Trends Report

How US Consumers Research Retirement

Many Sources Are Used, But Financial Advisors Are Considered Most Helpful

April 28th, 2009
Peter Wannemacher, Principal Analyst
Peter Wannemacher Principal Analyst
Bill Doyle, null
Bill Doyle
With contributors:
Benjamin Ensor , Brad Strothkamp , Courtney Tincher

Summary

Less than half of US online adults have done retirement research. Consumers who are worried about having enough money to retire are less likely to have done research; investors and older consumers are more likely to have done retirement planning. Books, newspapers, magazines, and Web sites are the most commonly used resources. But financial advisors — independents, as well as those employed by full-service brokerages — are considered the most helpful resources. Investment firms' Web sites are considered more helpful than life insurance agents and print or online media.

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