PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B
485BPOS, 1998-04-16
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                                                       Registration No. 02-78001


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM N-4


             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                     Pre-Effective Amendment No.  ______ _____

                     Post-Effective Amendment No. __20__ __X__

                                     and/or


         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

                             Amendment No. __16__ _____

                        (Check appropriate box or boxes)

           Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           (Exact Name of Registrant)

                     Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Name of Depositor)

              The Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa          50392
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)          (Zip Code)

Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code   (515) 248-3842

         M. D. Roughton, The Principal Financial Group Des Moines, Iowa  50392
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)


It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

        ___   immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

        _X_   on May 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485

        ___   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

        ___   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

        ___   75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

        ___   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

              If appropriate, check the following box:

        ___   This post-effective  amendment designates a new effective date for
              a previously filed post- effective amendment.
<PAGE>

           PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B
               PENSION BUILDER - GROUP VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
                       FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS

                       Registration Statement on Form N-4
                              Cross Reference Sheet

Form N-4 Item                              Caption in Prospectus

Part A

 1. Cover Page                          Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                                          Company Separate Account B
                                          Pension Builder - Group
                                          Variable Annuity Contracts
                                          For Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans
 2. Definitions                         Glossary of Special Terms
 3. Synopsis                            Summary, Expense Table, Example
 4. Condensed Financial Information     Condensed Financial Information
 5. General Description of Registrant,  Summary, Introduction, Description of
    Depositor, and Portfolio Companies    Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                                          Company, Principal Mutual Life
                                          Insurance Company Separate Account
                                          B, Voting Rights
 6. Deductions                          Summary, Deductions Under the Contracts,
                                          Contingent Deferred Sales Charge,
                                          Administration Charge, Separate
                                          Payment of Administration Charge,
                                          Mortality and Expense Risks Charge,
                                          Premium Taxes, Distribution of These
                                          Contracts
 7. General Description of Variable     Summary, The Contract, Contract Values
    Annuity Contracts                     and Accounting Before Annuity
                                          Commencement Date, Annuity Benefits,
                                          Payment on Death of Participant,
                                          Withdrawals and Transfers, Other
                                          Contractual Provisions, 
                                          Contractowners' Inquiries
 8. Annuity Period                      Annuity Benefits
 9. Death Benefit                       Payment on Death of Participant,
                                          Federal Tax Status
10. Purchases and Contract Value        Summary, Introduction, The Contract,
                                          Contract Values and Accounting Before
                                          Annuity Commencement Date, Other
                                          Contractual Provisions, Distribution
                                          of These Contracts
11. Redemptions                         Summary, Introduction, Annuity Benefits,
                                          Withdrawals and Transfers
12. Taxes                               Summary, Introduction, Annuity Benefits,
                                          Federal Tax Status
13. Legal Proceedings                   Legal Proceedings
14. Table of Contents of the State-     Table of Contents of the Statement
    ment of Additional Information        of Additional Information

Part B                                  Statement of Additional Information
                                        Caption**

15. Cover Page                          Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                                          Company Separate Account B
                                          Pension Builder-Group Variable Annuity
                                          Contracts Issued By Principal Mutual
                                          Life Insurance Company
16. Table of Contents                   Table of Contents
17. General Information and History     General Information and History
18. Services                            Independent Auditors
19. Purchase of Securities Being        Deductions Under the Contracts**,
    Offered                               Summary**, Withdrawals and
                                          Transfers**, Distribution of These 
                                          Contracts**
20. Underwriters                        Summary**, Distribution of These
                                          Contracts**, Underwriting Commissions
21. Calculation of Performance Data     Calculation of Yield and Total Return
22. Annuity Payments                    Annuity Benefits**
23. Financial Statements                Financial Statements

** Prospectus caption given where appropriate.


                     PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                               SEPARATE ACCOUNT B

               PENSION BUILDER -- GROUP VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                        FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS


        Issued by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company (the "Company")

   
                          Prospectus dated May 1, 1998
    

     This Prospectus  concisely sets forth  information  about Principal  Mutual
Life  Insurance  Company  Separate  Account B, Pension  Builder  Group  Variable
Annuity  Contracts (the "Contract" or the "Contracts") that an investor ought to
know before investing. It should be read and retained for future reference.

   
     Additional  information  about the  Contracts,  including  a  Statement  of
Additional  Information,  dated May 1, 1998,  has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated
by reference  into this  Prospectus.  The table of contents of the  Statement of
Additional  Information  appears  on page 24 of this  Prospectus.  A copy of the
Statement  of  Additional  Information  can be  obtained,  free of charge,  upon
request by writing or telephoning:
    


                     Princor Financial Services Corporation
                                   a Member of
                          The Principal Financial Group
                            Des Moines, IA 50392-0200
                            Telephone: 1-800-247-9988



THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



     This  Prospectus is valid only when  accompanied by the current  prospectus
for Principal Variable  Contracts Fund, Inc. These  prospectuses  should be kept
for future reference.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
                                                                            Page
Glossary of Special Terms ...............................................     3
Expense Table ...........................................................     5
Example..................................................................     6
Summary  ................................................................     6
Condensed Financial Information .........................................     6
Introduction ............................................................     8
Description of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company ..................     9
Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B ..............    10
Deductions under the Contracts ..........................................    10
     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge....................................    11
     Administration Charge ..............................................    11
     Separate Payment of Administration Charge ..........................    12
     Mortality and Expense Risks Charge .................................    12
     Premium Taxes ......................................................    12
Surplus Distribution at Sole Discretion of the Company ..................    12
The Contract  ...........................................................    13
     Contract Values and Accounting Before Annuity Commencement Date ....    13
         Participant's Investment Accounts ..............................    13
         Unit Value .....................................................    13
         Net Investment Factor ..........................................    13
         Hypothetical Example of Calculation of Unit Value for the
           Capital Accumulation Division and Government Securities 
           Division .....................................................    14
         Hypothetical Example of Calculation of Unit Value for
           the Money Market Division.....................................    14
      Annuity Benefits ..................................................    14
         Selecting a Variable Annuity ...................................    14
         Forms of Variable Annuities ....................................    15
         Basis of Annuity Conversion Rates ..............................    16
         Determining the Amount of the First Monthly Annuity Payment ....    16
         Determining the Amount of the Second and Subsequent
              Monthly Annuity Payments ..................................    16
         Hypothetical Example of Calculation of Annuity Payments ........    17
     Payment on Death of Participant ....................................    17
         Prior to Annuity Commencement Date .............................    17
         Subsequent to Annuity Commencement Date ........................    18
     Withdrawals and Transfers ..........................................    18
         Cash Withdrawals ...............................................    18
         Transfers to the Contract ......................................    18
         Transfers Between Divisions ....................................    18
         Transfers to the Associated Fixed Contract .....................    19
         Special Situation Involving Alternate Funding Agents ...........    19
         Postponement of Cash Withdrawal or Transfer ....................    19
     Other Contractual Provisions .......................................    19
         Contribution Limits ............................................    19
         Assignment .....................................................    19
         Cessation of Contributions .....................................    20
         Limitation as to Participants...................................    20
         Substitution of Securities......................................    20
         Changes in a Contract ..........................................    20
         Statement of Values.............................................    20
Distribution of these Contracts..........................................    20
Voting Rights ...........................................................    20
Federal Tax Status.......................................................    21
State Regulation ........................................................    22
                                                                            Page
Legal Opinions  .........................................................    22
Legal Proceedings .......................................................    22
Registration Statement...................................................    22
Other Variable Annuity Contracts.........................................    22
Independent Auditors ....................................................    22
Financial Statements.....................................................    23
Appendix 1  .............................................................    23
Appendix 2  .............................................................    23
Contractholders' Inquiries...............................................    23
Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information.............    24
    


     This  Prospectus  does not constitute an offer of, or  solicitation  of any
offer  to  acquire,  any  interest  or  participation  in the  Contracts  in any
jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation may not lawfully be made. No
person is authorized to give any information or to make any  representations  in
connection with the Contracts other than those contained in this Prospectus.


GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS

   
Account -- Series or  portfolio  of a Mutual  Fund in which a  Separate  Account
division invests.
    

Administration  Charge -- A charge deducted once each Contribution Year prior to
the Annuity  Commencement Date from the Investment Accounts of each Participant,
either  on the last  day of the  Contribution  Year or the  date the  Investment
Accounts are applied or paid in full (a total redemption).

Annuity  Change  Factor -- The factor used to determine the change in value of a
Variable Annuity in the course of payment.

Annuity  Commencement  Date -- The  first  day of any  month  on  which  Annuity
Payments to a Participant begin, as provided by the Retirement Plan.

Annuity  Payments -- Periodic  payments  made to a  Participant  pursuant to the
annuity certificate issued to the Participant at the commencement of benefits.

Annuity Reserve Account -- The reserve held for Variable  Annuities in course of
payment in a Division of Separate Account B for these Contracts.

Associated  Fixed Contract -- Investment in the Fixed Account  option  available
for contracts issued pursuant to this prospectus.

Commuted  Value -- The dollar value,  as of a given date,  of remaining  Annuity
Payments.  It is  determined  by the Company  using the interest rate assumed in
determining  the initial  amount of monthly  income and assuming no variation in
the amount of monthly payments after the date of determination.

Compensation -- The amount derived from personal services which is includable in
the gross income of the Participant for the taxable year.

Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge -- The charge  deducted  from  certain  cash
withdrawals  from  a  Participant's   Investment  Accounts  before  the  Annuity
Commencement Date.

Contract--  Each contract  issued by the Company with any of the following  form
numbers: GP A 5921, GP A 5925 and GP A 5927.

Contractholder  -- The entity to which the Contract  will be issued,  which will
normally be an Employer, an association,  or a trust established for the benefit
of Participants and their beneficiaries.

Contribution--  Amounts  contributed  under  the  Contracts  by or on  behalf of
Participants  which are subject to Sections  403(b),  408 or 219 of the Internal
Revenue Code.

Contribution Year --

(a)  For  Individual   Retirement  Annuities  designed  for  ongoing  deductible
     Contributions -- the taxable year of a Participant.

(b)  For Rollover  Individual  Retirement  Annuities -- the twelve-month  period
     commencing on the date the Participant's first Contribution is received and
     each twelve-month period thereafter.

(c)  For Tax Deferred Annuities -- the twelve-month  period which coincides with
     the Plan Year.

Division  -- The part of  Separate  Account B which is  invested  in shares of a
series of a Mutual Fund.

Employer -- The person or entity which employs a Participant.  For an unemployed
Participant for whom Contributions are made by a spouse, the term Employer means
the person or entity which employs that spouse.  For a Participant  covered by a
Tax Deferred  Annuity  arrangement,  the term Employer means such  Participant's
employer which is either an organization  described in Section  501(c)(3) of the
Internal  Revenue  Code  or  which  is  a  public  school  or  other  agency  or
instrumentality  of a state or  political  subdivision  of a state  described in
Internal Revenue Code Sections 403(b) or 170(b)(1)(A)(ii) and which has made the
Tax Deferred Annuity arrangement available to its employees.

Fixed  Account -- Account to which  Contributions  may be allocated  which earns
guaranteed interest.

Individual  Retirement  Annuity--  A plan or program  adopted by or on behalf of
individuals pursuant to Section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Internal  Revenue Code -- The Internal  Revenue  Code of 1954,  as amended,  and
regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to the Internal Revenue Code means
such Internal  Revenue Code or the  corresponding  provisions of any  subsequent
revenue code and any regulations thereunder.

Investment Account -- An account  established under a Contract for a Participant
with respect to a Division of Separate Account B.

Investment  Account Value -- The value of an  Investment  Account on any date is
equal to the number of units then credited to such Investment Account multiplied
by the Unit Value for that Division for the Valuation  Period in which such date
occurs.

Mutual Fund -- The Principal  Variable  Contracts Fund, Inc., or shares of other
registered open-end investment companies substituted therefor.

Net  Investment  Factor -- The factor used to determine the change in Unit Value
during a Valuation Period.

Participant  -- A natural person for whom  Contributions  have been or are being
made under the Contract.

Plan Year -- For Tax Deferred  Annuities the  accounting  year of the Retirement
Plan. If the Retirement Plan does not have any accounting year, the Company will
establish a twelve-month period as the Plan Year.

Retirement  Plan -- A retirement  plan or program under which benefits are to be
provided to Participants pursuant to a Contract described herein.

Rollover  Individual  Retirement  Annuity -- An  Individual  Retirement  Annuity
designed for single premium rollover  Contributions pursuant to Internal Revenue
Code  Sections  402(a)(5),   402(a)(7),   403(a)(4),   403(b)(8),  408(d)(3)  or
409(b)(3)(c).

Separate Account B -- A separate  account  established by the Company under Iowa
law to receive  Contributions under the Contracts offered by this Prospectus and
other contracts issued by the Company.

Tax Deferred  Annuity-- A plan or program  adopted by public  school  systems or
other Employers pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Total and Permanent  Disability  -- The condition of a Participant  when, as the
result of sickness or injury,  the participant is prevented from engaging in any
substantial  gainful  activity  and is eligible  for and  receiving a disability
benefit under Title II of the Federal Social Security Act.

Unit Value -- A measure used to determine the value of an Investment Account.

Valuation  Date -- The date as of which  the net  asset  value of a series  of a
Mutual Fund is determined.

Valuation  Period -- The period between the time as of which the net asset value
of a series of a Mutual Fund is determined on one Valuation Date and the time as
of which such value is determined on the next following Valuation Date.

Variable  Annuity -- A series of  periodic  payments,  the amounts of which will
increase  or  decrease to reflect  the  investment  experience  of a Division of
Separate Account B for the Contract.

Written Notification -- Actual delivery to the Company at its home office in Des
Moines,  Iowa of an  appropriate  writing on a form  supplied or approved by the
Company.

EXPENSE TABLE

     The following tables depict fees and expenses applicable to a Participant's
account  under  the  Contract.  The  purpose  of  the  table  is to  assist  the
contractowner   in   understanding   the  various  costs  and  expenses  that  a
contractowner  will bear directly or indirectly.  The table reflects expenses of
the  separate  account  as well as the  expenses  of the  accounts  in which the
separate account  invests.  In certain  circumstances,  state premium taxes will
also be applicable.  The example below should not be considered a representation
of past or future expenses;  actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those
shown. See "Deductions under the Contracts."


   Contractowner Transaction Expenses
     Sales Load Imposed on
       Purchases (as a percentage
       of purchase payments)                None
     Deferred Sales Load (as a
       percentage of amount
       surrendered)
                      
                         For Withdrawals Occurring During Year:
         1    2      3     4     5      6     7     8      9   10   Thereafter
         -    -      -     -     -      -     -     -      -   --   ----------
       7%   6.3%  5.6%   4.9%  4.2%  3.5%   2.8%  2.1%  1.4%  .7%      0%

     Surrender Fees                         None
     Exchange Fee                           None

   Annual Contract Fee     $25 plus an amount equal to the following:
- ----------------------
                                                   .5% of the First
                           Total Value of All   x  $50,000 of the Participant's

                           Investment Accounts     Investment Accounts
                           of Participant          Total Value of all
                                                   Investment Accounts
                                                   of Participant (1)
Separate Account Annual Expenses
  (as a percentage of average account
    value)
  Mortality and Expense Risk Fees   1.4965%    (1.0001% for Rollover Individual
                                               Retirement Annuity)
  Account Fees and Expenses              None
  Total Separate Account Annual
      Expenses                      1.4965%

Annual Expenses of Accounts
  (as a percentage of average net
    assets of the following accounts)

                            Capital           Government            Money
                         Value Account    Securities Account    Market Account
   Management Fees           .46%                .50%               .50%
     Other Expenses         .01%                 .02%               .05%
     Total Account
       Annual Expenses      .47%                 .52%               .55% .

 (1) If Contributions for a Participant are made under the Contract as part of a
     Retirement   Plan  sponsored  by,  or  program  of,  the  Employer  of  the
     Participant   and  the  Company   receives  all  of  that  portion  of  the
     contributions  under such a plan or program  directed to annuity  contracts
     for  all  employees   participating  in  the  plan  or  program,  then  the
     denominator  will be the  aggregate  value of all the  accounts  of all the
     Participants of the Employer.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 EXAMPLE
                                                               1 Year    3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
     ----------------------------------------------------------------    -------   -------   --------
   If you surrender your contract at the   Capital Value
<S>                                                             <C>       <C>        <C>        <C> 
   end of the applicable time period:      Division             $97       $136       $178       $287

     You would pay the following           Government
     expenses on a $1,000 investment,      Securities
     assuming 5% annual return on          Division             $97       $138       $180       $292
     assets:
                                           Money Market
                                           Division             $97       $139       $182       $295

   If you annuitize at the end of the      Capital  Value
   applicable time period or do not        Division             $25        $76       $130       $278
                                ---
   surrender your contract:

     You would pay the following           Government
     expenses on a $1,000 investment,      Securities
     assuming 5% annual return on          Division             $25        $78       $133       $283
     assets:
                                           Money Market
                                           Division             $26        $78       $134       $286
</TABLE>


SUMMARY

How can I invest in a Contract?

     The Pension Builder Group variable annuity contracts (the "Contract" or the
"Contracts")  described in this  Prospectus  are designed for use in  connection
with tax-deferred Retirement Plans in the form of (1) Tax Deferred Annuity plans
or programs adopted by public school systems or other agencies of a state or its
subdivisions or certain tax exempt  organizations  pursuant to Section 403(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and (2) Individual  Retirement  Annuity plans
or programs  adopted pursuant to Section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code. These
Contracts are no longer  offered for sale.  They were sold  primarily by persons
who are  insurance  agents of or brokers for  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
Company. In addition,  these persons will usually be registered  representatives
of Princor  Financial  Services  Corporation,  which acts as distributor for the
Contract. See "Distribution of these Contracts."

How can I withdraw my investment?

     Subject to any  Retirement  Plan  limitations  or any reduction for vesting
provided for in the Retirement Plan as to amounts available, the Participant may
withdraw  cash from the  Investment  Accounts  at any time prior to the  Annuity
Commencement Date subject to any charges that may be applied. Distributions from
Tax Deferred Annuities may begin only after the Participant  attains age 59 1/2,
separates  from service,  dies or becomes  disabled,  or incurs a hardship.  See
"Withdrawals and Transfers." Note that withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may involve
an income tax penalty. See "Federal Tax Status."

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Selected  data  for  a  Pension  Builder   accumulation   unit  outstanding
throughout the period ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Capital Value Division

                               Pension Builder --
                                     IRA/TSA

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991    1990     1989     1988
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------     ----     ----
Accumulation unit value:
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>   
   Beginning of period       $4.148   $3.409   $2.624   $2.650   $2.495   $2.313   $1.693   $1.907  $1.665    $1.477
   End of period              5.252    4.148    3.409    2.624    2.650    2.495    2.313    1.693   1.907     1.665

Number of accumulation        1,624    3,538    9,967   16,649   21,269   20,148   18,477   18,109   16,256   14,236
   units outstanding at end
   of period (in thousands)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Pension Builder --
                                  Rollover IRA

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991    1990     1989     1988
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------     ----     ----
Accumulation unit value:
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>   
   Beginning of period       $4.543   $3.715   $2.845   $2.859   $2.679   $2.471   $1.800   $2.017  $1.753    $1.547
   End of period              5.785    4.543    3.715    2.845    2.859    2.679    2.471    1.800   2.017     1.753

Number of accumulation          338      513    2,115    5,598    8,602    8,207    7,535    6,750    6,111    5,328
units outstanding at end
   of period (in thousands)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Government Securities Division

                                Pension Builder--
                                     IRA/TSA

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991    1990     1989     1988
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------     ----     ----
Accumulation unit value:
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>    
   Beginning of period       $1.875   $1.841   $1.570   $1.669   $1.539   $1.462   $1.269   $1.176  $1.032   $  .967
   End of period              2.039    1.875    1.841    1.570    1.669    1.539    1.462    1.269   1.176     1.032

Number of accumulation          630    1,178    3,738    5,947    7,432    6,200    4,912    3,732    2,782    2,115
units outstanding at end
   of period (in thousands)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Pension Builder--
                                              Rollover IRA

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991    1990     1989     1988
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------     ----     ----
Accumulation unit value:
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>    
   Beginning of period       $1.968   $1.923   $1.631   $1.726   $1.584   $1.497   $1.293   $1.192  $1.041   $  .971
   End of period              2.150    1.968    1.923    1.631    1.726    1.584    1.497    1.293   1.192     1.041

Number of accumulation          192      399    1,772    4,117    7,878    5,933    4,602    3,356    2,086    1,369
   units outstanding at end
   of period (in thousands)
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Money Market Division

                               Pension Builder --
                                     IRA/TSA

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991    1990     1989     1988
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------     ----     ----
Accumulation unit value:
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>    
   Beginning of period       $1.826   $1.764   $1.696   $1.659   $1.640   $1.608   $1.541   $1.448  $1.348   $  .276
   End of period              1.891    1.826    1.764    1.696    1.659    1.640    1.608    1.541   1.448     1.348
 
Number of accumulation          419      590    1,327    1,997    2,905    3,841    4,639    5,366    5,302    3,142
   units outstanding at end
   of period (in thousands)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Pension Builder--
                                  Rollover IRA

                              1997     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991    1990     1989     1988
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------     ----     ----
Accumulation unit value:
<S>                          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>    
   Beginning of period       $1.890   $1.817   $1.739   $1.692   $1.664   $1.624   $1.548   $1.447  $1.341   $  .263
   End of period              1.968    1.890    1.817    1.739    1.692    1.664    1.624    1.548   1.447     1.341

Number of accumulation           18       27      440    2,227    2,894    3,699    3,999    3,300    3,865    1,509
   units outstanding at end
   of period (in thousands)
</TABLE>


Financial statements are contained in the Statement of Additional Information.

INTRODUCTION

     The  Contracts  described  in  this  Prospectus  are  designed  for  use in
connection with  tax-deferred  Retirement  Plans in the form of (1) Tax Deferred
Annuity plans or programs  adopted by public school systems or other agencies of
a state or its  subdivisions  or certain  tax exempt  organizations  pursuant to
Section  403(b)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code and (2)  Individual  Retirement
Annuity  plans or  programs  adopted  pursuant  to Section  408 of the  Internal
Revenue  Code.  The  Contracts  provide for the  accumulation  of values and the
payment of annuity benefits on a variable basis. A certificate is issued to each
Participant describing the benefits under the Contract.

     All  Contributions  for  Participants  are  allocated to one or more of the
Divisions of Separate  Account B. Currently there are three Divisions  available
to  Participants:  the Capital  Value  Division  (formerly  known as the Capital
Accumulation Division),  the Money Market Division and the Government Securities
Division.   Each  Participant  controls  the  allocation  by  filing  a  Written
Notification with the Company.

     Each of the  Divisions  invests  only in shares of an Account of  Principal
Variable Contracts Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") as indicated in the table below:

              Division                               Account
        Capital Value Division                 Capital Value Account
        Government Securities Division         Government Securities Account
        Money Market Division                  Money Market Account

     The  Investment  Manager for the Fund is Principal  Management  Corporation
(the  "Manager").  The Accounts are also used to fund  variable  life  insurance
contracts.  See  "Eligible  Purchasers  and  Purchase  of  Shares" in the Fund's
prospectus  for a  discussion  of the  potential  risks  associated  with "mixed
funding."

     The  investment  objective of Capital  Value  Account is long-term  capital
appreciation and growth of future investment  income. The assets of this Account
consist  principally  of  a  portfolio  of  common  stocks.  The  value  of  the
investments held by this Account fluctuates daily and is subject to the risks of
changing  economic  conditions  as well as the risks  inherent in the ability of
this Account's management to anticipate changes in such investments necessary to
meet changes in economic  conditions.  Historically,  the value of a diversified
portfolio of common stocks such as invested in by the Capital Value Account held
for an extended  period of time has tended to rise during  periods of inflation.
There has, however,  been no exact correlation,  and for some periods the values
of such common stocks declined while the rate of inflation increased.

     The Money Market Account has an investment  objective of obtaining  maximum
current income available from short-term securities consistent with preservation
of principal  and  maintenance  of liquidity by investing all of its assets in a
portfolio of money market  instruments.  This Account  invests in United  States
dollar  denominated  instruments  having a maturity of 397 days or less that the
Manager,  subject to the oversight of the Fund's board of directors,  determines
present  minimal credit risks and which at the time of acquisition are "Eligible
Securities" as that term is defined in  regulations  issued under the Investment
Company Act of 1940.  See the Fund's  prospectus  for details.  The value of the
investments held by this Account may fluctuate, although the net asset value per
share is normally expected to remain at $1.00. However, its yield will vary with
changes in short-term interest rates. Over the last two decades there has been a
general  correlation  between short-term  interest rates and the cost of living,
but there has been no exact  correlation  and for some  periods  such rates have
declined while the cost of living has risen.

     The  Government  Securities  Account has an investment  objective of a high
level of current income, liquidity and safety of principal. The Account seeks to
achieve this objective through the purchase of obligations  issued or guaranteed
by the United States Government or its agencies, with up to 55% of the Account's
assets invested in Government National Mortgage Association  Certificates ("GNMA
Certificates"). Account shares, however, are not guaranteed by the United States
Government.  The value of the Account's investments fluctuates as interest rates
change.  The value  rises when  rates  decline  and falls  when rates  increase.
Expected  prepayments of mortgages included in a GNMA certificate can affect the
market value of the  certificate,  and actual  prepayments can affect the return
ultimately received.

     Additional   information   concerning   these  Accounts,   including  their
investment policies and restrictions,  investment  management fees and operating
expenses is given in the  prospectus  for the Fund. A Prospectus for the Fund is
attached  to and  follows  this  Prospectus.  It  should  be read  carefully  in
conjunction with this Prospectus before investing.

     Each  Division  purchases  shares of the  Accounts at net asset  value.  In
addition,  all  distributions  made by an Account with respect to shares held by
Divisions of Separate Account B are reinvested in additional  shares of the same
Account.  Contract  benefits  are  provided  and  charges  are made in effect by
redeeming  Account shares at net asset value.  Values under the Contracts,  both
before and after the commencement of Annuity Payments, will increase or decrease
to reflect the investment  performance of the Accounts and  Participants  assume
the risks of such change in values.

     From  time to  time  the  Separate  Account  advertises  its  Money  Market
Division's  "yield"  and  "effective  yield."  Both yield  figures  are based on
historical  earnings and are not intended to indicate  future  performance.  The
"yield" of the division  refers to the income  generated by an investment in the
division  over  a  seven-day   period  (which  period  will  be  stated  in  the
advertisement).  This income is then "annualized." That is, the amount of income
generated by the  investment  during that week is assumed to be  generated  each
week over a 52-week period and is shown as a percentage of the  investment.  The
"effective  yield" is  calculated  similarly  but, when  annualized,  the income
earned by an  investment  in the  division  is  assumed  to be  reinvested.  The
"effective  yield"  will be  slightly  higher  than the  "yield"  because of the
compounding  effect  of  this  assumed  reinvestment.  Neither  yield  quotation
reflects sales load deducted from purchase  payments which,  if included,  would
reduce the "yield" and "effective yield."

     Also,  from time to time,  the Separate  Account will advertise the average
annual total return of its various  divisions.  The average  annual total return
for  any  of the  divisions  is  computed  by  calculating  the  average  annual
compounded  rate of return over the stated  period that would  equate an initial
$1,000 investment to the ending  redeemable  contract value. In this calculation
the ending value is reduced by a contingent deferred sales charge that decreases
from 7% to 0% over a period of 10 years. The Separate Account may also advertise
total return  figures of its Divisions  for a specified  period that do not take
into  account  the  sales  charge  in  order to  illustrate  the  change  in the
Division's  unit value over time.  See  "Deductions  Under the  Contracts" for a
discussion of contingent deferred sales charges.

     See  the  Statement  of  Additional  Information  for  further  information
regarding the computation of yield, effective yield and total return.

DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (The "Company")

     Principal Mutual Life Insurance  Company is a mutual life insurance company
with its home office at The Principal  Financial Group, Des Moines,  Iowa 50392,
telephone number 515-247-5111.  It was originally incorporated under the laws of
the  State of Iowa in 1879 as  Bankers  Life  Association,  changed  its name to
Bankers  Life  Company in 1911 and  changed  its name to  Principal  Mutual Life
Insurance  Company in 1986. It is a member of The Principal  Financial  Group, a
diversified family of insurance and financial services corporations.

     The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a Plan of Reorganization
(the "Plan") pursuant to which the Company will adopt a mutual insurance holding
company structure.  The Plan was approved by the owners of annuity contracts and
life  insurance  policies  issued by the Company and has been  submitted  to the
Commissioner  of  Insurance of the State of Iowa (the "Iowa  Commissioner")  for
approval.

     Under the Plan, the Company will form a mutual  insurance  holding  company
named  "Principal  Mutual  Holding  Company"  and will  convert  to a stock life
insurance company. As part of such conversion,  the Company will change its name
to "Principal  Life Insurance  Company"  ("Principal  Life").  Principal  Mutual
Holding  Company will be the ultimate  parent company in the family of companies
known as the Principal Financial Group(R).

   
     Because  the  Company  currently  is  a  mutual  life  insurance   company,
Contractholders  have, in addition to contract  rights  related to the Contract,
certain membership interests in the Company, consisting principally of the right
to vote on the election of directors of the Company and on other matters and the
right to receive  distributions  of the Company's  surplus upon  liquidation  or
dissolution  of the Company.  The Plan will preserve but separate these contract
rights and  membership  interests.  Contract  rights will remain with  Principal
Life, and Contractholders on the date the Plan becomes effective (the "Effective
Date") will automatically become members of Principal Mutual Holding Company and
such Contractholder's  membership interests in the Company will be extinguished.
Under the terms of the Plan,  the  membership  interests of members of Principal
Mutual  Holding  Company  will consist  principally  of the right to vote on the
election of directors of Principal  Mutual Holding  Company and on other matters
and to receive  distributions of Principal Mutual Holding  Company's assets upon
liquidation or dissolution of Principal  Mutual Holding  Company.  The Plan will
not, in any way, increase premium payments or reduce Contract benefits,  values,
guarantees  or other  Contract  obligations  owed to  Contractholders.  Contract
obligations will be the responsibility of Principal Life.
    

     The Company  believes  that adoption of the Plan will result in a corporate
structure that, among other things, will provide the Company with flexibility in
raising capital  through  various means that are not currently  available to it,
including stock offerings. Any initial offering of voting stock to third parties
will be subject to the approval of the Iowa Commissioner.  Although there are no
current plans to offer voting stock, in the event voting stock was sold to third
parties,  it is possible that the interests of such third party shareholders and
Contractholders could diverge on certain issues. The Company,  however, believes
that  such  shareholders  and  Contractholders  will  generally  have a  greater
commonality  of interests  than the  potential for conflict and will endeavor to
minimize the  occurrence  of such  conflicts and to operate the companies in the
best interests of all constituencies.

     The  Effective  Date  is  scheduled  to be  July  1,  1998,  but  the  Iowa
Commissioner  must first  approve the Plan.  In addition,  insurance  regulatory
authorities  in each state must issue an amendment to the Company's  Certificate
of Authority (to reflect the name change from  Principal  Mutual Life  Insurance
Company to Principal  Life  Insurance  Company) and must approve the forms which
support the Contract. Should the Effective Date be other than July 1, 1998 or if
states other than Iowa have not completed  action by that date, the Company will
notify existing Owners by supplementing this prospectus.

   
     Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company is authorized to do business in the
50 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. The Company offers a full range of products and services for
businesses, groups and individuals including individual insurance, pension plans
and group/employee  benefits. The Company has ranked in the upper one percent of
life  insurers  in assets  and  premium  income  and has  consistently  received
excellent  ratings from the major rating firms based upon the  Company's  claims
paying ability. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had $63.2 billion in assets
under  management  and  served  more  than 9.7  million  individuals  and  their
families.
    

PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B

     Separate  Account B was  established  on January  12,  1970  pursuant  to a
resolution (as amended) of the Executive  Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company.  Under Iowa insurance  laws and  regulations  the income,  gains or
losses,  whether or not  realized,  of  Separate  Account B are  credited  to or
charged  against  the assets of Separate  Account B without  regard to the other
income,  gains or losses of the  Company.  In  addition,  all  income,  gains or
losses,  whether or not  realized,  and  expenses  with respect to a Division of
Separate  Account B for these  Contracts shall be credited to or charged against
that  Division  without  regard to income,  gains or losses,  or expenses of any
other Division of Separate Account B.  Furthermore,  the assets of each Division
of Separate  Account B for these  Contracts  shall not be charged by the Company
with any liabilities  arising from any other contracts  issued by the Company or
from any other  Division  of  Separate  Account  B.  These  assets are held with
relation to the Contracts  described in this  Prospectus and such other variable
annuity   contracts  as  may  be  issued  by  the  Company  and   designated  as
participating in the various Divisions of Separate Account B. Also, although the
assets  maintained in Separate  Account B attributable to the Contracts will not
be charged with any liabilities  arising out of any other business  conducted by
the Company,  the reverse is not true. Hence, all obligations  arising under the
Contracts, including the promise to make Annuity Payments, are general corporate
obligations of the Company.

     Separate  Account B was registered on July 17, 1970 with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act
of 1940,  as amended.  Such  registration  does not involve  supervision  by the
Commission of the investments or investment policies of Separate Account B.

     The Company is taxed as an insurance  company  under the  Internal  Revenue
Code. The operations of Separate  Account B are part of the total  operations of
the Company but are treated  separately for  accounting and financial  statement
purposes and are considered separately in computing the Company's tax liability.
Separate  Account B is not affected by federal  income taxes paid by the Company
with respect to its other operations, and under existing federal income tax law,
investment  income and capital gains  attributable to Separate Account B are not
taxed.  The Company reserves the right to charge Separate Account B with, and to
create a reserve for, any tax liability which the Company  determines may result
from maintenance of Separate Account B. To the best of the Company's  knowledge,
there is no current prospect of any such liability.

DEDUCTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACTS

   
     An  Administration  Charge,  a mortality  and expense  risks charge and, in
certain  circumstances,  state  premium  taxes are deducted  under the Contract.
Also,  in certain  circumstances,  a  Contingent  Deferred  Sales  Charge may be
deducted  from  certain  cash  withdrawals   from  a  Participant's   Investment
Account(s)  before  the  Annuity   Commencement  Date.  Total  expenses  of  the
Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 were 1.97% of the average
net assets.
    

     There  are also  deductions  from and  expenses  paid out of the  assets of
Capital Value Account,  Money Market Account, and Government Securities Account.
These are described in the Fund's prospectus.

A.   Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

     There is no initial sales charge.  However,  any cash withdrawal before the
     Annuity  Commencement  Date on behalf of a Participant  may be subject to a
     Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge equal to a percentage of the amount being
     withdrawn.  The  percentage  will be determined  according to the following
     table:

          Number of Contribution Years
             A Participant Has Been              Contingent Deferred Sales
           Covered Under the Contract                Charge Percentage

               Less than 1                                  7.0%
               1 but less than 2                            6.3
               2 but less than 3                            5.6
               3 but less than 4                            4.9
               4 but less than 5                            4.2
               5 but less than 6                            3.5
               6 but less than 7                            2.8
               7 but less than 8                            2.1
               8 but less than 9                            1.4
               9 but less than 10                           0.7
               10 or more                                   0.0

     The charge will be made by reducing the Investment Account Value from which
     the  withdrawal  is  made by an  amount  equal  to the  charge  (see  "Cash
     Withdrawals").

     The Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge does not apply to withdrawals made as
     a result of the Participant's death or Total and Permanent Disability.  The
     charge  also does not apply to  transfers  between  Investment  Accounts or
     transfers to an Associated  Fixed Contract or to amounts applied to provide
     Variable Annuity payments.  The charge may apply to amounts  transferred to
     an Alternate Funding Agent or Alternate  Funding Vehicle,  except transfers
     to an  Alternate  Funding  Vehicle  that is an annuity  contract  issued by
     Principal  Mutual Life Insurance  Company or an Alternate  Funding  Vehicle
     that  participates  in an  exchange  offer  for which an SEC order has been
     obtained.

     The amount of any Contingent  Deferred Sales Charge will never exceed 9% of
     the  purchase  payments  to which the  charge  relates.  For this  purpose,
     withdrawals will be related to purchase  payments on a first-in,  first-out
     basis and "purchase payments" will include purchase payments made under any
     Associated  Fixed  Contract  from  which  transfers  have  been  made.  See
     "Transfers to the Contract."

     The Contingent Deferred Sales Charge,  when applicable,  will be applied by
     the Company to unamortized  expenses  relating to the sale of the Contracts
     including but not limited to commissions paid to sales personnel, the costs
     of  preparation  of sales  literature and other  promotional  activity.  If
     revenues from the  Contingent  Deferred  Sales Charge are not sufficient to
     cover sales expenses,  the short fall could be viewed as being provided for
     out  of  other  revenues  or  the  Company's  surplus,  including  revenues
     attributable to the mortality and expense risks charge.

B.   Administration Charge

     An  Administration  Charge will be  deducted  once each  Contribution  Year
     proportionately  from the Investment  Accounts of each Participant and will
     be equal to the sum of 1. and 2.:

     1.  $25.

     2.  An amount  equal to a percentage  of the total value of all  Investment
         Accounts of the Participant  under the Contract.  This percentage shall
         be 0.5% of the first  $50,000  in such  accounts  divided  by the total
         value of such  accounts.  (See Appendix 2 for example of computation of
         Administration Charge.)

     Individual Retirement Annuities established under the Contract by a working
     and a  nonworking  spouse  Participant  will be  combined  for  purposes of
     calculating the Administration Charge.

     If Contributions for a Participant are made under the Contract as part of a
     Retirement   Plan  sponsored  by,  or  program  of,  the  Employer  of  the
     Participant   and  the  Company   receives  all  of  that  portion  of  the
     contributions  under such a plan or program  directed to annuity  contracts
     for all employees participating in the plan or program, then the percentage
     determined  in 2. above will be based on the value of the  aggregate of all
     accounts of all the Participants of the Employer. By this means, the charge
     determined by 2. will be deducted pro rata from the Investment  Accounts of
     all the Participants based on their proportionate value of the aggregate of
     the accounts.  The portion of the charge  determined by 1. will be deducted
     from Participant's Investment Accounts on a per capita basis.

     The  Administration  Charge applicable to each Participant will be deducted
     from the Participant's  Investment  Accounts on the earlier of (i) the date
     the accounts are paid or applied in full (a total  redemption)  or (ii) the
     last day of the  Contribution  Year.  The  deduction  will be  effected  by
     cancelling  a  number  of the  units  in  each  Investment  Account  of the
     Participant equal to its proportionate  share of the Administration  Charge
     divided by the Unit Value for the Contract for the applicable  Division for
     the Valuation Period in which the charge is made.

     A pro rata Administration  Charge will be made for any fractional part of a
     Contribution Year of a Participant.  The Company does not expect to recover
     from the charge any amount above its accumulated  expenses  associated with
     the Contracts. However, since a portion of the charge is based on a percent
     of a Participant's  Investment Account Values,  amounts derived from larger
     Investment Accounts may to an extent cover expenses associated with smaller
     Investment  Accounts  depending  upon the  relative  degree  of  Investment
     Account activity.

C.   Separate Payment of Administration Charge

     An Employer may, by a revocable written  agreement with the Company,  agree
     to  pay  separately  all or a  portion  of the  Administration  Charge  for
     Participants  who  are  employees  of the  Employer.  A  Participant  in an
     Individual  Retirement  Annuity (but not a Rollover  Individual  Retirement
     Annuity) may similarly  agree,  by a revocable  written  agreement with the
     Company, to pay separately all or a portion of the Administration Charge.

D.   Mortality and Expense Risks Charge

     Variable  Annuity  Payments  will  not be  affected  by  adverse  mortality
     experience or by any excess in the actual sales and administrative expenses
     over the charges  provided  for in the  Contract.  The Company  assumes the
     risks that (i) Annuity  Payments  will  continue  for a longer  period than
     anticipated   and  (ii)  the   deductions   under  the  Contracts  will  be
     insufficient  to cover the actual  costs.  For assuming  these  risks,  the
     Company, in determining Unit Values and Variable Annuity Payments,  makes a
     charge  as of the  end of each  Valuation  Period  against  the  assets  of
     Separate  Account  B held  with  respect  to the  Contract.  The  charge is
     equivalent  to a simple  annual  rate of  1.4965%  (1.0001%  for a Rollover
     Individual  Retirement  Annuity).  The Company  does not believe that it is
     possible to  specifically  identify  that portion of the 1.4965%  deduction
     applicable to the separate risks involved,  but estimates that a reasonable
     approximate  allocation would be .2490% for the mortality risks and 1.2475%
     (0.7511%  for a Rollover  Individual  Retirement  Annuity)  for the expense
     risks. The mortality and expense risks charge may be changed by the Company
     at any time at least one year after the  Contract has been issued by giving
     not less than 60 days prior written notice to the Contractholder,  Employer
     and  Participants.  However,  the charge may not exceed  2.00% on an annual
     basis, and only one change may be made in any one year period.  Further, no
     increase  in the  charge in excess of 1.75% on an annual  basis may be made
     without the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange  Commission.  Any
     change in the mortality  and expense risks charge will not affect  Variable
     Annuities in the course of payment.  If the charge is insufficient to cover
     the actual costs of the mortality and expense risks assumed,  the financial
     loss will fall on the Company;  conversely,  if the charge proves more than
     sufficient, the excess will be a gain to the Company.

E.   Premium Taxes

     Certain  state and local  governments  impose a  premium  tax upon  annuity
     considerations  received by  insurance  companies.  The Company will charge
     against  the  Participant's  Investment  Account  Values  the amount of any
     premium  taxes levied by a state or any other  government  entity.  Premium
     taxes currently imposed by states range from 0% (in more than 40 states) to
     2.25%. (See Appendix 1 for premium tax rates.) Unless otherwise required by
     law, the deduction will be made at the time  Investment  Account Values are
     applied to effect the form of variable annuity selected by the Participant.

     The applicable rates imposed by the states and other governmental  entities
     which impose premium taxes on annuity  considerations  are subject to being
     changed or amended by the respective  legislative body or by administrative
     interpretations  or by  judicial  acts.  IT IS  NOT  POSSIBLE  TO  DESCRIBE
     PRECISELY  THE AMOUNT OF PREMIUM TAX PAYABLE ON ANY  TRANSACTION  INVOLVING
     THE CONTRACTS.  Such premium taxes will depend,  among other things, on the
     state of residence of the  Participant  and the  insurance tax laws of such
     states.

SURPLUS DISTRIBUTION AT SOLE DISCRETION OF THE COMPANY

     It is not anticipated that any divisible surplus will ever be distributable
to these  Contracts  in the future  because the  Contracts  are not  expected to
result in a contribution to the divisible  surplus of the Company.  However,  if
any distribution of divisible  surplus is made, it will be made to Participants'
Investment Accounts in the form of additional units.

THE CONTRACT

     The Contract  will  normally be issued to an Employer or  association  or a
trust established for the benefit of Participants and their  beneficiaries.  The
Company  will  also  issue a  pre-retirement  certificate  to  each  Participant
describing  the benefits  under the Contract.  If the Company Home Office in Des
Moines, Iowa receives and accepts a completed application for a Contract with or
before the initial purchase  payment,  it will,  within two days after receiving
that  payment,  invest the entire  amount in the Division or Divisions  that are
chosen.  (If no Division is chosen on the completed  application for a Contract,
the Company will invest the entire amount in the Money Market  Division.) If the
application  for the purchase of a Contract is not received and accepted  within
five business days after the Company receives the initial purchase payment,  the
Company will return the  payment.  If the  application  is received and accepted
within the  five-day  period,  that  payment will be invested in the Division or
Divisions  of  choice  at the Unit  Value or Values  next  calculated  after the
application has been accepted.

A.   Contract Values and Accounting Before Annuity Commencement Date

     1.  Participant's Investment Accounts

         During the period of time before the commencement of Annuity  Payments,
         an Investment Account will be established for each Participant for each
         type of Contribution  permitted under the Contract for each Division of
         Separate   Account  B.  For  Tax  Deferred   Annuities   the  types  of
         Contributions  are  Contributions by the Employer  pursuant to a salary
         modification   agreement,   other  Employer   Contributions   or  other
         Contributions that the Company agrees to accept.

         For Individual  Retirement  Annuities,  the types of Contributions  are
         generally Employer Contributions, Participant Contributions or rollover
         Contributions   arising  from  amounts   previously   deducted  by  the
         Participant  and  accumulated  under  an  account,  annuity  or bond as
         provided for in Internal Revenue Code Sections 408 or 409.

         For Rollover Individual Retirement  Annuities,  generally the only type
         of Contribution is a rollover Contribution pursuant to Internal Revenue
         Code Sections 402(a)(5),  402(a)(7), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3) or
         409(b)(3)(C).

         Investment  Accounts will be maintained  until the  Investment  Account
         Values are either (a) applied to effect Variable  Annuity  benefits for
         the   Participant,   (b)  paid  to  the  Participant  or  Participant's
         beneficiary or (c) transferred in accordance with the provisions of the
         Contract.

         Each  Contribution  for a Participant will be allocated to the Division
         or Divisions of Separate  Account B designated by Written  Notification
         and will  result  in a credit  of units to the  appropriate  Investment
         Account. The number of units so credited will be determined by dividing
         the portion of the  Contributions  allocated  to a Division by the Unit
         Value for that  Division  for the  Valuation  Period  within  which the
         Contribution  was  received  by the  Company at its home  office in Des
         Moines, Iowa.

     2.  Unit Value

         The Unit  Value for a Contract  which  participates  in a  Division  of
         Separate  Account  B  determines  a  Participant's  Investment  Account
         Values. The Unit Value for each Contract in each Division is determined
         on each day on which the net asset value of its  underlying  Account is
         determined.  The Unit Value for a Valuation  Period is determined as of
         the end of that period.  The  investment  performance of the underlying
         Account and deducted expenses affect the Unit Value.

         For these  Contracts,  the Unit  Value for each  Division  was fixed at
         $1.00 for the  Valuation  Period in which the first amount of money was
         credited  to the  Division.  A  Division's  Unit  Value  for any  later
         Valuation  Period  is  equal  to its  Unit  Value  for the  immediately
         preceding Valuation Period multiplied by the Net Investment Factor (see
         below) for that Division for the later Valuation Period.

     3.  Net Investment Factor

         Each  Net  Investment  Factor  is  the  quantitative  measure  of  the
         investment performance of each Division of Separate Account B.

         For any specified  Valuation  period the Net  Investment  Factor for a
         Division for a Contract is equal to

         (a)  the  quotient  obtained by  dividing  (i) the net asset value of a
              share of the  underlying  Account  as of the end of the  Valuation
              Period,  plus  the per  share  amount  of any  dividend  or  other
              distribution made by the Account during the Valuation Period (less
              an adjustment for taxes,  if any) by (ii) the net asset value of a
              share of the  Account as of the end of the  immediately  preceding
              Valuation Period,

                             reduced by

         (b)  a mortality and expense risks charge of a number equal to a simple
              interest rate for the number of days within the  Valuation  Period
              at an annual rate of 1.4965%  (1.0001%  for a Rollover  Individual
              Retirement Annuity).

         The amounts  derived from applying the rate  specified in  subparagraph
         (b) above and the amount of any taxes referred to in  subparagraph  (a)
         above  will be  accrued  daily and will be  transferred  from  Separate
         Account B at the discretion of the Company.

     4.  Hypothetical  Example of  Calculation  of Unit  Value for the  Capital
         Value Division and Government  Securities Division (excluding Rollover
         Individual Retirement Annuity)

         The  computation  of the Unit Value may be illustrated by the following
         hypothetical  example.  Assume  that the  current net asset value of an
         Account  share is  $14.8000;  that  there  were no  dividends  or other
         distributions made by the Account and no adjustment for taxes since the
         last  determination;  that the net asset value of an Account share last
         determined was $14.7800;  that the last Unit Value was $1.0185363;  and
         that the  Valuation  Period was one day. To  determine  the current Net
         Investment Factor, divide $14.8000 by $14.7800 which produces 1.0013532
         and deduct from this amount the  mortality  and expense risks charge of
         0.0000410, which is the rate for one day that is equivalent to a simple
         annual  rate of  1.4965%.  The  result,  1.0013122,  is the current Net
         Investment  Factor. The last Unit Value ($1.0185363) is then multiplied
         by the current  Net  Investment  Factor  (1.0013122)  which  produces a
         current Unit Value of $1.0198728.

     5.  Hypothetical Example of Calculation of Unit Value for the Money Market
         Division (excluding Rollover Individual Retirement Annuity)

         The  computation  of the Unit Value may be illustrated by the following
         hypothetical  example.  Assume  that the  current net asset value of an
         Account share is $1.0000;  that a dividend of .0328767  cents per share
         was declared by the Account prior to calculation of the net asset value
         of the Account share and that no other  distributions and no adjustment
         for taxes  were made since the last  determination;  that the net asset
         value of an Account share last  determined  was $1.0000;  that the last
         Unit Value was $1.0162734; and that the Valuation Period was one day.

         To determine  the current Net  Investment  Factor,  add the current net
         asset value ($1.0000) to the amount of the dividend  ($.000328767)  and
         divide by the last net asset  value  ($1.0000),  which when  rounded to
         seven places  equals  1.0003288.  Deduct from this amount the mortality
         and expense  risks charge of .0000410 (the  proportionate  rate for one
         day based on a simple annual rate of 1.4965%).  The result  (1.0002878)
         is the current Net Investment  Factor. The last Unit Value ($1.0162734)
         is then  multiplied by the current Net Investment  Factor  (1.0002878),
         resulting in a current Unit Value of $1.0165659.

B.   Annuity Benefits

     1.  Selecting a Variable Annuity

         Variable  Annuity  Payments will be made to a Participant  beginning on
         the Annuity  Commencement  Date and continuing  thereafter on the first
         day of each month.  A  Participant  may select an Annuity  Commencement
         Date by Written  Notification to the Company.  The date selected may be
         the first day of any month the Plan allows  which is at least one month
         after the Written  Notification.  For  Participants  in a Tax  Deferred
         Annuity,  after 1988, the annuity commencement date cannot begin before
         the  participant is age 59 1/2,  separated from service,  or is totally
         disabled.

         As a general rule the annuity  commencement  for Individual  Retirement
         Annuities  and Tax Deferred  Annuities  cannot be later than April 1 of
         the calendar year following the calendar year in which the  Participant
         attains age 70 1/2. Participants in Individual Retirement Annuities may
         delay  the  commencement  date if they  notify us in  writing  that the
         distribution  requirements  are being met by  distributions  from other
         individual retirement arrangements. Tax Deferred Annuity benefits which
         accrued before January 1, 1987 do not have to be distributed  until age
         75 or the first day of the month after termination of employment.

         At any time not less  than one  month  preceding  the  desired  Annuity
         Commencement Date, a Participant may, by Written  Notification,  select
         one of the  annuity  options  described  below (see  "Forms of Variable
         Annuities").  If no annuity option has been selected at least one month
         before the Annuity  Commencement  Date, and if the Retirement Plan does
         not provide  one,  payments to an  unmarried  Participant  will be made
         under the annuity option  providing  Variable Life Annuity with Monthly
         Payments  Certain for Ten Years,  i.e.  providing  monthly payments for
         life with the provision that if the Participant dies prior to receiving
         all payments due in the first ten years, any remaining  payments due in
         that  period  will be paid to the  designated  beneficiary  unless  the
         beneficiary  requests  in  writing  that  the  Commuted  Value  of  the
         remaining  payments  be paid in a single  sum.  Payments  to a  married
         Participant  will be made under the annuity option providing a Variable
         Life Annuity  with  One-Half  Survivorship,  i.e.  payments  during the
         Participant's  lifetime  and  providing  further  that  one-half of the
         amount  otherwise  payable to the Participant  will be continued to the
         Participant's  spouse as  contingent  annuitant  so long as the  spouse
         survives the Participant.

     2.  Forms of Variable Annuities

         Because of certain restrictions  contained in the Internal Revenue Code
         and regulations thereunder,  an annuity option is not available under a
         Tax Deferred  Annuity  unless (i) the joint or contingent  annuitant is
         the  Participant's   spouse  or  (ii)  on  the  Participant's   Annuity
         Commencement  Date,  the present  value of the amount to be paid to the
         Participant  while living is greater  than 50% of the present  value of
         the total benefit to the Participant and the Participant's  beneficiary
         (or joint or contingent annuitant, if applicable).

         Similarly,  for Individual Retirement Annuities and Rollover Individual
         Retirement Annuities,  an annuity option is not available unless (i) no
         benefits are provided  which extend beyond the life of the  Participant
         or the lives of the Participant and the Participant's spouse or (ii) no
         benefits are provided  which extend over a period  longer than the life
         expectancy of the Participant or the life expectancy of the Participant
         and spouse.

         A Participant may elect to have Investment Account Values applied under
         one of the following annuity options.  However,  if the monthly Annuity
         Payment  would be less than $20,  the Company  may, at its sole option,
         pay the Investment  Account  Values in full  settlement of all benefits
         otherwise available.

         Variable  Life Annuity with Monthly  Payments  Certain for Zero,  Five,
         Ten, Fifteen or Twenty Years or Installment Refund Period -- a Variable
         Annuity which provides monthly  payments to the Participant  during the
         Participant's  lifetime,  and further provides that if, at the death of
         the  Participant,  monthly  payments  have  been  made for less  than a
         minimum period selected by the Participant,  any remaining payments for
         the balance of such period  shall be paid to a  designated  beneficiary
         unless the  beneficiary  requests in writing that the Commuted Value of
         the   remaining   payments  be  paid  in  a  single  sum.   (Designated
         beneficiaries  entitled to take the remaining  payments or the Commuted
         Value thereof rather than  continuing  monthly  payments should consult
         with  their tax  advisor  to be made  aware of the  differences  in tax
         treatment.)

         The minimum  period may be either zero,  five,  ten,  fifteen or twenty
         years or the period (called  "installment refund period") consisting of
         the number of months  determined  by dividing the amount  applied under
         the option by the initial payment.  If, for example,  a Participant had
         $14,400 to apply under a life option with an installment refund period,
         and if the first monthly payment provided by that amount, as determined
         from the  applicable  annuity  conversion  rates,  would  be $100,  the
         minimum period would be 144 months ($14,400  divided by $100 per month)
         or 12 years. A variable life annuity with an installment  refund period
         guarantees  a minimum  number of  payments,  but not the  amount of any
         monthly payment or the amount of aggregate monthly payments.

         Under the Variable Life Annuity with Zero Years Certain, which provides
         monthly payments to the Participant during the Participant's  lifetime,
         it would be possible  for the  Participant  to receive only one Annuity
         Payment  if the  Participant  died  prior to the due date of the second
         payment  since  payment  is  made  only  during  the  lifetime  of  the
         Participant.

         Joint and Survivor  Variable Life Annuity with Monthly Payments Certain
         for Ten Years -- a Variable Annuity which provides monthly payments for
         a minimum period of ten years and thereafter during the joint lifetimes
         of that  participant  and the  joint  annuitant  named at the time this
         option is elected,  and continuing  after the death of either payee for
         the  amount  that would have been  payable to them  jointly  during the
         remaining  lifetime of the survivor.  In the event the  Participant and
         the joint  annuitant do not survive beyond the minimum ten year period,
         any remaining payments for the balance of such period will be paid to a
         designated  beneficiary unless the beneficiary requests in writing that
         the Commuted  Value of the remaining  payments be paid in a single sum.
         (Designated  beneficiaries  entitled to take the remaining  payments or
         the Commuted  Value thereof  rather than  continuing  monthly  payments
         should  consult  with  their  tax  advisor  to be  made  aware  of  the
         differences in tax treatment.)

         Joint and  Two-Thirds  Survivor  Variable  Life  Annuity  -- a Variable
         Annuity which provides  monthly  payments during the joint lives of the
         Participant  and the  person  designated  by the  Participant  as joint
         annuitant with two-thirds of the amount that would have been payable to
         them jointly continuing to the survivor upon the death of either.

         Variable Life Annuity with One-Half  Survivorship -- a Variable Annuity
         which provides monthly payments during the life of the Participant with
         one-half of the amount otherwise  payable  continuing to the contingent
         annuitant  designated  by the  Participant  so long  as the  contingent
         annuitant lives.

         Under the Joint and Two-thirds Survivor Variable Life Annuity and under
         the  Variable  Life  Annuity with  One-Half  Survivorship,  it would be
         possible for the  Participant  and/or  contingent or joint annuitant to
         receive only one annuity  payment if both died prior to the due date of
         the second payment since payment is made only during their lifetimes.

         Other Options -- Other Variable  Annuity  options  permitted  under the
         applicable  Retirement Plan may be arranged by mutual  agreement of the
         Participant and the Company.

     3.  Basis of Annuity Conversion Rates

         Because  women as a class live longer than men, it has been common that
         retirement  annuities  of equal  cost for women and men of the same age
         will provide  women less  periodic  income at  retirement.  The Supreme
         Court of the United  States ruled in Arizona  Governing  Committee  vs.
         Norris that sex distinct  annuity  tables  under an  employer-sponsored
         benefit plan result in  discrimination  that is prohibited by Title VII
         of the Federal  Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The Court further ruled that
         sex distinct  annuity  tables will be deemed  discriminatory  only when
         used with values  accumulated  from employer  contributions  made after
         August 1, 1983, the date of the ruling.

         Title VII applies only to employers with 15 or more employees. However,
         certain State Fair  Employment Laws and Equal Payment Laws may apply to
         employers with less than 15 employees.

         It is unclear at this time what  degree of  employer  involvement  will
         result in an  Individual  Retirement  Annuity or Tax  Deferred  Annuity
         being  considered a benefit of employment and therefore  subject to the
         Court's ruling.

         The Variable Annuity Contracts  described in this Prospectus offer both
         sex  distinct and sex neutral  annuity  conversion  rates.  The annuity
         rates are used to convert a Participant's  pre-retirement account value
         to a  monthly  lifetime  income  at  retirement.  Usage of  either  sex
         distinct  or sex  neutral  annuity  rates  will  be  determined  by the
         Employer.

         For  each  form of  Variable  Annuity,  the  annuity  conversion  rates
         determine how much the first monthly  Annuity  Payment will be for each
         $1,000 of the Participant's  Investment Account Value applied to effect
         the  Variable  Annuity.  The  conversion  rates  vary  with the form of
         annuity, date of birth, and (unless sex neutral rates are used) the sex
         of the Participant and the joint or contingent  annuitant,  if any. The
         sex distinct  guaranteed annuity conversion rates are based upon (i) an
         interest  rate of 2.5% per annum and (ii)  mortality  according  to the
         "1983 Table a for Individual Annuity Valuation"  projected with Scale G
         to the year 2020,  females  set back six years in age.  The sex neutral
         rates are  determined  for all  Participants  in the same way as female
         rates, as described above. The guaranteed  annuity conversion rates may
         be changed,  but no change which would  provide  less  initial  monthly
         Annuity Payment will take effect for a current Participant.

         The Contract  provides  that an interest rate of not less than 2.5% per
         annum will  represent  the assumed  investment  return.  Currently  the
         assumed  investment  return used in determining the amount of the first
         monthly  payment  is 4%  per  annum.  This  rate  may be  increased  or
         decreased  by the Company in the future but in no event will it be less
         than 2.5% per annum.  If,  under the  Contract,  the actual  investment
         return (as measured by an Annuity Change Factor,  defined below) should
         always equal the assumed investment  return,  Variable Annuity Payments
         would remain  level.  If the actual  investment  return  should  always
         exceed the assumed investment  return,  Variable Annuity Payments would
         increase;  conversely,  if it should  always  be less than the  assumed
         investment return, Variable Annuity Payments would decrease.

         The  current  4%  assumed  investment  return is  higher  than the 2.5%
         interest rate reflected in the annuity  conversion  rates  contained in
         the Contract.  With a 4%  assumption,  Variable  Annuity  Payments will
         commence at a higher  level,  will  increase  less  rapidly when actual
         investment  return  exceeds 4%, and will  decrease  more  rapidly  when
         actual investment return is less than 4%, than would occur with a lower
         assumption.

     4.  Determining the Amount of the First Monthly Annuity Payment

         For each  Investment  Account  the  initial  amount of monthly  annuity
         income  provided  by each $1,000  applied to effect a Variable  Annuity
         shall be based on the option selected and the Investment Account Value,
         after  reduction  for any premium tax,  determined as of the end of the
         Valuation  Period one month before the Annuity  Commencement  Date. The
         initial  monthly  income payment will be determined on the basis of the
         annuity  conversion  rates  applicable on such date to such conversions
         under all contracts of this class issued by the Company.  However,  the
         basis for the annuity  conversion  rates will not produce  less initial
         monthly income than the annuity conversion rate basis described above.

     5.  Determining the Amount of the Second and Subsequent Monthly Annuity 
         Payments

         The second and  subsequent  monthly  Annuity  Payments will be computed
         separately  for each  Division  of  Separate  Account B selected by the
         Participant and will increase or decrease in response to the investment
         experience of the Account  underlying the Division.  The amount of each
         payment will be  determined  by  multiplying  the amount of the monthly
         Annuity Payment due in the immediately  preceding calendar month by the
         Annuity  Change  Factor  for  the  Division  for the  Contract  for the
         calendar month in which the Annuity Payment is due.

         Each Annuity  Change Factor for a Division for a calendar month is the
         quotient of (a) divided by (b), below:

         (a)  The number which  results from  dividing (i) the  Contract's  Unit
              Value  for  the  Division  for  the  first  Valuation  Date in the
              calendar month beginning one month before the given calendar month
              by (ii) the  Contract's  Unit Value for the Division for the first
              Valuation Date in the calendar  month  beginning two months before
              the given calendar month.

         (b)  An amount equal to one plus the  effective  interest  rate for the
              number  of days  between  the two  Valuation  Dates  specified  in
              subparagraph  (a) above at the interest  rate assumed to determine
              the initial payment of variable benefits to the Participant.

     6.  Hypothetical  Example of  Calculation of Annuity  Payments  (excluding
         Individual Rollover Retirement Annuity)

         Assume that on the date one month before the Annuity  Commencement Date
         the Participant has an Investment  Account Value of $37,592.  Using the
         appropriate  annuity  conversion  factor  (assuming  $5.88  per  $1,000
         applied) the Investment  Account Value provides a first monthly Annuity
         Payment of $221.04. To determine the amount of the Participant's second
         monthly  payment  assume that the Unit Value as of the first  Valuation
         Date in the preceding  calendar month was $1.3712044 and the Unit Value
         as of the first Valuation Date in the second  preceding  calendar month
         was  $1.3273110.  The Annuity  Change  Factor is determined by dividing
         $1.3712044  by  $1.3273110,  which equals  1.0330694,  and dividing the
         result by an amount  corresponding to the amount of one increased by an
         assumed  investment  return of 4%  (which  for a thirty  day  period is
         1.0032288). 1.0330694 divided by 1.0032288 results in an Annuity Change
         Factor for the month of  1.0297446.  Applying this factor to the amount
         of Annuity  Payment for the previous month results in a current monthly
         payment of $227.61 ($221.04 multiplied by 1.0297446 equals $227.61).

C.   Payment on Death of Participant

     1.  Prior to Annuity Commencement Date

         If a  Participant  dies prior to the  Annuity  Commencement  Date,  the
         Company,  upon receipt of due proof of death,  will, in accordance with
         prior   instructions   from  the  Participant,   either  (i)  establish
         Investment  Accounts for the beneficiary to hold the Investment Account
         Values of the  Participant or (ii) if an Associated  Fixed Contract has
         been  issued,  cancel all  Investment  Account  units as of the date of
         receipt of proof of death and transfer the  Investment  Account  Values
         (determined  as of the end of the  Valuation  Period in which  proof of
         death was received) to the Associated  Fixed  Contract.  In lieu of the
         foregoing,  the Company may pay all or part of the  Investment  Account
         values  to the  beneficiary  in a  single  sum,  provided  that  if the
         Participant   had  elected  that  the  Investment   Account  Values  be
         transferred to an Associated Fixed Contract,  the beneficiary's written
         request for the payment  must be given  before the date the transfer is
         to be effective.

         A beneficiary  of a Participant  may elect to have all or a part of the
         amount  available  under any Associated  Fixed Contract  transferred to
         this Contract to establish  Investment  Accounts for the beneficiary or
         to have  all or a part of the  amount  available  under  this  Contract
         transferred  to any  Associated  Fixed  Contract.  If the  value of the
         Investment  Accounts is less than $1,750, the Company may at its option
         pay the  beneficiary  the value of such  accounts  in lieu of all other
         benefits. A spouse beneficiary may elect to have the Investment Account
         Values applied to provide  Annuity  Payments or paid in a single sum. A
         beneficiary  other  than  the  Participant's   spouse  must  receive  a
         distribution  of all  values  within  five  years of the  Participant's
         death.

         If a Participant  under a Contract  funding a Tax Deferred Annuity dies
         prior to Annuity  Commencement  Date, the Company,  upon receipt of due
         proof of death,  will, in accordance with prior  instructions  from the
         Participant,  either (i) pay the value of the Participant's  Investment
         Accounts to the  beneficiary  in a single sum or (ii) if an  Associated
         Fixed Contract has been issued,  cancel all Investment Account units as
         of the  date  of  receipt  of the  proof  of  death  and  transfer  the
         Investment  Account  Values  (determined as of the end of the Valuation
         Period in which proof of death was  received) to the  Associated  Fixed
         Contract.  Prior  to  any  payment  or  transfer  by the  Company,  the
         beneficiary  may  change  the  election  made  by the  Participant  or,
         alternatively,  elect  to have  the  Participant's  Investment  Account
         Values  applied to purchase a  supplementary  contract from the Company
         for annuity benefits.  Such a purchase must conform to the requirements
         of the supplementary contract.

         Under all  Contracts,  a  beneficiary  must  begin to  receive  Annuity
         Payments  or  receive a single  sum  payment  not later than five years
         after the Participant's  death. An election to receive Annuity Payments
         must be made  prior  to the  single  sum  payment  to the  beneficiary.
         Annuity  income  must be payable as  lifetime  annuity  income  with no
         benefits beyond the beneficiary's life or life expectancy. In addition,
         the amount of the monthly Annuity Payments must be at least $20, or the
         Company  may at  its  option  pay  the  beneficiary  the  value  of the
         Investment  Accounts in lieu of all other  benefits.  The first Annuity
         Payment will be made on the first day of the calendar  month  specified
         in the election,  but in no event prior to the date one month after any
         transfer from any Associated Fixed Contract is effective. The amount to
         be applied  will be  determined  as of one month  prior to the date the
         first monthly payment is due. The beneficiary  must be a natural person
         in order to elect  Annuity  Payments.  The election  must be by Written
         Notification.  The annuity conversion rates applicable to a beneficiary
         shall be the annuity  conversion  rates the Company makes  available to
         all  beneficiaries  under contracts of this class. The beneficiary will
         receive a written description of the options available.

     2.  Subsequent to Annuity Commencement Date

         Upon the death of a Participant  receiving monthly Annuity Payments, no
         benefits will be available  except as may be provided under the form of
         annuity  selected.  If  provided  for  under the form of  annuity,  the
         beneficiary will continue  receiving any remaining  payments unless the
         beneficiary  requests  in  writing  that  the  Commuted  Value  of  the
         remaining payments be paid in a single sum.

D.   Withdrawals and Transfers

     1.  Cash Withdrawals

         The  Contracts  are  designed  for  and  intended  to be  used  to fund
         Retirement Plans. However,  subject to any Retirement Plan limitations,
         any restrictions  imposed by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or
         any reduction  for vesting  provided for in the  Retirement  Plan as to
         amounts   available,   the  Participant  may  withdraw  cash  from  the
         Investment Accounts at any time prior to the Annuity  Commencement Date
         subject to any  charges  that may be  applied.  Distributions  from Tax
         Deferred Annuities may begin only after the Participant  attains age 59
         1/2, separates from service,  dies or becomes disabled,  or in the case
         of hardship.

         The procedure with respect to cash withdrawals is as follows:

         (a)  The Participant's  Investment Account Values will be determined at
              the end of the Valuation Period in which the withdrawal request is
              received  and will be paid to the  Participant  within  seven days
              thereafter.   The  Company   may  require   that  any  request  be
              accompanied by the certificate issued to the Participant.

         (b)  No  more  than  two  partial  cash  withdrawals  can be made in a
              twelve-month period without the Company's express consent.

         (c)  The amount  available  may be subject to the  Contingent  Deferred
              Sales  Charge  and,  in the  case of a total  withdrawal,  will be
              subject to the Administration Charge.

         (d)  The amount  available is also subject to any  restriction  in the
              Participant's Retirement Plan.

         Any cash withdrawal made will result in the cancellation of a number of
         units in each Investment  Account of the Participant  from which values
         have been withdrawn.  The number of units cancelled from the Investment
         Account will be equal to the amount withdrawn divided by the Unit Value
         for its  Division of  Separate  Account B for the  Valuation  Period in
         which the  cancellation  is effective.  Units will also be cancelled to
         cover any charges assessed under (c) above.

         (Special  Note:  Under the Texas  Education  Code,  Participants  under
         contracts  issued in connection with Optional  Retirement  Programs for
         certain  employees  of  Texas  institutions  of  higher  education  are
         prohibited from making  withdrawals  except in the event of termination
         of employment, retirement or death of the Participant.)

     2.  Transfers to the Contract

         If an  Associated  Fixed  Contract has been issued by the Company,  and
         except as  otherwise  provided by the  applicable  Retirement  Plan,  a
         Participant may, by Written Notification,  transfer all or a portion of
         the  proceeds  available  under the  Associated  Fixed  Contract to the
         Investment Account(s) under the Contract at any time at least one month
         before  Annuity   Commencement  Date,  subject  to  the  terms  of  the
         Associated Fixed Contract.

     3.  Transfers Between Divisions

         Upon  Written  Notification,  all  or a  portion  of  the  value  of an
         Investment  Account in one Division may be transferred to an Investment
         Account in another Division available under the Contract. Transfers may
         be made at any time at least one month before the Annuity  Commencement
         Date.  However,  only two transfers from any Investment  Account may be
         made in a  twelve-month  period  without  the  express  consent  of the
         Company.

         A transfer will be effective as of the end of the  Valuation  Period in
         which the request is received.  Any amount  transferred  will result in
         the  cancellation  of units in the  Investment  Account  from which the
         transfer is made.  The number of units  cancelled  will be equal to the
         amount  transferred  from that account divided by the Unit Value of the
         Division for the  Valuation  Period in which the transfer is effective.
         The  transferred  amount will result in the  crediting  of units in the
         Investment  Account to which the transfer is made.  The number of units
         credited  will be  equal  to the  amount  transferred  to that  account
         divided by the Unit Value of the Division for the  Valuation  Period in
         which the transfer is effective.

      4. Transfers to the Associated Fixed Contract

         Except as  otherwise  provided by the  applicable  Retirement  Plan,  a
         Participant  may by Written  Notification  transfer all or a portion of
         available Investment Account Values to the Associated Fixed Contract at
         any time at least one month  before  Annuity  Commencement  Date.  Such
         transfers  are subject to the same  provisions  regarding  frequency of
         transfer,  effective  date of  transfer  and  cancellation  of units as
         described above in "Transfers Between Divisions".

     5.  Special Situation Involving Alternate Funding Agents

         The Contracts  may be subject to  provisions  of an Employer  sponsored
         Retirement  Plan which  allows  the  Investment  Account  Values of all
         Participants  of the Retirement  Plan to be transferred to an Alternate
         Funding  Agent  with  or  without  the  consent  of  the  Participants.
         Transfers to an Alternate  Funding Agent require  Written  Notification
         from the person or persons specified by the Retirement Plan.

         The amount to be transferred  will be equal to the  Investment  Account
         Values  determined as of the end of the  Valuation  Period in which the
         Written Notification is received.  Such transfers may be subject to the
         Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.

         Alternate  Funding  Agent  means  an  insurance  company  or  custodian
         designated by Written Notification and authorized to receive any amount
         or  amounts  transferred  from  the  Contract  as to a  Participant  or
         Participants  and to apply  such  amount or amounts  for the  exclusive
         benefit of the  Participant  or  Participants  under a retirement  plan
         which continues to meet the  requirements of the Internal Revenue Code,
         without  any  obligation  on the part of the  Company  in regard to the
         application.

     6.  Postponement of Cash Withdrawal or Transfer

         Any cash withdrawal or transfer to be made from the Contract or between
         Divisions in  accordance  with the  preceding  paragraphs  will be made
         within  seven  days  after  Written  Notification  for such  payment or
         transfer  is received  by the  Company.  However,  such  withdrawal  or
         transfer  may be  deferred  during any period  when the right to redeem
         Account  shares is  suspended  as  permitted  under  provisions  of the
         Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  The right to redeem shares
         may be  suspended  during any period  when (a)  trading on the New York
         Stock  Exchange is  restricted  as  determined  by the  Securities  and
         Exchange  Commission or such Exchange is closed for other than weekends
         and holidays;  (b) an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities
         and  Exchange  Commission,  as a result  of which (i)  disposal  by the
         Account of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or (ii)
         it is not  reasonably  practicable  for the Account fairly to determine
         the value of its net assets;  or (c) the Commission by order so permits
         for the protection of security holders. If any deferment of transfer or
         withdrawal  is  in  effect  and  has  not  been  cancelled  by  Written
         Notification to the Company within the period of deferment,  the amount
         to be  transferred  or withdrawn  shall be  determined  as of the first
         Valuation Date  following  expiration of the permitted  deferment,  and
         transfer or withdrawal will be made within seven days thereafter.

E.   Other Contractual Provisions

     1.  Contribution Limits

         The Contract  prescribes no limits on the minimum  Contributions  which
         may be made on behalf of a Participant.  Maximum  Contributions for Tax
         Deferred  Annuities  are limited to (a) amounts  excludable  from gross
         income of Participants pursuant to the exclusion allowance provision of
         Section 403(b) of the Internal  Revenue Code, and (b) the  contribution
         limitation as specified in Section 415(c) of the Internal  Revenue Code
         unless  otherwise  allowed by the Company.  Maximum  Contributions  for
         Individual  Retirement  Annuities are limited to (a) amounts deductible
         by a Participant under Internal Revenue Code Section 219 or (b) amounts
         previously  deducted by the  Participant  under  Internal  Revenue Code
         Section  219  and  accumulated  in  another  funding  vehicle,   unless
         otherwise  allowed by the Company.  Maximum  Contributions for Rollover
         Individual  Retirement Annuities are limited to amounts the Participant
         is  entitled  to  roll  over  under  Internal   Revenue  Code  Sections
         402(a)(5), 402(a)(7), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or 409(b)(3)(C).

     2.  Assignment

         No rights  available  or  benefits  payable  under the  Contract to any
         Participant,   beneficiary   or  contingent  or  joint   annuitant  are
         assignable,  transferable or subject to pledge, and all such rights and
         benefits  shall be exempt from the claims of  creditors  to the maximum
         extent permitted by law.

         A  Participant's   Investment   Account  Values  are   non-forfeitable;
         provided,  however, if the Retirement Plan specifically so provides,  a
         Participant's  Investment Account Values shall be reduced to the extent
         required by the vesting  provisions  of the  Retirement  Plan as of the
         date the Company receives  Written  Notification of the event requiring
         the reduction.

     3.  Cessation of Contributions

         A cessation of Contributions  with respect to all Participants  under a
         Retirement  Plan  shall  occur at the  election  of the  Employer  upon
         Written  Notification  to the  Company  or as of the  date on  which no
         Investment  Accounts  subject to the  Retirement  Plan remain under the
         Contract.  Following  a  cessation  of  Contributions  all terms of the
         Contract  will  continue to apply except that no further  Contributions
         may be made.

     4.  Limitation as to Participants

         If at any time Principal  Management  Corporation is not the investment
         manager of the Mutual Fund,  the Company may give written notice to the
         Contractholder  that no  additional  persons  may be covered  under the
         Contract as Participants.

      5. Substitution of Securities

         If shares of an Account are not  available  at some time in the future,
         or if in the judgment of the Company further  investment in such shares
         would be no longer appropriate,  there may be substituted  therefor, or
         Contributions  received  after a date  specified  by the Company may be
         applied to purchase (i) shares of another Account of Principal Variable
         Contracts  Fund,  Inc.  (ii)  shares  of  another  registered  open-end
         investment  company,  or  (iii)  securities  or other  property  as the
         Company should in its discretion  select. Any necessary approval of the
         Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  or of owners of or  participants
         under contracts  participating  in Separate Account B shall be obtained
         before any substitution is made.

      6. Changes in a Contract

         The terms of a Contract may be changed at any time by written agreement
         between the Company and the  Contractholder  without the consent of any
         Participant,  beneficiary,  or joint or contingent annuitant.  However,
         except as required by law or regulation,  no such change shall apply to
         Variable  Annuities  which were in the  course of payment  prior to the
         effective date of the change.  If the  Contractholder is the trustee of
         the  trust   established   to  hold  a  Contract  for  the  benefit  of
         participating  units, the Contractholder may be limited in its exercise
         of this amendment  right. A majority of the  participating  units which
         are  Employers  under the  Contract  may have to agree to the  proposed
         change in the Contract  before the change can be made. The Company will
         notify any Participant affected by any change under this paragraph.

         The Company may  unilaterally  change the Contract at any time in order
         to  meet  the  requirements  of any  law or  regulation  issued  by any
         governmental agency to which the Company is subject.  In addition,  the
         Company  may,  on 60  days  prior  notice  to the  Contractholder,  the
         Employer,  and each  Participant,  unilaterally  change  the  basis for
         determining  Investment  Account Values,  the Net Investment Factor and
         the Annuity Change Factor; the guaranteed annuity conversion rates; and
         the provisions with respect to transfers to or from an Associated Fixed
         Contract or between  Divisions.  However,  no change in the  guaranteed
         annuity  conversion  rates will take  effect for a current  Participant
         which  would  reduce the amount of the  Participant's  minimum  initial
         monthly payment.

         Furthermore,  the Company may, on 60 days notice to the Contractholder,
         the Employer, and each Participant affected by the change, unilaterally
         change the mortality and expense risks charge.  However,  such a change
         can only be made after the Contract has been in effect for at least one
         year and  provided  that (a) the charge  shall in no event exceed 2.00%
         within the period of five years from the issuance of the Contract,  (b)
         the charge  shall not be changed more  frequently  than once in any one
         year period and (c) no change  shall apply to  annuities  which were in
         the  course  of  payment  prior to the  effective  date of the  change.
         Finally,  the  Company  reserves  the right to limit or refuse  further
         Contributions   under  the   Contract   upon  60  days  notice  to  the
         Contractholder, the Employer, and each Participant.

     7.  Statement of Values

         The Company  will furnish  each  Participant  at least once during each
         year  a  statement   showing  the  number  of  units  credited  to  the
         Participant's Investment Accounts, Unit Values for the accounts and the
         resulting Investment Account Values.

DISTRIBUTION OF THESE CONTRACTS

     These Contracts are no longer being offered for sale.

VOTING RIGHTS

     The Company shall vote Account shares held in Separate Account B at regular
and special  meetings of  shareholders  of each Account,  but will follow voting
instructions  received  from persons  having the voting  interest in the Account
shares.

     The number of Account  shares as to which a person has the voting  interest
will be  determined  by the  Company  as of a date  which  will not be more than
ninety days prior to the meeting of the Account, and voting instructions will be
solicited by written communication at least ten days prior to the meeting.

     During the  accumulation  period,  the Participant is the person having the
voting interest in the Account shares  attributable to each Investment  Account.
The number of Account shares held in Separate  Account B which are  attributable
to each  Investment  Account is  determined by dividing the  Investment  Account
Value by the net asset value of one Account share.

     During the annuity period, the person then entitled to Annuity Payments has
the voting interest in the Account shares  attributable to the Variable Annuity.
The number of Account shares held in Separate  Account B which are  attributable
to each Variable  Annuity is determined by dividing the reserve for the Variable
Annuity by the net asset value of one Account share.  The  Participant's  voting
interest  in the  Account  shares  attributable  to the  Variable  Annuity  will
ordinarily decrease during the annuity period since the reserve for the Variable
Annuity decreases due to the reduction in the expected payment period.

     Account shares for which  participants or payees of variable  annuities are
entitled  to give  voting  instructions,  but for which none are  received,  and
shares of the Fund owned by the Company will be voted in the same  proportion as
the aggregate shares for which voting instructions have been received.

     Proxy  material  will be provided to each person  having a voting  interest
together with an appropriate form which may used to give voting  instructions to
the Company.

     If the Company  determines  pursuant to applicable  law that Account shares
held in Separate  Account B need not be voted pursuant to instructions  received
from persons  otherwise  having the voting interest as provided above,  then the
Company may vote Account shares held in Separate Account B in its own right.

FEDERAL TAX STATUS

     Investment  gains of the  Accounts  credited to Separate  Account B are not
taxable to a Participant until received in the form of a cash withdrawal from an
Investment Account or in the form of Variable Annuity Payments. Cash withdrawals
will  generally  be taxed as ordinary  income in the year  received,  but may be
eligible for the income averaging  provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Each
Variable  Annuity  Payment will be taxed as ordinary  income in accordance  with
Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code.

     As a general rule, however, a Participant receiving Annuity Payments at the
time of retirement  will be in a lower income tax bracket due to reduced  income
and larger exemptions.

     Under  Section  403(b) of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  contributions  for
employees made under a Tax Deferred Annuity by a public school or other Employer
are  excludable  from the gross income of the  employees in the year made to the
extent  that the  aggregate  contributions  per year for such  employees  do not
exceed the exclusion  allowance  set forth in Section  403(b)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code. (In addition,  contributions  are limited by the  restrictions  of
Section 415(c) of the Internal  Revenue  Code.)  Adjustments in the tax base are
allowed  where a portion of the cost of the benefit being  distributed  has been
paid by the Participant out of funds not excludable from the Participant's gross
income tax in the year made,  rather than having been paid by the  Participant's
Employer out of funds that were excludable from the  Participant's  gross income
tax in the year made.

     Distributions  from  a Tax  Deferred  Annuity  may  begin  only  after  the
participant  attains  age 59  1/2,  separates  from  service,  dies  or  becomes
disabled, or in the case of hardship.

     Under Sections 219 and 408 of the Internal  Revenue Code, an individual who
has earned income may establish an Individual Retirement Annuity plan or program
for the  accumulation  of retirement  savings on a  tax-deferred  basis for such
individual  and  such  individual's   nonemployed  spouse.  The  individual  may
establish  and make  contributions  into  such a plan or this may be done by the
individual's  employer or union.  These  contributions may be invested in, among
other things,  annuity contracts including the variable annuity contract offered
by this Prospectus. The law provides that such contributions will be deductible,
though only to the extent allowed by the Internal  Revenue Code. No deduction is
allowed for contributions  made during or after the year in which the individual
attains  age 70 1/2,  and  contributions  during or after that year,  as well as
contributions in excess of the limits,  are excess  contributions and may result
in certain adverse tax consequences.

     All distributions  under Individual  Retirement  Annuities and Tax Deferred
Annuities will be taxed as ordinary income.  Thus, these  distributions will not
be  eligible  for  capital  gains  treatment  or  the  special  averaging  rules
applicable to lump sum  distributions  from some types of qualifying plans. As a
general rule, any distribution  that is not in the form of a life annuity,  made
before  the  participant  attains  age 59 1/2  (except  in the event of death or
disability)  will be a premature  distribution  and be subject to a 10% penalty.
There is an  exception to this rule for Tax  Deferred  Annuities.  Distributions
from Tax Deferred  Annuities  which are due to separation from service after age
55 or  which  are used for  certain  medical  expenses  are not  subject  to the
penalty.

     Distributions  from  Individual   Retirement  Annuities  and  Tax  Deferred
Annuities  must begin before April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which the participant  attains age 70 1/2. There is an exception to this
rule for Tax Deferred  Annuities.  Tax Deferred  Annuity  benefits which accrued
prior  to  January  1,  1987  do not  have  to be  distributed  until  age 75 or
termination of employment.

     If a participant fails to make a required distribution a 50% excise tax may
be assessed on the amount required to be distributed.  In addition, as a general
rule,  distributions  over $150,000 a year, and lump sum  distributions  greater
than $750,000 are subject to a 15% excise tax.

     When a Participant under an Individual  Retirement  Annuity or Tax Deferred
Annuity  dies  before  the  Annuity   Commencement  Date,  all  values  must  be
distributed  to the  Participant's  beneficiary  within five  years.  The 5-year
payout rule does not apply to benefits paid to a surviving  spouse under a joint
and survivor  annuity  option,  nor to benefits paid to a surviving  beneficiary
under a permitted term certain period. If the surviving spouse is the designated
beneficiary, distribution of benefits need not begin until the date on which the
Participant  would have  attained  age 70 1/2 years,  and the  benefits  must be
distributed over the life of the surviving spouse or over a period not exceeding
the life  expectancy of the spouse.  A similar rule applies to other  designated
beneficiaries,  except that the distribution of benefits must commence not later
than one year after the date of death of the participant.

     It should be  recognized  that the  description  of the federal  income tax
status of amounts  received  under the Contracts are not  exhaustive  and do not
purport to cover all situations.

     A qualified tax advisor should be consulted for complete information.  (For
the federal tax status of the Company  and  Separate  Account B, see  "Principal
Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B".)

STATE REGULATION

     The Company is subject to the laws of the State of Iowa governing insurance
companies and to regulation by the Insurance Department of the State of Iowa. An
annual  statement  in a  prescribed  form  must be filed by March 1 in each year
covering the  operations of the Company for the preceding year and its financial
condition  on  December  31st of such year.  Its books and assets are subject to
review or examination by the  Commissioner  of Insurance of the State of Iowa or
his  representatives  at all times,  and a full examination of its operations is
conducted  periodically by the National Association of Insurance  Commissioners.
Iowa law and regulations also prescribe permissible  investments,  but this does
not involve supervision of the investment management or policy of the Company.

     In addition,  the Company is subject to the insurance laws and  regulations
of other states and jurisdictions in which it is licensed to operate. Generally,
the insurance  departments of these states and  jurisdictions  apply the laws of
the state of domicile in determining the field of permissible investments.

LEGAL OPINIONS

     Legal matters applicable to the issue and sale of the Contracts,  including
the right of the Company to issue  Contracts under Iowa Insurance Law, have been
passed upon by Gregg R. Narber, Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     There are no legal  proceedings  pending to which  Separate  Account B is a
party or which would materially affect Separate Account B.

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     This  Prospectus  omits some  information  contained  in the  Statement  of
Additional  Information (or Part B of the Registration  Statement) and Part C of
the  Registration  Statement which the Company has filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission.   The  Statement  of  Additional   Information  is  hereby
incorporated  by  reference  into this  Prospectus.  A copy of the  Statement of
Additional  Information can be obtained upon request, free of charge, by writing
or telephoning Princor Financial Services Corporation.  You may obtain a copy of
Part C of the  Registration  Statement  filed with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission,  Washington, D.C. from the Commission upon payment of the prescribed
fees.

OTHER VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

     The  Company   currently  offers  other  variable  annuity  contracts  that
participate in Separate Account B. In the future, additional group or individual
variable annuity  contracts may be designated by the Company as participating in
Separate Account B.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     The  financial  statements  of  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company
Separate  Account B and the consolidated  financial  statements of The Principal
Financial Group(R) (comprised of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and its
subsidiaries) which are included in the Statement of Additional Information have
been  audited  by  Ernst & Young  LLP,  independent  auditors,  for the  periods
indicated in their  reports  thereon which appear in the Statement of Additional
Information.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The consolidated  financial  statements of The Principal Financial Group(R)
(comprised  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries)  which are  included in this
Prospectus should be considered only as bearing on the ability of the Company to
meet its obligations under the Policy.  They should not be considered as bearing
on the investment performance of the assets held in the Separate Account.

APPENDIX 1

     Premium taxes applicable to Contracts described in this Prospectus:

                                         403(b)              408 Individual
                                      Tax Deferred             Retirement
                                        Annuities               Accounts


     California                            0.50%                  0.50%
     District of Columbia                  2.25                   2.25
     Kentucky                              2.00                   2.00
     West Virginia                         1.00                   1.00
     All other states                      --                      --

APPENDIX 2

     Set forth  below is an example  of the  manner in which the  Administration
Charge is computed.

     The Administration Charge has two components -- a fixed charge of $25 and a
charge equal to 0.5% of the first $50,000 of a Participant's  Investment Account
Values.  The amount of the percentage  charge is determined by  multiplying  the
total  value  of the  Participant's  Investment  Accounts  by a  percentage  the
numerator of which is 0.5% of the first $50,000 and the  denominator of which is
the  total  value  of the  Investment  Accounts.  Assume  that  a  Participant's
Investment  Account Value based on the Capital Value Division is $40,000 and the
Investment Account Value based on the Money Market Division is $60,000.  In this
case,  the total  Investment  Account  Value of $100,000 is  multiplied by 0.25%
($250/$100,000)  resulting in a charge of $250. The combined charge of $275 ($25
plus $250) is  deducted  proportionately  from the  Investment  Accounts  of the
Participant,  $110 (40% of $275) from the Investment  Account Value based on the
Capital Value Division and $165 (60% of $275) from the Investment  Account Value
based on the Money Market Division.

     Assume that in the example above all of the annuity contributions under the
Retirement  Plan of the Employer are payable to the  Company.  As a result,  the
percentage used to determine the second  component of the charge is based on the
aggregate  Investment  Account Values of all  Participants of the Employer.  For
example,  assume  that there is one other  Participant  with a total  Investment
Account  Value  of  $200,000.   The  total  Investment  Account  Value  of  each
Participant is multiplied by a percentage the numerator of which is $250 (0.5% x
$50,000) and the denominator of which is $300,000, or 0.08333%.  The Participant
with  a  total   Investment   Account   Value  of  $100,000  is  subject  to  an
Administration  Charge of $108.33,  $25 plus $83.33 (0.0008333 x $100,000),  and
the Participant with a total Investment  Account Value of $200,000 is subject to
an Administration Charge of $191.67, $25 plus $166.67 (0.0008333 x $200,000). In
effect, the $250 charge based on the Participants'  aggregate Investment Account
Values has been allocated proportionately between them.

CONTRACTHOLDERS' INQUIRIES

     Contractholders' inquiries should be directed to Princor Financial Services
Corporation,  a Member  of The  Principal  Financial  Group,  Des  Moines,  Iowa
50392-0200, (515) 247-5711.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     The table of  contents  for the  Statement  of  Additional  Information  is
provided below.

                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        Page

 General Information and History  .....................................    3

 Independent Auditors   ...............................................    3

 Underwriting Commissions   ...........................................    3

 Calculation of Yield and Total Return   ..............................    3

 Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B:

     Report of Independent Auditors    ................................    5

     Financial Statements..............................................    6

 The Principal Financial Group(R) :

     Report of Independent Auditors    ................................   23

     Financial Statements..............................................   24






          To obtain a copy of the Statement of Additional Information,
                      free of charge, write or telephone:


                     Princor Financial Services Corporation
                                   a Member of
                          The Principal Financial Group
                           Des Moines, Iowa 50392-0200
                            Telephone: 1-800-247-9988

                                     PART B

           PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT B

               PENSION BUILDER - GROUP VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                        FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLANS

                       Statement of Additional Information

   
                                dated May 1, 1998


     This  Statement  of  Additional   Information  provides  information  about
Principal  Mutual Life Insurance  Company  Separate  Account B Pension Builder -
Group Variable Annuity Contracts (the "Contract" or the "Contracts") in addition
to the information that is contained in the Contract's Prospectus,  dated May 1,
1998.
    

     This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus.  It should be
read in conjunction with the Prospectus, a copy of which can be obtained free of
charge by writing or telephoning:

                     Princor Financial Services Corporation
                                   a Member of
                          The Principal Financial Group
                           Des Moines Iowa 50392-0200
                            Telephone: 1-800-247-9988



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                 Page

General Information and History  ...............................   3

Independent Auditors............................................   3

Underwriting Commissions .......................................   3

Calculation of Yield and Total Return...........................   3

Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B:

     Report of Independent Auditors.............................   5

     Financial Statements.......................................   6

The Principal Financial Group(R):

     Report of Independent Auditors.............................  23

     Financial Statements.......................................  24



GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Principal  Mutual Life  Insurance  Company was  formerly  known as Bankers  Life
Company.  The  Company's  name was changed to  Principal  Mutual Life  Insurance
Company effective July 1, 1986.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Ernst & Young LLP, Des Moines, Iowa, serve as independent auditors for Principal
Mutual Life Insurance  Company  Separate  Account B and The Principal  Financial
Group  perform  audit and  accounting  services for  Separate  Account B and The
Principal Financial Group.

UNDERWRITING COMMISSIONS

Aggregate  dollar  amount of  underwriting  commissions  paid to and retained by
Princor Financial Services Corporation:

   
      Year                        Paid To                          Retained by
      1997                     $11,491,356.06                       $   340.24
      1996                     $11,090,837.12                       $14,528.47
      1995                     $ 5,326,848.77                       $26,014.78
    

CALCULATION OF YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN

From time to time the Account advertises its Money Market Division's "yield" and
"effective  yield." Both yield figures are based on historical  earnings and are
not intended to indicate future performance.  The "yield" of the division refers
to the income generated by an investment in the division over a seven-day period
(which  period  will  be  stated  in the  advertisement).  This  income  is then
"annualized."  That is, the amount of income generated by the investment  during
that week is  assumed  to be  generated  each week over a 52-week  period and is
shown as a percentage of the  investment.  The  "effective  yield" is calculated
similarly  but,  when  annualized,  the income  earned by an  investment  in the
division is assumed to be  reinvested.  The  "effective  yield" will be slightly
higher  than the  "yield"  because  of the  compounding  effect of this  assumed
reinvestment. Neither yield quotation reflects sales load deducted from purchase
payments which, if included, would reduce the "yield" and "effective yield." The
7-day yields of the Money Market  Division  for the period  ending  December 31,
1997 are:

                               Annualized Yield        Effective Yield
         TSA/IRA                    3.59%                   3.65%
         Rollover IRA               4.09%                   4.18%

From time to time, the Separate  Account will advertise the average annual total
return of its various divisions.  The average annual total return for any of the
divisions  is computed by  calculating  the average  annual  compounded  rate of
return over the stated period that would equate an initial $1,000  investment to
the ending  redeemable  contract value. In this  calculation the ending value is
reduced by a contingent  deferred sales charge that decreases from 7% to 0% over
a period of 10 years.  The  Separate  Account may also  advertise  total  return
figures of its Divisions for a specified  period that does not take into account
the sales charge in order to illustrate the change in the Division's  unit value
over time. See  "Deductions  Under the Contracts" for a discussion of contingent
deferred sales charges.

The average annual total returns for the period ending December 31, 1997 are:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       With Contingent                   Without Contingent
                                                    Deferred Sales Charge               Deferred Sales Charge

                                             One Year     Five Year   Ten Year   One Year     Five Year   Ten Year

   Capital Value Division
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>  
     TSA/IRA                                    16.81       14.45       12.91        25.60      15.44       12.99
     Rollover IRA                               17.48       15.04       13.48        26.33      16.03       13.56
   Government Securities Division
     TSA/IRA                                     0.26        4.30        7.14         7.81       5.20        7.22
     Rollover IRA                                0.76        4.82        7.67         8.35       5.73        7.75
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
   
                         Report of Independent Auditors


Board of Directors and Participants
Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company

We have audited the  accompanying  statement  of net assets of Principal  Mutual
Life  Insurance  Company  Separate  Account  B  (comprising,  respectively,  the
Aggressive  Growth,  Asset  Allocation,  Balanced,  Bond,  Capital  Accumulation
[formerly Common Stock], Emerging Growth,  Government Securities,  Growth, Money
Market and World Divisions) as of December 31, 1997, 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 Company's 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 December 31, 1997, 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 Mutual Life Insurance
Company  Separate  Account  B at  December  31,  1997,  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
February 6, 1998


                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                             Statement of Net Assets

                                December 31, 1997




Assets
Investments:
   Aggressive Growth Division:
     Principal Aggressive Growth Fund, Inc. 
     - 8,837,189 shares at net asset value of
       $16.29 per share (cost - $130,476,835)                 $   143,957,816
   Asset Allocation Division:
     Principal Asset Allocation Fund, Inc. 
     - 4,062,978 shares at net asset value of
       $11.94 per share (cost - $47,157,543)                       48,511,958
   Balanced Division:
     Principal Balanced Fund, Inc. 
     - 8,194,665 shares at net asset value
       of $15.51 per share (cost - $119,970,977)                  127,099,255
   Bond Division:
     Principal Bond Fund, Inc. 
     - 6,238,528 shares at net asset value of $11.78 per
       share (cost - $72,060,219)                                  73,489,868
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc. 
     - 7,779,594 shares at net asset value
       of $34.61 per share (cost - $229,832,981)                  269,251,746
   Emerging Growth Division:
     Principal Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.
     - 5,753,822 shares at net
       asset value of $35.47 per share (cost - $160,618,242)      204,088,063
   Government Securities Division:
     Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc. 
     - 8,661,755 shares at net
       asset value of $10.72 per share (cost - $90,494,835)        92,854,016
   Growth Division:
     Principal Growth Fund, Inc. 
     - 9,634,743 shares at net asset value of $17.21 per
       share (cost - $127,634,315)                                165,813,925
   Money Market Division:
     Principal Money Market Fund, Inc.
     - 41,680,409 shares at net asset value (cost)
       of $1.00 per share                                          41,680,409
   World Division:
     Principal World Fund, Inc. 
     - 8,736,413 shares at net asset value of $13.90 per
       share (cost - $108,352,082)                                121,436,154
                                                              ==================
Net assets                                                     $1,288,183,210
                                                              ==================


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                       Statement of Net Assets (continued)


                                                              Unit
                                               Units         Value
                                           ---------------------------
                                           ---------------------------
Net assets are represented by:
   Aggressive Growth Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
<S>                                           <C>            <C>      <C>            
       The Principal Variable Annuity          6,076,848     $23.69   $   143,957,816

   Asset Allocation Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       The Principal Variable Annuity          3,134,106      15.48        48,511,958

   Balanced Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Personal Variable                       1,774,584       1.59         2,825,449
       Premier Variable                       10,616,578       1.60        17,024,170
       The Principal Variable Annuity          6,717,196      15.97       107,249,636
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                          127,099,255
   Bond Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Personal Variable                         487,134       1.37           669,514
       Premier Variable                        4,008,632       1.38         5,548,762
       The Principal Variable Annuity          5,017,212      13.41        67,271,592
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                           73,489,868
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Currently payable annuity contracts:
       Bankers Flexible Annuity                    4,940      27.86           137,623
       Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA        58,464       5.79           338,216
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Bankers Flexible Annuity                  253,763      27.86         7,072,314
       Pension Builder Plus                    1,623,560       5.25         8,527,296
       Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA       337,900       5.79         1,957,469
       Personal Variable                       3,443,348       2.35         8,089,748
       Premier Variable                       21,339,196       2.38        50,737,614
       The Principal Variable Annuity          9,319,979      20.64       192,391,466
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                          269,251,746
   Emerging Growth Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Personal Variable                       1,477,705       1.87         2,756,807
       Premier Variable                        9,535,648       1.88        17,916,711
       The Principal Variable Annuity          9,820,491      18.68       183,414,545
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                      -----------------
                                                                          204,088,063
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                       Statement of Net Assets (continued)


                                                              Unit
                                               Units         Value
                                              ------------------------
Net assets are represented by (continued):
   Government Securities Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
<S>                                           <C>           <C>       <C>              
       Pension Builder Plus                      630,389    $  2.04   $     1,285,125
       Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA       191,639       2.15           412,091
       Personal Variable                       1,815,860       1.41         2,568,214
       Premier Variable                        7,686,485       1.43        11,002,038
       The Principal Variable Annuity          5,945,573      13.05        77,586,548
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                           92,854,016
   Growth Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Personal Variable                       1,575,071       1.76         2,776,351
       Premier Variable                       11,441,482       1.78        20,311,716
       The Principal Variable Annuity          7,898,308      18.07       142,725,858
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                          165,813,925
   Money Market Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Pension Builder Plus                      419,049       1.89           791,079
       Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA        15,736       1.97            30,919
       Personal Variable                       1,056,335       1.22         1,288,642
       Premier Variable                        6,514,874       1.24         8,043,427
       The Principal Variable Annuity          2,752,166      11.46        31,526,342
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                           41,680,409
   World Division:
     Contracts in accumulation period:
       Personal Variable                       1,014,143       1.51         1,528,673
       Premier Variable                        7,683,950       1.52        11,665,158
       The Principal Variable Annuity          7,315,787      14.80       108,242,323
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                      ---------------
                                                                          121,436,154
                                                                      ===============
Net assets                                                             $1,288,183,210
                                                                      ===============

See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                             Statement of Operations

                          Year ended December 31, 1997

                                                               Aggressive        Asset
                                                                 Growth        Allocation       Balanced
                                                 Combined       Division        Division        Division
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income
Income:
<S>                                            <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>         
   Dividends                                   $  26,459,170  $     312,225    $1,077,121     $  3,376,218
   Capital gains distributions                    56,985,223     18,029,173     4,384,438        7,773,294
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  83,444,393     18,341,398     5,461,559       11,149,512
Expenses:
   Mortality and expense risks                    11,823,513      1,304,906       483,755        1,111,972
   Administration charges                            428,566         70,552         5,431           23,650
   Contingent sales charges                          910,028         90,527        33,143           70,179
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  13,162,107      1,465,985       522,329        1,205,801
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income                             70,282,286     16,875,413     4,939,230        9,943,711

Realized and unrealized gains on investments
Net realized gains on investments                  5,671,902        464,006        63,749          453,888
Change in net unrealized appreciation/
   depreciation of investments                   102,587,382      9,210,372       744,626        4,610,751
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             ================================================================
Net increase in net assets resulting from
   operations                                  $ 178,541,570  $  26,549,791    $5,747,605     $ 15,008,350
                                             ================================================================



See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Capital        Emerging      Government                                
      Bond       Accumulation       Growth       Securities        Growth      Money Market        World
    Division       Division        Division       Division        Division       Division         Division
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<S>               <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>       
   $4,339,765     $  4,842,536   $  1,294,027    $5,339,599      $  1,759,897  $2,092,152       $2,025,630
            -       18,095,200      4,080,946           994           992,232           -        3,628,946
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    4,339,765       22,937,736      5,374,973     5,340,593         2,752,129   2,092,152        5,654,576

      711,411        2,217,279      1,927,784       951,497         1,503,368     439,153        1,172,388
       10,673          148,936         65,058        30,496            32,657      15,637           25,476
       49,219          157,869        148,402        79,876           103,766      92,239           84,808
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      771,303        2,524,084      2,141,244     1,061,869         1,639,791     547,029        1,282,672
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    3,568,462       20,413,652      3,233,729     4,278,724         1,112,338   1,545,123        4,371,904



      110,974        2,848,843        507,365       274,681           452,453           -          495,943

    1,830,541       27,562,078     26,108,957     2,797,737        27,128,828           -        2,593,492
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   $5,509,977     $ 50,824,573   $ 29,850,051    $7,351,142      $ 28,693,619  $1,545,123       $7,461,339
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                       Statements of Changes in Net Assets



                                                                    Aggressive        Asset
                                                                      Growth       Allocation        Balanced
                                                     Combined        Division       Division         Division
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                 <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>        
Net assets at January 1, 1996                       $ 346,611,319   $19,198,047    $10,841,100     $21,263,022

Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
   Net investment income                               42,965,843     6,438,884      2,095,725       5,153,250
   Net realized gains on investments                   11,061,913     1,143,445        188,720          98,838
   Change in net unrealized appreciation/
     depreciation of investments                       32,048,646     3,397,775        206,378       1,366,906
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
   operations                                          86,076,402    10,980,104      2,490,823       6,618,994
Changes from principal transactions:
   Purchase payments, less sales charges, per
     payment fees and applicable premium taxes        694,702,137    55,392,385     19,059,581      52,586,838
   Contract terminations                              (66,787,528)   (1,366,444)    (1,010,182)     (1,643,846)
   Death benefit payments                                (668,045)       (2,653)             -        (126,235)
   Flexible withdrawal option payments                 (3,510,262)     (159,580)      (189,515)       (377,428)
   Transfer payments to other contracts              (250,275,882)  (11,214,670)    (1,169,128)     (2,842,813)
   Annuity payments                                       (50,538)            -              -               -
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in net assets from principal
   transactions                                       373,409,882    42,649,038     16,690,756      47,596,516
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase                                        459,486,284    53,629,142     19,181,579      54,215,510
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  ================================================================
Net assets at December 31, 1996                     $ 806,097,603   $72,827,189    $30,022,679     $75,478,532
                                                  ================================================================

See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Capital         Emerging       Government                         Money  
       Bond      Accumulation        Growth        Securities        Growth          Market          World
      Divison      Division         Divison         Division        Division        Division       Division
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>        
   $18,628,633     $103,657,763   $  42,184,948     $45,442,936    $37,903,233    $  22,309,488   $25,182,149



     2,403,702       18,674,002       1,752,277       3,505,098        499,338        1,183,113     1,260,454
        84,385        7,614,291       1,000,612         266,471        216,275                -       448,876

      (906,639)       1,107,485      12,364,939      (1,358,430)     7,137,078                -     8,733,154
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     1,581,448       27,395,778      15,117,828       2,413,139      7,852,691        1,183,113    10,442,484


    38,496,000       82,813,992      73,546,898      53,225,139     59,193,247      219,306,074    41,081,983
    (1,339,557)     (38,943,389)     (2,654,193)    (10,402,344)    (3,020,145)      (4,638,362)   (1,769,066)
      (137,325)         (44,752)        (23,654)        (97,177)       (49,795)        (155,982)      (30,472)
      (515,754)        (358,969)       (309,539)       (698,302)      (305,373)        (433,930)     (161,872)
    (5,556,718)     (10,263,824)     (5,574,745)     (9,462,239)    (3,143,472)    (196,832,039)   (4,216,234)
             -          (50,538)              -               -              -                -             -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    30,946,646       33,152,520      64,984,767      32,565,077     52,674,462       17,245,761    34,904,339
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    32,528,094       60,548,298      80,102,595      34,978,216     60,527,153       18,428,874    45,346,823
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================================================
   $51,156,727     $164,206,061    $122,287,543     $80,421,152    $98,430,386    $  40,738,362   $70,528,972
================================================================================================================
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                 Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)





                                                                       Aggressive         Asset
                                                                    Growth Division    Allocation        Balanced
                                                      Combined                          Division         Division
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                <C>                <C>              <C>             <C>          
Net assets at January 1, 1997                      $   806,097,603    $  72,827,189    $30,022,679     $  75,478,532

Increase (decrease) in net assets
Operations:
   Net investment income                                70,282,286       16,875,413      4,939,230         9,943,711
   Net realized gains on investments                     5,671,902          464,006         63,749           453,888
   Change in net unrealized appreciation/
     depreciation of investments                       102,587,382        9,210,372        744,626         4,610,751
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
   operations                                          178,541,570       26,549,791      5,747,605        15,008,350
Changes from principal transactions:
   Purchase payments, less sales charges, per
     payment fees and applicable premium taxes         627,937,841       59,917,348     16,705,667        53,714,866
   Contract terminations                               (55,874,169)      (3,178,242)    (1,163,611)       (4,281,984)
   Death benefit payments                               (4,316,597)        (405,803)       (51,804)         (958,828)
   Flexible withdrawal option payments                  (7,524,649)        (555,143)      (424,697)       (1,011,471)
   Transfer payments to other contracts               (256,636,172)     (11,197,324)    (2,323,881)      (10,850,210)
   Annuity payments                                        (42,217)               -              -                 -
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in net assets from principal
   transactions                                        303,544,037       44,580,836     12,741,674        36,612,373
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Total increase                                         482,085,607       71,130,627     18,489,279        51,620,723
                                                  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  ====================================================================
Net assets at December 31, 1997                    $ 1,288,183,210    $ 143,957,816    $48,511,958     $ 127,099,255
                                                  ====================================================================

See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
                    Capital         Emerging       Government                          Money
       Bond      Accumulation        Growth        Securities        Growth           Market           World     
     Division      Division         Division        Division        Division         Division         Division
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                <C>             <C>              <C>          <C>                <C>            <C>          
   $51,156,727     $164,206,061    $122,287,543     $80,421,152  $  98,430,386      $  40,738,362  $  70,528,972



     3,568,462       20,413,652       3,233,729       4,278,724      1,112,338          1,545,123      4,371,904
       110,974        2,848,843         507,365         274,681        452,453                  -        495,943

     1,830,541       27,562,078      26,108,957       2,797,737     27,128,828                  -      2,593,492
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     5,509,977       50,824,573      29,850,051       7,351,142     28,693,619          1,545,123      7,461,339


    29,283,340       88,457,676      71,186,197      25,613,735     53,502,269        172,161,862     57,394,881
    (2,130,683)     (18,056,258)     (6,477,064)     (5,656,444)    (4,866,079)        (6,125,231)    (3,938,573)
      (265,662)        (501,663)       (451,603)       (615,089)      (543,121)          (189,873)      (333,151)
      (880,841)        (965,075)       (790,604)     (1,128,199)      (731,944)          (598,084)      (438,591)
    (9,182,990)     (14,671,351)    (11,516,457)    (13,132,281)    (8,671,205)      (165,851,750)    (9,238,723)
             -          (42,217)              -               -              -                  -              -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    16,823,164       54,221,112      51,950,469       5,081,722     38,689,920           (603,076)    43,445,843
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    22,333,141      105,045,685      81,800,520      12,432,864     67,383,539            942,047     50,907,182
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==================================================================================================================
   $73,489,868     $269,251,746    $204,088,063     $92,854,016   $165,813,925      $  41,680,409   $121,436,154
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                                December 31, 1997

1. Investment and Accounting Policies

Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B (Separate  Account B)
is a segregated  investment  account of Principal Mutual Life Insurance  Company
(Principal Mutual) and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as
a unit investment trust, with no stated  limitations on the number of authorized
units.  As  directed  by eligible  contractholders,  Separate  Account B invests
solely in shares of Principal  Aggressive  Growth Fund,  Inc.,  Principal  Asset
Allocation Fund, Inc., Principal Balanced Fund, Inc., Principal Bond Fund, Inc.,
Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc., Principal Emerging Growth Fund, Inc.,
Principal  Government  Securities  Fund,  Inc.,  Principal  Growth  Fund,  Inc.,
Principal Money Market Fund, Inc., and Principal World Fund,  Inc.,  diversified
open-end  management   investment   companies  organized  by  Principal  Mutual.
Investments are stated at the closing net asset values per share on December 31,
1997.

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.

After December 31, 1996,  Principal Mutual no longer accepted  contributions for
Pension  Builder Plus contracts.  Contractholders  are being given the option of
withdrawing  their  funds or  transferring  to another  contract.  In  addition,
Principal  Mutual no longer accepts  contributions  for Bankers Flexible Annuity
contracts.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of Separate  Account B's 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.

2. Expenses

Principal Mutual is compensated for the following expenses:

Bankers  Flexible  Annuity  Contracts - Mortality  and expense  risks assumed by
Principal Mutual 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  participant's  account is deducted as compensation for  administrative
expenses.  The  mortality  and expense  risk and annual  administration  charges
amounted to $32,396 and $1,078, respectively, during the year ended December 31,
1997.

Pension  Builder  Plus and  Pension  Builder  Plus - Rollover  IRA  Contracts  -
Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Mutual are compensated for by a
charge  equivalent  to an  annual  rate  of  1.4965%  (1.0001%  for  a  Rollover
Individual Retirement Annuity) 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 participant's 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 $202,742,  $28,880, and
$80,841, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 1997.

Personal  Variable  Contracts - Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal
Mutual are compensated for by a charge  equivalent to an annual rate of 0.64% of
the asset value of each contract.  A contingent  sales charge of up to 5% may be
deducted  from  withdrawals  from an investment  account  during the first seven
years from the date the first  contribution which relates to such participant is
accepted by Principal  Mutual.  This charge does not apply to  withdrawals  made
from investment  accounts which  correlate to a plan  participant as a result of
the plan participant's death or permanent  disability.  An annual administration
charge of $31 for each  participant's  account plus 0.35% of the annual  average
balance of investment  account values which correlate to a plan participant will
be deducted on a quarterly  basis.  The charges for mortality and expense risks,
contingent sales and annual  administration  amounted to $116,668,  $43,044, and
$41,157, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 1997.

Premier  Variable  Contracts - Mortality  and expense risks assumed by Principal
Mutual are compensated for by a charge  equivalent to an annual rate of 0.42% of
the asset value of each contract.  An annual  administration  charge of $300 for
each  contract  account plus .35% of the annual  average  balance of  investment
account  values  under the  contract  will be billed or  deducted on a quarterly
basis.  The  charges  for  mortality  expense  risks and  annual  administration
amounted to $491,751 and $12,365,  respectively,  during the year ended December
31,  1997.  There  were  no  contingent  sales  charges  provided  for in  these
contracts.

The  Principal  Variable  Annuity -  Mortality  and  expense  risks  assumed  by
Principal Mutual are compensated for by a charge equivalent to an annual rate of
1.25% of the asset value of each contract. A contingent sales charge of up to 6%
may be  deducted  from the  withdrawals  made  during  the  first six years of a
contract, except for death, annuitization,  permanent disability, confinement in
a health care facility,  or terminal illness. An annual administration charge of
the lessor of two percent of the accumulated value or $30 is deducted at the end
of the  contract  year.  Principal  Mutual  reserves  the  right  to  charge  an
additional  administrative  fee  of up to  0.15%  of the  asset  value  of  each
Division.  This fee is currently  being  waived.  The mortality  expense  risks,
contingent sales, and annual administration  amounted to $10,979,956,  $838,104,
and $293,125, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 1997.

3. Federal Income Taxes

The  operations of Separate  Account B are a part of the operations of Principal
Mutual.  Under  current  practice,  no federal  income  taxes are  allocated  by
Principal Mutual to the operations of Separate Account B.

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Year ended December 31, 1997
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Units            Amount             Units           Amount
                                              Purchased         Purchased         Redeemed         Redeemed
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Growth Division:
<S>                                          <C>              <C>                <C>            <C>          
  The Principal Variable Annuity              2,866,842       $  78,258,746        760,825      $  16,802,497

Asset Allocation Division:
  The Principal Variable Annuity              1,151,186          22,167,226        281,079          4,486,322

Balanced Division:
  Personal Variable                           1,121,294           1,881,609        362,119            541,564
  Premier Variable                            6,824,153          11,562,751      3,674,287          5,395,069
  The Principal Variable Annuity              2,815,600          51,420,018        759,885         12,371,661
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             10,761,047          64,864,378      4,796,291         18,308,294
Bond Division:
  Personal Variable                             345,135             485,073        132,143            174,058
  Premier Variable                            2,547,619           3,651,845      1,151,236          1,516,914
  The Principal Variable Annuity              2,004,124          29,486,187        858,968         11,540,507
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              4,896,878          33,623,105      2,142,347         13,231,479
Capital Accumulation Division:
  Bankers Flexible Annuity                            -             683,529         29,544            773,974
  Pension Builder Plus                           68,140           1,235,130      1,982,927          8,819,318
  Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA             1,995             221,006        181,779            925,026
  Personal Variable                           1,387,651           3,539,847        858,885          1,776,616
  Premier Variable                            8,035,489          21,108,357      4,658,141          9,954,051
  The Principal Variable Annuity              3,744,285          84,607,543        691,613         14,511,663
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             13,237,560         111,395,412      8,402,889         36,760,648
Emerging Growth Division:
  Personal Variable                             979,972           1,752,787        332,091            581,993
  Premier Variable                            6,044,928          10,752,356      2,231,491          3,852,324
  The Principal Variable Annuity              3,406,355          64,056,027        870,634         16,942,655
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             10,431,255          76,561,170      3,434,216         21,376,972

Government Securities Division:
  Pension Builder Plus                           23,169       $     118,925        570,707      $   1,099,325
  Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA
                                                    617              24,244        208,339            426,973
  Personal Variable                             633,713             990,854        754,202          1,021,076
  Premier Variable                            2,966,089           4,655,507      2,792,797          3,804,557
  The Principal Variable Annuity              1,669,224          25,164,798      1,166,357         15,241,951
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              5,292,812          30,954,328      5,492,402         21,593,882
Growth Division:
  Personal Variable                           1,072,567           1,734,898        311,356            500,397
  Premier Variable                            7,226,323          11,858,111      2,587,048          4,197,408
  The Principal Variable Annuity              2,442,934          42,661,389        633,196         11,754,335
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             10,741,824          56,254,398      3,531,600         16,452,140
Money Market Division:
  Pension Builder Plus                          285,405             558,229        456,641            845,039
  Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA
                                                  2,628               7,254         13,813             27,122
  Personal Variable                           6,785,344           8,146,664      6,570,220          7,839,434
  Premier Variable                           32,145,080          39,119,749     31,009,540         37,413,932
  The Principal Variable Annuity             11,093,609         126,422,118     11,270,301        127,186,440
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             50,312,066         174,254,014     49,320,515        173,311,967
World Division:
  Personal Variable                             759,933           1,208,340        233,106            354,907
  Premier Variable                            5,217,093           8,423,719      1,831,269          2,787,221
  The Principal Variable Annuity              3,256,925          53,417,398        738,451         12,089,582
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              9,233,951          63,049,457      2,802,826         15,231,710
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        ======================================================================
                                            118,925,421        $711,382,234     80,964,990      $ 337,555,911
                                        ======================================================================
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Principal Mutual Life Insurance
                           Company Separate Account B

                    Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities (continued)

                                                                Year ended December 31, 1996
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Units            Amount            Units            Amount
                                               Purchased         Purchased        Redeemed          Redeemed
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Aggressive Growth Division:
<S>                                            <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>          
     The Principal Variable Annuity              3,416,591       $  62,452,075        769,423      $  13,364,153

   Asset Allocation Division:
     The Principal Variable Annuity              1,544,152          21,444,448        191,810          2,657,967

   Balanced Division:
     Personal Variable                             900,014           1,242,103        211,977            272,089
     Premier Variable                            5,270,554           7,416,331      1,120,817          1,444,677
     The Principal Variable Annuity              3,548,083          49,664,576        259,759          3,856,478
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 9,718,651          58,323,010      1,592,553          5,573,244
   Bond Division:
     Personal Variable                             285,136             369,062        112,030            138,062
     Premier Variable                            1,952,308           2,549,386        547,808            675,630
     The Principal Variable Annuity              3,045,208          38,461,117        574,453          7,215,525
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 5,282,652          41,379,565      1,234,291          8,029,217
   Common Stock Division:
     Bankers Flexible Annuity                       11,898             852,606         58,526            965,050
     Pension Builder Plus                          613,448           4,544,826      7,042,406         27,014,157
     Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA            34,576             622,428      1,641,455          6,423,138
     Personal Variable                           1,293,441           2,795,547        715,206          1,184,726
     Premier Variable                            6,804,423          15,405,949      3,666,783          6,140,022
     The Principal Variable Annuity              4,618,190          79,100,172        582,660          9,767,913
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                13,375,976         103,321,528     13,707,036         51,495,006
   Emerging Growth Division:
     Personal Variable                             716,271           1,017,826        174,386            241,556
     Premier Variable                            4,583,657           6,499,991        757,309          1,081,357
     The Principal Variable Annuity              4,746,934          68,839,812        521,488          8,297,672
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                10,046,862          76,357,629      1,453,183          9,620,585

   Government Securities Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                          224,490     $       525,632      2,784,796      $   5,186,539
     Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA
                                                     1,918              49,120      1,374,538          2,618,548
     Personal Variable                             723,523           1,041,512        676,962            867,506
     Premier Variable                            3,069,889           4,387,401      2,715,719          3,448,465
     The Principal Variable Annuity              4,181,060          51,598,893        761,477          9,411,325
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 8,200,880          57,602,558      8,313,492         21,532,383
   Growth Division:
     Personal Variable                             713,466             950,832        177,314            234,080
     Premier Variable                            5,218,991           6,959,663      1,276,677          1,711,826
     The Principal Variable Annuity              3,810,008          52,649,457        340,777          5,440,246
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 9,742,465          60,559,952      1,794,768          7,386,152
   Money Market Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                          172,768             392,894        909,680          1,654,451
     Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA                35              13,779        412,615            760,905
     Personal Variable                           3,693,865           4,468,236      3,995,717          4,765,060
     Premier Variable                           31,816,273          36,988,147     29,395,716         33,985,887
     The Principal Variable Annuity             16,446,056         179,091,511     14,887,402        161,359,390
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                52,128,997         220,954,567     49,601,130        202,525,693
   World Division:
     Personal Variable                             423,219             522,642         95,601            114,884
     Premier Variable                            3,372,385           4,182,033        746,605            929,782
     The Principal Variable Annuity              3,081,130          38,224,953        429,786          5,720,169
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 6,876,734          42,929,628      1,271,992          6,764,835
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ======================================================================
                                               120,333,960        $745,324,960     79,929,678      $ 328,949,235
                                           ======================================================================
</TABLE>

Purchases include reinvested dividends and capital gains.  Mortality adjustments
are included in purchases and 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.

5. Net Assets

Net assets at December 31, 1997 consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Accumulated       Net      
                                                                                      Net         Unrealized
                                                                     Unit          Investment    Appreciation
                                               Combined          Transactions        Income     of Investments
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Aggressive Growth Division:
<S>                                         <C>               <C>                 <C>           <C>          
     The Principal Variable Annuity         $   143,957,816   $   108,890,994     $21,585,841   $  13,480,981

   Asset Allocation Division:
     The Principal Variable Annuity              48,511,958        40,247,801       6,909,742       1,354,415

   Balanced Division:
     Personal Variable                            2,825,449         2,519,909         187,228         118,312
     Premier Variable                            17,024,170        15,053,670       1,082,488         888,012
     The Principal Variable Annuity             107,249,636        89,193,848      11,933,834       6,121,954
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                127,099,255       106,767,427      13,203,550       7,128,278
   Bond Division:
     Personal Variable                              669,514           640,323          26,316           2,875
     Premier Variable                             5,548,762         5,227,610         243,569          77,583
     The Principal Variable Annuity              67,271,592        60,752,616       5,160,785       1,349,191
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 73,489,868        66,620,549       5,439,670       1,429,649
   Capital Accumulation Division:
     Bankers Flexible Annuity                     7,209,937         4,264,632         591,008       2,354,297
     Pension Builder Plus                         8,527,296         6,093,197         338,019       2,096,080
     Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA          2,295,685         1,572,298         146,933         576,454
     Personal Variable                            8,089,748         6,277,077         519,933       1,292,738
     Premier Variable                            50,737,614        38,321,310       3,492,172       8,924,132
     The Principal Variable Annuity             192,391,466       143,480,187      24,736,215      24,175,064
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                269,251,746       200,008,701      29,824,280      39,418,765
   Emerging Growth Division:
     Personal Variable                            2,756,807         2,291,146          40,448         425,213
     Premier Variable                            17,916,711        14,378,199         326,697       3,211,815
     The Principal Variable Annuity             183,414,545       138,974,347       4,607,405      39,832,793
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                204,088,063       155,643,692       4,974,550      43,469,821
   Government Securities Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                         1,285,125         1,213,588          22,100          49,437
     Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA            412,091           392,360           7,875          11,856
     Personal Variable                            2,568,214         2,429,363          85,654          53,197
     Premier Variable                            11,002,038        10,292,437         440,378         269,223
     The Principal Variable Annuity              77,586,548        69,356,911       6,254,169       1,975,468
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 92,854,016        83,684,659       6,810,176       2,359,181

   Growth Division:
     Personal Variable                      $     2,776,351   $                   $    20,876   $     469,224
                                                                    2,286,251
     Premier Variable                            20,311,716        16,189,532         218,455       3,903,729
     The Principal Variable Annuity             142,725,858       107,312,599       1,606,602      33,806,657
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                165,813,925       125,788,382       1,845,933      38,179,610
   Money Market Division:
     Pension Builder Plus                           791,079           784,580           6,499             -
     Pension Builder Plus - Rollover IRA             30,919            30,241             678             -
     Personal Variable                            1,288,642         1,282,189           6,453             -
     Premier Variable                             8,043,427         7,979,328          64,099             -
     The Principal Variable Annuity              31,526,342        31,250,687         275,655             -
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 41,680,409        41,327,025         353,384             -
   World Division:
     Personal Variable                            1,528,673         1,402,339          47,855          78,479
     Premier Variable                            11,665,158        10,404,975         403,057         857,126
     The Principal Variable Annuity             108,242,323        91,434,654       4,659,202      12,148,467
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                121,436,154       103,241,968       5,110,114      13,084,072
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ======================================================================
                                            $1,288,183,210     $1,032,221,198     $96,057,240   $ 159,904,772
                                           ======================================================================
</TABLE>

6. Year 2000 Issues (Unaudited)

Like  other  investment   funds,   financial  and  business   organizations  and
individuals around the world,  Separate Account B could be adversely affected if
the computer systems used by Principal Mutual and other service providers do not
properly process and calculate date-related  information and data from and after
January 1, 2000. In 1996,  Principal Mutual completed its assessment of the Year
2000 impact on its systems,  procedures,  customers and business  processes.  At
December 31, 1997, management estimates that approximately 95% of the identified
modifications  have been  completed for its Year 2000 project.  System  testing,
using an isolated test environment,  will begin early in 1998.  Ultimate project
completion is targeted for early 1999, which is prior to any anticipated  impact
on Principal Mutual operations.

The date on which  Principal  Mutual  believes  it will  complete  the Year 2000
modifications  are based on  management's  best  estimates,  which were  derived
utilizing  numerous   assumptions  of  future  events.   Principal  Mutual  also
recognizes there are outside  influences and  dependencies  relative to its Year
2000 effort, over which it has little or no control.  However,  Principal Mutual
is putting effort into ensuring these  considerations  will have minimal impact.
These would include the continued availability of certain resources, third-party
modification  plans and many other factors.  However,  there can be no guarantee
that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ from those
anticipated.






                         Report of Independent Auditors







The Board of Directors
Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  statements of financial position
of The  Principal  Financial  Group(R) (the Company) as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the related  consolidated  statements of  operations,  equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended  December 31, 1997.  These
financial  statements are the  responsibility of the Company's  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.  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  consolidated  financial  position of The Principal
Financial  Group(R) at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated  results
of its  operations  and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended  December  31,  1997 in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
January 30, 1998



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

                      Consolidated Statements of Operations




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year ended December 31
                                                                    1997          1996          1995
                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                              (In Millions)
Revenue
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>   
Premiums and annuity and other considerations                       $4,668        $5,121        $5,243
Policy and contract charges                                            658           555           491
Net investment income                                                2,922         2,869         2,741
Net realized capital gains                                             219           436           122
Commissions and other income                                           199           150           143
                                                                ------------------------------------------
Total revenue                                                        8,666         9,131         8,740

Expenses
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses                             5,632         6,087         6,142
Dividends to policyowners                                              299           299           307
Operating expenses                                                   2,040         1,915         1,740
                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                ------------------------------------------
Total expenses                                                       7,971         8,301         8,189
                                                                ------------------------------------------

Income before income taxes                                             695           830           551

Income taxes                                                           241           304           207
                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                ==========================================
Net income                                                         $   454       $   526       $   344
                                                                ==========================================



See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

                  Consolidated Statements of Financial Position




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        December 31
                                                                                     1997         1996
                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                       (In Millions)

Assets
<S>                                                                                 <C>          <C>    
Debt securities, available-for-sale                                                 $21,546      $21,974
Equity securities, available-for-sale                                                 1,273        1,023
Mortgage loans                                                                       13,286       12,409
Real estate                                                                           2,632        2,474
Policy loans                                                                            749          736
Other investments                                                                       130          102
Cash and cash equivalents                                                               546          271
Accrued investment income                                                               457          464
Deferred acquisition costs                                                            1,057        1,058
Property held for Company use                                                           232          222
Separate account assets                                                              23,627       17,218
Other assets                                                                          1,519        1,191
                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                 ===========================
Total assets                                                                        $67,054      $59,142
                                                                                 ===========================
                                                                                 ===========================

Liabilities
Contractholder funds                                                                $23,179      $23,194
Future policy benefits and claims                                                    11,239       10,575
Other policyowner funds                                                                 314          454
Policyowner dividends payable                                                           444          447
Debt                                                                                    459          399
Income taxes currently payable                                                          298          283
Deferred income taxes                                                                   803          623
Separate account liabilities                                                         23,560       17,166
Other liabilities                                                                     1,474        1,347
                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                 ---------------------------
Total liabilities                                                                    61,770       54,488

Equity
Surplus                                                                               4,257        3,803
Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities                                 1,038          860
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net                                            (11)          (9)
                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                 ---------------------------
Total equity                                                                          5,284        4,654
                                                                                 ---------------------------
                                                                                 ===========================
Total liabilities and equity                                                        $67,054      $59,142
                                                                                 ===========================



See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

                        Consolidated Statements of Equity

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Net Unrealized    Foreign Currency
                                                                   Gains on         Translation
                                                              Available-for-Sale  Adjustment, net   Total Equity
                                                    Surplus       Securities
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          (In Millions)

<S>                    <C>                          <C>            <C>                  <C>            <C>   
   Balances at January 1, 1995                      $2,933         $     48             $  (6)         $2,975

   Net income                                          344                -                 -             344
   Increase in unrealized appreciation on debt
     securities, available-for-sale                      -            1,834                 -           1,834
   Increase in unrealized appreciation on equity
     securities, available-for-sale                      -              411                 -             411
   Adjustments for assumed changes in
     amortization patterns:
     Deferred acquisition costs                          -             (315)                -            (315)
     Unearned revenue reserves                           -               52                 -              52
   Provision for deferred income taxes                   -             (694)                -            (694)
   Change in foreign currency translation
     adjustment, net                                     -                -                (1)             (1)
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------
   Balances at December 31, 1995                     3,277            1,336                (7)          4,606

   Net income                                          526                -                 -             526
   Decrease in unrealized appreciation on debt
     securities, available-for-sale                      -             (543)                -            (543)
   Decrease in unrealized appreciation on equity
     securities, available-for-sale                      -             (262)                -            (262)
   Adjustments for assumed changes in
     amortization patterns:
     Deferred acquisition costs                          -               83                 -              83
     Unearned revenue reserves                           -              (11)                -             (11)
   Provision for deferred income tax benefit             -              257                 -             257
   Change in foreign currency translation
     adjustment, net                                     -                -                (2)             (2)
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------
   Balances at December 31, 1996                     3,803              860                (9)          4,654

   Net income                                          454                -                 -             454
   Increase in unrealized appreciation on debt
     securities, available-for-sale                      -              197                 -             197
   Increase in unrealized appreciation on equity
     securities, available-for-sale, including
     seed money in separate accounts                     -              118                 -             118
   Adjustments for assumed changes in
     amortization patterns:
     Deferred acquisition costs                          -              (44)                -             (44)
     Unearned revenue reserves                           -                4                 -               4
   Provision for deferred income taxes                   -              (97)                -             (97)
   Change in foreign currency translation
     adjustment, net                                     -                -                (2)             (2)
                                                  ===============================================================
   Balances at December 31, 1997                    $4,257           $1,038              $(11)         $5,284
                                                  ===============================================================

See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Year ended December 31
                                                                         1997        1996        1995
                                                                      ------------------------------------
                                                                                 (In Millions)
Operating activities
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>      
Net income                                                              $   454    $     526  $     344
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
   operating activities:
   Amortization of deferred acquisition costs                               170          178        145
   Additions to deferred acquisition costs                                 (213)        (215)      (206)
   Accrued investment income                                                  7           15          6
   Contractholder and policyowner liabilities and dividends               1,657          240        523
   Current and deferred income taxes                                         96           20         93
   Net realized capital gains                                              (219)        (436)      (122)
   Depreciation and amortization expense                                    117          112         74
   Other                                                                   (393)        (230)       440
                                                                      ------------------------------------
                                                                      ------------------------------------
Net adjustments                                                           1,222         (316)       953
                                                                      ------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                 1,676          210      1,297

Investing activities Available-for-sale securities:
   Purchases                                                             (7,827)     (11,762)   (13,195)
   Sales                                                                  7,493        8,949      9,333
   Maturities                                                             1,204        2,796      2,485
Mortgage loans acquired or originated                                    (9,925)      (2,955)    (2,837)
Mortgage loans sold or repaid                                             8,977        1,619      1,702
Real estate acquired                                                       (309)        (166)      (143)
Real estate sold                                                            198          253         38
Net change in policy loans                                                  (13)         (25)       (28)
Net change in property held for Company use                                 (11)         (18)       (23)
Net change in other investments                                             (38)         (74)       (12)
                                                                      ------------------------------------
Net cash used in  investment activities                                    (251)      (1,383)    (2,680)

Financing activities
Issuance of debt                                                             75           43         21
Principal repayments of debt                                                (28)         (29)       (71)
Proceeds of short-term borrowings                                         5,089        1,451        990
Repayment of short-term borrowings                                       (4,974)      (1,282)      (990)
Investment contract deposits                                              4,134        7,496      6,756
Investment contract withdrawals                                          (5,446)      (6,530)    (5,310)
                                                                      ------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                      (1,150)       1,149      1,396
                                                                      ------------------------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                        275          (24)        13

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                              271          295        282
                                                                      ------------------------------------
                                                                      ====================================
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                $   546    $     271  $     295
                                                                      ====================================



See accompanying notes.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                                December 31, 1997


1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

The Principal  Financial  Group(R) (the Company),  comprised of Principal Mutual
Life Insurance Company (Principal Mutual) and its subsidiaries, is a diversified
financial services  organization engaged in the marketing and management of life
insurance,  annuity,  health, pension and other financial products and services,
primarily in the United States.

Pending Reorganization

On September 18, 1997, the board of directors  adopted a Plan of  Reorganization
whereby  Principal  Mutual  will form a new  mutual  insurance  holding  company
(Principal Mutual Holding Company) and convert to a stock life insurance company
(Principal  Life  Insurance  Company).  All  of the  shares  of  Principal  Life
Insurance  Company will be issued  initially to Principal Mutual Holding Company
through  two  newly  formed  intermediate  holding  companies,  and there are no
current  plans to offer the stock of  Principal  Life  Insurance  Company or its
parent companies to third parties.  The reorganization will not become effective
unless approved by policyowners and regulatory  authorities.  The reorganization
itself will not have a material financial impact on the Company.

Basis of Presentation

The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  of the  Company  and its
majority-owned  subsidiaries  have been  prepared in conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles (GAAP).  Less than  majority-owned  entities in
which the Company has at least a 20%  interest  are reported on the equity basis
in the consolidated  statements of financial position as other investments.  All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Total assets of the unconsolidated entities amounted to $1.1 billion at December
31, 1997 and $1.5  billion at December 31, 1996,  and total  revenues  were $294
million in 1997,  $349  million in 1996 and $320  million in 1995.  During 1997,
1996 and 1995, the Company included $19 million,  $(3) million and $(9) million,
respectively,  in net  investment  income  representing  the Company's  share of
current year net income (losses) of the unconsolidated entities.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The  preparation  of  the  Company's   consolidated   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  consolidated  financial  statements  and
accompanying notes.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Significant Risks

The following is a description of the most significant risks facing  diversified
financial service organizations and how the Company mitigates those risks:

Legal or  regulatory  risk is the risk that  changes in the legal or  regulatory
environment  in which an insurer  operates will create  additional  expenses not
anticipated by the insurer in pricing its products.  The Company  mitigates this
risk by offering a wide range of products and  operating  throughout  the United
States  and the world,  thus  reducing  its  exposure  to any single  product or
jurisdiction,  and also by employing  underwriting  practices which identify and
minimize the adverse impact of this risk.

Credit  risk is the risk that  issuers  of  securities  owned by the  Company or
borrowers  through  mortgage  loans on real  estate  will  default or that other
parties that owe the Company  money,  will not pay. The Company  minimizes  this
risk by adhering to a conservative  investment  strategy,  by maintaining  sound
credit  and  collection  policies  and  by  providing  for  any  amounts  deemed
uncollectible.

Interest  rate risk is the risk that  interest  rates  will  change  and cause a
decrease  in the value of the  Company's  investments.  This change in rates may
also cause certain  interest-sensitive  products to become  uncompetitive or may
cause  disintermediation.  The Company  mitigates this risk by charging fees for
policyowners'  contract  terminations,  by offering  products that transfer this
risk to the purchaser  and by  attempting to match the maturity  schedule of its
assets  with  the  expected  payout  of  its  liabilities.  To the  extent  that
liabilities  come due more quickly than assets mature,  an insurer would have to
borrow funds or sell assets prior to maturity and  potentially  recognize a gain
or loss.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash  equivalents  include cash on hand,  money market  instruments and
other debt issues with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased.

Investments

Investments in debt and equity  securities are classified as  available-for-sale
and,  accordingly,  are carried at fair value. (See Note 10 for policies related
to the determination of fair value.) The cost of debt securities is adjusted for
amortization  of premiums  and accrual of  discounts,  both  computed  using the
interest method. The cost of debt and equity securities is adjusted for declines
in value that are other  than  temporary.  For the  loan-backed  and  structured
securities included in the bond portfolio, the Company recognizes income using a
constant  effective  yield  based  on  currently   anticipated   prepayments  as
determined  by  broker-dealer  surveys or internal  estimates  and the estimated
lives of the securities.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Investment real estate is reported at cost less accumulated  depreciation.  Such
real estate is carried net of valuation  allowances.  Valuation  allowances  are
established when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted  cash
flows to be generated by the real estate fall below carrying amounts. Properties
acquired through loan foreclosures are recorded at fair market value at the time
of foreclosure or receipt of deed in lieu of  foreclosure.  This becomes the new
cost basis of the real  estate and is  subject  to  further  potential  carrying
amount   reductions  as  a  result  of  depreciation  and  quarterly   valuation
determinations.  Changes in the  valuation  allowance are charged or credited to
net investment income.  Depreciation  expense is computed primarily on the basis
of accelerated and straight-line  methods over the estimated useful lives of the
assets.  Real estate  expected to be disposed is carried at the lower of cost or
fair value, less cost to sell.

Commercial  and  residential  mortgage  loans are reported at cost  adjusted for
amortization  of premiums and accrual of discounts,  computed using the interest
method, and net of valuation allowances. Any changes in the valuation allowances
are reported as realized gains  (losses) on  investments.  The Company  measures
impairment based upon the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the
loan's effective  interest rate. If foreclosure is probable,  the measurement of
impairment is based upon the fair value of the collateral.

Net realized  capital gains and losses on investments  are determined  using the
specific identification basis.

Policy loans and other investments are primarily reported at cost.

Futures and Forward Contracts and Interest Rate and Equity Swaps (Derivatives)

The Company uses financial futures contracts,  forward purchase  commitments and
interest rate swaps to hedge risks  associated  with interest rate  fluctuations
and has used equity swaps to hedge risks associated with market  fluctuations of
certain  unaffiliated  common stocks.  Realized capital gains and losses on both
those contracts that hedge risks associated with interest rate  fluctuations and
equity swaps are recognized in the period incurred.

Contractholder and Policyowner Liabilities

Contractholder and policyowner liabilities  (contractholder funds, future policy
benefits and claims and other policyowner funds) include reserves for investment
contracts and reserves for universal life,  limited payment,  participating  and
traditional life insurance policies.  Investment  contracts are contractholders'
funds on deposit with the Company and generally include reserves for pension and
annuity contracts.  Reserves on investment contracts are equal to the cumulative
deposits less any applicable charges plus credited interest.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Reserves for universal life insurance contracts are equal to cumulative premiums
less charges plus credited  interest which  represents the account balances that
accrue to the benefit of the policyowners.  Reserves for non-participating  term
life insurance  contracts are computed on a basis of assumed  investment  yield,
mortality,  morbidity and expenses, including a provision for adverse deviation,
which  generally  vary by plan,  year of issue and policy  duration.  Investment
yield is based on the Company's experience.  Mortality, morbidity and withdrawal
rate  assumptions  are based on experience  of the Company and are  periodically
reviewed against both industry standards and experience.

Reserves for participating  life insurance  contracts are based on the net level
premium reserve for death and endowment policy benefits.  This net level premium
reserve is calculated  based on dividend fund interest rate and mortality  rates
guaranteed in calculating the cash surrender values described in the contract.

Some of the Company's  policies and contracts require payment of fees in advance
for services that will be rendered over the estimated  lives of the policies and
contracts.  These  payments are  established as unearned  revenue  reserves upon
receipt and included in other policyowner  funds in the consolidated  statements
of  financial  position.  These  unearned  revenue  reserves  are  amortized  to
operations over the estimated lives of these policies and contracts.

The  liability  for unpaid  accident  and health  claims is an  estimate  of the
ultimate  net cost of  reported  and  unreported  losses not yet  settled.  This
liability  is estimated  using  actuarial  analyses and case basis  evaluations.
Although  considerable  variability is inherent in such  estimates,  the Company
believes that the liability for unpaid claims is adequate.  These  estimates are
continually  reviewed and, as adjustments to this  liability  become  necessary,
such adjustments are reflected in current operations.

Recognition of Premiums, Fees and Benefits

Traditional individual life and health insurance products include those products
with fixed and  guaranteed  premiums and benefits,  and consist  principally  of
whole life and term life insurance policies and certain immediate annuities with
life  contingencies.  Premiums  from these  products are  recognized  as premium
revenue when due.

Group life and health  insurance  premiums  are  generally  recorded  as premium
revenue over the term of the coverage.  Some group  contracts allow for premiums
to be  adjusted to reflect  emerging  experience.  Such  adjusted  premiums  are
recognized in the period that the related experience emerges. Fees for contracts
providing claim  processing or other  administrative  services are recorded over
the period the service is provided.

Related  policy  benefits and expenses for  individual and group life and health
insurance  products  are  associated  with  earned  premiums  and  result in the
recognition of profits over the expected lives of the policies and contracts.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Universal  life-type  policies are insurance  contracts  with terms that are not
fixed and  guaranteed.  Amounts  received as payments for such contracts are not
reported  as  premium  revenues.  Revenues  for  universal  life-type  insurance
contracts consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy initiation
and  administration,  surrender  charges and other fees that have been  assessed
against policy account  values.  Policy  benefits and claims that are charged to
expense  include  interest  credited to contracts and benefit claims incurred in
the period in excess of related policy account balances.

Investment   contracts  do  not  subject  the  Company  to  risks  arising  from
policyowner  mortality  or  morbidity,   and  consist  primarily  of  Guaranteed
Investment Contracts (GICs) and certain deferred annuities.  Amounts received as
payments  for  investment  contracts  are  established  as  investment  contract
liability  balances  and are not  reported  as premium  revenues.  Revenues  for
investment  contracts  consist of  investment  income and policy  administration
charges.  Investment  contract  benefits  that are  charged to  expense  include
benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related  investment  contract
liability  balances  and  interest  credited to  investment  contract  liability
balances.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Commissions and other costs  (underwriting,  issuance and agency  expenses) that
vary  with and are  primarily  related  to the  acquisition  of new and  renewal
insurance  policies and  investment  contract  business are  capitalized  to the
extent  recoverable.  Acquisition  costs that are not deferrable and maintenance
costs are charged to operations as incurred.

Deferred  acquisition  costs for  universal  life-type  insurance  contracts and
participating  life  insurance  policies  and  investment  contracts  are  being
amortized  over the lives of the  policies  and  contracts  in  relation  to the
emergence  of estimated  gross profit  margins.  This  amortization  is adjusted
retrospectively when estimates of current or future gross profits and margins to
be realized  from a group of products and  contracts  are revised.  The deferred
acquisition costs of  non-participating  term life insurance  policies are being
amortized  over  the  premium-paying   period  of  the  related  policies  using
assumptions consistent with those used in computing policyowner liabilities.

Deferred acquisition costs are subject to recoverability  testing at the time of
policy issue and loss recognition  testing at the end of each accounting period.
Deferred  acquisition  costs  would  be  written  off to the  extent  that it is
determined  that future policy  premiums and  investment  income or gross profit
margins would not be adequate to cover related losses and expenses.

Reinsurance

The Company  enters into  reinsurance  agreements  with other  companies  in the
normal  course of  business.  The  Company may assume  reinsurance  from or cede
reinsurance to other companies.  Reinsurance premiums, expenses,  recoveries and
reserves  related to reinsured  business are accounted  for on bases  consistent
with those used in accounting for the original  policies issued and the terms of
the  reinsurance   contracts,   reported  on  a  gross  basis.  The  Company  is
contingently  liable with respect to reinsurance ceded to other companies in the
event the reinsurer is unable to meet the obligations it has assumed.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Guaranty-fund Assessments

Guaranty-fund  assessments are accrued when the Company  receives notice that an
amount is payable to a guaranty  fund.  The Company  also  accrues for  possible
guaranty-fund assessments for which notices have not been received and for which
the Company does not anticipate receiving a premium tax credit.

Separate Accounts

The  separate  account  assets and  liabilities  presented  in the  consolidated
financial  statements  represent  the  fair  market  value  of  funds  that  are
separately  administered  by the Company for contracts with equity,  real estate
and fixed-income  investments.  The separate account contract owner, rather than
the Company,  bears the  investment  risk of these funds.  The separate  account
assets are  legally  segregated  and are not subject to claims that arise out of
any  other   business  of  the   Company.   The  Company   receives  a  fee  for
administrative, maintenance and investment advisory services that is included in
the consolidated  statements of operations.  Deposits, net investment income and
realized and  unrealized  capital gains and losses on the separate  accounts are
not reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

The Company  files a  consolidated  income tax return that  includes  all of its
qualifying  subsidiaries and has a policy of allocating  income tax expenses and
benefits to companies in the group based upon pro rata  contribution  of taxable
income or operating  losses.  The Company is taxed at corporate rates on taxable
income based on existing tax laws.  Current income taxes are charged or credited
to operations  based upon amounts  estimated to be payable or  recoverable  as a
result of taxable  operations  for the current year.  Deferred  income taxes are
provided for the tax effect of differences in the financial reporting and income
tax bases of assets and  liabilities  and net  operating  losses  using  enacted
income tax rates and laws.  The effect on deferred  tax assets and  deferred tax
liabilities  of a change in tax rates is  recognized in operations in the period
in which the change is enacted.

Foreign Exchange

The  Company's  foreign  subsidiaries'  statements  of  financial  position  and
operations  are translated at the current  exchange  rates and average  exchange
rates for the year, respectively.  Resulting translation adjustments for foreign
subsidiaries  and certain  other  transactions  are  reported as a component  of
equity.  Other  translation  adjustments for foreign currency  transactions that
affect cash flows are reported in current operations.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

The Company accounts for its pension benefits and postretirement  benefits other
than pension (medical, life insurance and long-term care) using the full accrual
method.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Property Held for Company Use

Property  held for  Company use  includes  home  office  properties  and related
leasehold  improvements.   Property  held  for  Company  use  is  shown  in  the
consolidated  statements  of  financial  position  at cost less  allowances  for
accumulated  depreciation.  Provisions  for  depreciation  of property  held for
Company  use are  computed  principally  on the  straight-line  method  over the
estimated useful lives of the assets.  Property held for Company use and related
accumulated depreciation are as follows (in millions):

                                                    December 31
                                                1997           1996
                                            -----------------------------

   Property held for Company use                  $302          $285
   Accumulated depreciation                        (70)          (63)
                                            =============================
   Property held for Company use, net             $232          $222
                                            =============================

Other Assets

Intangible assets are included in other assets in the consolidated statements of
financial  position.  The cost of  acquired  subsidiaries  in excess of the fair
value of the net assets (i.e.,  goodwill) and other intangible assets (primarily
customer lists and institutional  customer  relationships) have been recorded in
connection  with  acquisitions.  These assets are  amortized on a  straight-line
basis  primarily over 40 years with the exception of assets  acquired after 1995
which are amortized  over ten years.  The carrying  amount of goodwill and other
intangible  assets is reviewed  periodically  for  indicators  of  impairment in
value. Intangible assets and related accumulated amortization are as follows (in
millions):

                                                   December 31
                                               1997          1996
                                           ----------------------------

      Goodwill                                  $165          $135
      Accumulated amortization                   (16)          (22)
                                           ----------------------------
      Goodwill, net                              149           113

      Other intangible assets, net                74            34
                                           ----------------------------

      Total intangible assets                   $223          $147
                                           ============================

Mortgage  servicing rights of $432 million and $272 million at December 31, 1997
and  1996,  respectively,  are  included  in other  assets  in the  consolidated
statements  of  financial  position  and  represent  the cost of  purchasing  or
originating the right to service mortgage loans. These costs are capitalized and
amortized to operations  over the estimated  remaining  lives of the  underlying
loans using the interest method and taking into account  appropriate  prepayment
assumptions. Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are periodically assessed for
impairment,  which is  recognized in the  consolidated  statements of operations
during the period in which  impairment  occurs by  establishing a  corresponding
valuation allowance.

Other assets are reported primarily at cost.


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)


1.  Nature of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Reclassifications

Certain  reclassifications  have  been  made to the 1995  and 1996  consolidated
financial statements to conform to the 1997 presentation.

2.  Investments

Under  SFAS No.  115,  Accounting  for  Certain  Investments  in Debt and Equity
Securities,   securities   are  generally   classified  as   available-for-sale,
held-to-maturity,  or  trading.  The  Company  has  classified  its entire  debt
securities  portfolio  as  available-for-sale,  although  it  is  generally  the
Company's  intent to hold these  securities  to  maturity.  The Company has also
classified all equity securities as available-for-sale. Securities classified as
available-for-sale are reported at fair value in the consolidated  statements of
financial  position with the related unrealized holding gains and losses on such
available-for-sale  securities  reported as a separate component of equity after
adjustments for related changes in deferred acquisition costs,  unearned revenue
reserves and deferred income taxes.

The cost,  gross  unrealized  gains and losses and fair value of debt and equity
securities  available-for-sale  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, are as follows
(in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Gross           Gross
                                                                Unrealized      Unrealized         Fair
                                                   Cost            Gains          Losses          Value
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
   December 31, 1997
   Bonds:
<S>                                              <C>           <C>                  <C>          <C>      
     United States Government and agencies       $     337     $       1            $  -         $     338
     States and political subdivisions                 449            15               2               462
     Corporate - public                              4,014           224              18             4,220
     Corporate - private                            12,478           856              30            13,304
     Mortgage-backed securities                      3,124            99               3             3,220
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    20,402         1,195              53            21,544
   Redeemable preferred stocks                           2             -               -                 2
                                              ===============================================================
     Total debt securities                         $20,404        $1,195             $53           $21,546
                                              ===============================================================
     Total equity securities                     $     639       $   664             $30          $  1,273
                                              ===============================================================

   December 31, 1996
   Bonds:
     United States Government and agencies       $     246     $       1            $  1         $     246
     States and political subdivisions                 303            13               -               316
     Corporate - public                              4,487           200              15             4,672
     Corporate - private                            12,876           737              25            13,588
     Mortgage-backed securities                      3,112            60              27             3,145
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    21,024         1,011              68            21,967
   Redeemable preferred stocks                           5             2               -                 7
                                              ===============================================================
     Total debt securities                         $21,029        $1,013             $68           $21,974
                                              ===============================================================
     Total equity securities                     $     502       $   536             $15          $  1,023
                                              ===============================================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



2.  Investments (continued)

The cost and fair value of debt  securities  available-for-sale  at December 31,
1997, by expected maturity, are as follows (in millions):

                                                   Cost           Fair Value
                                                  --------------------------
                                                  --------------------------

   Due in one year or less                         $  1,433        $  1,444
   Due after one year through five years              6,286           6,522
   Due after five years through ten years             5,421           5,767
   Due after ten years                                4,133           4,586
                                                  --------------------------
                                                  --------------------------
                                                     17,273          18,319
   Mortgage-backed and other securities without
     a single maturity date                           3,131           3,227
                                                  --------------------------
                                                  ==========================
   Total                                            $20,404         $21,546
                                                  ==========================

The above summarized activity is based on expected maturities. Actual maturities
may differ because borrowers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.

Major  categories  of net  investment  income  are  summarized  as  follows  (in
millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year ended December 31
                                                                    1997          1996          1995
                                                                ------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>   
   Debt securities available-for-sale                               $1,589        $1,608        $1,603
   Equity securities available-for-sale                                 39            33            41
   Mortgage loans                                                    1,138         1,078         1,008
   Real estate                                                         350           356           317
   Policy loans                                                         50            49            48
   Cash and cash equivalents                                             9            15             8
   Other                                                               109            60            24
                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                     3,284         3,199         3,049

   Less investment expenses                                           (362)         (330)         (308)
                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                ==========================================
   Net investment income                                            $2,922        $2,869        $2,741
                                                                ==========================================
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




2.  Investments (continued)

The major  components of realized  capital  gains  (losses) on  investments  are
summarized as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year ended December 31
                                                                     1997          1996           1995
                                                                 -------------------------------------------

   Debt securities, available-for-sale:
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>           <C> 
     Gross gains                                                     $  82          $121          $144
     Gross losses                                                      (43)          (73)          (40)
   Equity securities, available-for-sale:
     Gross gains                                                       132           451            40
     Gross losses                                                      (26)           (5)           (9)
   Mortgage loans                                                        6            (4)            3
   Real estate                                                          64            14             6
   Other                                                                 4           (68)          (22)
                                                                 ===========================================
   Net realized capital gains                                         $219          $436          $122
                                                                 ===========================================
</TABLE>

Proceeds from sales of  investments  (excluding  call and maturity  proceeds) in
debt securities  were $5.0 billion,  $7.8 billion and $6.5 billion in 1997, 1996
and 1995, respectively.  Gross gains of $48 million, $76 million and $93 million
and gross losses of $43 million,  $69 million and $35 million in 1997,  1996 and
1995, respectively, were realized on those sales.

Of the  1997,  1996 and 1995  proceeds,  $4.0  billion,  $7.2  billion  and $6.1
billion,  respectively,  relates  to sales of  mortgage-backed  securities.  The
Company actively  manages its  mortgage-backed  securities  portfolio to control
prepayment  risk.  Gross gains of $29  million,  $64 million and $66 million and
gross losses of $10 million, $53 million and $17 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively,  were realized on sales of mortgage-backed securities. At December
31,  1997,  the Company had security  purchases  payable  totaling  $266 million
relating to the purchases of mortgage-backed securities at forward dates.

Prior to 1996, the Company  entered into  short-term  equity swap  agreements to
mitigate  its  exposure  to  declines  in the  value  of about  one-half  of its
marketable  common stock  portfolio.  Under the  agreements,  the return on that
portion of the  Company's  marketable  common stock  portfolio was swapped for a
fixed short-term interest rate. The equity swaps were terminated during 1996 and
a  realized  loss  of $81  million  recorded.  Common  stocks  of  $633  million
associated  with these  equity  swaps were sold  during  1996 and a gain of $402
million recorded, resulting in a net realized gain of $321 million.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




2.  Investments (continued)

The  unrealized  appreciation  on  investments  in debt  and  equity  securities
available-for-sale  is reported as a separate  component  of equity,  reduced by
adjustments to deferred  acquisition  costs and unearned  revenue  reserves that
would have been  required as a charge or credit to  operations  had such amounts
been realized and a provision for deferred income taxes.  The cumulative  amount
of net  unrealized  gains on  available-for-sale  securities  is as follows  (in
millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      December 31
                                                                                  1997           1996
                                                                              -----------------------------

<S>                                                                              <C>             <C> 
   Unrealized appreciation on debt securities, available-for-sale                $1,142          $945
   Unrealized appreciation on equity securities, available-for-sale,
     including seed money in separate accounts                                      639           521
   Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization patterns:
     Deferred acquisition costs                                                    (204)         (160)
     Unearned revenue reserves                                                       21            17
   Provision for deferred income taxes                                             (560)         (463)
                                                                              =============================
   Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities                         $1,038          $860
                                                                              =============================
</TABLE>

Commercial  mortgage loans and corporate  private  placement bonds originated or
acquired by the Company represent its primary areas of credit risk exposure.  At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, the commercial  mortgage portfolio is diversified by
geographic region and specific collateral property type as follows:

                Geographic Distribution              Property Type Distribution
                      December 31                           December 31
                     ---------------                     ----------------
                    1997        1996                      1997       1996
                 -----------------------               -----------------------
                 -----------------------               -----------------------

Pacific              28%         30%       Industrial      33%        35%
South Atlantic       24          22        Retail          33         34
North Central        16          17        Office          29         28
Mid Atlantic         14          15        Other            5          3
South Central         9           7
New England           5           5
Mountain              4           4

Mortgage  loans on real estate are considered  impaired  when,  based on current
information  and  events,  it is  probable  that the  Company  will be unable to
collect all amounts due according to  contractual  terms of the loan  agreement.
When the Company  determines  that a loan is impaired,  a provision  for loss is
established for the difference  between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan
and the estimated value. Estimated value is based on either the present value of
the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate,
the  loan's  observable  market  price  or fair  value  of the  collateral.  The
provision for losses is reported as realized gains (losses) on investments.


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



2.  Investments (continued)

Mortgage loans deemed to be uncollectible  are charged against the allowance for
losses and subsequent  recoveries are credited to the allowance for losses.  The
allowance for losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to
absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management's periodic evaluation of the
adequacy of the allowance  for losses is based on the  Company's  past loan loss
experience,  known and inherent risks in the portfolio,  adverse situations that
may  affect  the  borrower's  ability  to  repay,  the  estimated  value  of the
underlying  collateral,  composition  of the loan  portfolio,  current  economic
conditions and other relevant factors.  The evaluation is inherently  subjective
as it requires  estimating  the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected
to be received on impaired loans that may change.

A summary of the changes in the mortgage loan allowance for losses is as follows
(in millions):

                                                               December 31
                                                           1997           1996
                                                       -------------------------

   Balance at beginning of year                             $121          $115
   Provision for losses                                        8            16
   Releases due to write-downs, sales and foreclosures        (8)          (10)
                                                       =========================
   Balance at end of year                                   $121          $121
                                                       =========================

The corporate  private  placement  bond  portfolio is  diversified by issuer and
industry.  Restrictive  bond  covenants are monitored by the Company to regulate
the activities of issuers and control their leveraging capabilities.

The Company was servicing approximately 371,000 and 328,000 residential mortgage
loans with aggregate principal balances of approximately $29.1 billion and $24.4
billion at December 31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  In connection  with these
mortgage  servicing  activities,  the  Company  held  funds in trust for  others
totaling  approximately  $210  million and $175 million at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.  In connection with its loan administration  activities, the
Company  advances  payments of property  taxes and  insurance  premiums and also
advances  principal and interest  payments to investors in advance of collecting
funds from specific mortgagors.  In addition, the Company makes certain payments
of attorney fees and other costs related to loans in foreclosure.  These amounts
receivable  are  recorded,  at cost,  as  advances on  serviced  loans.  Amounts
advanced  are  considered  in  management's  evaluation  of the  adequacy of the
allowance for loan loss.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



2.  Investments (continued)

Real estate includes properties directly owned by the Company that are generally
held for  investment  purposes.  Real estate  holdings  and related  accumulated
depreciation are as follows (in millions):

                                                December 31
                                            1997           1996
                                        -----------------------------

   Real estate                              $2,985        $2,743
   Accumulated depreciation                   (353)         (269)
                                        =============================
   Real estate, net                         $2,632        $2,474
                                        =============================

Other  investments  include  properties  owned jointly with venture partners and
operated by the  partners.  Joint  ventures in which the Company has an interest
have  mortgage  loans  with the  Company  of $1.2  billion  and $1.4  billion at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The Company is committed to providing
additional  mortgage financing for such joint ventures  aggregating $120 million
at December 31, 1997.

3.  Derivatives Held or Issued for Purposes Other Than Trading

The Company uses exchange-traded  interest rate futures and forward contracts to
hedge against  interest rate risks.  The Company attempts to match the timing of
when interest rates are committed on insurance  products and on new investments.
However,  timing  differences do occur and can expose the Company to fluctuating
interest rates. Interest rate futures and forward contracts are used to minimize
these  risks.  In these  contracts,  the Company is subject to the risk that the
counterparties  will fail to perform and to the risks associated with changes in
the value of the underlying securities; however, such changes in value generally
are  offset by  opposite  changes  in the  value of the  hedged  items.  Futures
contracts  are  marked  to  market  and  settled  daily,   which  minimizes  the
counterparty  risk. The notional  amounts of futures and forward  contracts ($36
million at December 31, 1997,  and $148 million at December 31, 1996)  represent
the extent of the Company's involvement but not the risk of loss.

The  Company  enters  into  interest  rate swaps to  minimize  its  exposure  to
fluctuations in interest rates. The most common use is to modify the duration of
an asset or  portfolio,  a less  common use is to convert a floating  rate asset
into a fixed rate asset. The notional principal amounts of the swaps outstanding
at  December  31,  1997  and  1996,   were  $1,037  million  and  $970  million,
respectively,  and the credit  exposure  at  December  31, 1997 and 1996 was $21
million and $15 million,  respectively. The Company is exposed to credit loss in
the event of nonperformance of the counterparties. This credit risk is minimized
by  purchasing  such  agreements  from  financial   institutions  with  superior
performance  records.  The Company's current credit exposure on swaps is limited
to the value of interest  rate swaps that have become  favorable to the Company.
The average unexpired terms of the swaps were  approximately six years and three
years at December  31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The net amount  payable or
receivable from



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



3.  Derivatives Held or Issued for Purposes Other Than Trading (continued)

interest  rate  swaps is  accrued  as an  adjustment  to  interest  income.  The
Company's  interest rate swap agreements include  cross-default  provisions when
two or more swaps are transacted with a given counterparty.

The Company  enters into currency  exchange swap  agreements to convert  certain
foreign  denominated  fixed rate assets into U.S. dollar  denominated fixed rate
assets  and  eliminate  the  exposure  to future  currency  volatility  on those
securities.  At December  31,  1997,  the Company had various  foreign  currency
exchange agreements with maturities ranging from 1998 to 2018, with an aggregate
notional amount involved of  approximately  $410 million and the credit exposure
was $17 million.  At December 31, 1996, such maturities ranged from 1997 to 2018
with an aggregate  notional  amount of  approximately  $373 million and a credit
exposure  of  $9  million.   The  average   unexpired  term  of  the  swaps  was
approximately seven years at both December 31, 1997 and 1996.

The Company uses  interest  rate floors in hedging a portion of its portfolio of
mortgage  servicing  rights from  prepayment  risk  associated  with  changes in
interest rates. At both December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company had entered into
interest rate floors with a notional  value of $1.3 billion.  The floors provide
for the receipt of payments when interest rates are below predetermined interest
rate levels.  The  premiums  paid for floors are included in other assets in the
Company's consolidated statements of financial position.

4.  Accident and Health Reserves

Activity  in the  liability  for unpaid  accident  and health  claims,  which is
included with future policy benefits and claims in the  consolidated  statements
of financial position, is summarized as follows (in millions):

                                              Year ended December 31
                                        1997          1996          1995
                                     -----------------------------------------

   Balance at beginning of year        $   800       $   810       $   824

   Incurred:
     Current year                        2,723         3,051         3,179
     Prior years                           (21)          (29)           (5)
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     -----------------------------------------
   Total incurred                        2,702         3,022         3,174

   Payments:
     Current year                        2,235         2,535         2,654
     Prior years                           497           497           534
                                     -----------------------------------------
   Total payments                        2,732         3,032         3,188
                                     -----------------------------------------

   Balance at end of year:
     Current year                          476           516           525
     Prior years                           294           284           285
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     =========================================
   Total balance at end of year        $   770       $   800       $   810
                                     =========================================



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)


4.  Accident and Health Reserves (continued)

The activity  summary in the  liability  for unpaid  accident and health  claims
shows a decrease of $21 million,  $29 million and $5 million to the December 31,
1996,   1995  and  1994  liability  for  unpaid   accident  and  health  claims,
respectively, arising in prior years. Such liability adjustments, which affected
current  operations  during 1997,  1996 and 1995,  respectively,  resulted  from
developed  claims for prior years being different than were anticipated when the
liabilities  for unpaid  accident and health claims were  originally  estimated.
These trends have been considered in establishing the current year liability for
unpaid accident and health claims.

5.  Debt

The  components  of debt as of December  31, 1997 and  December  31, 1996 are as
follows (in millions):

                                                     December 31
                                                1997           1996
                                             -----------------------------

      7.875% notes payable, due 2024             $199          $199
      8% notes payable, due 2044                   99            99
      Mortgages and other notes payable           161           101
                                             =============================
      Total debt                                 $459          $399
                                             =============================

On March 10,  1994,  Principal  Mutual  issued  $300  million of surplus  notes,
including  $200 million due March 1, 2024 at a 7.875%  annual  interest rate and
the remaining  $100 million due March 1, 2044 at an 8% annual  interest rate. No
affiliates of the Company hold any portion of the notes. The discount and direct
costs  associated  with issuing these notes are being  amortized to expense over
their respective  terms using the interest method.  Each payment of interest and
principal on the notes, however, may be made only with the prior approval of the
Commissioner  of Insurance of the State of Iowa (the  Commissioner)  and only to
the extent that Principal  Mutual has sufficient  surplus  earnings to make such
payments. For each of the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, interest
of $24 million was approved by the Commissioner, paid and charged to expense.

Subject to  Commissioner  approval,  the surplus  notes due March 1, 2024 may be
redeemed at Principal Mutual's election on or after March 1, 2004 in whole or in
part at a redemption price of approximately  103.6% of par. The approximate 3.6%
premium is scheduled to gradually  diminish over the following ten years.  These
surplus  notes may then be redeemed on or after March 1, 2014,  at a  redemption
price of 100% of the  principal  amount  plus  interest  accrued  to the date of
redemption.

In addition,  subject to Commissioner  approval, the notes due March 1, 2044 may
be redeemed at Principal  Mutual's  election on or after March 1, 2014, in whole
or in part at a redemption price of approximately 102.3% of par. The approximate
2.3% premium is scheduled to gradually  diminish  over the  following ten years.
These notes may be redeemed on or after March 1, 2024, at a redemption  price of
100% of the principal amount plus interest accrued to the date of redemption.

The  mortgages  and  other  notes  payable  are   financings   for  real  estate
developments.  The Company has obtained  loans with  various  lenders to finance
these developments. Outstanding principal balances as of December 31, 1997 range
from $1 million to $10.7 million per  development  with interest rates generally
ranging  from 6.6% to 8.0%.  Outstanding  principal  balances as of December 31,
1996 range from $1 million to $9 million per  development  with  interest  rates
generally ranging from 5.9% to 7.7%.


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




5.  Debt (continued)

At  December  31,  1997,  future  annual  maturities  of debt are as follows (in
millions):

   1998                                                      $  79
   1999                                                         20
   2000                                                          3
   2001                                                          3
   2002                                                          3
   Thereafter                                                  351
                                                           ----------
                                                           ==========
   Total future maturities of debt                            $459
                                                           ==========

Cash paid for interest for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $63 million,  $52 million and
$50 million, respectively.

The  Company  issues  commercial  paper  periodically  to  meet  its  short-term
financing needs and also has credit  facilities with various banks.  The Company
had  outstanding  credit  borrowings of $225 million and $15 million at December
31, 1997 and 1996,  respectively,  and other outstanding borrowings from certain
financing  transactions of $154 million at December 31, 1996. These  outstanding
borrowings are included in other  liabilities in the consolidated  statements of
financial position.


6.  Income Taxes

The Company's income tax expense (benefit) is as follows (in millions):

                                      Year ended December 31
                                 1997          1996          1995
                               ----------------------------------------
   Current income taxes:
     Federal                      $144          $145          $104
     State and foreign               3            (1)            5
     Realized capital gains         11           210            41
                               ----------------------------------------
   Total current income taxes      158           354           150
   Deferred income taxes            83           (50)           57
                               ========================================
   Total income taxes             $241          $304          $207
                               ========================================

The Company's provision for income taxes may not have the customary relationship
of taxes to income. Differences between the prevailing corporate income tax rate
of 35% times the pre-tax income and the Company's  effective tax rate on pre-tax
income are generally due to inherent  differences  between  income for financial
reporting  purposes  and  income  for tax  purposes,  and the  establishment  of
adequate  provisions  for any  challenges of the tax filings and tax payments to
the various taxing jurisdictions.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



6.  Income Taxes (continued)

The Internal  Revenue  Service (the  Service) has completed  examination  of the
consolidated  federal  income tax  returns of  Principal  Mutual and  affiliated
companies through 1992. The Service is currently  completing its examination for
the years 1993 and 1994. The Company  believes that there are adequate  defenses
against or sufficient provisions for any challenges.

The  Company's  deferred  income tax  liabilities  and assets are as follows (in
millions):

                                                 December 31
                                             1997           1996
                                         -----------------------------

   Deferred income tax liabilities           $1,259        $1,110
   Deferred income tax assets                   456           487
                                         =============================
   Deferred income taxes, net               $   803       $   623
                                         =============================

The Company's  significant  deferred income tax liabilities and assets relate to
unrealized  gains on  available-for-sale  debt and equity  securities,  deferred
acquisition  costs,  unrealized  joint venture  losses,  policy  liabilities and
accruals and contractholder  funds and claims,  policyowner  dividend liability,
prepaid  postretirement  benefits other than pension,  other investment  related
items and  premiums  and fees  receivable.  No  valuation  allowances  have been
recognized against deferred tax assets.

The Company  has not  recognized  deferred  taxes  related to the  undistributed
earnings of certain foreign  subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely
reinvested  because the Company does not expect to repatriate these earnings.  A
tax liability will be recognized when the Company expects  distribution of those
earnings in the form of dividends, sale of the investment or otherwise.

Cash paid for income taxes in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $143 million, $285 million
and $99 million, respectively.


7.  Employee and Agent Benefits

The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering  substantially all of its
employees and certain  agents.  The  employees  and agents are  generally  first
eligible for the pension plans when they reach age 21. The pension  benefits are
based on the years of service and  generally the  employee's or agent's  average
annual  compensation  during the last five years of employment.  Partial benefit
accrual  of  pension  benefits  is  recognized  from  first   eligibility  until
retirement based on attained service divided by potential service to age 65 with
a minimum of 35 years of potential service.  The Company's policy is to fund the
cost of providing  pension  benefits in the years that the  employees and agents
are providing service to the Company. The Company's funding policy is to deposit
the actuarial  normal cost and any change in unfunded  accrued  liability over a
30-year period as a percentage of compensation.


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




7.  Employee and Agent Benefits (continued)

The pension plans' combined funded status,  reconciled to amounts  recognized in
the consolidated statements of financial position and consolidated statements of
operations, is as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      December 31
                                                                                 1997           1996
                                                                             ------------------------------
                                                                             ------------------------------
   Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
<S>                                                                               <C>           <C> 
      Vested benefit obligation                                                   $515          $482
                                                                             ==============================
                                                                             ==============================
      Accumulated benefit obligation                                              $525          $495
                                                                             ==============================
                                                                             ==============================

   Plan assets at fair value, primarily affiliated mutual funds
      and investment contracts of the Company                                     $980          $841
   Projected benefit obligation                                                    700           732
                                                                             ------------------------------
   Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation                           280           109

   Unrecognized net gains and funding different from that assumed and from
      changes in assumptions                                                      (182)          (29)
   Unrecognized prior service cost                                                  14            17
   Unrecognized net transition asset                                               (49)          (60)
                                                                             ------------------------------
                                                                             ==============================
   Prepaid pension asset                                                         $  63         $  37
                                                                             ==============================
</TABLE>

Net  periodic  pension  cost  (income)  included the  following  components  (in
millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year ended December 31
                                                                  1997           1996           1995
                                                              ---------------------------------------------

<S>                                                               <C>           <C>            <C>  
      Service cost                                                $  41         $  38          $  25
      Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                  52            46             39
      Actual return on plan assets                                 (128)         (118)          (144)
      Net amortization and deferral                                  40            42             79
                                                              ---------------------------------------------
                                                              =============================================
      Total net periodic pension cost (income)                    $   5         $   8          $  (1)
                                                              =============================================
</TABLE>

The  weighted-average  assumed  discount rate used in determining  the projected
benefit  obligation  was 7.25% at both  December  31,  1997 and 1996,  and 7% at
December  31,  1995.  Some of the trusts  holding the plan assets are subject to
income taxes at a 35% tax rate while others are not subject to income taxes. For
1997, 1996 and 1995, the expected  long-term rates of return on plan assets were
approximately  6% (after  estimated  income  taxes) for those trusts  subject to
income taxes and approximately 9.5% for those trusts not subject to income taxes
in each year. The assumed rate of increase in future  compensation levels varies
by age for both the qualified and non-qualified pension plans.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




7.  Employee and Agent Benefits (continued)

In  addition,  the  Company has defined  contribution  plans that are  generally
available to all employees and agents who are age 21 or older and have completed
one year of service.  Eligible  participants  may  contribute up to 15% of their
compensation,  to a  maximum  of $9,500  annually  to the plans in both 1997 and
1996, and $9,240 in 1995. The Company matches the participant's  contribution at
a 50%  contribution  rate  up to a  maximum  Company  contribution  of 2% of the
participant's  compensation.  The Company  contributed  $15 million in 1997, $13
million in 1996 and $11 million in 1995 to these defined contribution plans.

The Company also provides certain health care, life insurance and long-term care
benefits for retired  employees.  Substantially all employees are first eligible
for these postretirement  benefits when they reach age 57 and have completed ten
years of service with the Company. Partial benefit accrual of these health, life
and long-term care benefits is recognized from the employee's date of hire until
retirement based on attained service divided by potential service to age 65 with
a minimum of 35 years of potential service.  The Company's policy is to fund the
cost of providing retiree benefits in the years that the employees are providing
service to the Company. The Company's funding policy is to deposit the actuarial
normal cost and an accrued  liability  over a 30-year  period as a percentage of
compensation.

The  postretirement  plans'  combined  funded  status,   reconciled  to  amounts
recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position and consolidated
statements of operations, is as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     December 31
                                                                                 1997            1996
                                                                            -------------------------------
   Plan assets at fair value, primarily affiliated mutual funds and
<S>                                                                              <C>             <C> 
     investment contracts of the Company                                         $300            $247
   Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
     Retirees                                                                     (84)            (87)
     Eligible employees                                                           (33)            (38)
     Active employees not eligible to retire                                      (97)            (93)
                                                                            -------------------------------
                                                                            -------------------------------
   Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation                           (214)           (218)
                                                                            -------------------------------
                                                                            -------------------------------
   Excess of plan assets over accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
                                                                                   86              29

   Unrecognized net gains and funding different from that assumed and from
     changes in assumptions                                                       (53)            (10)
   Unrecognized net transition obligation                                          12              17
                                                                            -------------------------------
                                                                            ===============================
   Postretirement benefit asset                                                  $ 45            $ 36
                                                                            ===============================
</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




7.  Employee and Agent Benefits (continued)

The net periodic  postretirement  benefit cost included the following components
(in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Year ended December 31
                                                                   1997           1996            1995
                                                              ----------------------------------------------
                                                              ----------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C> 
   Service cost                                                     $12            $12            $  7
   Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit cost
                                                                     16             15              14
   Actual return on plan assets                                     (41)           (32)            (43)
   Amortization of transition obligation                              4              4               4
   Net amortization of gains and losses                              25             19              34
                                                              ==============================================
   Total net periodic postretirement benefit cost                   $16            $18             $16
                                                              ==============================================
</TABLE>

The  weighted-average  assumed discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement  benefit obligation was 7.25% at both December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and 7% at  December  31,  1995.  Some of the trusts  holding the plan assets are
subject to income taxes at a 35% tax rate while others are not subject to income
taxes.  For 1997, 1996 and 1995, the expected  long-term rates of return on plan
assets were  approximately  5% (after  estimated  income taxes) for those trusts
subject to income  taxes and  approximately  8% for those  trusts not subject to
income taxes in each year.  These rates of return on plan assets vary by benefit
type and employee group.

The  assumed  health  care cost trend  rate used in  measuring  the  accumulated
postretirement  benefit  obligations  starts at 9% in 1997,  declines to 8.5% in
2002 and then  declines  to an ultimate  rate of 6% in 2030.  If the health care
cost trend rate  assumptions  were increased by 1% in each year, the accumulated
postretirement  benefits  obligation  for health  plans as of December  31, 1997
would increase by 27.7% ($45 million). The effect of this 1% increase would also
increase the aggregate of the service cost and interest  cost  components of the
net  periodic  postretirement  benefit  cost of health  plans for the year ended
December 31, 1997 by 24% ($6 million).


8.  Reinsurance

Reinsurance  contracts  do not  relieve  the  Company  from its  obligations  to
policyowners.  Failure of reinsurers to honor their  obligations could result in
losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial strength of potential
reinsurers  and  continually   monitors  the  financial   condition  of  present
reinsurers. The Company also monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from
similar  geographic  regions,  activities  or  economic  characteristics  of the
reinsurers  to minimize  its  exposure  to  significant  losses  from  reinsurer
insolvencies.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




8.  Reinsurance (continued)

The effect of reinsurance on premiums and annuity and other  considerations  and
benefits, claims and settlement expenses is as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Year ended
                                                                                   December 31
                                                                       1997            1996           1995
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                                                  ----------------------------------------------

   Premiums and annuity and other considerations:
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>   
     Direct                                                           $4,601          $5,034         $5,171
     Assumed                                                             106             116             99
     Ceded                                                               (39)            (29)           (27)
                                                                  ==============================================
   Net premiums and annuity and other considerations                  $4,668          $5,121         $5,243
                                                                  ==============================================
                                                                  ==============================================

   Benefits, claims and settlement expenses:
     Direct                                                           $5,596          $6,003         $6,070
     Assumed                                                             102             109             99
     Ceded                                                               (66)            (25)           (27)
                                                                  ==============================================
   Net benefits, claims and settlement expenses                       $5,632          $6,087         $6,142
                                                                  ==============================================
</TABLE>

9.  Other Commitments and Contingencies

The Company,  as a lessor,  leases industrial,  office,  retail and other wholly
owned investment real estate properties under various  operating leases.  Rental
income for all operating  leases  totaled $344 million in 1997,  $310 million in
1996 and $260  million in 1995.  At December  31, 1997,  future  minimum  annual
rental commitments under these noncancelable operating leases are as follows (in
millions):

   1998                                           $   274
   1999                                               241
   2000                                               201
   2001                                               162
   2002                                               117
   Thereafter                                         448
                                                -------------
                                                =============
   Total future minimum lease receipts             $1,443
                                                =============



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




9.  Other Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

The Company,  as a lessee,  leases office space,  data processing  equipment and
office furniture and equipment under various  operating  leases.  Rental expense
for all  operating  leases  totaled $73  million in both 1997 and 1996,  and $69
million in 1995. At December 31, 1997, future minimum annual rental  commitments
under these noncancelable operating leases are as follows (in millions):

   1998                                         $  44
   1999                                            35
   2000                                            26
   2001                                            19
   2002                                            14
   Thereafter                                      22
                                             -----------
   Total future minimum lease payments           $160
                                             ===========

The Company is a defendant in various legal actions arising in the normal course
of its investment and insurance  operations.  In the opinion of management,  any
losses  resulting  from the resolution of such actions would not have a material
effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The Company is also subject to insurance  guarantee  laws in the states in which
it writes  business.  These  laws  provide  for  assessments  against  insurance
companies  for the  benefit  of  policyowners  and  claimants  in the  event  of
insolvency  of other  insurance  companies.  The  assessments  may be  partially
recovered  through  a  reduction  in future  premium  taxes in some  states.  At
December  31,  1997  and  1996,   approximately  $6  million  and  $15  million,
respectively,  is accrued in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of
financial  position for possible  guarantee fund  assessments  for which notices
have not been received and the Company does not  anticipate  receiving a premium
tax credit.


10.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following  discussion  describes the methods and assumptions utilized by the
Company in estimating  its fair value  disclosures  for  financial  instruments.
Certain financial instruments,  particularly  policyowner liabilities other than
investment   contracts,   are   excluded   from  these  fair  value   disclosure
requirements. The techniques utilized in estimating the fair values of financial
instruments are affected by the assumptions used,  including  discount rates and
estimates  of the  amount  and  timing  of future  cash  flows.  Care  should be
exercised in deriving  conclusions  about the Company's  business,  its value or
financial position based on the fair value information of financial  instruments
presented  below.  The  estimates  shown are not  necessarily  indicative of the
amounts that would be realized in a one-time,  current market exchange of all of
the Company's financial instruments.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




10.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

The Company defines fair value as the quoted market prices for those instruments
that are actively  traded in  financial  markets.  In cases where quoted  market
prices are not available, fair values are estimated using present value or other
valuation  techniques.  The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in
time,  based on available  market  information and judgments about the financial
instrument,  including estimates of timing, amount of expected future cash flows
and the credit  standing of  counterparties.  Such estimates do not consider the
tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses.  In many cases, the
fair value  estimates  cannot be  substantiated  by  comparison  to  independent
markets.  In  addition,  the  disclosed  fair value may not be  realized  in the
immediate settlement of the financial instrument.

Fair values of public debt and equity  securities  have been  determined  by the
Company from public quotations, when available. Private placement securities and
other debt and equity  securities are valued by  discounting  the expected total
cash flows.  Market rates used are  applicable to the yield,  credit quality and
average maturity of each security.

Fair values of  commercial  mortgage  loans are  determined by  discounting  the
expected  total cash flows using market rates that are  applicable to the yield,
credit quality and maturity of each loan.  Fair values of  residential  mortgage
loans are  determined by a pricing and  servicing  model using market rates that
are applicable to the yield, rate structure,  credit quality,  size and maturity
of each loan.

The fair values for assets classified as policy loans, other  investments,  cash
and  cash  equivalents  and  accrued   investment  income  in  the  accompanying
consolidated   statements  of  financial  position  approximate  their  carrying
amounts.

The fair values of the Company's  reserves and liabilities  for  investment-type
insurance contracts  (insurance,  annuity and other policy contracts that do not
involve  significant  mortality or morbidity risk and that are only a portion of
the  policyowner   liabilities  appearing  in  the  consolidated  statements  of
financial  position) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses (based on
current  interest  rates being  offered for similar  contracts  with  maturities
consistent with those remaining for the investment-type contracts being valued).
The fair values for the Company's  insurance contracts  (insurance,  annuity and
other policy contracts that do involve significant mortality or morbidity risk),
other than  investment-type  contracts,  are not required to be  disclosed.  The
Company does consider,  however,  the various  insurance and investment risks in
choosing investments for both insurance and investment-type contracts.

Fair values for debt issues are estimated  using  discounted  cash flow analysis
based  on  the  Company's  incremental  borrowing  rate  for  similar  borrowing
arrangements.



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




10.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

The  carrying  amounts  and  estimated  fair values of the  Company's  financial
instruments at December 31, 1997 and 1996, are as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997                         1996
                                                  ---------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                     Carrying       Fair         Carrying        Fair
                                                      Amount        Value         Amount         Value
                                                  ---------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                  ---------------------------  ----------------------------

 Assets (liabilities)

<S>                                                   <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>    
   Debt securities (see Note 2)                       $21,546       $21,546        $21,974      $21,974
   Equity securities (see Note 2)                       1,273         1,273          1,023        1,023
   Mortgage loans                                      13,286        14,291         12,409       12,823
   Policy loans                                           749           749            736          736
   Other investments                                      130           130            102          102
   Cash and cash equivalents                              546           546            271          271
   Accrued investment income                              457           457            464          464
   Investment-type insurance contracts                (22,115)      (22,637)       (22,196)     (22,158)
   Debt                                                  (459)         (486)          (399)        (427)
</TABLE>


11.  Statutory Insurance Financial Information

Principal  Mutual,  the  largest  member of The  Principal  Financial  Group(R),
prepares  statutory  financial  statements  in  accordance  with the  accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Division of the Department of
Commerce  of the  State of Iowa.  Currently  "prescribed"  statutory  accounting
practices  include a variety of  publications  of the  National  Association  of
Insurance   Commissioners  as  well  as  state  laws,  regulations  and  general
administrative  rules.  "Permitted" statutory accounting practices encompass all
accounting  practices not so prescribed.  The impact of any permitted accounting
practices on statutory surplus is not material. The accounting practices used to
prepare statutory financial  statements for regulatory filings differ in certain
instances from GAAP.  Prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices are
used by state insurance departments to regulate the Company.

The  NAIC  is  in  the  process  of  codifying  statutory  accounting  practices
(Codification), the result of which is expected to constitute the only source of
"prescribed" statutory accounting practices. Accordingly, that project, which is
expected to be approved by the NAIC in 1998, will likely change, to some extent,
prescribed  statutory  accounting  practices  and may  result in  changes to the
accounting  practices that Principal Mutual uses to prepare its  statutory-basis
financial  statements.  Codification will require adoption by the various states
before it becomes the  prescribed  statutory  basis of accounting  for insurance
companies  domiciled within those states.  The impact on Principal Mutual's 1997
statutory surplus has not yet been determined at this time.


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




11.  Statutory Insurance Financial Information (continued)

Life/Health  insurance companies are subject to certain risk-based capital (RBC)
requirements as specified by the NAIC. Under those  requirements,  the amount of
capital and  surplus  maintained  by a  life/health  insurance  company is to be
determined  based on the various  risk  factors  related to it. At December  31,
1997, Principal Mutual meets the RBC requirements.

The  following  summary  reconciles  the assets and equity at December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995,  and net income for the years ended  December 31, 1997,  1996 and
1995, in accordance with statutory reporting  practices  prescribed or permitted
by the  Insurance  Division of the  Department  of Commerce of the State of Iowa
(Principal Mutual only) with that reported in these  consolidated GAAP financial
statements (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Assets       Equity     Net Income
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
   December 31, 1997
   As reported in accordance with statutory accounting practices
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C> 
     - unconsolidated                                               $63,957       $2,811        $432
   Additions (deductions):
     Unrealized gain on debt securities available-for-sale            1,176        1,176           -
     Other investment adjustments                                       853        1,141          27
     Adjustments to insurance reserves and dividends                   (173)        (131)        (41)
     Deferral of policy acquisition costs                             1,057        1,057          43
     Surplus note reclassification as debt                                -         (298)          -
     Provision for deferred federal income taxes and other tax
       reclassifications                                                  -         (643)          7
     Other - net                                                        184          171         (14)
                                                                  =========================================
   As reported in these consolidated GAAP financial statements      $67,054       $5,284        $454
                                                                  =========================================

   December 31, 1996
   As reported in accordance with statutory accounting practices
     - unconsolidated                                               $56,837       $2,504        $415
   Additions (deductions):
     Unrealized gain on debt securities available-for-sale              964          964           -
     Other investment adjustments                                       355          901          53
     Adjustments to insurance reserves and dividends                   (156)        (115)        (41)
     Deferral of policy acquisition costs                             1,058        1,058          38
     Surplus note reclassification as debt                                -         (298)          -
     Provision for deferred federal income taxes and other tax
       reclassifications                                                 (6)        (493)         60
     Other - net                                                         90          133           1
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                                  =========================================
   As reported in these consolidated GAAP financial statements      $59,142       $4,654        $526
                                                                  =========================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



11.  Statutory Insurance Financial Information (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Assets       Equity     Net Income
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
   December 31, 1995
   As reported in accordance with statutory accounting practices
<S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C> 
     - unconsolidated                                               $51,268       $2,208        $263
   Additions (deductions):
     Unrealized gain on debt securities available-for-sale            1,553        1,553           -
     Other investment adjustments                                       228          911          60
     Adjustments to insurance reserves and dividends                   (128)         (28)         (7)
     Deferral of policy acquisition costs                               937          937          61
     Surplus note reclassification as debt                                -         (298)          -
     Provision for deferred federal income taxes and other tax
       reclassifications                                                 (9)        (770)        (20)
     Other - net                                                        115           93         (13)
                                                                  =========================================
   As reported in these consolidated GAAP financial statements      $53,964       $4,606        $344
                                                                  =========================================
</TABLE>


12.  Business Acquisitions and Disposition

During  1997,  various  acquisitions  were  made  by  certain  of the  Company's
subsidiaries at purchase prices aggregating $101 million.  The acquisitions were
all accounted for using the purchase method and the results of operations of the
acquired  businesses  have been  included  in the  financial  statements  of the
subsidiaries from the dates of acquisition.  Such  acquisitions  increased total
assets at December 31, 1997 and total 1997 revenue of the  subsidiaries  by $459
million and $88 million, respectively.

During 1997, the Company  terminated a portion of its group medical business and
helped   insureds   find   replacement   coverage.   The  Company  has  retained
responsibility  for the payment of claims incurred on this business prior to the
effective date of the  termination  and has included an estimate of the ultimate
liability for these claims in its financial statements.  Annual premiums related
to this business were approximately $380 million at date of transfer.

13.  Subsequent Events

On November 3, 1997,  the  Company  entered  into a  definitive  agreement  with
Coventry  Corporation to effectively  merge  substantially  all of the Company's
managed  health  care  operations  with  Coventry   Corporation,   a  previously
unaffiliated  managed care company.  The closing of the definitive  agreement is
subject to regulatory  approvals and various other conditions.  The Company will
own 40% of a resulting new company,  Coventry Health Care,  Inc.,  which will be
publicly  traded,  and  will  recognize  no gain  or  loss  on the  transaction.
Subsequent  to  closing,  which is expected  in the first  quarter of 1998,  the
Company  will  account  for its  investment  in the new entity  using the equity
method and will no longer consolidate the



<PAGE>



                        The Principal Financial Group(R)

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




13.  Subsequent Events (continued)

transferred  businesses.  Total assets at December 31, 1997,  and total revenues
and pretax loss for the year then ended, were approximately  $419 million,  $883
million and $(26) million,  respectively,  for the transferred  businesses.  The
Company  also intends to enter into a  reinsurance  agreement on January 1, 2000
whereby  Coventry  Health and Life Insurance  Company,  a subsidiary of Coventry
Corporation,  will  reinsure  a  portion  of  the  Company's  traditional  group
indemnity  health  insurance  business in  overlapping  markets (1997 revenue of
approximately $550 million) at that time.

In December 1997, the Company signed a definitive  agreement with EVEREN Capital
Corporation to sell Principal Securities Holding Corporation and its subsidiary,
Principal Financial Securities,  Inc., an investment banking and stock brokerage
firm for $75 million.  The  transaction,  which  required  regulatory  approval,
closed in January 1998. Total assets of Principal Securities Holding Corporation
at  December  31,  1997,  and total  revenues  and pretax loss for the year then
ended,  were  approximately  $91  million,   $144  million  and  $(10)  million,
respectively.


14.  Year 2000 Issues (Unaudited)

In 1995, the Company began  investigating  the potential impact of the year 2000
on its systems, procedures, customers and business processes. Some changes began
immediately,  while others waited for an assessment  that was completed in 1996.
The Year 2000  assessment  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.  The goal of the  Company is to have its  systems and
procedures function correctly, regardless of the current date on the calendar.

The Company will  continue to use  internal  and  external  resources to modify,
replace,   and  test  the  Year   2000   modifications.   Management   estimates
approximately  95% of the identified  modifications  have been completed for its
Year 2000 project.  System  testing,  using an isolated test  environment,  will
begin early in 1998.  Ultimate  project  completion  is targeted for early 1999,
which is prior to any anticipated impact on Company  operations.  The total cost
for the project is estimated to be $20 million, with the costs being expensed as
incurred until completion.

The costs of the  project  and the date on which the  Company  believes  it will
complete the Year 2000  modifications  are based on management's best estimates,
which were derived utilizing numerous  assumptions of future events. The Company
also recognizes there are outside  influences and  dependencies  relative to its
Year 2000 effort, over which it has little or no control.  However,  the Company
is putting effort into ensuring these  considerations  will have minimal impact.
These would include the continued availability of certain resources, third-party
modification  plans and many other factors.  However,  there can be no guarantee
that these estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ from those
anticipated.
    


<PAGE>
                                     PART C
                        PENSION BUILDER VARIABLE CONTRACT
                                OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (a)    Financial Statements included in the Registration Statement
                 (1)   Part A:
                       Condensed Financial Information for each of the 10 years
                       ended December 31, 1997.

                 (2)   Part B:
                               
                       Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate
                        Account B:
                          Report of Independent Auditors.
                          Statement of Net Assets, December 31, 1997.
                          Statement of Operations for the year ended 
                             December 31, 1997.
                          Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years
                             ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
                          Notes to  Financial Statements.
                       The Principal Financial Group(R):
                          Report of Independent Auditors.
                          Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years
                             ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
                          Consolidated Statements of Financial Position,
                              December 31, 1997 and 1996.
                          Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years
                             ended  December 31, 1997 and 1996.
                          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
                             years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
                          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

          (b)    Exhibits
                 (1)   Board resolution of Registrant. (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (3a)  Distribution Agreement (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (3b)  Selling Agreement (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (4a)  Form of Variable Annuity Contract (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (4b)  Form of Variable Annuity Contract (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (4c)  Form of Variable Annuity Contract (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (5)   Form of Variable Annuity Application (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (6a)  Articles of Incorporation of Depositor (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (6b)  Bylaws of Depositor (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (9)   Opinion of Counsel (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (10a) Consent of Independent Auditors 
                 (10b) Powers of Attorney 
                 (13a) Total Return Calculation (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (13b) Annualized Yield for Separate Account B (Filed 4/12/96)
                 (27)  Financial Data Schedule for Separate Account B
<PAGE>
Item 25.  Officers and Directors of the Depositor

          Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  is  managed by a Board of
          Directors  which is elected by its  policyowners.  The  directors  and
          executive  officers of the Company,  their positions with the Company,
          including Board Committee  memberships,  and their principal  business
          address, are as follows:

            DIRECTORS:                       Principal
            Name, Positions and Offices      Business Address

            MARY VERMEER ANDRINGA            Vermeer Manufacturing Company
            Director                         Box 200
            Member, Nominating Committee     Pella, IA  50219-0200

            RUTH M. DAVIS                    The Pymatuning Group, Inc.
            Director                         Suite 570, 4900 Seminary Road
            Member, Nominating Committee     Alexandria, VA  22311

            DAVID J. DRURY                   The Principal Financial Group
            Director                         Des Moines, IA  50392
            Chairman of the Board
            Chief Executive Officer
            Chair, Executive Committee

            C. DANIEL GELATT, JR.            NMT Corporation
            Director                         2004 Kramer Street
            Member, Executive Committee      La Crosse, WI  54603
              Chair, Human Resources 
              Committee

            J. BARRY GRISWELL                The Principal Financial Group
            Director and                     Des Moines, IA  50392
            President 

            G. DAVID HURD                    The Principal Financial Group
            Director                         Des Moines, IA  50392
            Member, Executive and                                          
              Nominating Committees

            THEODORE M. HUTCHISON            4019 Oak Forest Drive    
            Director                         Des Moines, IA  50312
            Member, Nominating Committees

            CHARLES S. JOHNSON               Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
            Director                         400 Locust, Ste. 700 Capital Square
            Member, Audit Committee          Des Moines, IA 50309

            WILLIAM T. KERR                  Meredith Corporation
            Director                         1716 Locust St.
            Member, Executive Committee      Des Moines, IA  50309-3023
              and Chair, Nominating 
              Committee

            LEE LIU                          IES Industries Inc.
            Director                         Post Office Box 351
            Member, Executive and            Cedar Rapids, IA  52406
              Human Resources Committees

            VICTOR. H. LOEWENSTEIN           Egon Zehnder International
            Director                         350 Park Avenue - 8th Floor
            Member, Audit                    New York, NY  10022
              Committee

            RONALD D. PEARSON                Hy-Vee, Inc.
            Director                         5820 Westown Parkway
            Member, Human Resources          West Des Moines, IA  50266
              Committee

            JOHN R. PRICE                    The Chase Manhattan Corporation
            Director                         270 Park Avenue - 44th Floor
            Member, Nominating Committee     New York, NY  10017

            DONALD M. STEWART                The College Board
            Director                         45 Columbus Avenue
            Member, Human Resources          New York, NY  10023-6992
              Committee

            ELIZABETH E. TALLETT             Dioscor, Inc.
            Director                         48 Federal Twist Road
            Chair, Audit Committee           Stockton, NJ  08559

            DEAN D. THORNTON                 1602- 34 Court West
            Director                         Seattle, WA  98199
            Member, Audit Committee 

            FRED W. WEITZ                    Essex Meadows, Inc.
            Director                         800 Second Avenue, Suite 150
            Member, Human Resources          Des Moines, IA  50309
              Committee

            Executive Officers (Other than Directors):

            JOHN E. ASCHENBRENNER            Senior Vice President

            DENNIS P. FRANCIS                Senior Vice President

            THOMAS J. GAARD                  Senior Vice President

            MICHAEL H.GERSIE                 Senior Vice President

            THOMAS J. GRAF                   Senior Vice President

            RONALD E. KELLER                 Executive Vice President

            GREGG R. NARBER                  Senior Vice President and
                                             General Counsel

            MARY A. O'KEEFE                  Senior Vice President

            RICHARD L. PREY                  Senior Vice President

            CARL C. WILLIAMS                 Senior Vice President and Chief
                                             Information Officer

Item 26.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Depositor

              Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company (incorporated as a
              mutual life insurance company under the laws of Iowa);

              Sponsored the  organization of the following mutual funds,
              some of which it  controls  by  virtue  of  owning  voting
              securities:

               Principal  Balanced Fund, Inc.(a Maryland  Corporation)  0.74% of
               shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998.

               Principal Blue Chip Fund, Inc.(a Maryland  Corporation)  0.95% of
               shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998.

               Principal Bond Fund, Inc.(a Maryland Corporation) 1.35% of shares
               outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual Life  Insurance  Company
               (including subsidiaries and affiliates) on January 30, 1998.

               Principal  Capital  Value Fund,  Inc.  (a  Maryland  Corporation)
               27.36% of  outstanding  shares  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life
               Insurance  Company  (including  subsidiaries  and  affiliates) on
               January 30, 1998.

               Principal Cash  Management  Fund,  Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)
               2.34% of  outstanding  shares  owned  by  Principal  Mutual  Life
               Insurance  Company  (including  subsidiaries  and  affiliates) on
               January 30, 1998.

               Principal  Government  Securities  Income Fund,  Inc. (a Maryland
               Corporation)  0.40% of  shares  outstanding  owned  by  Principal
               Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company   (including   subsidiaries  and
               affiliates) on January 30, 1998.

               Principal  Growth Fund,  Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)  0.48% of
               outstanding  shares  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998.

               Principal High Yield Fund, Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)  16.72%
               of shares  outstanding  owned by Principal  Mutual Life Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998.

               Principal  International  Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (a Maryland
               Corporation)  66.10% of  shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal
               Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company   (including   subsidiaries  and
               affiliates) on January 30, 1998.

               Principal  International  Fund,  Inc.  (a  Maryland  Corporation)
               23.63% of  shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life
               Insurance  Company  (including  subsidiaries  and  affiliates) on
               January 30, 1998.

               Principal   International   SmallCap   Fund,   Inc.  (a  Maryland
               Corporation)  61.51% of  shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal
               Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company   (including   subsidiaries  and
               affiliates) on January 30, 1998.

               Principal  Limited Term Bond Fund, Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)
               45.48% of  shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life
               Insurance  Company(including   subsidiaries  and  affiliates)  on
               January 30, 1998.

               Principal  MidCap Fund,  Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)  0.60% of
               shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998

               Principal Real Estate Fund, Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation) 95.34%
               of shares  outstanding  owned by Principal  Mutual Life Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998

               Principal SmallCap Fund, Inc.(a Maryland  Corporation)  88.70% of
               shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998

               Principal  Special  Markets Fund,  Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)
               96.92%  of  shares  outstanding  of  the  International  Emerging
               Markets  Portfolio,  50.28%  of  the  shares  outstanding  of the
               International Securities Portfolio,  96.87% of shares outstanding
               of the  International  SmallCap  Portfolio and 100% of the shares
               outstanding  of the  Mortgage-Backed  Securities  Portfolio  were
               owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  (including
               subsidiaries and affiliates) on January 30, 1998

               Principal  Tax-Exempt  Bond Fund,  Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)
               0.56% of  shares  outstanding  owned  by  Principal  Mutual  Life
               Insurance  Company  (including  subsidiaries  and  affiliates) on
               January 30, 1998.

               Principal  Tax-Exempt  Cash  Management  Fund,  Inc.  (a Maryland
               Corporation)  0.99% of  shares  outstanding  owned  by  Principal
               Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company   (including   subsidiaries  and
               affiliates) on January 30, 1998.

               Principal Utilities Fund, Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation) 1.45% of
               shares  outstanding  owned by  Principal  Mutual  Life  Insurance
               Company  (including  subsidiaries  and affiliates) on January 30,
               1998.

               Principal Variable Contracts Fund, Inc. (a Maryland  Corporation)
               100% of shares  outstanding  of the following  Accounts  owned by
               Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and its Separate Accounts
               on  January  30,  1998:   Aggressive  Growth,  Asset  Allocation,
               Balanced,  Bond, Capital Value,  Government  Securities,  Growth,
               High Yield, International, MidCap and Money Market.

          Subsidiaries  organized  and  wholly-owned  by  Principal  Mutual Life
          Insurance Company:

               a.   Principal  Holding  Company (an Iowa  Corporation) A holding
                    company  wholly-owned  by  Principal  Mutual Life  Insurance
                    Company.

               b.   PT  Asuransi Jiwa Principal Egalita Indonesia  (an Indonesia
                    Corporation)

          Subsidiaries wholly-owned by Principal Holding Company:

               a.   Petula Associates,  Ltd. (an Iowa Corporation) a real estate
                    development company.

               b.   Patrician Associates, Inc. (a California Corporation) a real
                    estate development company.

               c.   Principal   Development   Associates,   Inc.  (a  California
                    Corporation) a real estate development company.

               d.   Princor Financial Services Corporation (an Iowa Corporation)
                    a registered broker-dealer.

               e.   Invista  Capital  Management,  Inc. (an Iowa  Corporation) a
                    registered investment adviser.

               f.   Principal Marketing Services,  Inc. (a Delaware Corporation)
                    a  corporation  formed  to  serve  as an  interface  between
                    marketers and manufacturers of financial services products.

               g.   The Principal Financial Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation)
                    a general  business  corporation  established  in connection
                    with the new corporate identity. It is not currently active.

               h.   Delaware  Charter  Guarantee  & Trust  Company  (a  Delaware
                    Corporation) a nondepository trust company.

               i.   The Admar  Group,  Inc. (a Florida  Corporation)  a national
                    managed care service organization that developes and manages
                    preferred provider organizations.

               j.   Principal   Health  Care,  Inc.  (an  Iowa   Corporation)  a
                    developer and administrator of managed care systems.

               k.   Principal Financial  Advisors,  Inc. (an Iowa Corporation) a
                    registered investment advisor.

               l.   Principal  Asset  Markets,  Inc.  (an  Iowa  Corporation)  a
                    residential mortgage loan broker.

               m.   Principal Portfolio  Services,  Inc. (an Iowa Corporation) a
                    mortgage due diligence company.

               n.   Principal  International,   Inc.  (an  Iowa  Corporation)  a
                    company  formed for the  purpose of  international  business
                    development.

               o.   Principal   Spectrum   Associates,    Inc.   (a   California
                    Corporation) a real estate development company.

               p.   Principal Commercial Advisors,  Inc. (an Iowa Corporation) a
                    company that  purchases,  manages and sells  commercial real
                    estate assets.

               q.   Principal FC, Ltd. (an Iowa  Corporation) a limited  purpose
                    investment corporation.

               r.   Principal Residential Mortgage, Inc. (an Iowa Corporation) a
                    residential mortgage loan broker.

               s.   Equity FC, Ltd. (an Iowa Corporation)  engaged in investment
                    transactions   including  limited  partnership  and  limited
                    liability companies.

               t.   Principal Bank (a Federal Corporation) a Federally chartered
                    direct delivery savings bank.

               u.   HealthRisk Resource Group, Inc. (an Iowa Corporation) a 
                    management services organization.

          Subsidiaries  organized and wholly-owned by Princor Financial Services
          Corporation:

               a.   Principal  Management Corporation  (an  Iowa  Corporation) a
                    registered investment advisor.

               b.   Principal Investors Corporation (a New Jersey Corporation) a
                    registered   broker-dealer  with  the  Securities   Exchange
                    Commission. It is not currently active.

          Subsidiary wholly owned by Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust Company:

               a.   Trust  Consultants,   Inc.  (a  California   Corporation)  a
                    Consulting and Administration of Employee Benefit Plans.

          Subsidiary organized and wholly-owned by Principal Health Care, Inc.:

               a.   Principal Health Care of Texas, Inc. ( a Texas  Corporation)
                    a health maintenance organization.

          Subsidiaries owned by The Admar Group, Inc.:

               a.   Admar Corporation (a California  Corporation) a managed care
                    services organization.

               b.   Admar Insurance Marketing, Inc. (a California Corporation) a
                    managed care services organization.

               c.   Benefit Plan Administrators, Inc. (a Colorado Corporation) a
                    managed care services organization.

               d.   SelectCare Management Co., Inc. (a California Corporation) a
                    managed care services organization.

               e.   Image  Financial & Insurance  Services,  Inc. (a  California
                    Corporation) a managed care services organization.

               f.   WM. G.  Hofgard & Co.,  Inc. (a  California  Corporation)  a
                    managed care services organization.

          Subsidiary owned by Petula Associates, Ltd.

               a.   Magnus Properties, Inc. (an Iowa Corporation) which owns   
                    real estate.

          Subsidiaries owned by Principal International, Inc.:

               a.   Principal Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited (a Hong Kong
                    Corporation) group life and group pension products.

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

               c.   Principal   International   Asia   Limited   (a  Hong   Kong
                    Corporation)   a   corporation   operating   as  a  regional
                    headquarters for Asia.

               d.   Principal    International   de   Chile,   S.A.   (a   Chile
                    Corporation) a holding company.

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

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

               g.   Qualitas   Medica,   S.A.  (an   Argentina   HMO)  a  health
                    maintenance organization.

               h.   Afore Confia-Principal, S.a. de C.V. (a Mexico Corporation),
                    pension.

               i.   Zao Principal International (a Russia Corporation) inactive.

               j.   Principal  Trust  Company  (Asia)  Limited  (an  Asia  trust
                    company).

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

          Subsidiaries  owned by Principal International Argentina, S.A.:

               a.   Ethika  Administradora  de Fondos de Jubilaciones y Pensions
                    S.A. (an Argentina company) a pension company.

               b.   Principal Compania de Seguros de Retiro,  S.A. (an Argentina
                    Corporation) an individual annuity/employee benefit company.

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

          Subsidiary owned by Principal International de Chile, S.A.:

               a.   BanRenta   Compania  de  Seguros  de  Vida,  S.A.  (a  Chile
                    Corporation) group life and supplemental health,  individual
                    annuities.

          Subsidiary owned by Principal International Espana, S.A. de Seguros de
          Vida:

               a.   Princor  International Espana Sociedad Anonima de Agencia de
                    Seguros (a Spain Corporation) an insurance agency.

          Subsidiary owned by Afore Confia-Principal, S.A. de C.V.:

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

Item 27.  Number of Contractowners - As of: March 31, 1998             

                     (1)                          (2)               (3)
                                             Number of Plan      Number of
          Title of Class                      Participants     Contractowners
          --------------                     --------------    --------------
          BFA Variable Annuity Contracts                95           10
          Pension Builder Contracts                  1,192        1,340
          Personal Variable Contracts                4,388          137
          Premier Variable Contracts                17,789          270
          Flexible Variable Annuity Contract        29,718       29,718

Item 28.  Indemnification

               None

Item 29.       Principal Underwriters

     (a) Princor  Financial  Services  Corporation,  principal  underwriter  for
Registrant,  acts as principal  underwriter for,  Principal Balanced Fund, Inc.,
Principal Blue Chip Fund,  Inc.,  Principal Bond Fund, Inc.,  Principal  Capital
Value Fund, Inc.,  Principal Cash Management Fund,  Inc.,  Principal  Government
Securities Income Fund, Inc.,  Principal Growth Fund, Inc., Principal High Yield
Fund, Inc.,  Principal  International  Emerging  Markets Fund,  Inc.,  Principal
International Fund, Inc., Principal International SmallCap Fund, Inc., Principal
Limited Term Bond Fund, Inc., Principal MidCap Fund, Inc., Principal Real Estate
Fund, Inc., Principal SmallCap Fund, Inc., Principal Special Markets Fund, Inc.,
Principal Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Inc., Principal Tax-Exempt Cash Management Fund,
Inc.,  Principal  Utilities Fund, Inc.,  Principal Variable Contracts Fund, Inc.
and for  variable  annuity  contracts  participating  in  Principal  Mutual Life
Insurance  Company  Separate  Account B, a registered unit investment  trust for
retirement  plans  adopted  by  public  school  systems  or  certain  tax-exempt
organizations  pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code,  Section
457 retirement plans,  Section 401(a)  retirement plans,  certain non- qualified
deferred  compensation  plans and  Individual  Retirement  Annuity Plans adopted
pursuant to Section 408 of the Internal  Revenue  Code,  and for  variable  life
insurance  contracts issued by Principal Mutual Life Insurance  Company Variable
Life Separate Account, a registered unit investment trust.

  (b)      (1)                 (2)                           
                               Positions
                               and offices                   
  Name and principal           with principal                
  business address             underwriter                   

     John E. Aschenbrenner    Director                     
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Robert W. Baehr          Marketing Services           
     The Principal            Officer
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Craig L. Bassett         Treasurer                    
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Michael J. Beer          Senior Vice President and    
     The Principal            Chief Operating Officer
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Mary L. Bricker          Assistant Corporate          
     The Principal            Secretary
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Lynn A. Brones           Vice President -             
     The Principal            Investment Network
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     David J. Drury           Director                     
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Arthur S. Filean         Vice President               
     The Principal                                         
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Paul N. Germain          Vice President -             
     The Principal            Mutual Fund Operations
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA  50392

     Ernest H. Gillum         Assistant Vice President -   
     The Principal            Registered Products          
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     William C. Gordon        Insurance License Officer    
     The Principal            
     Financial Group          
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Thomas J. Graf           Director                     
     The Principal            
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     J. Barry Griswell        Director and                 
     The Principal            Chairman of the              
     Financial Group          Board                        
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Joyce N. Hoffman         Vice President and           
     The Principal            Corporate Secretary
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Stephan L. Jones         Director and                 
     The Principal            President                    
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Ronald E. Keller         Director                     
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Ellen Z. Lamale          Director                     
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     John R. Lepley           Senior Vice                  
     The Principal            President - Marketing
     Financial Group          and Distribution
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Gregg R. Narber          Director                     
     The Principal            
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Mark M. Oswald           Compliance Officer           
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Kelly A. Paul            Systems/Technology -         
     The Principal            Officer
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Richard L. Prey          Director                     
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Layne A. Rasmussen       Controller -                 
     The Principal            Mutual Funds 
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Martin R. Richardson     Operations Officer -         
     The Principal            Broker/Dealer Services
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Elizabeth R. Ring        Controller                   
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Michael D. Roughton      Counsel                      
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Jean B. Schustek         Product Compliance Officer - 
     The Principal            Registered Products
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA  50392

     Kyle R. Selberg          Vice President-Marketing     
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Susan R. Sorensen        Marketing Officer            
     The Principal
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

     Roger C. Stroud          Assistant Director -         
     The Principal            Marketing
     Financial Group
     Des Moines, IA 50392

           (c)        (1)                       (2)
           
                                      Net Underwriting
            Name of Principal           Discounts and
               Underwriter               Commissions

            Princor Financial           $11,491,356.06
            Services Corporation

                   (3)                       (4)                 (5)

             Compensation on             Brokerage
                Redemption              Commissions         Compensation

                     0                       0                    0

Item 30.  Location of Accounts and Records

          All accounts,  books or other  documents of the Registrant are located
          at the offices of the Depositor,  The Principal  Financial  Group, Des
          Moines, Iowa 50392.

Item 31.  Management Services

          Inapplicable

Item 32.  Undertakings

          The Registrant  undertakes that in restricting  cash  withdrawals from
          Tax  Sheltered  Annuities  to  prohibit  cash  withdrawals  before the
          Participant  attains age 59 1/2,  separates  from  service,  dies,  or
          becomes  disabled  or in the  case  of  hardship,  Registrant  acts in
          reliance of SEC No Action Letter addressed to American Counsel of Life
          Insurance (available November 28, 1988). Registrant further undertakes
          that:

          1.   Registrant  has included  appropriate  disclosure  regarding  the
               redemption  restrictions  imposed  by Section  403(b)(11)  in its
               registration  statement,   including  the  prospectus,   used  in
               connection with the offer of the contract;

          2.   Registrant  will include  appropriate  disclosure  regarding  the
               redemption  restrictions  imposed  by Section  403(b)(11)  in any
               sales  literature  used  in  connection  with  the  offer  of the
               contract;

          3.   Registrant will instruct sales  representatives  who solicit Plan
               Participants  to purchase the contract  specifically to bring the
               redemption  restrictions  imposed  by Section  403(b)(11)  to the
               attention of the potential Plan Participants; and

          4.   Registrant will obtain from each Plan Participant who purchases a
               Section 403(b) annuity contract,  prior to or at the time of such
               purchase, a signed statement acknowledging the Plan Participant's
               understanding  of (a) the  restrictions on redemption  imposed by
               Section 403(b)(11), and (b) the investment alternatives available
               under the  employer's  Section 403(b)  arrangement,  to which the
               Plan Participant may elect to transfer his contract value.

  REPRESENTATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 26 OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company represents the fees and charges deducted
under the Policy,  in the aggregate,  are reasonable in relation to the services
rendered,  the expenses  expected to be incurred,  and the risks  assumed by the
Company.
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant,  Principal Mutual Life Insurance
Company  Separate  Account  B,  certifies  that it  meets  the  requirements  of
Securities Act Rule 485(b) for  effectiveness of the Registration  Statement and
has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned  thereto duly authorized in the City of Des Moines and
State of Iowa, on the 13th day of April, 1998

                         PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                         SEPARATE ACCOUNT B

                                 (Registrant)


                         By:  PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                 (Depositor)

                                   /s/ David J. Drury
                         By ______________________________________________
                              David J. Drury
                              Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

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


As required by the  Securities Act of 1933,  this Amendment to the  Registration
Statement has been signed by the following  persons in the capacities and on the
date indicated.

Signature                          Title                           Date


/s/ D. J. Drury                Chairman and                    April 13, 1998
- --------------------           Chief Executive Officer
D. J. Drury



/s/ D. C. Cunningham           Vice President and              April 13, 1998
- --------------------           Controller (Principal
D. C. Cunningham               Accounting Officer)



/s/ M. H. Gersie               Senior Vice President           April 13, 1998
- --------------------           (Principal Financial
M. H. Gersie                   Officer)


  (M. V. Andringa)*            Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
M. V. Andringa


  (R. M. Davis)*               Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
R. M. Davis


  (C. D. Gelatt, Jr.)*         Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
C. D. Gelatt, Jr.


  (J. B. Griswell)*            Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
J. B. Griswell


  (G. D. Hurd)*                Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
G. D. Hurd


  (T. M. Hutchison)*           Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
T. M. Hutchison


  (C. S. Johnson)*             Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
C. S. Johnson


  (W. T. Kerr)*                Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
W. T. Kerr


  (L. Liu)*                    Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
L. Liu


  (V. H. Loewenstein)*         Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
V. H. Loewenstein


  (R. D. Pearson)*             Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
R. D. Pearson


  (J. R. Price)*               Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
J. R. Price, Jr.


  (D. M. Stewart)*             Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
D. M. Stewart


  (E. E. Tallett)*             Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
E. E. Tallett


  (D. D. Thornton)*            Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
D. D. Thornton


  (F. W. Weitz)*               Director                        April 13, 1998
- --------------------
F. W. Weitz


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

                                  Pursuant to Powers of Attorney
                                  Previously Filed or Included Herein

                         Consent of Independent Auditors








We  consent  to the  reference  to our  firm  under  the  captions  "Independent
Auditors" and to the use of our reports dated  February 6, 1998 (with respect to
Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B) and January 30, 1998
(with respect to The Principal Financial Group(R)), in Post-Effective  Amendment
No.  20 to the  Registration  Statement  (Form  N-4 No.  02-78001)  and  related
Prospectus of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B Pension
Builder - Group Variable Annuity Contracts for Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
April 15, 1998


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that the  undersigned  director  of  Principal
Mutual Life Insurance  Company,  an Iowa  corporation  (the  "Company"),  hereby
constitutes  and appoints D. J. Drury,  G. D. Hurd,  T. M.  Hutchison  and F. W.
Weitz,  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 Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B 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 13th day of April, 1998.


                     /S/ 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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        229832981
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       269251746
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               269251746
<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>                         36381150
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         31546479
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                 269251746
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                             22937736
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                    0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                               (2524084)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                       20413652
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       2848843
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                     27562078
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                         50824573
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       13237560
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                  (8402889)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                  0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       105045685
<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>                                2524084
<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-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         90494835
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        92854016
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                92854016
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