Principal Financial Group Inc. announced today that it will eliminate 220 positions, 140 of which are in Des Moines, as part of an ongoing review of its business, said spokeswoman Susan Houser. Most of the layoffs are effective June 17.

“Retirement plan customers and advisors are asking for different levels of service,” she said in an e-mailed release. “Well-run companies like The Principal must make difficult decisions in order to adapt to changing customer needs and to position the company for continued strength and growth.”

Principal said that as market conditions improve, it hopes to be in contact with the laid-off employees.

The insurer has had several rounds of layoffs recently. In April, it announced 75 job cuts in its Principal Global Investors division. It cut 550 positions in December, 300 of which were in Des Moines.