How Will Your Personality Affect Your Retirement Planning?

New Study Reveals How Americans 50+ Handle Change and Predicts How They Will Handle the Transition to Retirement Will Prest Retirement Strategist, SecurePath by Transamerica Annie Weber Researcher, GFK Roper Background: It’s been said you can’t teach old dog new tricks, but in fact new survey finds that many boomers are excited about and enjoy change. The study, conducted for SecurePath by Transamerica, asked more than 2,000 working Americans over the age of 50 about how they handle change and what their attitude toward change is. The survey found much to celebrate older Americans have learned a lot from life and are generally confident they can handle the transition into retirement well. But deep down, Americans have distinct change “personalities” when it comes to handling life change and risk. The survey uncovered four distinct change personalities. These personalities provide insight into how pre-retirees might deal with the transition into retirement. This insight can help both the pre-retiree and their advisors adapt as they move into retirement. The four changes personality types uncovered are: Venturers, whose financial philosophy is “nothing ventured, nothing gained” Adapters “take it as it comes” Anchoreds “stay on the safe side” Pursuers “try anything once” Will Prest, retirement strategist for SecurePath by Transamerica, and Annie Weber, researcher for GFK Roper, are available to talk about managing risks through retirement and turning assets into a reliable income stream by understanding your inner change personality. Most of the retirement industry is focused only on helping consumers accumulate retirement assets. Through his deep understanding of retirement issues, Mr. Prest can help shed some light for boomers on approaches and resources available to make their pension, 401(k) and other savings last throughout retirement. More About Will Prest: Will Prest brings extensive senior-level leadership and strategic planning experience in the financial advising and services industries. Prest holds an M.B.A. from Boston University, Graduate School of Management, and a B.A. in psychology from Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. He holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation and is a Registered General Securities Principal. Prior to joining SecurePath by Transamerica, Prest served as vice president of field development and national sales support for H&R Block Financial Advisors, where he developed the strategic direction for the delivery of HRBFA’s financial advice through a sales force of 1,000 advisors across a the nation. More About Annie Weber: Annie Weber is a Senior Vice President and Deputy Director of the Roper Public Affairs & Media practice of GfK North America. Annie came to Roper from the CBS News Election & Survey Unit where she assisted in the writing, fielding and reporting of national public opinion surveys for the joint CBS News/New York Times Poll.