1) The Allianz
American Legacies
Pulse Survey
Exploring the impact of the financial
crisis on legacy strategies
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York
ENT-1371-N
Page 1 of 12
2) Now more
than ever, the legacy that
parents leave their children
should include the value of financial
preparedness and a trusted financial professional.
Methodology
An online “pulse” survey was
conducted by Research Now
during January 12 – 19, 2012, using
a nationwide panel. The same (or
similar) questions as those of the
original study were asked of a sample
of just over 2,000 respondents – 1,000
respondents age 47-66 (boomers),
and 1,007 respondents age
72+ (elders).
How do parents today define leaving a legacy? How are
families communicating about these sensitive issues?
These are the central questions of The Allianz American Legacies Study. Allianz
Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) began this study in 2005,
as a comprehensive examination of the hopes, fears, priorities, and motivations
related to the intergenerational wealth transfer between baby boomers and
their elders, the parents of the boomer generation.
A key discovery of the study was the four pillars that support a true and
successful legacy strategy. Each of these pillars is critical for a comprehensive
and constructive conversation with family members about legacy:
• Values and life lessons
• Instructions and wishes to be fulfilled
• Personal possessions of emotional value
• Financial assets and real estate
As noted, legacies are about more than just wealth. But in the aftermath of the
financial crisis that was triggered by the bursting of bubbles in the housing and
stock markets – the two principal sources of household wealth – there is an
awareness of the need for both financial preparedness and guidance from a
trusted financial professional.
To understand how past attitudes about legacy may have been similarly
affected by the financial crisis, Allianz revisited key areas from the 2005 study.
The findings of the 2012 Allianz American Legacies Pulse Survey offered further
insight into how to approach these important legacy discussions.
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) and Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York (Allianz Life® of NY) are affiliated companies.
Page 2 of 12
3) Nearly
Boomers were still behind
in their legacy planning.
25%
OF
Though one of the greatest barriers to opening discussions about legacy issues
remains personal discomfort with the topics of inheritance and death, there are
signs this is changing. Almost half of boomers – 49% – agreed that talking about
“legacy” made the prospect of death less scary. Their parents were even more at
ease with the topic: 57% of elders said they agreed with this statement.
BOOMERS
HAD NOT
BEGUN TO
PLAN THEIR
LEGACY.
And even though more than half of boomers and elders reported higher
levels of comfort with discussing “legacy,” most of these conversations are not
happening in a truly meaningful or productive way. Boomers, in particular, are
lagging in this important area. Nearly half of boomers had not had an in-depth
discussion with their children or heirs about any legacy topics (compared to
about 20% of elders).
Nearly one-quarter of boomers (versus 5% of elders) had not yet begun to plan
their legacy. Of those boomers who have had discussions with their children,
about four in 10 had addressed one or more of these issues:
• Real estate and financial assets
• Personal possessions of emotional value
• Special instructions or wishes to be fulfilled
Elders were doing slightly better; over 60% said they’ve had in-depth
discussions with their children on these topics.
Having a written will was the only type of legacy or
inheritance planning that had been done by a majority
of boomers. Far fewer were likely to have done any other
legacy planning –such as creating a living will, creating
a trust, or leaving instructions as to who will get specific
possessions of emotional value. Here again, elders were
significantly more likely than boomers to have done
each of these types of legacy planning.
Given their higher percentages for legacy planning
activities, it’s perhaps not surprising that 78% of elders
believed that it was their responsibility to initiate
conversation with their children or heirs about
their legacy. Among boomers, only about half that
number – 43% – said they shared the belief that it
was their own responsibility.
a
1
Page 3 of 12
4) More help is needed from
financial professionals.
ONLY
48%
BOOMERS
of
As would be expected, boomers and elders who had used a financial
professional were further along in planning their legacy than those who
had not used a financial professional, being much more likely to have:
HAD OBTAINED
PROFESSIONAL
ASSISTANCE
IN PLANNING
THEIR LEGACY.
• A written will
• A living will
• A trust
• Specific instructions regarding personal possessions
• Already begun to distribute possessions or assets
Additionally, those who had used a financial professional for planning their
own legacy were more likely to have had an in-depth conversation with their
children about the distribution of their legacy, as well as more likely to have
discussed legacy matters with their own parents.
Elders and boomers understood the
need for a living will …
… AND YET …
82%
But significantly, only about half (48%) of boomers surveyed had obtained
professional assistance in planning their legacy, whether a lawyer, financial
professional, accountant, or estate planner. This is a significant drop from their
parents’ generation: more than three-quarters (76%) of elders had engaged
professional assistance.
84%
68%
Those who said
it’s important to
have a living will
BOOMERS
ELDERS
BOOMERS
ELDERS
36%
This is partially influenced by wealth: Affluent respondents (net worth of
$500,000+) were more likely than less wealthy respondents to have obtained
professional assistance when planning their legacy/inheritance.
Those who
actually had
a living will
Source: The Allianz American Legacies Pulse Survey, 2012.
2
Page 4 of 12
5) Legacies were still about
life stories and values.
A key finding of the 2005 study was that boomers were uncomfortable
discussing the one-dimensional topic of leaving an “inheritance,” but embraced
the idea of leaving a “legacy,” because it captures all facets of an individual’s
life, including family traditions and history, life stories, values, and wishes.
This didn’t change: As reconfirmed in 2012, statements relating to keeping
family history and memories alive received high ratings. Unlike their parents’
generation, boomers were much more likely to agree that “It is extremely
important to me that future generations remember my parents and what
mattered to them” (75% of boomers vs. 53% of elders).
Seeking
more
certainty:
Consumers involved in legacy
strategies were generally
reflecting these trends:
• Minimizing taxes
• Saving more and spending less
• Creating living wills (only 36%
of boomers had a living will
versus 57% with a will)
And while a majority of boomers and elders saw personal items as being very
important for keeping family history alive, there was an understanding among
both groups that a family legacy encompasses more than material possessions.
The statement that family stories are very important for preserving family
history and memories was agreed to by almost three-quarters of elders (74%)
and by even more boomers (86%).
Gender has some influence on these beliefs. Women were more likely than
men to agree with statements regarding keeping memories and family history
alive. Accordingly, women were more likely than men to have talked to their
children about personal possessions of emotional value.
BOOMERS AND
ELDERS AGREED:
INHERITANCE
IS NOT “OWED” TO
CHILDREN – BUT
FAMILY STORIES
SHOULD BE
PASSED DOWN.
About three-quarters
of boomers and elders
did not believe that parents
have a duty to leave
a monetary inheritance
to their children.
3
Page 5 of 12
6) THE IDEAL
FINANCIAL
PROFESSIONAL
SHIFTED FROM
SOMEONE LIKE A
COMPASSIONATE
OPRAH
TO A
RESULTS-DRIVEN
WARREN
BUFFETT.
Trustworthiness and
financial acumen were
valued more than ever.
In the wake of the financial crisis, there was an even greater concern for
honesty and integrity in a financial professional – about 90% of boomers
and elders listed honesty and trustworthiness as key requirements.
But along with these traits came a greater appreciation for financial acumen.
The shifts were significant:
• 78% of boomers/75% of elders felt it was key that the financial
%
professional is able to explain things in a way that is easy
prof
f
to u
understand.
• 75% of boomers/70% of elders said the ideal financial
75
5
professional would ensure the best interests of the person
pr
r
planning the legacy and help minimize taxes.1
pl
l
• 60% of boomers/55% of elders said a key requirement was
to help maximize the long-term value of the inheritance.
• 56% of boomers/59% of elders said it was key that the
financial professional ensured the best interests of
the heirs.
It’s worth noting that these requirements were not
linked to a specific age or gender. More than eight
in 10 respondents said that it didn’t matter whether
their financial pr
professional was male or female. And about seven in 10
r
said it didn’t matter w
whether their financial professional was older, younger,
or similar to their ow age.
own
w
Of even less importance was whether the financial professional worked for a
well-known company (15% of respondents) or was someone the respondent
had known for a long time (7%).
When asked to choose from a list of famous people who their financial
professional should be like, respondents in 2012 gravitated to someone
who represented financial acumen (Warren Buffett).
This is a significant change from 2005, when respondents picked figures known
for their compassion (Oprah) and faith (Billy Graham).
1
4
Please note that Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, their affiliated companies, and their
representatives and employees do not give legal or tax advice. Encourage your clients to consult their tax advisor or attorney.
Page 6 of 12
7) Legacy planning is about more than
material possessions.
What ranked highest in importance?
FAMILY STORIES
86%
74%
PERSONAL POSSESSIONS
64%
58%
FINANCIAL INHERITANCE
9%
14%
BOOMERS AGE 47-66
ELDERS AGE 72+
Source: The Allianz American Legacies Pulse Survey, 2012.
5
Page 7 of 12
8) Minimizing conflict in
legacy transfer was still key.
AVOIDING
CONFLICT
Having minimal conflict between family members and carrying out legacy
wishes as intended remained two of the most important issues to boomers
and elders when transferring a legacy.
and
In many cases, it’s a concern based in personal experience: the 2005 study
noted that among people who had already lost their parents, fulfilling last
wishes and distributing personal possessions were five times as likely to have
been the greatest source of conflict during a legacy transfer as the distribution
of finances.
RESPECTING
WISHES
was MOST
IMPORTANT.
In 2012, 45% of boomers and 53% of elders reconfirmed that minimal conflict
between family members was one of the most important elements in a
successful transfer of inheritance. Making certain that wishes were fully
carried out ranked even higher for boomers (47%). Elders were somewhat
less concerned (38%).
About a quarter of boomers listed as most important that the transfer
of their parents’ inheritance happened quickly and easily. Yet they were less
likely than elders to feel “extremely confident” that the transfer would be
managed successfully.
These concerns about avoiding conflict and
respecting wishes took far more precedence
over any other issue. About a quarter of boomers
and less than one-fifth of elders worried about
carrying forward core beliefs and values to
succeeding generations. Elders, however, were
more concerned than boomers about ensuring
heirs receive possessions of emotional value to
them and providing for the financial stability of heirs.
6
Page 8 of 12
9) A greater need for
financial training.
Financial professionals are now one of the fastest-growing occupations in
the nation, projected to grow 27% from 2012 to 2022 – much faster than the
average for all occupations in the U.S. economy (11%).1
The primary driver of this growth will be the baby boomers approaching
retirement and seeking planning advice. At the same time, financial
professionals are expected to face increased competition as the demand for
investment services and commodity trading creates strong employment growth.1
To build more effective relationships with new and existing clients, financial
professionals recognize the need to continue their education. According to a
recent study, financial professionals recognize that they need more education:
Top qualities
for a legacy
professional
• Honesty
• Trustworthiness
• Compassion
• Good listening skills
• Strong and clear
communication
• 93% believe most financial professionals/wealth managers need to know
more about retirement income planning.2
• 68.1% of financial professionals confirm the importance of a professional
designation for retirement income planning.2
Along with more education, financial professionals see a need
e
for a more holistic financial planning approach.
Though 94.9% of financial professionals say
they provide services such as retirement income
planning, medical and long term care planning,
tax planning, and Social Security benefits
decisions, they say defining a clear systematic
approach is their biggest challenge when creating
a retirement income plan.2 This planning should
take into account legacy decisions as well.
1
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 edition, Personal Financial Advisors, on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm, publish date: January 8, 2014.
2
Joint Study by InvestmentNews and The American College Reveals Need for Stronger Advisor Education on Retirement Income Planning, The American College
News Release, May 1, 2012.
Financial planning services may be offered only by financial professionals who are properly registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and are available
at an additional cost.
Page 9 of 12
7
10) $25
TRILLION
IN WEALTH
WILL BE HANDED
DOWN BY THE ELDER
GENERATION OF
BOOMER PARENTS.1
For financial professionals,
an opportunity to work
with multiple generations.
During the next several decades, researchers expect roughly $25 trillion in
wealth to be handed down by the elder generation of boomer parents –
trillions of this could go directly to the boomers.
At the same time, boomers will be reaching the age when they begin coming
to grips with the need to plan how to pass on their own legacies. With boomers
as both recipients and sources of intergenerational wealth transfer, they have
an enormous need for the services of financial professionals.
Big opportunities for legacy
planning in the near future:
ELDERS
BOOMERS
66%
91%
had not
begun to
distribute
possessions
and assets
had not
begun to
distribute
possessions
and assets
For each of these groups, a financial professional can have a long-lasting impact
on the transfer of legacy and inheritance:
• For both elder and boomer parents, part of the legacy they can leave
their children is the value of financial preparedness and a trusted financial
professional.
ONLY
34%
HAD
At the same time the boomer generation heads into retirement, their
children are emerging as an important, largely untapped market for financial
professionals who know how to serve them. A 2013 survey of 153 investors
between the ages of 18 and 35 with investable assets of $1 million or greater,
reported that a third of the young and affluent (30%) currently work with their
parents’ financial professional and almost half who don’t (49%) would be
willing to do so.1
ONLY 9%
HAD
BOOMERS AGE 47-66
• Boomers who make sure their parents are well-prepared for the eventual
transfer of their legacy can be helping them in a very valuable way.
ELDERS AGE 72+
Source: The Allianz American Legacies Pulse Survey, 2012.
8
1
Financial professionals who get to know the next generation of their clients
now are taking the first step to a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.
1
The Allianz American Legacies Study, 2005.
2013 Young High Net Worth Insights Survey, Merrill Lynch Private Banking and Investment Group, February 2013.
Page 10 of 12
11) The
FOUR
PILLARS
1
OF A
SUCCESSFUL
LEGACY
STRATEGY:
• Values and life lessons
• Instructions and wishes
to be fulfilled
• Personal possessions of
emotional value
• Financial assets and real
estate
1
The Allianz American Legacies Study, 2005.
9
Page 11 of 12
12) True to our promises …
so you can be true to yours.
®
As leading providers of annuities and life insurance, Allianz Life Insurance Company
of North America (Allianz) and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of
New York (Allianz Life® of NY), base each decision on a philosophy of being true:
True to our strength as an important part of a leading global financial organization.
True to our passion for making wise investment decisions. And true to the people
we serve, each and every day.
Through a line of innovative products and a network of trusted financial
professionals, Allianz and Allianz Life of NY together help people as they seek to
achieve their financial and retirement goals. Founded in 1896, Allianz, together with
Allianz Life of NY, is proud to play a vital role in the success of our global parent,
Allianz SE, one of the world’s largest financial services companies.
While we pride ourselves on our financial strength, we’re made of much more than
our balance sheet. We believe in making a difference with our clients by being true
to our commitments and keeping our promises. People rely on Allianz and Allianz
Life of NY today and count on us for tomorrow – when they need us most.
All contract and rider guarantees, including optional benefits and any fixed subaccount crediting rates or annuity payout rates, are backed by the
claims-paying ability of the issuing company. They are not backed by the broker/dealer from which this annuity is purchased, by the insurance
agency from which this annuity is purchased, or any affiliates of those entities and none makes any representations or guarantees regarding the
claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America or Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York.
• Not FDIC insured • May lose value • No bank or credit union guarantee • Not a deposit • Not insured by any federal government agency
or NCUA/NCUSIF
Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. www.allianzlife.com.
In New York, products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 38th Floor, New York, NY 10005-1423.
www.allianzlife.com/new-york. Variable products are distributed by their affiliate, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, member FINRA ,
5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. www.allianzlife.com. Only Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York is authorized
to offer annuities and life insurance in the state of New York.
Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.
Follow Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America at:
AllianzLife
@AllianzLife
AllianzUS
Allianz-Life
+AllianzLife
Page 12 of 12
(R-11/2014)