Working With an Advisor Changes Americans’ Retirement Outlook

Retirement can be daunting — but having sound financial advice makes Americans feel like they have a better handle on it, according to a survey by Franklin Templeton.

The retirement survey found that 66% of Americans who work with an advisor know how much of their retirement savings they will withdraw each year in retirement, compared with only 36% of those who have never received professional financial advice.

And while 79% of Americans currently do not work with an advisor, nearly half (47%) said they would consider going to an advisor if that advisor prepared an income plan in writing.

In addition, the survey found, 38% of those who have never worked with a financial advisor said Social Security will provide the most income in retirement, compared with only 19% of those who do work with an advisor. Running out of money in retirement is a concern for 35% of respondents who never worked with an advisor, but for those who have worked (or do work) with an advisor, only 24% said they were worried about this.

“The fact is, most Americans do want to retire at some point,” said David McSpadden, senior vice president of Global Advisory Services for Franklin Templeton Investments. But without financial advice, “they may be missing a key resource for helping to determine how they will get there.”

The online survey queried 2,046 adults (roughly half men and half women) in September 2011.

Danielle Reed writes for Financial Planning.

 

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