Franklin Templeton [profile] has new data that retail advisors may want to pay attention. Franklin found that individual investors who work with an advisor are twice as happy with, and confident in, their retirement income plans.

The San Mateo, California-based mutual fund shop revealed that tidbit and more in its just-released 2013 Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE) survey. 90 percent of investors who work with advisors are happy with their retirement income plans, and 87 percent are confident in those plans: only 44 percent of those not working with an advisor felt happy and only 44 percent felt confident.

"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," stated Michael Doshier, vice president of retirement marketing at Franklin Templeton.

Franklin Templeton warned advisors that 51 percent of investors surveyed would switch advisors (or hire an advisor for the first time) if an advisor came up with a personalized, written, retirement income strategy.

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Company Press Release

Written Retirement Income Plans Key to Advisors’ Client Relationships, Finds Franklin Templeton Survey

Over Half of Respondents Would Consider Switching or Initiating a New Financial Advisor Relationship if the Advisor Developed a Written Retirement Income Strategy for Them

  San Mateo, CA, June 26, 2013 – 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.”  

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.  

Visit Franklin Templeton's retirement tab on Facebook to join the conversation on retirement realities and explore interactive survey data and planning tools. 

  Methodology

The Franklin Templeton Retirement Income Strategies and Expectations (RISE) survey was conducted online among a sample of 2,002 adults comprising 1,001 men and 1,001 women 18 years of age or older. The survey was administered from January 10 to 22, 2013 by ORC International’s Online CARAVAN®.  

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Templeton Investments is a leader in retirement investing, managing over $175 billion1 in retirement assets on behalf of individuals, businesses and institutions.  From its beginning in 1947, Franklin Templeton Investments has helped people build their retirement nest eggs.  

All investments involve risks.  Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing.  To obtain a summary prospectus and/or prospectus for a Franklin Templeton fund, which contains this and other information, talk to your financial advisor, call us at (800) DIAL BEN/(800) 342-5236 or visit franklintempleton.com.  Please carefully read a prospectus before you invest or send money.  

Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., is the principal underwriter of Franklin Templeton’s U.S.-registered funds.  Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments.  Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Bissett, Fiduciary Trust, Darby, Balanced Equity Management and K2 investment teams.  The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 65 years of investment experience and over $846 billion in assets under management as of May 31, 2013.  For more information, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN® or visit franklintempleton.com.  

Connect with Franklin Templeton on Twitter (@FTI_US), Facebook and YouTube (FranklinTempletonTV).  Read the Beyond Bulls & Bears blog featuring perspectives from Franklin Templeton investment professionals around the world. 

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1.     As of March 31, 2013.

 

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