Advisors more intent on growth, tech

For RIAs between $10 and $100 million under management, 45 percent of respondents selected growth as their greatest opportunity for investment.

Asked about how confident they are in their ability to provide certain services to their clients, 76 percent of RIAs—more than for any other service—cited helping clients plan for retirement.

Sixty-nine percent said growing assets, 59 percent said protecting assets, and 56 percent chose wealth transfer, while just 39 percent said planning for health care as they age.

RIAs managing less than $100 million are more confident in helping their clients with retirement planning and helping clients grow their assets than with other services—and 77 percent of their baby boomer clients have asked for help with retirement planning in the last 12 months.

Other generations, naturally enough, are more focused on other goals—such as GenXers, who are more interested in figuring out how to pay for their children's education, or millennials, who want to know about homebuying and tax planning.