Dentist, Sit-Ups Or Financial Planning?

PITTSBURGH, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans who are actively planning for retirement are more likely to visit the dentist or exercise regularly this year than spend time on their investments or retirement planning, according to the newest findings in the PNC Perspectives on Retirement Survey.

More than eight out of 10 (84 percent) expect to see their dentist this year for regular cleanings while less than half (43 percent) plan to meet with their financial advisor to review their investment strategies and only half (51 percent) intend to create or review a financial plan, according to the second survey on retirement from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC).

Seven out of 10 (70 percent) said they plan to get more exercise regularly in 2013 while only 46 percent plan to increase saving and investing. Overall, two-thirds (65 percent) view money and finances as complex while 67 percent say they procrastinate over financial matters.

"People are finding it easier to develop habits devoted to physical fitness than for financial fitness," said Stephen Pappaterra, head of wealth planning for PNC. "As with physical fitness, reaching a retirement goal doesn't happen by chance. Advisors and clients must have better conversations to create a realistic plan built around their goals and dreams while taking into account their current financial situation."

The survey, which focuses on Americans between the ages of 35 and 70 with at least $100,000 in total investable assets (representative of nearly 20 percent of U.S. households), also revealed that 62 percent have not taken steps to prepare a retirement income plan.

"In retirement, your financial focus will shift to protecting your assets and developing an income stream to meet your retirement expenses. It's vital to keep in mind that assets will likely need to stretch 20 to 30 years or more," Pappaterra said. 

1 2 3 4 Next › Last »