Data & Research

Investment consultants, expecting lower capital market returns and more volatility, support broader asset diversification and custom target-date strategies for defined contribution plans.

Confidence in investment decisions among women is much lower than men and the gap is widening, a MassMutual poll of retirement plan participants found. 

Wells Fargo and Gallup have released their Investor and Retirement Optimism Index, which shows retired Americans are twice as optimistic as the non-retired.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that customized advice for pre-retirees can help them take smarter actions.

Seventy-two percent of pre-retirees and 55% of retirees are calculating the effects of inflation on their retirement planning, according to the Society of Actuaries (SOA).

An Aviva survey found more than half of Americans expect to work past their expected retirement age; giving the U.S. the highest percentage out of ten countries surveyed. 

Client-facing professionals (brokers, advisers, agents, and bankers) are the most trusted source of information in the financial services industry, according to a recent survey.  

A national survey found that more Americans are "very concerned" about the impact of the recession on their personal finances this year compared to last.  

Fidelity found workplace retirement plan participants are becoming increasingly more engaged in their plans.

While men and women participants are turning to asset allocation funds in similar amounts, women are showing a discernable preference for target-date offerings. 

The sampling size was small, but a recent survey found that participants who got financial advice held more funds and enjoyed a higher rate of return than those...

Fidelity Investments reports that nearly one-third of its Roth IRA Conversions executed across its retail and adviser businesses in 2010 occurred during the month of December.

Focus groups conducted by the Center for Financial Security at Boston College showed participants do not appreciate the inherent diversification of target-date funds.

Americans may not be preparing for the unexpected events that can interfere with retirement plans, according to a MetLife Mature Market Institute study.

Thirty-two percent of Baby Boomers are worried they won’t be able to afford the retirement lifestyle they want and they’re not sure how to improve their prospects.

The number of investment professionals at broker/dealers (B/Ds) has stayed at approximately 310,000 over the last few years, and they are aging with no clear source of replacements.

One-third of companies with fewer than 25 employees offer retirement plans, compared to about 80% of companies with 100 or more employees, a report found.  

While the recession led employees to turn their attention to debt management and budgeting, research from Financial Finesse finds that in 2010, they refocused on the future.

Despite a lack of major upgrades to adviser-oriented Web sites, a recent report found overall improvements to online tools regarding annuities offered by financial services firms.  

PNC Wealth Management released survey results this Valentine’s Day that show not everything is harmonious with couples in terms of financial concerns.