Americans working with a financial advisor are twice as happy and confident in their retirement income plans than those without, according to findings from the 2013 Franklin Templeton Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE) survey. Among survey respondents who are currently working with a financial advisor, 90 percent are happy with and 87 percent are confident in their retirement income plan, compared to only 44 percent and 44 percent, respectively, of those without a financial advisor. The survey also uncovered a correlation between working with a financial advisor and understanding one’s retirement income plan. Those who work with an advisor are much more likely to understand their retirement income plan (86 percent) compared to those who do not work with an advisor (48 percent).
"The findings confirm that the most essential emotions surrounding retirement income planning – happiness with, confidence in, as well understanding one’s plan – are all increased substantially when you work with a financial advisor," said Michael Doshier, vice president of Retirement Marketing for Franklin Templeton Investments. "Retirement income planning can be overwhelming, and professional assistance goes a long way in not only achieving financial goals, but feeling good about the process."
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According to the findings, retirement experience is a key consideration when choosing a financial advisor. Over half of respondents (58 percent) cited experience with retirement planning as the most important factor when selecting an advisor.
Retirement income planning, in particular, is a key motivator for investors when it comes to making decisions on financial advisor relationships. Over half (51 percent) of respondents indicated that they would switch financial advisors or begin working with one for the first time if an advisor developed a written retirement income strategy for them. This was particularly true among survey respondents in key asset accumulation years, specifically, 65 percent of those ages 35 to 44 and 62 percent of those ages 25 to 34.
When asked what they want most from a financial advisor, survey respondents indicated the desire to develop a retirement income plan to meet their expected expenses (33 percent), to have an understanding of their goals, concerns and fears about retirement (23 percent) and to select investments to match their retirement income plan and risk tolerance (19 percent).
Many survey respondents are actively considering changes to their long-term financial plans. Over the next five years, almost a third (31 percent) anticipate changing their retirement strategy, while 22 percent plan to make changes in their retirement investments, and 13 percent anticipate beginning to work with a financial advisor for the first time.
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By GlobalData
