7th Annual Search For Companies With The Best Employee Benefits

Des Moines, IA - Among the millions of growing businesses across the country that offer employee benefits, some go above and beyond to give their employees a financial edge in life. The Principal Financial Group believes these standout organizations deserve to be recognized. Once again they have that chance as the seventh annual search for The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security begins.

The program, sponsored by The Principal , recognizes 10 growing companies (with five to 1,000 employees) that excel in providing a level of benefits and educational support that contributes to long term financial security for their employees.

Winners are held up as role models for other growing businesses and receive extensive national recognition and acclaim. Companies may request an entry form or enter online. Other businesses, financial professionals and peer organizations can nominate a company for the recognition at www.principal.com/10best. Companies are not required to be clients of The Principalin to forenter. Deadline entries is May 1, 2008, and winners will be announced the fall of 2008.

"We're looking for growing companies that provide great benefits…and then some; giving their employees the support they need for a more secure financial future," said Renee Schaaf, vice president at the Principal Financial Group. "Past winners of The Principal 10 Best tell us that the recognition gives them a significant edge in competing for the best employees while reinforcing to their existing employees that they have a top-notch benefits package."

Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges who have substantial expertise in employee benefits. The judges' analysis focuses on several criteria, including breadth and depth of financial benefits offered, level of commitment by the company to its employees' financial security, and communication and educational efforts on benefit programs and financial security issues.

"We're deeply honored to be associated with a group that's considered best in class," said Larry Burton, executive director, Business Roundtable, one of The Principal 10 Best Companies—2007. "It really validates the work that we've done collectively to make this a top place to work."

SOURCE: Principal Financial Group