Retirement Advisor Confidence Outlook

The Retirement Advisor Confidence Outlook (RACO) is a monthly index published on Financial Planning that surveys hundreds of financial advisors to understand their forward-looking perspective on the economy and plans for client asset allocations. This index provides a snapshot of the economic landscape and provides a peer view into client advising choices for the coming month.

In this index, advisors are asked to share their outlook on six core economic indicators: the overall economy, the global economic system, government policy, their asset allocation, their client's risk tolerance, and their practice performance. From these responses, a score is developed to take into account the balance of positive and negative outlooks. These scores are then averaged to create the overall outlook score: a value from -100 to 100 with -100 being the most pessimistic outlook possible, 0 being a neutral outlook, and 100 being the most optimistic outlook possible. This index is sponsored monthly in partnership with ADP.

The RACO (June, 2023 – present) is a reimagined version of the Retirement Advisor Confidence Index (June, 2011 – May, 2023).

Inflation, omicron sap retirement confidence

New RACI survey finds anxieties weighing on clients' retirement picture, but interest in equities remains strong.

Inflation, tax concerns weigh on retirement planning

Clients aren't panicking quite yet, but far-reaching anxieties are casting a shadow over portfolio decisions.

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Retirement confidence rebounds, but concerns over inflation, market valuations linger

October retirement confidence survey indicated a revived faith in equities and improved risk tolerance.

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Retirement confidence plunges on fears of market correction, inflation

RACI index hits low for the year as advisors describe a constellation of worries that have clients pulling back.

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Retirement confidence on an even keel as anxieties offset optimism

Strong markets collide with COVID and inflation concerns, keeping investor confidence strong but mostly static as some advisors see dark clouds gathering.

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Retirement confidence still strong but showing signs of stress

Worries about resurgent COVID, tax changes and market fluctuations have investors feeling more risk-averse.

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Retirement confidence remains strong as clients factor in vaccine effects and the reopening economy

Clients continue to feel good about their retirement picture, even if some ‘twitchy’ investors are starting to wonder about peeling away from equities.

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Retirement confidence dips but remains strong

Inflation concerns and overheating markets have clients a little on edge but key positive metrics remain high as businesses keep reopening, the latest RACI survey shows.

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Retirement confidence soars amid economic reopening

Advisors report clients feel optimistic as vaccine rollout helps stoke economic revival.

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As businesses reopen, clients feel more confident about retirement

Employers are ramping up hiring as vaccines roll out, fueling a huge year-over-year spike in retirement confidence.

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Retirement confidence off slightly, still soaring past 2020 levels

Clients are happy to have the political season behind them and are optimistic about COVID vaccines — but risk tolerance is a sore spot.

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