DIY Retirement Plan Investors Not Acting Optimally

The second annual “Guardian Workplace Benefits Study” reveals four in 10 employees identify themselves as DIYers (do-it-yourselfers) when it comes to making financial decisions; men are more likely than women to identify themselves as a DIYer. DIYers were found to underperform overall on key financial objectives compared with the one-quarter of employees queried for the study who identify themselves as DIFMs (do-it-for-me). For example, when asked how well they are doing with having financial security if a wage earner can no longer work due to a disability or serious illness, 64% of DIFMs answered positively compared to 51% of DIYers.

The study finds 34% of employees that identify themselves as DIYers use a DIY approach when making decisions about retirement planning and saving. The problem escalates for DIYer Millennials who continue to struggle with prioritizing the right kind of financial objectives and lack a clear understanding of their workplace benefits. Only one-quarter of Millennials actually use most of the benefits learning opportunities available through their employer. Instead, they rely too heavily on non-expert sources such as friends, family, the Web and social media for benefits education, which may lead to inaccuracies and misinformation.

According to the study, 52% of DIYers attribute all or most of their financial preparedness to the benefits and retirement plans available through their employers, yet because DIYers are resistant to being helped, employers and providers alike need to rethink their approach to reach this segment.

“DIYers forgo professional help managing their finances and may think they’re in charge, but the fact is they’re falling behind their peers when it comes to living up to their financial responsibilities,” says Phyllis Falotico, assistant vice president, Group Marketing at Guardian, based in New York. “These employees are not getting the information they need on their own, so it’s important for employers to provide access to expert financial advice, and effectively engage this group in a way that makes them take action.”

Fewer than one in six of employees say they use a financial adviser, compared with more than half of DIFM employees. Even more worrisome, less than half of DIYers believe it is important to find a trusted financial source for financial advice. According to the study, younger employees, particularly Millennials, are less likely to consult a professional financial adviser.

Those who prefer to manage their own finances are not putting more effort into researching such matters. DIYers are not substantially more likely to read newspapers or magazines than their DIFM counterparts (39% vs. 41%), and are only somewhat more likely to conduct an online search (46% vs. 41%) or visit a company’s website or social media site (9% vs. 17%).

For the study, both employees and employers were surveyed online during September 2013 by market research firm Greenwald & Associates on behalf of Guardian. The study report is here.