This finding is according to the Value of Financial Planning study by the Financial Planning Association and Ameriprise Financial. The same study found that those with a financial planner and a comprehensive plan are 50 percent more likely to feel their goals are financially secure as compared to those without a professional financial planner (75 percent versus 49 percent).

"The Value of Financial Planning study shows a clear difference between those who have a comprehensive plan and relationship with a financial planner versus those who do not," said Jim Barnash, CFP, national director of Financial Planning, Ameriprise Financial. "Although conducted prior to recent events, the findings show that those with a comprehensive planning relationship feel more in control of their financial future and believe they are more prepared for the unexpected. This outlook keeps them focused on long term goals rather than reacting to market events which is critical during these difficult economic times."

"Not all financial plans are alike," said FPA president Mark Johannessen, CFP. "A comprehensive financial plan addresses both financial and personal goals. While some plans focus on a few areas such as investments or retirement, a comprehensive plan can cover a person's whole financial picture, including cash flow, investments, retirement, taxes, estate, education and protection or insurance needs."

The FPA and Ameriprise Value of Financial Planning study was conducted online by Harris Interactive in the summer (June/July 2008) with 3,022 adults who had greater than $50,000 in annual income or investable assets. Respondents fell into three groups:

Self-Directed – Those who don't work with a professional financial planner and haven't paid for advice.

Advice-Supported – Those who work with a paid professional but do not have a comprehensive written plan.

Comprehensive Planning Participants – Those who are actively engaged in the financial planning process through an ongoing relationship with a paid professional financial planner and a written, comprehensive plan that covers a minimum of three key aspects of their financial life which they review regularly.
 

Economy is a concern, but some taking positive action

While most respondents believe the economy is on the wrong track, respondents with a comprehensive planning relationship were more likely to report taking action such as rebalancing portfolios. This may be due in part to the finding that those who have a financial planner and comprehensive plan feel they have a better understanding of financial issues compared to those who are self directed (71 percent versus 62 percent).

Those with a comprehensive financial plan are more than twice as likely to report they have taken actions such as rebalancing their portfolio (42 percent) and investing in low-priced stocks (15 percent) than those who are self directed (16 percent and 10 percent respectively).

More than half of baby boomers (51 percent) with a comprehensive plan indicate having rebalanced their portfolio in the past year – this is three times more than those who are self directed baby boomers (16 percent).

Retirement is motivator for financial advice

More than half of those with a financial planner cite planning for retirement as the trigger to seek professional advice. Approximately half of all respondents report participating in their company-sponsored retirement plan. However, comprehensive planning participants report more active planning for retirement than those without a plan.

Almost half of respondents with a comprehensive plan (46 percent) report regularly saving the amount needed to meet their financial needs in retirement as compared to only 25 percent without a plan.

While over half of all non-retired respondents report participating in their company-sponsored retirement plan, 67 percent of those with a comprehensive plan say they have also invested in non-company sponsored investment products such as an IRA, 401k or SEP as compared to only 39 percent of those who are self directed.

Comprehensive planning participants are more than twice as likely as those who are self directed to indicate they have estimated the amount of annual income needed in retirement (63 percent versus 29 percent).

"Just as each retirement dream is unique, so is the amount of money needed to finance it," said Barnash. "A professional advisor can help estimate needs and keep a person on track to reach their goals. In fact, the Value of Financial Planning study found that those with a comprehensive plan are 50 percent more likely to feel well prepared for retirement than those without a planning relationship."

Savings still a priority

Despite low savings rates in America, more than half of those surveyed reported that they have an emergency fund. Of those who have an emergency fund the majority report having six months or more of living expenses saved. Overall, the majority of comprehensive planning participants make savings more of a priority than those without a plan.

More than two thirds (67 percent) of comprehensive planning participants reported annual savings of at least 8 percent of their gross income compared to less than half (45 percent) of those who are self directed.

While over half (53 percent) of comprehensive planning participants say they are on track to achieve their education savings goals, less than one third (29 percent) of those who are self directed say this.

Those with a comprehensive plan are nearly 10 times as likely to report having college savings included in their plans than those who work with a planner but don't have a comprehensive plan (29 percent versus 3 percent).

Seventy-three percent of comprehensive planning participants report they have improved their ability to save versus five years ago compared to 58 percent of those who have a planner but don't have a comprehensive plan.
 
Protection gap between planners and non-planners

The value of a comprehensive financial plan becomes especially clear in the area of protection and preparedness.

Eighty-two percent of comprehensive planning participants report feeling that their families will be cared for in the event of an emergency followed by the advice-supported at 72 percent. Only 58 percent of the self-directed agreed with that statement.

More than half of Boomers (54 percent) who are comprehensive planning participants say their plan covers estate planning while only a quarter (25 percent) of those who are self directed have an estate plan.

Gen Xers who are comprehensive planning participants are twice as likely (60 percent versus 27 percent) as those who are self directed to report being on track with saving for education. Johannessen said: "Too many people look at spending for today rather than saving or protecting themselves for tomorrow. This short-term view can have a huge impact on future finances if they don't plan ahead."