Janus Henderson survey highlights retirement planning trends and opportunities for advisors
9 SEPT, 2025
By Joanna Piwko from RankiaPro Europe
Janus Henderson Investors has released the findings of its 2025 Investor Survey on retirement income and planning, providing insight into how affluent U.S. investors aged 50 and older are preparing for and managing retirement income.
The survey revealed that nearly three-quarters of respondents (73%) are concerned about the impact of recent market volatility on their retirement income. Half of investors reported checking their investment accounts more frequently during the market swings triggered by the April 2025 tariff announcements. Despite these concerns, over a third of investors (36%) did not take any action in response to market volatility. Others responded by reducing discretionary spending (34%), delaying major purchases (25%), or increasing contributions to emergency funds (22%).
Retirement income planning as a differentiator for advisors
The survey highlights the value of retirement planning in building strong advisor-client relationships. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) have a full-service financial advisor, and more than half (54%) of these advised investors reported increased communication during periods of market volatility.
However, 18% of advised investors aged 50 and older have yet to receive a retirement income plan, signaling an opportunity for advisors. Despite this, investors expressed strong satisfaction with their advisors: on a scale of 0 to 10, the likelihood of recommending their advisor averaged 8.3.
Comfort and cash flow dominate retirement strategies
Survey respondents displayed a clear preference for safety and stability. Most retirees (57%) hold at least a year’s worth of expenses in cash. Additionally, 60% have made or plan to invest in dividend-paying stocks, while 54% are considering annuities and 44% are looking at international holdings to meet cash flow needs.
Fragmented accounts present opportunities
The survey also found that the vast majority of older affluent investors (89%) maintain accounts across multiple financial institutions, with 33% working with two providers, 29% with three, and 27% with four or more. Most (67%) see no need to consolidate these accounts, and only 13% have begun doing so.
Conclusion
The survey underscores the ongoing anxiety investors feel about market volatility, the strong preference for cash and conservative income strategies, and the substantial role advisors play in guiding retirement planning. For advisors, there is a clear opportunity to strengthen relationships by offering tailored retirement income strategies, consolidating account management, and helping clients navigate volatile markets with confidence.