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Principal Financial Group

Engaged Employer

Quit due to incredibly toxic management - Software Engineer Principal Financial Group Employee Review

1.0
Sep 19, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Work life balance was nice.

Cons

After working at PFG for multiple years, I got a new manager and they were incredibly toxic. They started picking on me and and alienating me from the rest of the team. I tried to reach out to HR and to management but no one cared to listen. I eventually quit as the situation was too toxic and there was no coming back from it. I was also switched teams multiple times with different managers with no heads up. Company was very slow as it was so big and took forever to make decisions. Up until this experience I had a good time at Principal, but after it I'd never recommend anyone work here.

Explore other reviews about Principal Financial Group

5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good FTO policy good opportunity for career development flexible work arrangements

Cons

health insurance sucks - United annual reviews- everything's made up and the points don't matter more and more pressure to be in-office despite team members being remote

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Principal Financial Group Response
3d
Thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback. Your input is valuable as we work to improve as an employer.
2.0
Jun 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Decent work life balance and benefits. Principal offers a pension which is unheard of in today’s age.

Cons

Pay is below average and Principal does not offer inflation raises. Once you hit the midpoint of your salary, you will get a 0% raise until you’re promoted, which will take multiple years regardless of performance. Performance reviews are vague and often used against employees to avoid promotions. At least in my department, I’ve yet to see any of the remote workers be promoted. This is starting to affect attrition and we’re already starting to see people leaving. It’s well known at this point that the best way to get promoted is to leave Principal and get rehired, which even leadership has stated publicly. This is a huge frustration and blow to morale, as it starts to feel like employees need to compete against their co-workers for raises.

1
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Principal Financial Group Response
2w
We appreciate you sharing your feedback. As a leader in retirement solutions and employee benefits, we strive to provide our employees with a competitive benefits package. Our global pay philosophy is guided by market-driven principles. and we leverage third-party market data to ensure our base salary and incentives remain appropriately competitive.
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