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    ComplaintsforPrincipal Financial Group

    Life Insurance
    View Business profile
    View Business profileBBB accredited business

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    Complaint Details

    Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.

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    Complaint Status
    Complaint Type
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      A claim on a life insurance policy through the company was filed on 8/1/2024. The claim is still in process with no information as to when it will be finished and has even surpassed the legal laws pertaining to the time limit for processing the claim in WAC **********.

      Business response

      09/26/2024

      This is a response to complaint ID #********. We have issued payment, plus interest, in satisfaction of this claim and have communicated the same to the beneficiary.

    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      On September 19, 2024 at the following times: 4:55pm CDT, 5:00pm CDT, 5:09pm CDT; I was connected to a retirement specialist, and each one of them hung up on me. They never called me back, and this is a waste of time when trying to accomplish what I need.

      Business response

      09/20/2024

      Thank you for forwarding.  Principal will respond directly to the complainant.

      Customer response

      09/23/2024

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

      Sincerely,

      ***** ********
    • Complaint Type:
      Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      I called Principal Financial Group to withdraw my money from my retirement plan. I was told I was able to withdraw my money in a lump sum. I received Principals paperwork to fill out, which I did in August 2024, and mailed it back to Principal. This paperwork contained all the options I could do with this money, i.e. get monthly payments, take out a lump sum, etc. I chose the lump sum. The amount of money I was to receive was between $7,000 to $10,000. Not a lot of money for Principal, but for me a disabled person who is on SSDI, a lot of money. I called to check when I was going to get my money and was told all the paperwork is in order and they are processing it. Two weeks later I called again and was told my plan was put on hold by my old employer, ********* ******** ******** S.C., who the retirement plan was through, but that I had gotten my paperwork in on time so I would be "grandfathered in" and would be able to get my money. I was assured I would get my money and to not worry about it. Two weeks went by and I never got my money, nor any communication from Principal. I called them again and was told I couldn't get my money because there was a hold on my account since April. Well, this was news to me since I've been talking with them regularly and no one said anything about a hold. My first call I asked them if there were any holds on my account and I was told no. That I could take money out in a lump sum. My paperwork was sent in. I want my money! I was told I could get a lump sum, I was sent the paperwork and filled out my request for a lump sum and mailed it back to Principal. Now when I call them it was referred to a supervisor who is going to listen to my phone calls. Why do that when they have the paperwork stating I'm allowed to get a lump sum. Bottom line, I want and need my money! They are liars.

      Business response

      09/20/2024

      Thank you for forwarding. Principal will respond directly to the complainant.

      Customer response

      09/23/2024

       
      Complaint: 22305800

      I am rejecting this response because: I was told by Principal I could withdraw my money, by more than one representative. I want my lump sum payment. 

      Sincerely,

      ***** ******

      Business response

      09/27/2024

      Thank you for forwarding. Principal will respond directly to the complainant.
       

    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      I am filing a complaint again Principal Financial Group regarding my retirement funds. I turned 65 in April of this year and remember from a long time back I was entitled to this benefit from my old company I worked for and knew the benefit was to begin in May of this year. Well May 1st came and didnt receive anything so I immediately thought something must be wrong, we called Principal and were told a letter was sent. Well, we must have misplaced it, so we asked them to send it to us again. We did, we got one, we had tons of questions, and it called and spoke to the representative on the phone asking all kinds of questions. We asked what happens to the May 1st when we are past it and she said what decision you choose for your benefits **** *** 1st start date. We filled everything out and returned. Well, I guess it wasnt right and my wifes signature was missing so we had to get it signed and notarized. Well, I guess we still didnt do something right, and it came back again. When the finally got the corrected form, no where on this time or letter was TIME SENISTIVE WRITTEN OR ANYWHERE WAS IT TOLD THAT IF I DONT GET THIS BACK BY THIS DATE, IT WILL AFFECT YOUR BENENFIT AMOUNT. We missed the month of May and June retirement funds. We were told that they increased the amount of $4.00 and sone change from the original amount. I was like WHAT!! I am missing almost ******* and was told by the increase they fill it will work out for the life of the policy. I chose in my policy to take the full retirement fund and upon my death it would cease. This is absurd. We do not know how long we will be living on this earth and what makes Principal decide this for me. If I pass tomorrow or next year as no one knows this, there is no way I will get what I lost. This is my money and worked hard for over 30 years for my benefit. We called and complained and were told there is nothing we can do.

      Business response

      09/27/2024

      Thank you for forwarding.  We are currently reviewing this matter.  We will respond directly to complainant.  

      Customer response

      10/04/2024

       
      Complaint: 22307595

      I am rejecting this response because:  As of October 4th we have not heard from Principal Financial.

      Sincerely,

      Mark Matvya

      Business response

      10/07/2024

      Thank you for following up in regard to this matter.  Our response was written and mailed to Mr. Matvya Friday, September 27th.  Due to confidentiality, we will respond directly with our recipient.  
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      I had a workplace injury that I am currently attempting to get sorted via workers comp. I have short and long term disability with them through my work, and I did inform them of the situation when I first spoke to the agent on my case, however after the first point of contact with them, I never heard back from them even after over a month of waiting and calling in. I then found out after contacting my employer that my claim was denied and I was never informed about the status of the claim at all.

      Business response

      09/17/2024

      This is a response to complaint ID #********. *************************** takes our responsibility to protect our customers confidentiality very seriously. Therefore, we will respond to the claimant directly either telephonically or in writing to address his concerns. Please let me know if you have further questions.

       

    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Short-term disability. I have been out for work over 6 weeks and they sent me a check for a grand total of $13.84. I had kidney surgery and I was told that our company had short-term disability through this company. You can leave messages make calls but they never return any calls.

      Business response

      09/04/2024

      Principal Life Insurance Company takes our responsibility to protect our customers confidentiality very seriously. Therefore, we will respond to the claimant directly either telephonically or in writing to address his concerns. Please let me know if you have further questions.

      Customer response

      09/11/2024

       
      Complaint: 22233312

      I am rejecting this response because:

      They say that they we get back  to me but the case worker never return phone calls. I sill have only been paid $13.84 for being out of work for stage one kidney cancer surgery for 6 weeks. 

      Sincerely,

      *******************************

      Business response

      09/12/2024

      Hello, ****:

      We reached out to ************************ on 09/05/2024 and left a message but did not receive a returned call so I drafted a letter and mailed it to him 09/10/2024 addressing his concerns. It includes contact information for me in the event he has additional questions.

    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      I submitted a request to rollover my 401k to another company, they are not doing anything to make it happen and just hold the money FOREVER! they told me in email thattit will take 1 week for them to review my request but it's almost been 1.5months, they didn't even start! I called multiple times but nothing helps.

      Business response

      09/05/2024

      Thank you for forwarding.  Principal will respond directly to the complainant

      Customer response

      09/07/2024

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

      Sincerely,

      *******************
    • Complaint Type:
      Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      I was employed by Strategic Financial Solutions. This company was owned by employees. (Strategic ESOP). I took a new Job in August 2023. I was told I could with draw my vested interest totaling approximately $13496.15 All contributions were handled by Principal Financial Services. I have contacted them on numerous occasions and have been informed that there is a time period that withdrawals can be made. I was advised that they would email me when the time period comes. It has been over a year and I havent heard back from them. I called them back but to no avail. The company administrator is: ************************************* *********************************************************************************************. My email that Principal has on file is:******************* The shares also included individual employee contributions. The company has been giving me the run-around and I am trying to recover the money that is owed to me. Please see what I must do to get my money back. Thank you!! I also included document statements reflecting my account ***********************

      Business response

      08/26/2024

      Thank you for forwarding.  Principal will respond directly to the complainant.
    • Complaint Type:
      Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Requested a withdrawal on 8/6/24 and was told they sent 8/8. Not received by my bank ***************** Etrade. Asked Principal for wire and or ACH transmittal and receipt numbers unable to get from call center. I called and used on site contact forms no avail. when I called i review my account # and they confirmed. Today was told they deposited into a different account number at ****** I asked them to reverse as not my account they say cant. I spoke to etrade and they state the account number that ******************** says they deposited into cannot accept wires or ACH. When I asked to speak to Principal supervisor or fraud unit was told no, put on hold and hung up on.

      Business response

      08/26/2024

      Thank you for forwarding.  Principal will respond directly to the complainant
    • Complaint Type:
      Product Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Ongoing attempts to get my retirement pension.

      Business response

      08/13/2024

      Thank you for forwarding.Principal will respond directly to the complainant.

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