Advisers Viewed as Highly Effective

The majority of Americans believe they have a better chance to retire comfortably if they are working with a financial professional, according to Allianz Life’s LoveFamilyMoney Study of 4,500 Americans from varying family types, including traditional families and modern families comprised of same-sex, multi-generational and single parent households.

More than nine out of 10 (92%) respondents say their financial planner is helping them reach their financial goals, and 86% say working with a financial professional is relieving the pressure of trying to plan for their family’s future by themselves.

In addition, nearly eight out of 10 (79%) respondents who have never worked with a financial professional say they are helpful in achieving financial goals, and 70% say they relieve the pressure of planning for the future.

Seventy-four percent of those who have worked with a financial professional say their services are worth the expense, and 43% of those who have never worked with a financial professional believe this as well.

“It’s clear from our study that financial professionals play a significant role in helping Americans with the difficult task of planning for retirement,” says Katie Libbe vice president of consumer insights at Allianz. “Consumers need access to professional assistance, both for motivation and to help break down barriers to understanding how they can achieve their long-term goals.”

Half of the respondents who have worked with a financial professional say this has motivated them to take steps to achieve a comfortable retirement. Working with a professional also motivated Americans to put money into savings (cited by 77%), invest money (68%) and set long-term financial goals (56%). Only 3% of those who have worked with a financial professional say they don’t know how they will fund their retirement, while 60% say they know what steps they need to take to ensure they will experience a comfortable retirement.

By comparison, 78% of those who have never worked with a financial professional are worried about running out of money in retirement, and 56% think they couldn’t possibly save enough money for a comfortable retirement.

“Nearly one in five Americans who have never worked with a financial professionals don’t expect to retire, versus only 11% of those that have benefited from professional guidance,” Libbe says. “Education provided by financial professionals about retirement planning can make a significant impact and give people more confidence that they can actually achieve retirement and do so on their own terms.”

Allianz’s survey, conducted by The Futures Company, was among 4,500 Americans between the ages of 35 and 65 with household incomes of at least $50,000.