Young investors want advice on charitable giving from their financial advisors, which creates an opportunity for advisors to gain an advantage with this age group, according to a study released today by Fidelity Charitable.
Despite their age, younger investors are twice as likely as baby boomers to value an advisor’s help in leaving a legacy, the Fidelity Investor Insights study of 2,490 investors showed.
“We find that younger generations view their relationship with their advisor as more than an avenue to generate financial returns,” Karla Valas, head of distribution at Fidelity Charitable, said in a statement. “Generations Y and Z, which now outnumber boomers and control an increasing share of wealth, rely on advisors to guide them on how to strategically participate in charitable giving and use their financial means to make an impact in the world that aligns with their personal values.”
Millennials (Gen Y) and Gen Z were defined as people 21 to 41 years of age; baby boomers and beyond were defined as those over the age of 58. Those in between were defined as Gen X.
Members of younger generations who are not working with a financial advisor are looking for advisors who can help with charitable giving plans. And 70% of those working with an advisor already have had a discussion about charity, according to the study. This creates an opportunity for advisors to gain these investors as clients, Fidelity said.
“As their wealth and financial complexity grows, the number of advised young investors may continue to grow, too. As boomers and beyond continue to transfer their wealth, young investors can be a key growth opportunity for advisors,” Fidelity said. “Now is the time for advisors to connect with this promising demographic and nurture these relationships in a meaningful way.”
Half of the Gen Y and Z investors who were surveyed said they would like to work with a financial advisor who helps them achieve their charitable giving goals, compared to 23% of boomers and older adults who said the same thing, the survey said. The younger investors look to their advisors for help achieving purpose, legacy, and philanthropy, Fidelity said.
For young investors, 59% said they want their advisor to provide services beyond financial advice and investment management, while only one quarter of those over age 58 said the same.
Looking at the numbers in a slightly different way, the study showed that 31% of young investors said one of their top five requirements for an advisor is to provide help in fulfilling their life’s purpose; compared to 14% of baby boomers and beyond who ranked the requirement in the top five.