PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C
10-K405, 1999-03-18
Previous: HUTTON E F TAX EXEMPT TRUST NATIONAL SERIES 7, NSAR-U, 1999-03-18
Next: TAX EXEMPT SECURITIES TRUST SERIES 24, NSAR-U, 1999-03-18



                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    Form 10-K

                  1. ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d)

                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998   Commission File Number 2-39957 and
                          (current  number)   Commission File Number 33-58028

                        PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                   f/k/a PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                               SEPARATE ACCOUNT C
            (Exact Name of Registrant, as specified in its charter)



             Iowa                                           42-0127290
- -------------------------------               ----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                  IRS Employer Identification No.
incorporation or organization)                (Principal Life Insurance Company)

The Principal Financial Group
Des Moines, Iowa                                             50392-0200
- -------------------------------                ---------------------------------
         (Address)                                           (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code         (515) 248-3842
                                                          

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


         Variable Contracts - Participating with Pooled Separate Account
                         Variable Benefits - HR-10 Plans
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                             Yes  ___X___      No _______

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein,
and will not be contained,  to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information  statements  incorporated  by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

     The Registrant has no voting stock.


                                     PART I


Item 1. Business

        The  Registrant  is  a  separate  account  established  under  the  Iowa
        insurance  laws and  regulations  as Principal  Life  Insurance  Company
        Separate  Account C on April 12, 1971,  pursuant to a resolution  of the
        Executive  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Principal  Life
        Insurance  Company.  Principal Life Insurance  Company was  incorporated
        under Iowa law as a mutual life  insurance  company  named  Bankers Life
        Association.  It changed  its name to Bankers  Life  Company in 1911 and
        then to Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1986. The name change
        to Principal LIfe  Insurance  Company and  reorganization  into a mutual
        holding company  structure took place in 1998. The account was formed to
        receive  payments  under  Principal  Life  Insurance  Company  Contracts
        designed  for use in  connection  with pension or profit  sharing  plans
        which qualify under the Self-Employed  Individuals Tax Retirement Act of
        1962, as amended  ("HR-10").  Principal  Life  Insurance  Company offers
        life, disability,  health and annuity contracts written on an individual
        and group basis.

        Pursuant to the Amendments enacted in 1970 to the Investment Company Act
        of 1940,  the Account is not an  investment  company for purposes of the
        Act.

        The objective of these  Contracts is to provide for the  accumulation of
        retirement  funds and to provide for  payments,  usually  commencing  at
        retirement,  which  tend to reflect  changes in the cost of living  both
        during the years prior to and the years  following the  commencement  of
        annuity payments.  With Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts (Registration
        No. 2-39957),  Principal Life Insurance Company,  as a depositor for the
        Account,  seeks to accomplish  this  objective by investing the payments
        made under the Contracts in shares of Principal Variable Contracts Fund,
        Inc. - Capital Value Account (f/k/a Principal Capital Accumulation Fund,
        Inc.)  which  invests  principally  in common  stocks.  Similarly,  with
        Pension  Builder  Contracts  (Registration  No.  33-58028),  it seeks to
        accomplish this objective by investing  payments made under the Contract
        in three Divisions.  One is a "Common Stock Division" where payments are
        invested in shares of Principal  Variable Contracts Fund, Inc. - Capital
        Value Account.  Another is a "Money Market  Division" where payments are
        invested in  Principal  Variable  Contracts  Fund,  Inc., - Money Market
        Account  (f/k/a  Principal  Money Market Fund,  Inc.),  which invests in
        short-term money market instruments. The third Division is a "Government
        Securities  Division" where payments are invested in Principal  Variable
        Contracts Fund, Inc. - Government  Securities  Account (f/k/a  Principal
        Government  Securities Fund, Inc.),  which invests in obligations issued
        or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies. There may
        be a combination of investments in the three  Divisions,  as directed by
        Participants.

        Except for those Contracts described above with payments credited to the
        Registrant  (Principal Life Insurance  Company  Separate  Account C) and
        Variable  Annuity  Contracts and Variable Life Insurance  Contracts with
        payments credited to Principal Life Insurance Company Separate Account B
        and  Variable  Life   Separate   Account,   respectively,   the  Company
        distributes  its own products as permitted under the laws of the various
        jurisdictions in which the Company is authorized to do business,  namely
        the fifty states of the United  States,  the  District of Columbia,  the
        Commonwealth  of Puerto  Rico and the  Canadian  provinces  of  Alberta,
        British  Columbia,  Manitoba,  Ontario and Quebec.  Such distribution is
        through a field agency system of approximately  1366 full-time agents, a
        group insurance sales  organization of approximately 271 individuals and
        through a large number of independent insurance brokers.

        The Contracts  described above with payments  credited to the Registrant
        and  other  Variable  Annuity  Contracts  and  Variable  Life  Insurance
        Contracts   are   distributed   through   Princor   Financial   Services
        Corporation,  an affiliated  broker-dealer  offering open-end management
        investment company shares, variable annuities,  variable life insurance,
        interests in limited  partnerships and general securities to the public.
        Such Contracts are sold primarily by registered  representatives  of the
        broker-dealer  who are also insurance agents of or brokers for Principal
        Life Insurance Company and authorized by applicable law to sell life and
        other forms of personal  insurance and who are  similarly  authorized to
        sell variable  annuities.  Such Contracts may also be sold through other
        selected broker-dealers.

        The  Registration  Statement  filed by the Registrant was made effective
        September  13,  1971,  and the first  sale of Bankers  Flexible  Annuity
        Contracts occurred on October 8, 1971.  Effective January 4, 1989, sales
        of Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts were discontinued.

        In 1982  the  Registrant  filed a  Registration  Statement  in File  No.
        2-78747,  to  register  a  new  class  of  securities  (called  "Pension
        Builder")  for the same  HR-10  plan  market  utilizing  the  contingent
        deferred sales charge  concept.  The  registration  for Pension  Builder
        contracts first became effective on May 5, 1983 and the first sale under
        the Pension Builder Contract was made on September 19, 1983.

        In 1989 the Registrant  filed a new  Registration  Statement in File No.
        33-27256  for the  contracts  in view of the fact that  aggregate  sales
        under  the  prior  registration   statement  approached  the  amount  of
        contracts  registered  thereunder.  The  contracts  offered  by the  new
        registration  statement are identical to contracts previously registered
        under the 1933 Act in File No. 2-78747.

        In 1993 the Registrant  filed a new  Registration  Statement in File No.
        33-58028  for the  contracts  in view of the fact that  aggregate  sales
        under  the  prior  registration   statement  approached  the  amount  of
        contracts  registered  thereunder.  The  contracts  offered  by the  new
        registration  statement are identical to contracts previously registered
        under the 1933 Act in File No. 33-27256.

Item 2. Properties

        The Registrant owns no physical properties.  The principal properties of
        the Depositor,  Principal Life  Insurance  Company,  are its home office
        complex at The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        None.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        Inapplicable.


                                     PART II


Item 5. Market  for the  Registrant's  Common  Equity and  Related  Stockholder
        Matters

        a.    The  Registrant  does  not  issue  common  stock.   The  Contracts
              described in Item 1. are  distributed  through  Princor  Financial
              Services  Corporation,   an  affiliated   broker-dealer   offering
              open-end management investment company shares, variable annuities,
              variable life  insurance,  interests in limited  partnerships  and
              general  securities  to  the  public.   Such  Contracts  are  sold
              primarily by registered  representatives  of the broker-dealer who
              are  also  insurance  agents  of or  brokers  for  Principal  Life
              Insurance  Company and  authorized by applicable  law to sell life
              and  other  forms  of  personal  insurance  and who are  similarly
              authorized to sell variable annuities.  Such Contracts may also be
              sold through other selected broker-dealers.

              For Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts  (Registration No. 2-39957)
              the high and low unit values for each quarterly period during 1997
              and 1998 are:

                             Lowest Unit Value                Highest Unit Value

First Quarter 1997              20.4528637                        21.9936217
Second  "     1997              20.3003374                        23.8234633
Third   "     1997              23.6068661                        25.2849532
Fourth  "     1997              23.6518502                        26.5671402
First   "     1998              25.7039901                        29.7421641
Second  "     1998              28.9133343                        30.0327198
Third   "     1998              25.5325451                        30.3428328
Fourth  "     1998              25.8281110                        30.2336310

              For Pension Builder  Contracts  (Registration  No. 33-58028) units
              were first  valued at $1.00 on  September  19, 1983 for the Common
              Stock  Division,  September 22, 1983 for the Money Market Division
              and March 30, 1987 for the Government Securities Division.  Listed
              below are the low and high unit values for each  quarterly  period
              during 1997 and 1998.

                        Common Stock        Money Market    GovernmentSecurities
                          Division            Division            Division
                    ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
      Quarter         Lowest   Highest    Lowest    Highest   Lowest   Highest
      -------       --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

First Quarter  1997 4.1255939 4.4281422 1.8262238 1.8416400 1.8452822 1.9047543
Second   "     1997 4.0833413 4.7827225 1.8418203 1.8584075 1.8424106 1.9329582
Third    "     1997 4.7380533 5.0609139 1.8585945 1.8745921 1.9286336 1.9921011
Fourth   "     1997 4.7149497 5.2522151 1.8747794 1.8911113 1.9864637 2.0387303
First    "     1997 5.0801506 5.8665362 1.8917032 1.9085747 2.0459757 2.0739041
Second   "     1997 5.6972242 5.9204981 1.9087654 1.9258325 2.0601982 2.1037409
Third    "     1997 5.0137197 5.9666438 1.9260245 1.9426780 2.1044991 2.1807744
Fourth   "     1997 5.0674580 5.9183008 1.9428674 1.9607951 2.1436487 2.1900032

        b.    The approximate number of holders of record of each group contract
              and the  number of the  participants  therein as of  December  31,
              1998, are as follows:

                                        (1)                    (2)
                                  Number of Group           Number of
                                  Contract Holders         Participants
                                  ----------------         ------------
Bankers Flexible Annuity                  17                     17
Pension Builder                           38                     46

        c.    No dividends have been declared on units held by participants. Any
              changes  in net  investment  income,  net  realized  gains and net
              realized  appreciation  are included in the daily valuation of the
              units of the Registrant.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

        The information contained in the "Statement of Net Assets,  Statement of
        Operations  and  Statements of Changes in Net Assets for Principal  Life
        Insurance  Company  Separate Account C", filed as Item 8. should be read
        in conjunction with this item.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operation

        All payments made to the  Registrant on behalf of a Participant  under a
        contract (less any authorized deductions) are used to purchase shares of
        Principal Variable  Contracts Fund, Inc. - Capital Value Account,  Money
        Market Account,  Inc., or Government Securities Account, as appropriate,
        at net asset value. In addition, any distributions made by the Fund with
        respect to shares held by the  Registrant  are reinvested by the Fund at
        net asset  value.  Values  under the  contract  increase  or decrease to
        reflect the investment performance of the underlying investments.

        Principal  Variable  Contracts  Fund,  Inc. is an  open-end  diversified
        management  investment  company,  sponsored by Principal  Life Insurance
        Company.  The  principal  objective  of the  Capital  Value  Account  is
        long-term capital  appreciation and growth of future investment  income.
        It is intended  that the assets of the Fund will consist  primarily of a
        portfolio of common  stocks.  The value of the  investments  held by the
        Fund fluctuates  daily. It is subject to the risks of changing  economic
        conditions  as  well  as  the  risks  inherent  in  the  ability  of the
        management  of the  Account to  anticipate  changes in such  investments
        necessary to meet changes in economic conditions.

        The principal objective of the Money Market Account is to seek as high a
        level of income  available from  short-term  securities as is considered
        consistent  with  preservation of principal and maintenance of liquidity
        by  investing  all  of  its  assets  in  a  portfolio  of  money  market
        instruments.

        The principal objective of the Government  Securities Account is to seek
        a high  level of  current  income,  liquidity  and  safety of  principal
        through the purchase of  obligations  issued or guaranteed by the United
        States Government or its agencies,  with emphasis on Government National
        Mortgage Association Certificates ("GNMA Certificates").

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


                              Financial Statements

                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                          Year ended December 31, 1998
                      with Report of Independent Auditors


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                              Financial Statements

                          Year ended December 31, 1998

                                    Contents

Report of Independent Auditors.............................................1

Audited Financial Statements

Statement of Net Assets....................................................2
Statement of Operations....................................................3
Statements of Changes in Net Assets........................................4
Notes to Financial Statements..............................................5

                         Report of Independent Auditors

Board of Directors and Participants 
Principal Life Insurance Company

We have  audited the  accompanying  statement  of net assets of  Principal  Life
Insurance  Company  Separate  Account C (comprising,  respectively,  the Capital
Value [formerly Capital Accumulation],  Government Securities,  and Money Market
Divisions) as of December31,  1998, and the related statements of operations for
the year then ended,  and changes in net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended.  These  financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the
Companys  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an  opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities owned as of December31,  1998, by correspondence with
the transfer agent. An audit also includes  assessing the accounting  principles
used and  significant  estimates made by  management,  as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement  presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all  material  respects,  the  financial  position of Principal  Life  Insurance
Company  Separate  Account  C at  December31,  1998,  and  the  results  of  its
operations  for the year then ended,  and the changes in its net assets for each
of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
January 29, 1999

                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                            Statement of Net Assets

                               December 31, 1998

Assets
Investments:
 Capital Value Division:
  Capital Value Account - 78,257 shares at net asset value of $37.19
   per share(cost $1,970,739)                                         $2,910,395
 Government Securities Division: 
  Government Securities Account - 37,851 shares at net asset value of  
   $11.01 per share (cost $393,105)                                      416,738
 Money Market Division:
  Money Market Account - 268,116 shares at net asset 
   of $1.00 per share (cost $268,116)                                    268,116
                                                                      ----------
Net assets                                                            $3,595,249
                                                                      ==========

                                                            Units
                                                    Unit    Value
                                                   ----------------
Net assets are represented by: 
 Capital Value Division:
  Currently payable annuity contracts:
   Bankers Flexible Annuity                         9,562    $30.03  $   287,147
   Pension Builder Plus                             3,418      5.88       20,098
  Contracts in accumulation period:
   Bankers Flexible Annuity                        54,077     30.03    1,623,988
   Pension Builder Plus                           166,578      5.88      979,162
                                                                     -----------
                                                                       2,910,395
 Government Securities Division:
  Contracts in accumulation period - Pension 
   Builder Plus                                   191,650      2.17      416,738

 Money Market Division:
  Contracts in accumulation period - Pension 
   Builder Plus                                   136,969      1.96      268,116
                                                                     -----------
Net assets                                                            $3,595,249
                                                                     ===========
See accompanying notes.

                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                            Statement of Operations

                          Year ended December 31, 1998

                                            Capital     Government    Money
                                             Value      Securities    Market
                               Combined    Division      Division    Division
                              --------------------------------------------------
Investment income
Income:
 Dividends                     $ 89,395    $ 53,242      $22,043      $14,110
 Capital gains distributions    102,689     102,689            -            -
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                192,084     155,931       22,043       14,110

Expenses:
 Mortality and expense risks     34,644      24,169        6,327        4,148
 Administration charges           4,116       2,786          453          877
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                 38,760      26,955        6,780        5,025
                               ----------------------------------------------
Net investment income           153,324     128,976       15,263        9,085

Realized and unrealized gains 
 on investments
Net realized gains on 
 investments                     71,237      67,143        4,094            -
Change in net unrealized
 appreciation of investments    149,708     142,101        7,607            -
                               ----------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from operations     $374,269    $338,220      $26,964      $ 9,085
                               ==============================================

See accompanying notes.


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                       Statements of Changes in Net Assets

                     Years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

                                               Capital     Government    Money
                                                Value      Securities    Market
                                   Combined    Division     Division    Division
                                  ----------------------------------------------
Net assets at January 1, 1997    $3,283,174   $2,615,699    $391,816   $275,659
Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
 Net investment income              264,770      239,150      16,789      8,831
 Net realized gains on investments  127,878      126,977         901          -
 Change in net unrealized 
  appreciation of investments       272,101      258,222      13,879          -
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from operations          664,749      624,349      31,569      8,831
Changes from principal 
 transactions:
 Purchase payments, less sales 
  charges, per payment fees and
  applicable premium taxes            7,701         7,701          -          -
 Contract terminations             (512,813)     (484,854)   (21,520)    (6,439)
 Annuity payments                   (26,289)      (26,289)         -          -
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Decrease in net assets from
 principal transactions            (531,401)     (503,442    (21,520)    (6,439)
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Total increase                      133,348       120,907     10,049      2,392
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Net assets at December 31, 1997   3,416,522     2,736,606    401,865    278,051
                                  
Increase (decrease)in net assets
Operations:
 Net investment income              153,324       128,976     15,263      9,085
 Net realized gains on investments   71,237        67,143      4,094          -
 Change in net unrealized 
  appreciation of investments       149,708       142,101      7,607          -
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets
 resulting from operations          374,269       338,220     26,964      9,085
Changes from principal transactions:
 Purchase payments, less sales 
  charges, per payment fees and 
  applicable  premium taxes          15,564        15,564          -          -
 Contract terminations             (180,175)     (149,064)   (12,091)   (19,020)
 Annuity payments                   (30,931)      (30,931)         -          -
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Decrease in net assets from 
 principal transactions            (195,542)     (164,431)   (12,091)   (19,020)
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Total increase (decrease)           178,727       173,789     14,873     (9,935
                                 ----------------------------------------------
Net assets at December 31, 1998  $3,595,249    $2,910,395   $416,738   $268,116
                                 ==============================================
See accompanying notes.


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                               December 31, 19981

Investment and Accounting Policies

Principal Life Insurance  Company  Separate  Account C (Separate  Account C) was
organized  by  Principal  Life  Insurance  Company  (Principal  Life,   formerly
Principal  Mutual Life Insurance  Company) in accordance  with the provisions of
the Iowa Insurance Laws and is a part of the total operations of Principal Life.
The assets and  liabilities  of Separate  Account C are clearly  identified  and
distinguished  from the other assets and liabilities of Principal Life, with the
remaining  aggregate value of units  registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  under the current  registration  statement  (but not the  authorized
number  of  units)   limited  to  $10.6   million.   As   directed  by  eligible
contractholders,  Separate  Account  C invests  solely  in  shares  representing
interests in a  corresponding  investment  option.  As of December 31, 1998, the
contractholder  investment  options  consisted of the accounts of the  following
diversified open-end management investment company, organized by Principal Life:
Principal  Variable  Contracts  Fund,  Inc.  Capital Value  Account,  Government
Securities  Account  and Money  Market  Account.  Investments  are stated at the
closing net asset values per share on December31, 1998.

The Principal  Variable Contracts Fund, Inc. (the Fund) was formed on January 1,
1998.  Prior to that date,  the  accounts of the Fund were  reported as separate
mutual  funds.  This  reorganization  resulted  in  changes  to the names of the
following investment options:

            Former Fund Name                Name Subsequent to Reorganization
- -----------------------------------------   ------------------------------------
Principal Capital Accumulations Fund, Inc.  Capital Value Account
Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc.  Government Securities Account
Principal Money Market Fund, Inc.           Money Market Account

The  average  cost  method is used to  determine  realized  gains and  losses on
investments.  Dividends  are taken  into  income on an  accrual  basis as of the
ex-dividend date.

Contributions to Separate Account C are no longer accepted.

Effective July 1, 1998,  Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company formed a mutual
insurance holding company and converted to a stock life insurance company.  With
the  conversion,  the  Companys  name was changed to  Principal  Life  Insurance
Company.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The  preparation of Separate  Account Cs financial  statements and  accompanying
notes  requires  management to make  estimates and  assumptions  that affect the
amounts reported and disclosed.  These estimates and assumptions could change in
the future as more  information  becomes  known,  which could impact the amounts
reported and disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes.


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                   Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

2. Expense

Principal Life is compensated for the following expenses:

Bankers  Flexible  Annuity  Contracts  Mortality  and expense  risks  assumed by
Principal Life are compensated  for by a charge  equivalent to an annual rate of
0.48% of the asset value of each contract. An annual administration charge of $7
for each  participants  account is deducted as compensation  for  administrative
expenses.  The  mortality  and expense  risk and annual  administration  charges
amounted to $8,859 and $231, respectively, during the year 1998.

Pension Builder Plus Contracts  Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal
Life are compensated for by a charge  equivalent to an annual rate of 1.4965% of
the asset value of each contract.  A contingent  sales charge of up to 7% may be
deducted from withdrawals  made during the first 10 years of a contract,  except
for death or  permanent  disability.  An annual  administration  charge  will be
deducted  ranging  from a minimum of $25 to a maximum of $275  depending  upon a
participants  investment account values and the number of participants under the
retirement plan and their participant  investment account value. The charges for
mortality  and  expense  risks,  contingent  sales,  and  annual  administration
amounted to $25,785 and $3,885,  respectively,  during the year 1998. There were
no contingent sales charges during 1998.

3.Federal Income Taxes

Operations of Separate Account C are a part of the operations of Principal Life.
Under current practice,  no federal income taxes are allocated by Principal Life
to the operations of Separate Account C.


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                   Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

The aggregate units and cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments
were as follows:

                                           For the year ended December 31, 1998
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Units     Amount    Units   Amount
                                           Purchased Purchased Redeemed Redeemed
                                           -------------------------------------
 Capital Value Division:
  Bankers Flexible Annuity                    583     $118,506   2,052   $66,973
  Pension Builder Plus                          -       52,986  21,667   139,974
                                           -------------------------------------
                                              583      171,492  23,719   206,947
 Government Securities Division:
  Pension Builder Plus                          -       22,045   5,485    18,873

 Money Market Division:
  Pension Builder Plus                          -       14,110  10,246    24,045
                                           -------------------------------------
                                              583     $207,647  39,450  $249,865
                                           =====================================

                                           For the year ended December 31, 1997
                                           -------------------------------------
                                             Units     Amount    Units   Amount
                                           Purchased Purchased Redeemed Redeemed
                                           -------------------------------------

 Capital Value Division:
  Bankers Flexible Annuity                    318     $173,073  10,411  $233,193
  Pension Builder Plus                          -       98,690  66,102   302,862
                                           -------------------------------------
                                              318      271,763  76,513   536,055

 Government Securities Division:
  Pension Builder Plus                          -       23,370  11,88     28,10

 Money Market Division:
  Pension Builder Plus                          -       13,694   3,744    11,302
                                           -------------------------------------
                                              318     $308,827  92,139  $575,458
                                           =====================================

Purchases include reinvested dividends and capital gains.  Mortality adjustments
are included in purchases or redemptions, as applicable.

Money Market purchases include transactions where investment allocations are not
known at the time of the deposit.  Redemptions reflect subsequent allocations to
directed investment divisions.


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                   Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

5. Net Assets

Net assets at December31, 1998 consisted of the following:
                                                                        Net 
                                                    Accumulated     Unrealized
                                         Unit      Net Investment  Appreciation
                            Combined  Transactions    Income      of Investments
                            ----------------------------------------------------
 Capital Value Division:
  Bankers Flexible Annuity $1,911,135  $ 222,070     $1,009,115      $679,950
  Pension Builder Plus        999,260    557,928        181,626       259,706
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                            2,910,395    779,998      1,190,741       939,656

 Government Securities 
  Division:
  Pension Builder Plus        416,738    325,549         67,556        23,633

 Money Market Division:
  Pension Builder Plus        268,116    236,970         31,146             -
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                           $3,595,249 $1,342,517     $1,289,443      $963,289
                           =====================================================

6.Year 2000 Issues(Unaudited)

Like  other  investment   funds,   financial  and  business   organizations  and
individuals around the world,  Separate Account C could be adversely affected if
the computer  systems used by Principal Life and other service  providers do not
properly process and calculate date-related  information and data from and after
January1, 2000. In 1995, Principal Life began investigating the potential impact
of the Year 2000 on its systems,  procedures,  customers and business processes.
The Year 2000 assessment that was completed in 1996 provided information used to
determine  what system  components  must be changed or replaced to minimize  the
impact of the calendar change from 1999 to 2000.

Principal  Life will continue to use internal and external  resources to modify,
replace  and test  its  systems.  Management  estimates  100% of the  identified
modifications   to  mission   critical   systems  and  99%  of  the   identified
modifications  to other  systems have been  completed for its Year 2000 project.
The project  completion is scheduled to occur prior to any anticipated impact on
Principal Lifes operations.

Principal  Life and  Separate  Account  C face the risk  that one or more of its
critical  suppliers or customers  (external  relationships)  will not be able to
interact  with them due to the third  partys  inability  to resolve its own Year
2000  issues.   Principal   Life  has   completed   its  inventory  of  external
relationships  and is attempting to determine the overall Year 2000 readiness of
its external  relationships.  Principal Life is engaged in discussions  with the
third parties and is requesting  information as to those parties Year 2000 plans
and  state of  readiness.  Principal  Life,  however,  does not have  sufficient
information  at the  current  time  to  predict  whether  all  of  its  external
relationships will be Year 2000 ready.


                        Principal Life Insurance Company
                               Separate Account C

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

6. Year 2000 Issues (Unaudited) (continued)

While  Principal  Life believes  that it has  addressed its Year 2000  concerns,
Principal Life has begun to develop contingency/recovery plans aimed at ensuring
the continuity of critical  business  functions before, on and after December31,
1999. Principal Life expects  contingency/recovery  planning to be substantially
complete  by April 1, 1999.  The Year 2000  contingency  plans will be  reviewed
periodically throughout 1999 and revised as needed.  Principal Life believes its
Year 2000 contingency plans coupled with existing disaster recovery and business
resumption  plans  minimize  the  impact  Year  2000  issues  may  have  on  the
organization.

Item  9. Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
Financial Disclosure

         Inapplicable.


                                    PART III


Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

         Inapplicable,  the Registrant  does not have any directors or executive
         officers.


Item 11. Executive Compensation

         Inapplicable,  the Registrant  does not have any directors or executive
         officers.


Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         No  person  owns  beneficially  or of  record  the  assets  held by the
         Depositor,  Principal Life Insurance Company,  in the Separate Account.
         As contractholders  of the variable  contracts each  contractholder has
         one vote in the election of the Board of  Directors at annual  meetings
         and upon other Principal Life Insurance Company matters,  if any, where
         a  policyholder's  vote is  taken.  The  contractholders  have the same
         voting  privilege  as do all  other  policyholders  of  Principal  Life
         Insurance Company. An individual participant  (certificateholder)  does
         not have a vote. There are no  policyholders  that are entitled to cast
         more than 5% of the votes to be cast.


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

         Inapplicable.

                                     PART IV


Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a) Documents filed as part of this report:

             1. The following financial statements are submitted herewith:

                Statement of Net Assets -- December 31, 1998

                Statement of Operations -- Year ended December 31, 1998

                Statements of Changes in Net Assets -- Years ended  December 31,
                1998 and 1997.

                Notes to Financial Statements -- December 31, 1998

             2. Schedules - All other  schedules for which  provision is made in
                the  applicable  accounting  regulation  of the  Securities  and
                Exchange   Commission   are  not  required   under  the  related
                instructions  or  are  inapplicable,  and  therefore  have  been
                omitted.

             3. Exhibits:

                (20) Subsidiaries of the Registrant


                         Subsidiaries of the Registrant

The Registrant is a separate account of Principal Life Insurance Company. It has
no  subsidiary.  Principal  Life  Insurance  Company,  as the  Depositor  of the
Account, owns or controls, as of December 31, 1998, subsidiaries as follows:

     I.   Principal Holding Company

          A.   Organized in Iowa.

          B.   Depositor owns 100% of outstanding stock.

          C.   Subsidiaries  of  Principal  Holding  Company as of December  31,
               1998, are as follows:

               1.   Patrician  Associates,   Inc.  (a  real  estate  development
                    company)

                    a.   Organized in California.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               2.   Petula Associates, Ltd. (a real estate development company)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Sudsidiary  of Petula  Associates,  Ltd. as of December
                         31, 1998 is as follows:

                         (1)  Magnus  Properties,  Inc. (a corporation that owns
                              real estate)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Petula   Associates,   Ltd.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

               3.   Principal  Development  Associates,   Inc.  (a  real  estate
                    development company)

                    a.   Organized in California.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               4.   Principal   Spectrum   Associates,   Inc.   (a  real  estate
                    development company)

                    a.   Organized in California.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               5.   Principal   FC,   Ltd.   (a   limited   purpose   investment
                    corporation)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               6.   Equity FC, Ltd. (a general business corporation that engages
                    in investment transactions including limited partnership and
                    limited liability companies)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               7.   Invista Capital Management, LLC (an investment advisor)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               8.   HealthRisk   Resource  Group,   Inc.  (a  general   business
                    corporation  engaged in providing managed care expertise and
                    administrative services to provider organizations)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               9.   Principal  Residential   Mortgage,   Inc.  (a  full  service
                    mortgage banking company)
                    

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Susidiaries of Principal Residential Mortgage,  Inc. as
                         of December 31, 1998 are as follows:

                         (1)  Principal  Wholesale  Mortgage,  Inc. (a brokerage
                              and servicer of residential mortgages)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Principal  Residential  Mortgage,  Inc.  owns
                                   100% of outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Principal JMC, Inc. (a brokerage Company)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Principal  Residential  Mortgage,  Inc.  owns
                                   100% of outstanding stock.

               10.  Principal Asset Markets,  Inc. (a residential  mortgage loan
                    broker - currently inactive)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               11.  Principal  Portfolio  Services,  Inc. (a  corporation  which
                    provides mortgage diligence services)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               (12) The Admar  Group,  Inc. (a  national  managed  care  service
                    organization that developes and manages  preferred  provider
                    organizations (PPO's))

                    a.   Organized in Florida.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiaries  of The Admar  Group,  Inc. as of December
                         31, 1998 are as follows:

                         (1)  Admar   Corporation   (a  managed  care   services
                              organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Admar  Insurance  Marketing,  Inc. (a managed care
                              services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (3)  Benefit Plan Administrators,  Inc. (a managed care
                              services organization - currently inactive)

                              (a)  Organized in Colorado.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (4)  SelectCare  Management  Co.,  Inc. (a managed care
                              services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (5)  Image  Financial  &  Insurance  Services,  Inc. (a
                              managed care services organization)

                              (a)  Organized in California.

                              (b)  The   Admar   Group,   Inc.   owns   100%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

               13.  The  Principal   Financial  Group,  Inc.  (general  business
                    corporation   established   in  connection   with  corporate
                    identity - currently inactive)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               14.  Principal Marketing Services, Inc. (an insurance broker)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               15.  Principal  Health Care, Inc. (a developer and  administrator
                    of health maintenance organizations HMO's)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               16.  Dental-Net,   Inc.   (a   managed   dental   care   services
                    organization)

                    a.   Organizaed in Arizona.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiary of Dental-Net,  Inc. as of December 31, 1998
                         is as follows:

                         (1)  Employers Dental Services, Inc. (an prepaid dental
                              plan organization)

                              (a)  Orgnized in Arizona.

                              (b)  Dental-Net, Inc. owns 100% outstanding stock.

               17.  Principal Financial Advisors,  Inc. (a registered investment
                    advisor)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

               18.  Delaware  Charter  Guarantee & Trust Company (a  corporation
                    that administers individual and group retirement plans)

                    a.   Organized in Delaware.

                    b.   Principal   Holding  Company  currently  owns  100%  of
                         outstanding stock.

               19.  Principal    Investors    Corporation    (general   business
                    corporation - not currently active)

                    a.   Organized in New Jersey.

                    b.   Principal   Holding  Company  currently  owns  100%  of
                         outstanding stock.

               20.  Princor   Financial   Services   Corporation  (a  registered
                    broker-dealer)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiary of Princor Financial Services Corporation as
                         of December 31, 1998 are as follows:

                         (1)  Principal  Management  Corporation  (a  registered
                              investment adviser)

                              (a)  Organized in Iowa.

                              (b)  Princor Financial  Services  Corporation owns
                                   100% of outstanding stock.

               21.  Principal  International,  Inc.  (a  company  formed for the
                    purpose of international business development)

                    a.   Organized in Iowa.

                    b.   Principal  Holding  Company  owns  100% of  outstanding
                         stock.

                    c.   Subsidiaries  of  Principal  International,  Inc. as of
                         December 31, 1998 are as follows:

                         (1)  Principal International Espana, S.A. de Seguros de
                              Vida  (a  Spain   corporation)  a  life  insurance
                              company (individual group), annuities and pension.

                              (a)  Organized in Spain.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc. owns 99.9% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns .1% of outstanding stock.

                              (c)  Subsidiaries   of   Principal    Internationl
                                   Espana,   S.A.  de  Seguros  de  Vida  as  of
                                   December 31, 1998 is as follows:

                                   (1)  Princor  International  Espana  Sociedad
                                        Anonima  de  Agencia de Seguros (a Spain
                                        corporation)   an  insurance   agency  -
                                        inactive

                                        (a)  Organized in Spain.

                                        (b)  Principal   International   Espana,
                                             S.A.  de Seguros de Vida owns 99.9%
                                             of outstanding  stock and Principal
                                             International,  Inc.  owns  .1%  of
                                             outstanding stock.

                         (2)  Zao Principal International (a Russia corporation)
                              inactive

                              (a)  Organized in Russia.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  99% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                         (3)  Principal   International   Argentina,   S.A.  (an
                              Argentina services corporation)

                              (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                              (b)  Principal International,  Inc. owns 97.03% of
                                   outstanding  stock and  Enrique S. Braun owns
                                   2.97% of outstanding stock

                              (c)  Subsidiaries of International Argentina, S.A.
                                   as of December 31, 1998 are as follows:

                                   (1)  Ethika   Administradora   de  Fondos  de
                                        Jubilaciones   y  Pensiones   S.A.   (an
                                        Argentina pension company).

                                        (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                                        (b)  Principal International  Argentina,
                                             S.A.  owns  68.12%  of  outstanding
                                             stock.

                                   (2)  Principal Compania de Seguros de Retiro,
                                        S.A.  (an   Argentina   annuity/employee
                                        benefit company) inactive

                                        (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                                        (b)  Principal International  Argentina,
                                             S.A. owns 99% of outstanding  stock
                                             and Principal  International,  Inc.
                                             owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                                   (3)  Principal Life Compania de Seguros, S.A.
                                        (an Argentina life insurance company)

                                        (a)  Organized in Argentina.

                                        (b)  Principal International  Argentina,
                                             S.A. owns  99.9963% of  outstanding
                                             stock and Principal  International,
                                             Inc.  owns  .0037%  of  outstanding
                                             stock.

                         (4)  Principal  International Asia Limited (a Hong Kong
                              corporation)  operating as a regional headquarters
                              for Asia

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  50% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 50% of outstanding stock.

                         (5)  Principal   Asset   Management Company (Asia)(Hong
                              Kong) a corporation which manages pension funds.

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  50% of
                                   outstanding  stock  and  Principal  Insurance
                                   Company  (Hong  Kong)  Limited  owns  50%  of
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (6)  Principal  Insurance  Company  (Hong Kong) Limited
                              (for group life and group pension products)

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  99% of
                                   outstanding stock and Principal International
                                   Asia Limited owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                         (7)  Principal Trust Company (Asia) Limited (Hong Kong)
                              an Asia trust company.

                              (a)  Organized in Hong Kong.

                              (b)  Principal   Holding   Company   owns  20%  of
                                   outstanding  stock,   Principal   Residential
                                   Mortgage, Inc. owns 20% of outstanding stock,
                                   Principal International Asia Limited owns 20%
                                   of outstanding stock and Principal  Insurance
                                   Company   (Hong   Kong)   Limited   owns  20%
                                   outstanding stock.

                         (8)  Principal  International  de Chile,  S.A. (a Chile
                              corporation) a holding company

                              (a)  Organized in Chile.

                              (b)  Principal   International,   Inc.   owns  99%
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                              (c)  Subsidiary  of  Principal   International  de
                                   Chile,  S.A.  as of  December  31, 1998 is as
                                   follows:

                                   (1)  Principal Compania  de  Seguros de Vida,
                                        S.A.  (a Chile  corporation)  for  group
                                        life and supplemental health, individual
                                        annuities

                                        (a)  Organized in Chile.

                                        (b)  Principal  International  de Chile,
                                             S.A.  owns  87.5%  of   outstanding
                                             stock BanMedica, S.A. 12.5%.

                         (9)  Principal Mexico Compania de Seguros, S.A. de C.V.
                              (a Mexico  corporation) a life  insurance  company
                              (individual group), personal accidents.

                              (a)  Organized in Mexico.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  99% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Principal   Holding
                                   Company owns 1% of outstanding stock.

                         (10) Principal   Afore,   S.A.   de  C.V.   (a   Mexico
                              Corporation) pension.

                              (a)  Organized in Mexico.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  49% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Confia  owns 51% of
                                   outstanding stock.

                              (c)  Subsidiary  of Afore  Confia-Principal  as of
                                   December 31, 1998 is as follows:

                                   (1)  Siefore  Confia-Principal,  S.A. de C.V.
                                        (a  Mexico  Corporation)  an  investment
                                        fund company.

                                        (a)  Organized in Mexico.

                                        (b)  Principal Afore,  S.A. de C.V. owns
                                             99%  of   outstanding   stock   and
                                             Principal International,  Inc. owns
                                             1% outstanding stock.

                         (11) Principal  Consulting  (India) Private Limited (an
                              India consulting company)

                              (a)  Organized in India.

                              (b)  Principal  International,  Inc.  owns  51% of
                                   outstanding   stock  and  Sanjay  Sachdev  as
                                   non-resident Indian owns 49%.

     II.  Principal Development Investors, LLC ( a limited liability company)

          A.   Organized in Delaware.

          B.   Depositor owns 100% of the outstanding stock.

     III. Principal  Capital  Management,  LLC (a limited liability company that
          provides investment management services)

          A.   Organized in Delaware.

          B.   Depositor owns 100% of the outstanding stock.

          C.   Subsidiaries of Principal Capital Management,  LLC as of December
               31, 1998 are as follows:

               1.   Principal  Enterprise  Capital,  LLC  (a  limited  liability
                    company)

                    (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                    (b)  Principal Capital Management, LLC owns 100% outstanding
                         stock.

               2.   Principal Commercial Acceptance, LLC (a Delaware LLC)

                    (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                    (b)  Principal Capital Management, LLC owns 100% outstanding
                         stock.

               3.   Principal   Real  Estate   Investors,   LLC  (a   regsitered
                    investment advisor)

                    (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                    (b)  Principal Capital Management, LLC owns 100% outstanding
                         stock.

               4.   Principal  Commercial Funding,  LLC (a correspondent  lender
                    and service provider for loans)

                    (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                    (b)  Principal Capital Management, LLC owns 100% outstanding
                         stock.

               5    Principal  Real  Estate  Services,  LLC (a limited  liablity
                    company)

                    (a)  Organized in Delaware.

                    (b)  Principal Capital Management, LLC owns 100% outstanding
                         stock.

     IV.  PT  Asuransi   Jiwa   Principal   Egalita   Indonesia   (an  Indonesia
          corporation)

          A.   Organized in Indonsesia.

          B.   Depositor owns 75% of the outstanding stock.

The  Depositor's  investment  in its  subsidiaries,  which in turn  includes the
subsidiary's  investment  in its  subsidiaries,  is  included  in the  financial
statements of the Depositor.

                                   SIGNATURES


       Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  Principal Life Insurance Company has duly caused this report to be
signed on behalf of Principal Life Insurance  Company  Separate Account C by the
undersigned thereto duly authorized in the city of Des Moines and State of Iowa,
on the 15th day of February, 1999.

PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C

By   PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                   /s/ D. J. DRURY
By   ---------------------------------------------------
      D. J. Drury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


Attest:


/s/ Joyce N. Hoffman
- ---------------------------------------
Joyce N. Hoffman
Vice President and Corporate Secretary

       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
registrant in the capacities  with  Principal Life Insurance  Company and on the
dates indicated.


Signature                        Title                                 Date


 /s/ D. J. DRURY               Chairman and                       March 15, 1999
- ---------------------          Chief Executive Officer  
D. J. Drury                             


/s/ D. C.  CUNNINGHAM          Vice President and                 March 15, 1999
- ----------------------         Controller (Principal
D. C. Cunningham               Accounting Officer)  
                                     


/s/ M. H. GERSIE               Senior Vice                        March 15, 1999
- ----------------------         President (Principal
M. H. Gersie                   Financial Officer)
                               


  (B. J. Bernard)*             Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
B. J. Bernard



  (J. Carter-Miller)*          Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
J. Carter-Miller



  (R. M. Davis)*               Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
R. M. Davis



  (C. D. Gelatt)*              Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
C. D. Gelatt



  (J. B. Griswell)*            Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
J. B. Griswell



  (G. D. Hurd)*                Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
G. D. Hurd



  (C. S. Johnson)*             Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
C. S. Johnson



  (W. T. Kerr)*                Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
W. T. Kerr



  (L. Liu)*                    Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
L. Liu



  (V. H. Loewenstein)*         Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
V. H. Loewenstein



  (R. D. Pearson)*             Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
R. D. Pearson



  (J. R. Price, Jr.)*          Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
J. R. Price, Jr.



  (D. M. Stewart)*             Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
D. M. Stewart



  (E. E. Tallett)*             Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
E. E. Tallett



  (D. D. Thornton)*            Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
D. D. Thornton




  (F. W. Weitz)*               Director                           March 15, 1999
- ----------------------
F. W. Weitz

 
                                                   /s/ DAVID J. DRURY
                                       *By -------------------------------------
                                           David J. Drury
                                           Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                           Pursuant to Powers of Attorney
                                           Previously Filed or Included Herein

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the  Securities  Act of 1933 with respect to variable  annuity  contracts,
with premiums  received in connection  with such contracts held in the Principal
Life Insurance  Company  Separate Account C on Form N-4 or other forms under the
Securities  Act of  1933,  and  any  and  all  amendments  thereto  and  reports
thereunder  with all exhibits and all  instruments  necessary or  appropriate in
connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents and his or their
substitutes  being empowered to act with or without the others or other,  and to
have  full  power  and  authority  to do or  cause to be done in the name and on
behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
or  appropriate  with  respect  thereto to be done in and about the  premises in
order to  effectuate  the same,  as fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as the
undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and  confirming all
that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  or any of them, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 15th
day of March, 1999.


                                                 /s/ B. J. Bernard
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 B. J. Bernard

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury, J. B. Griswell,  G. R. Narber and J. N. Hoffman,  and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone),  the undersigned's  true
and lawful  attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each,
for and on behalf  and in the  name,  place  and  stead of the  undersigned,  to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to registration
under the  Securities  Act of 1933 with respect to variable  annuity  contracts,
with premiums  received in connection  with such contracts held in the Principal
Life Insurance  Company  Separate Account C on Form N-4 or other forms under the
Securities  Act of  1933,  and  any  and  all  amendments  thereto  and  reports
thereunder  with all exhibits and all  instruments  necessary or  appropriate in
connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents and his or their
substitutes  being empowered to act with or without the others or other,  and to
have  full  power  and  authority  to do or  cause to be done in the name and on
behalf of the  undersigned  each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
or  appropriate  with  respect  thereto to be done in and about the  premises in
order to  effectuate  the same,  as fully to all  intents  and  purposes  as the
undersigned  might or could do in person;  hereby  ratifying and  confirming all
that said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  or any of them, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 15th
day of March, 1999.


                                                 /s/ J. Carter-Miller
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 J. Carter-Miller

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that the undersigned director of Principal Life
Insurance Company,  an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  hereby constitutes and
appoints D. J. Drury,  G. R.  Narber and J. N.  Hoffman,  and each of them (with
full  power to each of them to act  alone),  the  undersigned's  true and lawful
attorney-in-fact  and agent, with full power of substitution to each, for and on
behalf and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,  to execute and file
any of the  documents  referred  to below  relating  to  registration  under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to variable annuity contracts, with premiums
received in connection  with such contracts held in the Principal Life Insurance
Company  Separate  Account C on Form N-4 or other forms under the Securities Act
of 1933,  and any and all  amendments  thereto and reports  thereunder  with all
exhibits and all instruments  necessary or appropriate in connection  therewith,
each of said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents and his or their  substitutes  being
empowered to act with or without the others or other, and to have full power and
authority to do or cause to be done in the name and on behalf of the undersigned
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary or appropriate with respect
thereto to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same, as
fully  to all  intents  and  purposes  as the  undersigned  might or could do in
person;  hereby  ratifying and  confirming all that said  attorneys-in-fact  and
agents, or any of them, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director has hereunto set his hand this 15th
day of March, 1999.


                                                 /s/ J. B. Griswell
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 J. B. Griswell
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        1,970,739
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       2,910,395
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,910,395
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                  0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                             0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          233,635
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          256,771
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                 2,910,395
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              155,931
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (26,955)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        128,976
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        67,143
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      142,101
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          338,220
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            583
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                     23,719
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         173,789
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 26,955
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                      0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          393,105
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         416,738
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 416,738
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                  0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                             0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          191,650
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          197,135
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                   416,738
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               22,043
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 (6,780)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         15,263
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                         4,094
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        7,607
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           26,964
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                      5,485
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                          14,873
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  6,780
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                      0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                          268,116
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                         268,116
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 268,116
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            0
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                  0
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                             0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                          136,969
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                          147,215
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                   268,116
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               14,110
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 (5,025)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                          9,085
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            9,085
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                              0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                     10,246
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         (9,935)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  5,025
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                0
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                      0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                  0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                      0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission