Only 8 percent of Americans say that growing their retirement savings is more important than protecting them, while 35 percent say protecting retirement assets is a bigger concern. This and other results from a recent survey by Charles Schwab & Co. shows that U.S. investors have serious interest in limiting the risk in their retirement investments.

They survey found that risk management is particularly important to younger Americans aged 18-34, some 29 percent of whom said they plan to completely avoid investing in the stock market over the next six months, instead opting for more stable investments. Only 11 percent of older Americans said they intend to follow the same course.

A major takeaway message from the Schwab survey may be that investors’ concerns over market instability and asset protection presents opportunities for advisors who offer risk-protection products, such as annuities.

And this opportunity is heightened by the fact that a large segment of the public is open to working with financial professionals. The Schwab survey also found that 26 percent of Americans plan to seek to help managing their retirement savings within the next six months.

Interestingly, the survey found that 42 percent of investors are concerned about the potential impact of future legislation on their retirement accounts.

Learn more about what NAIFA does to protect your business: NAIFA Advocacy.