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Insure what matters.

Protect your life and wages so that no matter what happens, the people you love can keep moving forward.

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Invest when you’re ready.

Dedicate part of each paycheck to big goals, such as retirement or education, in accounts tailored for the long term. Feel confident about investing:

Easy steps to start investing
Simple investing terms to know

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Retire on your terms.

You want to live well when you retire—and while you’re earning it. Save a little each month and increase it over time. Your workplace may offer a plan to help.

Read 5 retirement savings strategies

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Let’s work together for all life’s moments.

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[H3] A workplace benefits package that works for you
7 tips to get more for your business and employees
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You can research our firm with FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Apex Clearing Corporation is not affiliated with any member of the Principal Financial Group®. Principal® SimpleInvest portfolios are comprised primarily of Principal® products, including affiliated mutual funds and ETFs.Please refer to the Form ADV for Principal Advised Services, LLC and other applicable disclosures and agreements for important information about Principal® SimpleInvest and its services, fees and related conflicts of interest. All investments have inherent risks. Investing in Principal® SimpleInvest portfolios does not guarantee profit or protect against loss. ​The Retirement Wellness Planner information and Retirement Wellness Score are limited only to the inputs and other financial assumptions and is not intended to be a financial plan or investment advice from any company of the Principal Financial Group® or plan sponsor. This calculator only provides education which may be helpful in making personal financial decisions. Responsibility for those decisions is assumed by the participant, not the plan sponsor and not by any member of Principal®. Individual results will vary. Participants should regularly review their savings progress and post-retirement needs.​Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/-dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

[H1] Let our expertise round out yours.

Principal connects all kinds of experts—the savvy business leader, the hardworking employee, the thoughtful investor—with the retirement, benefits, and investment insights they need to feel confident taking the next step.

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We support you so you can confidently choose and use benefits and create a lifelong plan to build wealth.
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We nurture business growth with retirement plans and benefits that support employees and owners.
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We collaborate with clients to put specialized asset management and investment insights to work.
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For 145 years, we’ve helped people and businesses confidently reach their goals.

Principal has never stopped learning, growing, and adapting. Today, we continue to lead with our core values. Our culture is powered by people and led by a diverse management team. Our nearly 20,000 employees—located in 27 nations and territories in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America—drive change in their own communities. Learn more about the history and impact of Principal.
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Positions across all management categories held by women2024 Principal Sustainability Report (PDF)

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Board of Directors members who are diverse, either by gender, race, or national origin2024 Principal Sustainability Report (PDF)

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“We’re helping our customers build a strong financial future while advancing the financial inclusion conversation around the globe.”
–Deanna Strable, Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Discover more about our leadership

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June 15, 2026

Global asset management and international pension View Global asset management and international pension tagged news releases in the News room listing.

Principal Asset Management® Launches Fixed Income ETF Suite

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May 07, 2026

Benefits and protection View Benefits and protection tagged news releases in the News room listing.

Principal® announces new integration with Employee Navigator to streamline enrollment experience

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May 06, 2026

Benefits and protection View Benefits and protection tagged news releases in the News room listing.

Macroeconomic realities reshape U.S. business outlooks

Find your next career with Principal.

Set up job alerts and learn about our benefits.

Search jobs

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[H2] Footnotes

2024 Principal Sustainability Report (PDF)

2024 Principal Sustainability Report (PDF)

Retirement, Investments, & Insurance for Individuals
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How disability and life insurance can help protect your paycheck and your family

[H1] How disability and life insurance can help protect your paycheck and your family

Disability insurance and life insurance are two ways you can help protect yourself and your loved ones against the what-ifs of life.

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5 min read | August 05, 2025

Talking about (and planning for) the “what-ifs” in life is not a conversation that most people look forward to.
But avoiding those big conversations isn’t the answer, either. Take the “what-if” of injury. About one in four of today’s 20-year-olds will be out of work for at least a year before they reach retirement.Council for Disability Income Awareness The reason? A disabling condition.
What if you were one of them? What would your loved ones do if you were the primary source of income and couldn’t work for a year?
The possibility might be scary, but the planning doesn’t have to be. A good place to start is disability insurance, as well as life insurance. Knowing what they both are, how they work, and how much coverage you may need gives that conversation a less-scary start.

What is disability insurance?

Disability insurance is simply insurance that offers financial support during a temporary or permanent disability.

What is life insurance?

Life insurance is insurance provided to beneficiaries after a person dies. They may use it to maintain their lifestyle, pay off debt, fund college, or other expenses. As with disability life insurance (see below), you may have life insurance through work, or you can purchase a policy on your own. You can also add riders or additional coverage based on your circumstances.

Are there different types of disability insurance?

Disability insurance is either short-term or long-term. The “disability” encompasses more than just injury, and disability insurance may offer coverage for a range of conditions. (See below.)

What disabilities are covered by disability insurance?

That depends on the insurance provider. Take pregnancy leave; for the purposes of disability insurance, it’s typically a covered short-term condition. You may have surgery and need a few weeks to recover; that may be covered by disability insurance, too.
For disabilities that require a longer period of recovery, perhaps a full year or more, long-term disability insurance coverage may offer assistance. That may be something like a heart attack or cancer, for example. Musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis are the most common claim covered by long-term disability insurance.Council for Disability Income Awareness

Does disability insurance provide income equal to a full paycheck?

In general, no; disability income provides a certain percentage of your base salary. The total varies by the company and the coverage, either short- or long-term. Long-term coverage replacement percentages tend to be less than short-term ones.

Why does someone need disability insurance?

Maybe you’re thinking about disability insurance in case you had an accident. But the most common reason people can’t work is illness, not injury. Disability insurance helps you maintain your household and gives you time to recover.
“We generally think to protect our families and belongings through health, life, auto, and homeowners insurance, but we rarely think to protect our income stream,” says Stanley Poorman, a financial professional with Principal® .

How do I get disability insurance?

There are four main ways to get disability insurance coverage.
Through your employer: About half of all people employed in America—close to 70 million—get coverage paid in whole or in part by their employer.LIMRA
With coverage purchased by the individual but provided by an employer: About 7 million people have access to disability insurance as a voluntary benefit at work, meaning they pay the whole cost (sometimes at a discount) through deductions from their paychecks.
As an individual: Individual disability policies are also available for purchase, typically from a financial professional.
From an association or group: Professional or alumni groups may also offer disability policies to members.

How does disability insurance work?

Let’s say you’re injured and unable to work for several months, but have short-term disability coverage through your employer. As with any insurance coverage, you’ll complete the appropriate paperwork to file an insurance claim. (A doctor often must complete paperwork, too.)
Once the company determines you are eligible for coverage, you’ll go through an elimination, or waiting, period. This is simply the number of days you must wait until you receive benefit payments, which are typically monthly. Your benefit payments continue for your benefit period, or how long you’re eligible to receive disability insurance.

How much coverage does disability insurance provide?

That depends on the policy. If you have disability insurance through your employer, your benefits portal or your human resources department can provide information about your coverage, including the percentage of income replacement and benefit period. Otherwise, the providing insurance company can supply those details.

Do I have to pay taxes on disability insurance payments?

It depends on the source of the insurance. If disability insurance is provided by your employer, your benefits are typically subject to income tax. If you purchased the policy as an individual and used after-tax funds, you’ve already paid income tax. A tax professional can offer more insight.

Can I increase the amount of disability insurance coverage I have?

Yes. You can add onto existing benefits through riders (basically an add on), increased coverage, or additional policies.
Let’s say you have long-term disability coverage that replaces 60% of your paycheck before taxes. Based on your situation, that may not be enough, and you may decide you need more coverage. You may be able to:
Increase your coverage through your work-based policy. Purchase an additional policy.
Your employer or a financial professional can help.

How do I figure out how much disability insurance coverage I need or want?

The choice probably depends on a number of factors, including your family, budget, and financial needs. A good place to get started is our disability income calculator.

What’s next?

Do you need claim forms or instructions for submitting disability insurance or life insurance claims through Principal? Find the form you need.

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Cost is just one aspect of the benefits package you receive through your employer. You can find out more about what’s offered and how you can use benefits for practical help in your daily life.

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A financial checklist for starting a new job

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What to do when your spouse dies: a financial checklist

Working through this list can help you figure out what to do when your spouse dies.

[H2] Footnotes

Council for Disability Income Awareness

Council for Disability Income Awareness

LIMRA

The subject matter in this communication is educational only and provided with the understanding that Principal® is not rendering legal, accounting, investment advice, or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate counsel financial professionals and other advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax, investment, or accounting obligations and requirements.
Disability insurance has limitations and exclusions. For costs and coverage details, contact your local Principal representative.
Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Company (except in New York), Principal Life Insurance Company® and other companies available through the Preferred Product Network, Inc. Securities and advisory products offered through Principal Securities, Inc, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, Preferred Product Network, and Principal Securities are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.