UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 16, 2004

Principal Life Insurance Company

on behalf of Principal Life Income Fundings Trust 2004-18

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Iowa	333-110499-25	42-0127290
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)


711 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa		50392-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (515) 247-1111

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Item 8.01 Other Events.
	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Indenture Trustee's Report

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On August 16, 2004, a payment was made to the holders of the notes issued by the Principal Life Income Fundings Trust 2004-18 (the “Trust”). Specific information with respect to the payment is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. No other reportable transactions or matters have occurred during the current reporting period.

The Trust’s assets consist of a Funding Agreement issued by Principal Life Insurance Company (“Principal Life”) and a Guarantee issued by Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“PFG”) which fully and unconditionally guarantees the payment obligations of Principal Life under the Funding Agreement. PFG is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, and in accordance with those requirements files periodic and current reports and other information (including financial information) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You can read and copy any reports or other information PFG files at the SEC public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also request copies of PFG’s documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing the SEC’s public reference room. You can obtain information regarding the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. PFG’s filings are available to the public from commercial document retrieval services or over the internet at http://www/sec/gov.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.


Exhibit 99.1		Indenture Trustee’s report in respect of the August 16, 2004 payment to holders of the notes issued by the Principal Life Income Fundings Trust 2004-18

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Registrant)
Date: August 30, 2004
	By:	/s/ Karen A. Pearston
		Name:	Karen A. Pearston
		Title:	Second Vice President and Counsel

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number		Description
Exhibit 99.1		Indenture Trustee’s report in respect of the August 16, 2004 payment to holders of the notes issued by the Principal Life Income Fundings Trust 2004-18.

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Principal Life Income Fundings Trust 2004-18 8-K