Opportunities Exist for Advisers Among Career Military

Retirement savings among America’s career military members was down in the last quarter of 2015, according to the First Command Financial Behaviors Index. Sixty-one percent of middle-class military families (commissioned officers and senior NCOs in pay grades E-6 and above with household incomes of at least $50,000) contributed to retirement accounts during the fourth quarter. That’s down 13 points from the third quarter and the lowest rate for the year.

The downward trend is expected to continue into the first quarter of 2016. The Index reveals that 37% of families say they expect to decrease the amount they put into savings and investments, down nine points from the third quarter.

This decline in behaviors and intentions is related to increased pessimism about the future. At yearend, confidence in the ability to retire comfortably fell 11 points to 48%, and confidence that family financial situations will improve in the next year fell nine points to 53%.

These fourth-quarter results pulled the overall Index score down 21 points to 137, the lowest for the year.

“These results represent a troubling new development in the financial lives of our career service members and their families,” says Scott Spiker, CEO of First Command Financial Services Inc. Spiker cites troubles that may be preventing better retirement savings such as cuts to military personnel costs, and reduced pay raises and housing allowances.

NEXT: Opportunity for advisersThe downward retirement savings behaviors represent an opportunity for advisers to help military members. According to the Index, 77% of those who work with an adviser contributed to retirement accounts in the fourth quarter, compared with 69% without an adviser. In addition, service members with an adviser put significantly more dollars into those retirement accounts. Monthly median contributions for savers in the two groups are $500 and $400, respectively.

Service members who work with an adviser are also more likely to contribute to short-term savings (79% versus 52% for those without an adviser). Monthly median contributions for the two groups are $500. Those who work with an adviser are also more likely to contribute to long-term savings (71% versus 61%). Monthly median contributions for the two groups are $500.

Commitment to reducing debt is also stronger among those who work with an adviser. They are more likely to pay down short-term debt (82% versus 78%) and long-term debt (78% versus 74%). Conversely, those without an adviser feel compelled to pay greater amounts towards their debt. Monthly median contributions to short- and long-term debt repayment are $1,330 for those with an adviser and $1,745 for those without.

Those who work with an adviser are also more likely to believe their financial situation will improve in the next year (59% versus 36%) and in their ability to retire comfortably (65% versus 27%).

“These results emphasize the significant contribution a financial professional can make in coaching service members to improve their money behaviors,” Spiker says. “Financial advisers are helping their career military clients take the kinds of positive actions that help consumers feel more confident in the future.”