An overwhelming majority of American families feel a financial advisor can help them achieve their retirement goals, according to a study released Monday by Allianz, an international financial services provider.

Ninety-two percent of respondents who have used an advisor say it is helping them achieve their retirement goals, according to the Allianz LoveMoneyFamily Study of 4,500 Americans. Respondents were 35 to 65 years of age, have household incomes of $50,000 or more and represented a family.

Eight-six percent say using an advisor helps reduce the stress of planning for the families’ financial future alone.

At the same time, 79 percent who have not used an advisor still say financial professionals can help a family achieve its financial goals and 70 percent say advisors help relieve the pressure of doing the planning alone.

In addition, 74 percent of those who have used a financial professional believe their services are worth the expense, and 43 percent who have never gotten professional assistance agree professional assistance merits its cost.

“It’s clear from our study that financial professionals play a significant role in helping Americans with the difficult task of planning for retirement,” says Katie Libbe, vice president of Consumer Insights for Allianz Life. “Consumers need access to professional assistance, both for motivation and to help break down barriers to understanding how they can achieve their long-term goals.”

Of those who worked with a financial advisor, 77 percent say it prompted them to put more money into savings, 68 percent say it made them invest more, and 56 percent say it prompted them to set long-term financial goals. Most (60 percent) say they know what they have to do to have a secure retirement.

In contrast, only 39 percent of those who never worked with a financial professional say they know the steps they must take to ensure a comfortable retirement.

“Education provided by financial professionals about retirement planning can make a significant impact and give people more confidence that they can actually achieve retirement and do so on their own terms,” says Libbe.