Financial resources doesn’t always reduce worry, at least not when it comes to health-related issues. That was part of the findings from a Fidelity study of millionaires, which analyzed investors’ attitudes and behaviors.
The 11th Millionaire Outlook Study, which surveyed a total of 2,026 investors, including 1,102 millionaires, found that millionaires and non-millionaires alike are most worried about their health.
Health-related concerns accounted for the largest proportion of their overall stress across the four areas of total well-being included in the study (health, financial, work and life), the study found. It pointed out that more than one-third of non-millionaire and millionaire investors have health-related concerns.
The study found that of the millionaires who reported higher levels of stress, fewer than half feel confident about their health vs. 86% of those who report lower stress levels.
Moreover, millionaires who reported higher stress levels were also six times more concerned about paying for health care than less affluent respondents and cite planning for these expenses in retirement as one of their top investment goals.
Optimism about the 12-month outlook is at its lowest level since the Fidelity Millionaire Outlook Confidence Index began in 2006 and dropped 14 points since last year. The study suggests there might be a possible link to investors’ stress and their aggregate outlook on the economy, stock market, value of real estate, and consumer and business spending.
It noted that there was a significant gap between investors’ current confidence and future confidence, when assessing several personal financial factors such as retirement savings, debt management and real estate.
The study also found a correlation between good financial habits and financial literacy. It revealed that non-millionaires and millionaires who reported lower stress levels were more confident in their future financial outlook and were significantly less concerned about not meeting their financial goals, indicating a healthier relationship with their finances overall. In addition, they share many financial habits: They have tighter control over their spending, are less likely to have debt, are more financially literate, and feel greater enjoyment from investing.
On the other hand, millionaires reporting higher levels of stress were 10 times more likely to worry about paying off debts and rate their financial knowledge and ability to manage their investments as lower than their peers, the study found.
Another key point the study highlighted is the emotional disconnect millionaire clients have with their financial advisors. It noted that more-stressed millionaires ranked their advisors lower when it comes to understanding their needs, and reported feeling underserved during critical life events, like the death of a loved one or sale of a home.