What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sales Internship - Retirement & Income Solutions (Summer 2027) position at Principal Financial Group?
Come join Principal’s Retirement & Income Solutions, Sales Internship Program (Summer 2027)! As a sales intern, you’ll be teaming up with our Retirement sales team members to provide sales support, account management assistance, and intermediary support. During this paid internship, you will work full time, while enhancing and applying your sales skills and developing professionally.
This role is given the opportunity to assist our regional sales offices, while learning how we distribute and support our retirement plan business. In this role, you'll get a first-hand look at what it takes to be successful in a sales-driven career in the future.
The locations we are looking to fill in are:- Des Moines, IA
- Denver, CO
- Philadelphia, PA
- Washington D.C.
Operating at the intersection of financial services and technology, Principal builds financial tools that help our customers live better lives. We take pride in being a purpose-led firm, motivated by our mission to make financial security accessible to all. Our mission, integrity, and customer focus have made us a trusted leader for more than 140 years!
Who You Are
- Currently pursuing or completed undergraduate or graduate level degree.
- Involvement in extracurricular activities and/or involvement within the community
- Interest in a career in sales
- Preference will be given to students who have experience with sales either through a previous internship, involvement, or work experience.
- Ability to build positive relationships with internal and external partners.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Travel will be required
Salary Range Information
Salary ranges below reflect targeted base salaries. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation for all roles will be based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.
Salary Range (Non-Exempt expressed as hourly; Exempt expressed as yearly)
$24 - $24 / hour
Time Off Program
Paid company holidays and any time off required in your state.
Pension Eligible
No Our Internship Culture
Join an established program that provides hands-on experiences for 200 interns each year! You'll learn new skills with dedicated teams and mentors, build your professional network and collaborate across a global Fortune 500 company. We care about offering you diverse experiences and exciting challenges that push you to reach for bigger life goals, all while enjoying our flexibility and work life balance. Join us for events such as our Executive Speaker Series, gain career direction, and much more! https://www.principal.com/about-us/careers/internships
Through your experience, here's what you can expect:
- Work alongside experienced professionals
- Gain career direction to help you achieve your professional and personal goals.
- Contribute to work that helps more people and businesses around the world save enough, have enough and protect enough.
- Explore new perspectives in an inclusive, welcoming culture.
You will receive a lump sum stipend of $4,000. This amount is intended to support incidental expenses you may incur as part of your internship. The Company will provide a tax gross-up on this stipend as a financial benefit, but is not intended to compensate for all tax liabilities.
Location(s)This internship is unique in that you will spend the first 5-weeks at our headquarters in Des Moines, IA and the last 5-weeks at one of the respective sales office locations listed above.
Work Authorization/SponsorshipAt this time, we're not considering applicants that need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please use the following links.
Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based ImmigrantsInvestment Code of EthicsFor Principal Asset Management positions, you’ll need to follow an Investment Code of Ethics related to personal and business conduct as well as personal trading activities for you and members of your household. These same requirements may also apply to other positions across the organization.
Experience PrincipalAt Principal, we value connecting on both a personal and professional level. Together, we’re imagining a more purpose-led future for financial services – and that starts with you. Our success depends on the unique experiences, backgrounds, and talents of our interns.
Principal is an Equal Opportunity EmployerAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Posting Window
We will accept applications for 3 full days following the Original Posting Date, after which the posting may remain open or be removed based upon applications received. If we choose to post the job again, we will accept additional applications for at least 1 full day following the Most Recently Posted Date. Please submit applications in a timely manner as there is no guarantee the posting will be available beyond the applicable deadline.
Original Posting Date
9/1/2026
Most Recently Posted Date
9/1/2026
Principal uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in reviewing and evaluating job applications, fraud prevention, and candidate matching and comparisons. These AI tools support our human recruiters in the initial review process but do not make final hiring decisions without human involvement. By submitting your application, you acknowledge this use of AI in our recruitment process. Please review our Workforce (U.S.) Privacy Notice for more details on our practices and your data privacy rights.
Qualifications:- Currently pursuing or completed undergraduate or graduate level degree.
- Involvement in extracurricular activities and/or involvement within the community
- Interest in a career in sales
- Preference will be given to students who have experience with sales either through a previous internship, involvement, or work experience.
- Ability to build positive relationships with internal and external partners.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Travel will be required
Salary : $24