Clients Most Likely to Get Advice from Their Primary Advisor about Diversification, Retirement

Diversification, retirement planning and asset allocation are among the subjects investors are most likely to be having with their primary financial advisor, according to a new wealth level study conducted by Millionaire Corner

Between the prolonged economic downturn and the chaotic stock market, it is not surprising that investors are less inclined to go it alone regarding their finances. Thirty-five percent of investors with a net worth between $500,000 and $1 million (not including primary residence), identify themselves as Self-Directed, down from 40 percent in 2010. Thirty-four percent now say they are Event-Driven, meaning they will consult with a professional advisor for specific events before making a final decision. This is up from 31 percent last year. Meanwhile, a greater percentage, too, are Advisor-Assisted. Twenty-two percent, up from 17 percent last year, will consult regularly with an advisor, but still make most of the decisions.

On what subjects are investors getting from their primary advisors?  Nearly half (48 percent) are dispensing advice about diversifying their clients' assets. This is considered especially important for baby boomers ages 55 and up, of whom 52 percent have discussed this with their advisor.

Forty-six percent have received advice from their primary advisor about retirement planning, again, a subject of most interest to older investors. For example, 50 percent of those aged 55-64 have received retirement planning advice compared to 42 percent of those 54 and younger.

Next on the agenda is the selection of stocks and bonds, about which 45 percent of investors have received professional advice. An equal percentage have received advice about investment planning or asset allocation policy.

These investors are less likely to have received advice about establishing sufficient cash flow (38 percent), implementing tax-advantaged strategies (37 percent), planning for long-term care (23 percent), establishing an estate plan (22 percent), using insurance to meet financial goals (19 percent), and selecting alternative investments.

Younger investors are most likely to recognize the important of using credit effectively. They are slightly more likely to have received advice about this, and are twice as likely as older investors to want to see advice about it in the future,