Pros
The work life balance is excellent. As a benefit and planning counselor I am in charge of managing my schedule. Work needs to be done and customers taken care of, but you manage how you get the job done. The base salary offers a nice peice of security and the bonuses offer an opportunity to earn a decent overall income. benefits inculde 401k with a good match in addition to a cash balance pension plan. PTO accrues quickly depending on your postion with the company. As long as you do a good job and get work done, you have a lot of freedom. There are many different carreer paths you could take in sales, service or management and you can focus on individual clients or groups. If you work for Principal you will feel good about the service you offer to your clients.
Cons
For individual investors there are some excellent products, but some limitations, and many limitations on advising clients. currently company will not reimburse for additional designations such as cfp or chfc due to cutbacks. if you have the cfp designation not allowed to use the designation or hold yourself out as a cfp depending on your position with the company. Principal has offices nationwide, but almost exclusively in major cities, with the exception of their home office which is in Des Moines. If those locations don't work for you, then you are out of luck. Total compensation for many positions is below industry average, but still many employees will stay with the company because of the many positives.
