The FPA^® and Ameriprise^® Value of Financial Planning study

New research from the Financial Planning Association^® (FPA^®) and Ameriprise Financial looks at consumer attitudes and behaviors in a changing economy. This timely study examines how the help of a financial advisor and comprehensive plan affects consumer confidence and perceived ability to reach financial goals.

The objectives of the Value of Financial Planning study:

• to understand satisfaction with advice relationships, perceived value of advice and value of financial planning
• to understand retirement readiness and confidence in reaching long-term goals
• to understand how market volatility concerns have affected consumers and associated actions
• to understand advice relationships against key demographics including gender, age and asset level among others

Download the Value of Financial Planning research report

Additional research from Ameriprise Financial:

The Money Across Generations^®study

The Money Across Generations study breaks new ground by looking across three generations: baby boomers, their parents and their adult children. This report provides a deeper understanding of how each generation perceives, talks about and deals with issues surrounding money and finances.

Download the Money Across Generations^®study research report

The New Retirement Mindscape^®

The New Retirement Mindscape study is the first of its kind to go "beyond the numbers" to map out the emotional stages of retirement. By exploring people's attitudes, worries, behaviors, ambitions and needs before and after retirement, the study uncovered five distinct and predictable stages of retirement:

1) Imagination, 2) Anticipation, 3) Liberation, 4) Reorientation and 5) Reconciliation.

Download the New Retirement Mindscape research report

The 2007 Ameriprise Workplace Financial Planning Benefit Decisions study

The 2007 Ameriprise Workplace Financial Planning Benefit Decisions study found that cost increases in their benefits (mostly tied to health care) affect workers' perceptions of their financial health and ability to save for retirement. Most workers — nearly nine in 10 — believe a financial plan would be helpful if it directly addressed their workplace benefit costs.

Download the Workplace Financial Planning Benefit Decisions study research report