax Forms" tab.

Don’t have a Principal.com account yet? No problem. To get started, view accounts.principal.com.

As you set up or update your account, we recommend using an email that you’ll have forever—not one associated with a work account.

Name or change beneficiaries for 401(k) or other retirement plans

Log in to your account. Once you've logged in, you'll see a dashboard with all your accounts on one page. Each account's beneficiaries must be updated separately. On a desktop computer, you can update your beneficiaries in one of two ways:

  1. On the left side of the dashboard, you'll see a "card" for each account, such as "defined contribution." In that card is a drop-down button that says "I want to." Click on it and scroll to "View the full account." You'll be directed to a dashboard for that account. Then, click on "Overview" and scroll to "Beneficiaries." You can add or change primary and contingent beneficiaries on this screen.
  2. On the left side of the dashboard, click on the name of the account, such as "defined contribution." You'll be directed to a dashboard for that account. Then, click on "Overview" and scroll to "Beneficiaries." You can add or change primary and contingent beneficiaries on this screen.

If you are on the Principal app: Once you've logged in, you'll see a list of all your accounts. Click on the account to update. Then, on the top right corner, click the three horizontal lines; scroll to "Beneficiaries." You can add or change primary and contingent beneficiaries on this screen. Remember: Each account's beneficiaries must be updated separately.

If you prefer to change beneficiaries by using a form, use one of these beneficiary forms:

Check your dental or vision insurance claim status or review existing claim activity

For dental claims: Log in to view information on your dashboard.

For vision claims: Visit vsp.com. You’ll need to create an account using your member ID found on your ID card (don't use your Social Security number).

View annuity contract details and potential additional forms

Log in to your Principal account to view your dashboard. Click on “Personal summary,” then the product box “Annuity.”

Submit a life insurance claim

Where your coverage comes from makes a difference when it comes to the forms you fill out. Choose the option below that best describes your situation.

Option 1: You have group life insurance through work.

For group life insurance policies, claims can be submitted via online beneficiary group life insurance claim form.

Additional forms:

If you wish to file a paper claim, after you click the link to open the form, click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form and submit via:

Option 2: The individual life insurance policy was purchased through a financial professional.

To get started with your claim, complete, electronically sign, and submit the Individual life insurance claim form.

If you wish to file a paper claim, after you click the link to open the form, click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form. Then submit to us via:

Submit a disability insurance claim

Where your coverage comes from makes a difference when it comes to the forms you fill out. Choose the option below that best describes your situation.

Option 1: You have short-term or long-term disability coverage through work.

For group disability insurance claims for sickness, injury, pregnancy, or mental health conditions, first sign in to your principal.com account, then complete and submit your online disability claim form.

If you wish to file a paper claim, click the link below to open the form, click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form.

The doctor can also complete their section of the online disability claim form or you can provide them the Attending Physician's Statement.

Submit printed forms via:

Option 2: You purchased your own individual disability coverage.

Simply download and complete the form(s) you need:

Submit a critical illness claim

You and your employer can each click this link to complete, electronically sign and submit the critical illness claim form.

New York customers: Complete and submit the specified disease claim form.

You'll need to provide the form to your doctor to complete and submit the Attending Physician's Statement.

If you wish to file a paper claim, after you click the link above to open the form, click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form. Submit printed forms via:

Submit an accident claim

You and the employer can each click this link to complete, electronically sign and submit the accident claim form. You'll need to provide the form to your doctor to complete and submit the Attending Physician's Statement.

If you wish to file a paper claim, after you click the link above to open the form, click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form. Submit printed forms via:

Submit a hospital indemnity claim

To file a hospital indemnity claim, first sign in to your principal.com account, then complete and submit the online claim form.

If you wish to file a paper claim, click this link to open the Hospital Indemnity claim form, then click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form.

Submit printed forms via:

Submit a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim
Submit a wellness/health screening claim

To file a wellness/health screening claim under your critical illness, accident or hospital indemnity policy, first sign in to your principal.com account, then complete and submit the online claim form.

If you wish to file a paper claim, click this link to open the Wellness/Health Screening Claim form, then click options and Download PDF to print a blank claim form.

Submit printed forms via:

Manage or make changes to an individual life insurance policy

For individual coverage purchased through a financial professional, download:

Manage or make changes to a disability policy

For a disability policy purchased through a financial advisor, download:

Manage or make changes to an annuity contract

For an annuity contract purchased through a financial professional, download:

Manage a brokerage account

To view or download a prospectus, visit principalam.com/us, click on "Investment products," then the type of product, then the "Prospectus" button.

Manage retirement savings distribution options
  • Your rollover options (PDF, 402f): Have questions about Rollover IRA rules? Get the basics about how to rollover, how much you can rollover, how rollovers can affect your taxes, and more.
  • Know your options (PDF): Typically there are four options when you are eligible to take money out of a former employer’s retirement plan, find out what the advantages and drawbacks are for each option.
Restrict access to Private Health Information
Manage a Principal Funds account

Submit completed forms to your financial professional or directly to Principal Funds. 

Mail completed forms to: Principal Funds, P.O. Box 219971, Kansas City, MO 64121-9971
For overnight delivery: Principal Funds, 430 W 7th St., Ste 219971, Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

Choose from the list of forms below.

403(b)(7) Custodial Agreement
For use with your existing Principal Funds 403(b)(7) account.

403(b)(7) Distribution Request
Request a distribution from a 403(b)(7) account.

Account Application
Establish a non-retirement account (Individual, Transfer on Death, Joint, UTMA, or Trust/Corporation/Partnership/Other Entity).

Automatic Exchange Election
Establish an automatic exchange of shares between funds in your account.

Automatic Investment Plan
Establish automatic investments into your Principal Funds account from your checking or savings account.

Beneficiary Designation
Add or change beneficiaries on your retirement account.

Beneficial Owner Certification Form
Designate the Beneficial Owners and the Control Person on a legal entity account.

Change of Dealer or Investment Representative
Update your broker/dealer and/or financial professional information on your account.

Check Writing Privileges for Money Market Fund
Establish check-writing privileges on a new or existing money market fund in your non-retirement account.

Cost Basis Election Form
Change the cost basis election on your existing non-qualified account.

Direct Deposit Authorization Form
Establish a Direct Deposit plan to automatically deposit all or part of your paycheck, Social Security, or government agency payments, directly to your Principal Funds account.

Education Savings Account (ESA) Application
Establish a Coverdell Education Savings Account.

ESA Custodial Agreement (IRS Form 5305-EA)
Review this document before establishing a Coverdell Education Savings Account, and keep a copy for your records.

Education Savings Account (ESA) Distribution
Request a distribution from a Coverdell Education Savings Account.

Education Savings Account (ESA) Transfer Request
Transfer a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) from another institution to Principal Funds.

Electronic Funds Transfer
Add banking information to your account to facilitate electronic purchases and redemptions.

IRA 72(t) Distribution
Establish 72(t) distributions from your Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or SEP IRA.

IRA Application
Establish a Traditional or Roth IRA account.

IRA Distribution
Request a distribution, including Required Minimum Distributions, from your Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or SEP IRA account.

IRA Plan Document, Custody Agreement, & Account Disclosure Statement
Review this document before establishing a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or SEP IRA, and keep it for your records.

IRA Rollover Statement
If you would like to roll over funds from a qualified plan or IRA (including those made payable to you) into a Principal Funds IRA, use this form.

IRA Transfer/Direct Rollover Request
For a Trustee-to-Trustee Transfer/Rollover of a Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, or Rollover IRA from another institution to Principal Funds.

Legal Name Change
Request a legal name change for your account.

Non-IRA Transfer
Transfer a non-retirement Certificate of Deposit (CD), mutual fund, or other investment to Principal Funds.

Non-Qualified Redemption Request
Request a one-time distribution from your non-retirement account.

Power Of Attorney Affidavit
Establish a POA (Power of Attorney) or recertify an existing POA annually.

Principal Private Credit Fund I Account Application
Establish a non-retirement account (Individual, Transfer on Death, Joint, UTMA or Trust/Corporation/Partnership/Other Entity) in the Principal Private Credit Fund I.

Principal Real Asset Fund Account Application
Establish a non-retirement account (Individual, Transfer on Death, Joint, UTMA or Trust/Corporation/Partnership/Other Entity) in the Principal Real Asset Fund.

Principal Funds Employer Plan - Primary and Secondary Administrator Assignment
Add or update the Primary/Secondary Administrators on your Sponsor Service Center plan.

Qualified Plan Application
Establish an investment-only employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), Profit-Sharing, or Money Purchase Pension plan (for use by plan trustees).

Qualified Plan Enrollment
Enroll in your employer's investment-only, such as a 401(k), Profit-Sharing, or Money Purchase Pension plan (for use by plan participants).

Registration Change
Change the registration of your non-retirement account or transfer shares from your account to another non-retirement account with a different registration.

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Request
Request a Required Minimum Distribution from your Traditional IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, or 403(b)(7) account.

Retirement Plan Beneficiary
Open a Beneficiary IRA or take distributions from an existing Beneficiary IRA.

Rights of Accumulation (ROA)/Statement of Intent (SOI)
Notify us of accounts eligible for linking under Rights of Accumulation (ROA), or establish a Statement of Intent (SOI).

Roth IRA Conversion Application
Convert your Traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.

SEP IRA Adoption Agreement
Establish a SEP IRA plan (for use by employers).

SEP IRA Application
Establish a SEP IRA account (for use by plan participants).

SEP IRA Employer Contribution
Submit initial employer contributions for participants in a SEP IRA (for use by employers).

SEP IRA Transfer/Direct Rollover Request
Transfer a SEP IRA (or roll over a qualified plan) from another institution to a SEP IRA with Principal Funds.

SIMPLE IRA Adoption Agreement (IRS Form 5304-SIMPLE)
Establish a SIMPLE IRA plan (for use by employers).

SIMPLE IRA Application
Establish a SIMPLE IRA account (for use by plan participants).

SIMPLE IRA Custodial Agreement (IRS Form 5305-SA)
Establish a SIMPLE IRA Plan agreement between employer and employee.

SIMPLE IRA Salary Deferral Agreement
Establish or amend salary deferral contributions to your SIMPLE IRA account.

SIMPLE IRA Salary Deferral Contribution
Submit initial employer contributions for participants in a SIMPLE IRA plan (for use by employers).

SIMPLE IRA Transfer Request
Transfer a SIMPLE IRA from another institution to Principal Funds.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) Request
Establish systematic withdrawals from your Principal Funds non-retirement account to your checking or savings account.

Third Party Authorization Form (Authorization for release of records or information)
Form to authorize an individual to be listed as an Authorized Caller on a Principal Funds, Inc. account.

Transfer On Death Affidavit
Use this form to transfer ownership of an existing account registered as a Transfer upon a Death.

Transfer On Death Registration Form
Establish a Transfer On Death (TOD) registration on a new or existing account.

Trust or Business Authorized Trader Form
Grant online account authorization on a trust or corporate account.

Trustee Certification and Indemnification
Use this form to certify trustees on a trust account.

Reach out

We can help.

Retirement plan participants: +1-800-547-7754
Life and disability insurance customers: +1-800-247-9988
Mutual fund clients: +1-800-222-5852

Annuity clients:
Deferred annuities: +1-800-852-4450
Income annuities: +1-866-321-9648

Assistance in Spanish: +1-800-243-1404
Assistance in Spanish online

Everyone else: +1-800-986-3343

Or send us an email.

Need help with insurance claims?

Find your most common questions answered online. Visit help with insurance.