Battle Bulging Premiums: Affordable Healthcare Options for Women Business Owners and Employees; Leading Healthcare Specialists Offer Free Advice Tailored to Growing Companies.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- According to a survey by Mercer Human Resources Consulting, healthcare costs are anticipated to increase by almost 10 percent in 2006, which is three times the rate of inflation. With this in mind, women business owners are on the hunt for affordable options. However,evaluating various plans, understanding "consumer-driven" healthcare and introducing nontraditional benefits can be a daunting task.

As a dedicated partner for women business owners, the Principal Financial Group(R) offers the Women in Business teleclass, "Facing the Future of Healthcare Head On - Affordable Options for You and Your Employees" on Tuesday, October 18, at noon Central Time. Women business owners will learn how to determine eligibility, differentiate between various plans and discover viable options for keeping healthcare costs low. Additionally, "consumer-driven" healthcare will be defined and detailed by leading healthcare experts.

"Keeping in mind that health benefits comprise the largest share of benefit expenditures, it is crucial for business owners to find a healthcare plan customized to their specific needs," says Michelle Swanda, corporate marketing manager of The Principal.(R) "During this class, women business owners will learn how to choose a comprehensive healthcare plan that will allow them to keep costs low while offering employees the best coverage."

The teleclass on October 18 is part of The Principal Women in Business Teleclass Series entitled, "It's Your Business: Managing Growth and Opportunity in 2005," and is designed to offer business development strategies to women business owners. All classes take place on "Teleclass Tuesdays" and run through December.

Meet the Speakers

Teresa DeBruin is a registered health underwriter and president of DeBruin Benefit Services, Inc. Her company is affiliated with the LaRocco Companies, an insurance agency specializing in helping consulting businesses with the design and implementation of employee benefit plans. In 2000, DeBruin was awarded the National Association of Health Underwriter's Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service to her clients and to the health insurance industry.

"As healthcare costs continue to rise, women business owners struggle with how to continue to affordably offer quality benefits as part of their employee benefit packages," said DeBruin. "During this class, we will explore a variety of flexible options that satisfy employee needs with quality coverage while getting employees more engaged in their medical plans," said DeBruin.

Previously at Northwestern Mutual Life, DeBruin grew annual revenues for a startup operation, Strategic Employee Benefit Services (SEBS/GA Inc.), to $1.6 million while working with 300 business clients. SEBS/GA was repeatedly recognized as one of the top ten benefit companies with Northwestern Mutual Life.

Loraine Hardin is vice president of insured medical products for the Principal Financial Group, a FORTUNE 500 company specializing in financial products and services, including health and wellness benefits. The Principal administers health benefits for more than 1.4 million individuals from across the United States.

"With so many employers concerned about the increasing costs of healthcare, many business owners are trying to share expenses with employees," said Hardin. "More groups are turning to a new concept of 'consumer-driven' healthcare, which includes such alternative options as health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts," said Hardin.

All programs are moderated by Delia Passi, former publisher of Working Woman and Working Mother magazines. Passi lends extensive expertise to conduct meaningful one-on-one discussions with speakers to provide practical and valuable insight to women.

How to Get Involved

Women can pre-register for classes at www.principal.com/women. Space is limited. All classes are held at noon Central (1 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Mountain and 10 a.m. Pacific) on the dates scheduled. Registrants e-mail questions to session leaders prior to, and during, the session. In-depth information on the 2005 classes, topics and speakers as well as previously-conducted teleclasses via streaming audio is available at www.principal.com/women.

About the Principal Financial Group

The Principal Financial Group(R) (The Principal (R))(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 $187.8 billion in assets under management(2) and serves some 15.2 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, 2005