UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-K 1. ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 Commission File Number 2-39957 and (current number) Commission File Number 33-58028 PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C (Exact Name of Registrant, as specified in its charter) Iowa 42-0127290 - ------------------------------- --------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of IRS Employer Identification No. incorporation or organization) (Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company) The Principal Financial Group Des Moines, Iowa 50392-0200 - ------------------------------- --------------------------------- (Address) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (515) 248-3842 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Variable Contracts - Participating with Pooled Separate Account Variable Benefits - HR-10 Plans --------------------------------------------------------------- (Title of Class) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ___X___ No _______ Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X] The Registrant has no voting stock. PART I Item 1. Business The Registrant is a separate account established under the Iowa insurance laws and regulations as Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C on April 12, 1971, pursuant to a resolution of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, formerly known as Bankers Life Company, adopted its new name effective July 1, 1986. The account was formed to receive payments under Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Contracts designed for use in connection with pension or profit sharing plans which qualify under the Self-Employed Individuals Tax Retirement Act of 1962, as amended ("HR-10"). Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company is a mutual life insurance company, incorporated under the laws of Iowa, offering life, disability, health and annuity contracts written on an individual and group basis. Pursuant to the Amendments enacted in 1970 to the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Account is not an investment company for purposes of the Act. The objective of these Contracts is to provide for the accumulation of retirement funds and to provide for payments, usually commencing at retirement, which tend to reflect changes in the cost of living both during the years prior to and the years following the commencement of annuity payments. With Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts (Registration No. 2-39957), Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, as a depositor for the Account, seeks to accomplish this objective by investing the payments made under the Contracts in shares of Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc. which invests principally in common stocks. Similarly, with Pension Builder Contracts (Registration No. 33-58028), it seeks to accomplish this objective by investing payments made under the Contract in three Divisions. One is a "Common Stock Division" where payments are invested in shares of Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc. Another is a "Money Market Division" where payments are invested in Principal Money Market Fund, Inc. which invests in short-term money market instruments. The third Division is a "Government Securities Division" where payments are invested in Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc., which invests in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies. There may be a combination of investments in the three Divisions, as directed by Participants. Except for those Contracts described above with payments credited to the Registrant (Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C) and Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Contracts with payments credited to Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account B and Variable Life Separate Account, respectively, the Company distributes its own products as permitted under the laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Company is authorized to do business, namely the fifty 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. Such distribution is through a field agency system of approximately 1,327 full-time agents, a group insurance sales organization of approximately 254 individuals and through a large number of independent insurance brokers. The Contracts described above with payments credited to the Registrant and other Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Contracts are distributed through Princor Financial Services Corporation, an affiliated broker-dealer offering open-end management investment company shares, variable annuities, variable life insurance, interests in limited partnerships and general securities to the public. Such Contracts are sold primarily by registered representatives of the broker-dealer who are also insurance agents of or brokers for Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and authorized by applicable law to sell life and other forms of personal insurance and who are similarly authorized to sell variable annuities. Such Contracts may also be sold through other selected broker-dealers. The Registration Statement filed by the Registrant was made effective September 13, 1971, and the first sale of Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts occurred on October 8, 1971. Effective January 4, 1989, sales of Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts were discontinued. In 1982 the Registrant filed a Registration Statement in File No. 2-78747, to register a new class of securities (called "Pension Builder") for the same HR-10 plan market utilizing the contingent deferred sales charge concept. The registration for Pension Builder contracts first became effective on May 5, 1983 and the first sale under the Pension Builder Contract was made on September 19, 1983. In 1989 the Registrant filed a new Registration Statement in File No. 33-27256 for the contracts in view of the fact that aggregate sales under the prior registration statement approached the amount of contracts registered thereunder. The contracts offered by the new registration statement are identical to contracts previously registered under the 1933 Act in File No. 2-78747. In 1993 the Registrant filed a new Registration Statement in File No. 33-58028 for the contracts in view of the fact that aggregate sales under the prior registration statement approached the amount of contracts registered thereunder. The contracts offered by the new registration statement are identical to contracts previously registered under the 1933 Act in File No. 33-27256. Item 2. Properties The Registrant owns no physical properties. The principal properties of the Depositor, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, are its home office complex at The Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa. Item 3. Legal Proceedings None. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Inapplicable. PART II Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters a. The Registrant does not issue common stock. The Contracts described in Item 1. are distributed through Princor Financial Services Corporation, an affiliated broker-dealer offering open-end management investment company shares, variable annuities, variable life insurance, interests in limited partnerships and general securities to the public. Such Contracts are sold primarily by registered representatives of the broker-dealer who are also insurance agents of or brokers for Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and authorized by applicable law to sell life and other forms of personal insurance and who are similarly authorized to sell variable annuities. Such Contracts may also be sold through other selected broker-dealers. For Bankers Flexible Annuity Contracts (Registration No. 2-39957) the high and low unit values for each quarterly period during 1996 and 1997 are: Lowest Unit Value Highest Unit Value First Quarter 1996 16.1566920 17.7276157 Second " 1996 17.2376898 18.4981914 Third " 1996 17.1298163 19.0972231 Fourth " 1996 19.0834302 20.9438753 First " 1997 20.4528637 21.9936217 Second " 1997 20.3003374 23.8234633 Third " 1997 23.6068661 25.2849532 Fourth " 1997 23.6518502 26.5671402 For Pension Builder Contracts (Registration No. 33-58028) units were first valued at $1.00 on September 19, 1983 for the Common Stock Division, September 22, 1983 for the Money Market Division and March 30, 1987 for the Government Securities Division. Listed below are the low and high unit values for each quarterly period during 1996 and 1997. Common Stock Money Market GovernmentSecurities Division Division Division ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- Quarter Lowest Highest Lowest Highest Lowest Highest ------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- First Quarter 1996 3.2910145 3.6038869 1.7643456 1.7794169 1.7885686 1.8659123 Second " 1996 3.5027271 3.7531349 1.7795808 1.7944082 1.7579298 1.8082621 Third " 1996 3.4715323 3.8626355 1.7945771 1.8100784 1.7664483 1.8331690 Fourth " 1996 3.8592017 4.2249921 1.8102495 1.8260476 1.8293409 1.9038096 First " 1997 4.1255939 4.4281422 1.8262238 1.8416400 1.8452822 1.9047543 Second " 1997 4.0833413 4.7827225 1.8418203 1.8584075 1.8424106 1.9329582 Third " 1997 4.7380533 5.0609139 1.8585945 1.8745921 1.9286336 1.9921011 Fourth " 1997 4.7149497 5.2522151 1.8747794 1.8911113 1.9864637 2.0387303 b. The approximate number of holders of record of each group contract and the number of the participants therein as of December 31, 1997, are as follows: (1) (2) Number of Group Number of Contract Holders Participants ---------------- ------------ Bankers Flexible Annuity 18 18 Pension Builder 41 48 c. No dividends have been declared on units held by participants. Any changes in net investment income, net realized gains and net realized appreciation are included in the daily valuation of the units of the Registrant. Item 6. Selected Financial Data The information contained in the "Statement of Net Assets, Statement of Operations and Statements of Changes in Net Assets for Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C", filed as Item 8. should be read in conjunction with this item. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation All payments made to the Registrant on behalf of a Participant under a contract (less any authorized deductions) are used to purchase shares of Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc., Principal Money Market Fund, Inc., or Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc., as appropriate, at net asset value. In addition, any distributions made by the Fund with respect to shares held by the Registrant are reinvested by the Fund at net asset value. Values under the contract increase or decrease to reflect the investment performance of the underlying investments. Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc. is an open-end diversified management investment company, sponsored by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. The principal objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation and growth of future investment income. It is intended that the assets of the Fund will consist primarily of a portfolio of common stocks. The value of the investments held by the Fund fluctuates daily. It is subject to the risks of changing economic conditions as well as the risks inherent in the ability of the management of the Fund to anticipate changes in such investments necessary to meet changes in economic conditions. Principal Money Market Fund, Inc. is an open-end diversified management investment company, sponsored by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. The principal objective of the Fund is to seek as high a level of income available from short-term securities as is considered consistent with preservation of principal and maintenance of liquidity by investing all of its assets in a portfolio of money market instruments. Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc. is an open-end diversified management investment company, sponsored by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. The principal objective of the Fund is to seek a high level of current income, liquidity and safety of principal through the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies, with emphasis on Government National Mortgage Association Certificates ("GNMA Certificates"). Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Financial Statements Year ended December 31, 1997 Contents Report of Independent Auditors................................................1 Audited Financial Statements Statement of Net Assets.......................................................2 Statement of Operations.......................................................3 Statements of Changes in Net Assets...........................................4 Notes to Financial Statements.................................................5 Ernst & Young LLP Suite 3400 Phone: 515 243 2727 801 Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2765 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 C (comprising, respectively, the Capital Accumulation [formerly Common Stock], Government Securities, and Money Market 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 C 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 Ernst & Young LLP is a member of Ernst & Young Internationl, Ltd. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Statement of Net Assets December 31, 1997 Assets Investments: Capital Accumulation Division: Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc. - 79,070 shares at net asset value of $34.61 per share (cost - $1,939,051) $2,736,606 Government Securities Division: Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc. - 37,487 shares at net asset value of $10.72 per share (cost - $385,839) 401,865 Money Market Division: Principal Money Market Fund, Inc. - 278,051 shares at net asset value (cost) of $1.00 per share 278,051 ========== Net assets $3,416,522 ========== Unit Units Value ------------------------- Net assets are represented by: Capital Accumulation Division: Currently payable annuity contracts: Bankers Flexible Annuity 10,008 $26.57 $ 265,913 Pension Builder Plus 3,818 5.25 20,044 Contracts in accumulation period: Bankers Flexible Annuity 55,100 26.57 1,463,872 Pension Builder Plus 187,845 5.25 986,777 ---------- 2,736,606 Government Securities Division: Contracts in accumulation period - Pension Builder Plus 197,135 2.04 401,865 Money Market Division: Contracts in accumulation period - Pension Builder Plus 147,215 1.89 278,051 ---------- Net assets $3,416,522 ========== See accompanying notes. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Statement of Operations Year ended December 31, 1997 Capital Government Money Accumulation Securities Market Combined Division Division Division --------------------------------------------------------------- Investment income Income: Dividends $ 86,581 $ 49,517 $23,370 $13,694 Capital gains distributions 214,545 214,545 - - --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 301,126 264,062 23,370 13,694 Expenses: Mortality and expense risks 31,807 21,983 5,799 4,025 Administration charges 4,549 2,929 782 838 --------------------------------------------------------------- 36,356 24,912 6,581 4,863 --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Net investment income 264,770 239,150 16,789 8,831 Realized and unrealized gains on investments Net realized gains on investments 127,878 126,977 901 - Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments 272,101 258,222 13,879 - --------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================== Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $664,749 $624,349 $31,569 $ 8,831 =============================================================== See accompanying notes. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Statements of Changes in Net Assets Years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 Capital Government Money Accumulation Securities Market Combined Division Division Division --------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets at January 1, 1996 $5,903,158 $4,074,988 $834,687 $993,483 Increase (decrease) in net assets Operations: Net investment income 359,715 337,159 9,595 12,961 Net realized gains on investments 375,271 370,021 5,250 - Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments (128,013) (104,624) (23,389) - --------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 606,973 602,556 (8,544) 12,961 Changes from principal transactions: Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and applicable premium taxes - - - - Contract terminations (1,445,557) (1,320,708) (135,139) (177,730) Transfer payments to other contracts (1,757,595) (717,332) (299,188) (553,055) Annuity payments (23,805) (23,805) - - --------------------------------------------------------------- Decrease in net assets from principal (3,226,957) (2,061,845) (434,327) (730,785) transactions --------------------------------------------------------------- Total decrease (2,619,984) (1,459,289) (442,871) (717,824) --------------------------------------------------------------- Net assets at December 31, 1996 3,283,174 2,615,699 391,816 275,659 Increase (decrease) in net assets Operations: Net investment income 264,770 239,150 16,789 8,831 Net realized gains on investments 127,878 126,977 901 - Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments 272,101 258,222 13,879 - --------------------------------------------------------------- Net increase in net assets resulting from 664,749 624,349 31,569 8,831 operations Changes from principal transactions: Purchase payments, less sales charges, per payment fees and applicable premium taxes 7,701 7,701 - - Contract terminations (227,772) (223,037) (2,404) (2,331) Transfer payments to other contracts (285,041) (261,817) (19,116) (4,108) Annuity payments (26,289) (26,289) - - --------------------------------------------------------------- Decrease in net assets from principal (531,401) (503,442) (21,520) (6,439) transactions --------------------------------------------------------------- Total increase 133,348 120,907 10,049 2,392 =============================================================== Net assets at December 31, 1997 $3,416,522 $2,736,606 $401,865 $278,051 =============================================================== See accompanying notes. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 1997 1. Investment and Accounting Policies Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C (Separate Account C) was organized by Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company (Principal Mutual) in accordance with the provisions of the Iowa Insurance Laws and is a part of the total operations of Principal Mutual. The assets and liabilities of Separate Account C are clearly identified and distinguished from the other assets and liabilities of Principal Mutual, with the remaining aggregate value of units registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the current registration statement (but not the authorized number of units) limited to $10.6 million. As directed by eligible contractholders, Separate Account C invests solely in shares of Principal Capital Accumulation Fund, Inc., Principal Government Securities Fund, Inc. and Principal Money Market 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. Contributions to Separate Account C are no longer accepted. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of Separate Account C'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. Reclassifications Certain amounts appearing in the 1996 Statement of Changes in Net Assets have been reclassified to conform with the 1997 presentation. 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 $7,719 and $125, respectively, during the year 1997. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Notes to Financial Statements (continued) 2. Expenses (continued) Pension Builder Plus Contracts - Mortality and expense risks assumed by Principal Mutual are compensated for by a charge equivalent to an annual rate of 1.4965% 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 and annual administration amounted to $24,088 and $4,424, respectively, during the year 1997. There were no contingent sales charges during 1997. 3. Federal Income Taxes The operations of Separate Account C 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 C. 4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities The aggregate units and cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments were as follows: For the year ended December 31, 1997 ------------------------------------ Units Amount Units Amount Purchased Purchased Redeemed Redeemed ------------------------------------- Capital Accumulation Division: Bankers Flexible Annuity 318 $173,073 10,411 $233,193 Pension Builder Plus - 98,690 66,102 302,862 ------------------------------------- 318 271,763 76,513 536,055 Government Securities Division: Pension Builder Plus - 23,370 11,882 28,101 Money Market Division: Pension Builder Plus - 13,694 3,744 11,302 ------------------------------------- 318 $308,827 92,139 $575,458 ===================================== Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Notes to Financial Statements (continued) 4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities (continued) For the year ended December 31, 1996 --------------------------------------- Units Amount Units Amount Purchased Purchased Redeemed Redeemed --------------------------------------- Capital Accumulation Division: Bankers Flexible Annuity - $207,624 25,504 $ 469,156 Pension Builder Plus - 175,450 443,203 1,638,604 --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- - 383,074 468,707 2,107,760 Government Securities Division: Pension Builder Plus - 22,335 244,388 447,067 Money Market Division: Pension Builder Plus - 21,212 412,690 739,036 --------------------------------------- - $426,621 1,125,785 $3,293,863 ======================================= Purchases include reinvested dividends and capital gains. Mortality adjustments are included in purchases or 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: Net Unrealized Accumulated Appreciation Unit Net Investment of Investments Combined Transactions Income ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Capital Accumulation Division: Bankers Flexible Annuity $1,729,785 $ 210,868 $ 943,998 $574,919 Pension Builder Plus 1,006,821 619,706 164,479 222,636 ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,736,606 830,574 1,108,477 797,555 Government Securities Division: Pension Builder Plus 401,865 332,171 53,668 16,026 Money Market Division: Pension Builder Plus 278,051 253,781 24,270 - ------------------------------------------------------------------- =================================================================== $3,416,522 $1,416,526 $1,186,415 $813,581 =================================================================== Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C Notes to Financial Statements (continued) 6. Year 2000 Issues (Unaudited) Like other investment funds, financial and business organizations and individuals around the world, Separate Account C 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's 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. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Inapplicable. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant Inapplicable, the Registrant does not have any directors or executive officers. Item 11. Executive Compensation Inapplicable, the Registrant does not have any directors or executive officers. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management No person owns beneficially or of record the assets held by the Depositor, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, in the Separate Account. As contractholders of the variable contracts each contractholder has one vote in the election of the Board of Directors at annual meetings and upon other Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company matters, if any, where a policyholder's vote is taken. The contractholders have the same voting privilege as do all other policyholders of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. An individual participant (certificateholder) does not have a vote. There are no policyholders that are entitled to cast more than 5% of the votes to be cast. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Inapplicable. PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Documents filed as part of this report: 1. The following financial statements are submitted herewith: Statement of Net Assets -- December 31, 1997 Statement of Operations -- Year ended December 31, 1997 Statements of Changes in Net Assets -- Years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996. Notes to Financial Statements 2. Schedules - All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted. 3. Exhibits: (20) Subsidiaries of the Registrant Subsidiaries of the Registrant The Registrant is a separate account of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company. It has no subsidiary. Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company, as the Depositor of the Account, owns or controls, as of December 31, 1997, subsidiaries as follows: I. Principal Holding Company A. Organized in Iowa. B. Depositor owns 100% of outstanding stock. C. Subsidiaries of Principal Holding Company as of December 31, 1997, are as follows: 1. Patrician Associates, Inc. (a real estate development company) a. Organized in California. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 2. Petula Associates, Ltd. (a real estate development company) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. c. Sudsidiary of Petula Associates, Ltd. as of December 31, 1997 is as follows: (1) Magnus Properties, Inc. (owns real estate) (a) Organized in Iowa. (b) Petula Associates, Ltd. owns 100% of outstanding stock. 3. Principal Development Associates, Inc. (a real estate development company) a. Organized in California. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 4. Principal Spectrum Associates, Inc. (a real estate development company) a. Organized in California. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 5. Principal Commercial Advisors, Inc. (purchasing, managing and selling commercial real estate assets) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 6. Principal FC, Ltd. (limited purpose investment corporation) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 7. Equity FC, Ltd. (a general business corporation that engages in investment transactions including limited partnership and limited liability companies) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 8. Invista Capital Management, Inc. (a registered investment advisor) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 9. Principal Residential Mortgage, Inc. (a residential mortgage loan broker) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 10. Principal Asset Markets, Inc. (a residential mortgage loan broker) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 11. Principal Portfolio Services, Inc. (a mortgage diligence company) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. (12) The Admar Group, Inc. (a national managed care service organization that developes and manages preferred provider organizations (PPO's)) a. Organized in Florida. b. Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. c. Subsidiaries of The Admar Group, Inc. as of December 31, 1997 are as follows: (1) Admar Corporation (a managed care services organization) (a) Organized in California. (b) The Admar Group, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (2) Admar Insurance Marketing, Inc. (a managed care services organization) (a) Organized in California. (b) The Admar Group, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (3) Benefit Plan Administrators, Inc. (a managed care services organization) (a) Organized in Colorado. (b) The Admar Group, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (4) SelectCare Management Co., Inc. (a managed care services organization) (a) Organized in California. (b) The Admar Group, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (5) Image Financial & Insurance Services, Inc. (a managed care services organization) (a) Organized in California. (b) The Admar Group, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (6) WM. G. Hofgard & Co., Inc. (a managed care services organization) (a) Organized in California. (b) The Admar Group, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. 13. The Principal Financial Group, Inc. (general business corporation established in connection with corporate identity - not currently active) a. Organized in Delaware. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 14. Principal Marketing Services, Inc. (a corporation formed to serve as an interface between marketers and manufacturers of financial services products) a. Organized in Delaware. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 15. Principal Health Care, Inc. (a developer and administrator of managed care systems) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. c. Subsidiaries of Principal Health Care, Inc. as of December 31, 1997 are as follows: (1) Principal Health Care Management Corporation (provide management services to health maintenance organizations) (a) Organized in Iowa. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (2) Principal Health Care of the Carolinas, Inc. (a health maintenance organization operating in North Carolina and South Carolina) (a) Organized in North Carolina. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (3) Principal Health Care of Delaware, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Delaware. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (4) Principal Health Care of Florida, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Florida. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (5) Principal Health Care of Georgia, Inc.(a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Georgia. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (6) Principal Health Care of Illinois, Inc. (A health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Illinois. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (7) Principal Health Care of Indiana, Inc.(a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Delaware. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (8) Principal Health Care of Iowa, Inc.(a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Iowa. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (9) Principal Health Care of Kansas City, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Missouri. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (10) Principal Health Care of Louisiana, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Louisiana. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (11) Principal Health Care of Nebraska, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Nebraska. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (12) Principal Health Care of Pennsylvania, Inc. (a health maintenance organization operating in Pennsylvania - not currently active) (a) Organized in Pennsylvania. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (13) Principal Health Care of St. Louis, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Delaware. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (14) Principal Health Care of South Carolina, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in South Carolina. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (15) Principal Health Care of Tennessee, Inc. (a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Tennessee. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (16) Principal Health Care of Texas, Inc.(a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Texas. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. (17) United Healthcare Services of Iowa, Inc.(a health maintenance organization) (a) Organized in Iowa. (b) Principal Health Care, Inc. owns 100% of outstanding stock. 16. Principal Financial Advisors, Inc. (a registered investment advisor) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 17. Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust Company (nondepository trust company) a. Organized in Delaware. b. Principal Holding Company currently owns 100% of outstanding stock. c. Subsidiary of Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust Company as of December 31, 1997 is as follows: (1) Trust Consultants, Inc. (consulting and administration of employee benefit plans) (a) Organized in California. (b) Delaware Charger Guarantee & Trust Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. 18. Princor Financial Services Corporation (a registered broker-dealer) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. c. Subsidiaries of Princor Financial Services Corporation as of December 31, 1997 are as follows: (1) Principal Management Corporation (a registered investment adviser) (a) Organized in Iowa. (b) Princor Financial Services Corporation owns 100% of outstanding stock. (2) Principal Investors Corporation (broker-dealer of securities and registered investments - not currently active) (a) Organized in New Jersey. (b) Princor Financial Services Corporation owns 100% of outstanding stock. 19. Principal International, Inc. (a company formed for the purpose of international business development) a. Organized in Iowa. b. Principal Holding Company owns 100% of outstanding stock. c. Subsidiaries of Principal International, Inc. as of December 31, 1997 are as follows: (1) Principal International Espana, S.A. de Seguros de Vida (a Spain corporation) a life insurance company (individual group), annuities and pension. (a) Organized in Spain. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 99.9% of outstanding stock and Principal Holding Company owns .1% of outstanding stock. (c) Subsidiary of Principal Internationl Espana, S.A. de Seguros de Vida as of December 31, 1997 is as follows: (1) Princor International Espana Sociedad Anonima de Agencia de Seguros (a Spain corporation) an insurance agency - inactive (a) Organized in Spain. (b) Principal International Espana, S.A. de Seguros de Vida owns 99.9% of outstanding stock and Principal International, Inc. owns .1% of outstanding stock. (2) Zao Principal International (a Russia corporation) inactive (a) Organized in Russia. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 99% of outstanding stock and Principal Holding Company owns 1% of outstanding stock. (3) Principal International Argentina, S.A. (an Argentina services corporation) (a) Organized in Argentina. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 97.03% of outstanding stock and Enrique S. Braun owns 2.97% of outstanding stock (c) Subsidiaries of International Argentina, S.A. as of December 31, 1997 are as follows: (1) Ethika Administradora de Fondos de Jubilaciones y Pensiones S.A. (an Argentina pension company). (a) Organized in Argentina. (b) Principal International Argentina, S.A. owns 68.12% of outstanding stock. (2) Princor Compania de Seguros de Retiro, S.A. (an Argentina annuity/employee benefit company) inactive (a) Organized in Argentina. (b) Principal International Argentina, S.A. owns 99% of outstanding stock and Principal International, Inc. owns 1% of outstanding stock. (3) Principal Life Compania de Seguros, S.A. (an Argentina life insurance company) (a) Organized in Argentina. (b) Principal International Argentina, S.A. owns 99.9963% of outstanding stock and Principal International, Inc. owns .0037% of outstanding stock. (4) Principal International Asia Limited (a Hong Kong corporation) operating as a regional headquarters for Asia (a) Organized in Hong Kong. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 50% of outstanding stock and Principal Holding Company owns 50% of outstanding stock. (5) Principal Asset Management (Hong Kong) a corporation which manages pension funds. (a) Organized in Hong Kong. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 50% of outstanding stock and Principal Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited owns 50% of outstanding stock. (6) Principal Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited (for group life and group pension products) (a) Organized in Hong Kong. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 99% of outstanding stock and Principal International Asia Limited owns 1% of outstanding stock. (7) Principal Trust Company (Asia) Limited (Hong Kong) an Asia trust company. (a) Organized in Hong Kong. (b) Principal Holding Company owns 20% of outstanding stock, Principal Residential Mortgage, Inc. owns 20% of outstanding stock, Principal International Asia Limited owns 20% of outstanding stock and Principal Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited owns 20% outstanding stock. (8) Principal International de Chile, S.A. (a Chile corporation) a holding company (a) Organized in Chile. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 99% outstanding stock and Principal Holding Company owns 1% of outstanding stock. (c) Subsidiary of Principal International de Chile, S.A. as of December 31, 1997 is as follows: (1) BanRenta Compania de Seguros de Vida, S.A. (a Chile corporation) for group life and supplemental health, individual annuities (a) Organized in Chile. (b) Principal International de Chile, S.A. owns 87.5% of outstanding stock BanMedica, S.A. 12.5%. (9) Principal Mexico Compania de Seguros, S.A. de C.V. (a Mexico corporation) a life insurance company (individual group), personal accidents. (a) Organized in Mexico. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 99% of outstanding stock and Principal Holding Company owns 1% of outstanding stock. (10) Afore Confia-Principal, S.A. de C.V. (a Mexico Corporation) pension. (a) Organized in Mexico. (b) Principal International, Inc. owns 49% of outstanding stock and Confia owns 51% of outstanding stock. (c) Subsidiary of Afore Confia-Principal as of December 31, 1997 is as follows: (1) Siefore Confia-Principal, S.A. de C.V. (a Mexico Corporation) an investment fund company. (a) Organized in Mexico. (b) Confia-Principal owns 99% of outstanding stock and Principal International, Inc. owns 1% outstanding stock. II. PT Asuransi Jiwa Principal Egalita Indonesia (an Indonesia corporation) A. Organized in Indonsesia. B. Depositor owns 75% of the outstanding stock. C. Subsidiary of PT Asuransi Jiwa Principal Egalita Indonesia as of December 31, 1997 is as follows: 1. Dana Pensiun Lembaga Keuangan Principal Egalita Indonesia (an Indonesia company) (a) Organized in Indonesia. (b) Dana Pensiun Lembaga Keuangan Principal Egalita Indonesia owns 100% of outstanding stock. The Depositor's investment in its subsidiaries, which in turn includes the subsidiary's investment in its subsidiaries, is included in the financial statements of the Depositor. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf of Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company Separate Account C by the undersigned thereto duly authorized PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT C By PRINCIPAL MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY /s/ D. J. DRURY By --------------------------------------------------- D. J. Drury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer March 13, 1998 Date --------------------------------------------------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities with Principal Mutual Life Insurance Company and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ D. J. DRURY Chairman and March 13, 1998 - --------------------- Chief Executive Officer D. J. Drury /s/ D. C. CUNNINGHAM Vice President and March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- Controller (Principal D. C. Cunningham Accounting Officer) /s/ M. H. GERSIE Senior Vice March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- President (Principal M. H. Gersie Financial Officer) (M. V. Andringa)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- M. V. Andringa (R. M. Davis)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- R. M. Davis (C. D. Gelatt)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- C. D. Gelatt (G. D. Hurd)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- G. D. Hurd (T. M. Hutchison)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- T. M. Hutchison (C. S. Johnson)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- C. S. Johnson (W. T. Kerr)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- W. T. Kerr (L. Liu)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- L. Liu (V. H. Loewenstein)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- V. H. Loewenstein (R. D. Pearson)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- R. D. Pearson (J. R. Price, Jr.)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- J. R. Price, Jr. (D. M. Stewart)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- D. M. Stewart (E. E. Tallett)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- E. E. Tallett (D. D. Thornton)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- D. D. Thornton (F. W. Weitz)* Director March 13, 1998 - ---------------------- F. W. Weitz /s/ DAVID J. DRURY *By ------------------------------------- David J. Drury Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Powers of Attorney Previously Filed or Included Herein