Pre-retirees favor advisors with national firm affiliation

Pre-retirees favor advisors with national firm affiliation
Cerulli Associates research reveals how reliance on advisors rises as retirement approaches.
AUG 29, 2023

Advisors affiliated with national firms are likely to be in demand from those whose retirement is just around the corner.

Research from Cerulli Associates reveals that those within five years of retirement become "advisor-reliant" and seek those professionals who can offer a strong suite of support services, becoming heavily reliant on these advisors. These households’ share of the advisor-reliant market rises from 27% to 46% in the "five years to retirement" period.

When they are within a year of retirement, two key trends are apparent. First, their share of the advisor-reliant market rises to 57%. Secondly, they prefer to work with an advisor affiliated with a national firm (45%) compared to previously (39%), while the no-preference share drops to 20% from 30%.

The mix of advice required also shifts, with 39% of investors preferring a dedicated home-office team for portfolio management and 29% favoring an individual advisor.

POSITIONING FOR GROWTH

Cerulli’s recommendation is for individual client-facing advisors to manage the day-to-day engagement with the investor, while a dedicated team of investment professionals look after implementation.

The financial services advisory firm says it’s important for firms hoping to increase their market share to highlight the support services they have at their disposal and how they prioritize clients’ best interests.

“While most investors have little familiarity with the term ‘fiduciary,’ this type of relationship is the core of client preference,” Scott Smith, director at Cerulli, said in a statement. “Communicating this commitment believably in terms that clients understand is vital to ongoing client acquisition, especially as prospects approach their anticipated retirement date.”

Latest News

Private credit becoming 'big piece' of annuities, T. Rowe exec says
Private credit becoming 'big piece' of annuities, T. Rowe exec says

Goldman Sachs retirement survey finds 83% want guaranteed income, while the annuities providing that income increasingly hold private credit.

Zocks debuts Claude plugin with seven skills for financial advisors
Zocks debuts Claude plugin with seven skills for financial advisors

The AI meeting assistant's Advisor Intelligence plugin turns client conversation data into annual reviews, tax scans and attrition alerts.

Stifel settles massive $30 million complaint involving star broker’s sale of structured products
Stifel settles massive $30 million complaint involving star broker’s sale of structured products

Chuck Roberts and Stifel have been facing scrutiny due to sales of structured products and structured notes.

SEC floats CFP route to accredited investor status, fund rules refresh amid private market push
SEC floats CFP route to accredited investor status, fund rules refresh amid private market push

Among other updates, the proposals would let advisors to regulated funds earn performance fees and allow interval funds to offer monthly repurchases.

The Year Is 2046 and I’m a Financial Advisor 
The Year Is 2046 and I’m a Financial Advisor 

What will financial advice look like 20 years from now? Evan Vladem explores how AI may transform wealth management while reinforcing the enduring value of human guidance, trust, and empathy. 

SPONSORED In the Age of AI, Trust Becomes the Advisor's Greatest Asset

As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains