Consumers save at a higher rate when using a financial adviser

According to a recent LIMRA survey, 61% of consumers who worked with an adviser contributed to a retirement plan or an IRA and are saving at a higher rate compared to only 38% of consumers who weren't working with an adviser.

Of the one-quarter of non-retired Americans who report working with a paid financial professional, half indicate that the adviser provided guidance on how much to save for retirement and nearly a third indicate the adviser provided guidance on a target amount to save.

"We've all seen the scary statistics that not enough people are saving for retirement," says Alison Salka, corporate vice president and director of LIMRA Retirement Research. "Given the decline of defined benefit pension coverage, people need to be saving more to fund their retirements. We do see one hopeful sign. Our research shows that consumers who work with an adviser are more likely to contribute to a retirement plan."

The survey also shows that consumers who had financial advisers were more confident they will have enough to last throughout retirement than their counterparts.

"It is clear that advisers make a difference," says Salka."“It is vital that we as an industry better communicate the value of using an adviser to ensure a secure retirement — especially to younger consumers who are less likely to have a pension to rely on in retirement and, according to our survey, are also less likely to be saving for retirement."

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