The lack of retirement planning on the part of affluent baby boomers continues to be an area of potential opportunities for advisors, according to a recent survey.
   Continuing to drive home the message that has been sounded by similar studies the past few years, the survey by Phoenix Marketing International found that significant number of baby boomers are headed towards retirement without the help of an advisor.
   The survey found that among affluent baby boomers aged 50-59, with an average net worth of more than $1.7 million not including primary residences, 62% do not have a written financial plan for retirement.
   Among this same group, 27% have never met with a financial advisor to discuss their impending retirements.
   Among younger affluent baby boomers, aged 41 to 49, with an average net worth of more than $900,000, 64% have no written retirement plan. Thirty-one percent of this group has not met with a financial advisor.
   Baby boomers comprise about 45% of affluent households, according to the study.
   The survey is based on a survey of 1.083 affluent households in December.
   "Affluent baby boomers have unique challenges when it comes to retirement planning and represent one of the largest opportunities for financial service firms," says David Thompson, Phoenix Marketing's vice president for affluent practice. "Mass marketing to this group of high net worth individuals simply doesn't work and requires a more thorough understanding of the affluent lifestyle, attitudes and behaviors. It's obvious from our research that there's lots of low hanging fruit yet to be picked."