Americans With Advisors Are More Confident in Their Financial Security: Northwestern Mutual

For example, more than half of those with an advisor feel very financially secure, while 21% without an advisor said the same.

The study also finds that a majority (59%) of Americans with an advisor believe that, if they work past traditional retirement age, it will be by choice rather than out of necessity. Notably, the inverse is true for those without an advisor, with 6 in 10 (61%) expecting to remain employed past retirement age out of necessity.

Respondents cited several attributes that distinguish a remarkable advisor experience from just an acceptable one.

"Someone I can fully trust to have my best interests at heart/not just out to sell product" emerged as the leading priority (57%).

Other priorities included "not feeling judged on size of assets/financial decisions" (36%) and "deep expertise across a wide range of financial solutions and strategies" (33%).

(Related: Communication: The Key to Every Financial Relationship)

"Being entrusted to shepherd someone's financial life is an honor and a responsibility," Botcher said in a statement. "There is no greater reward than knowing you've played a role in helping clients exceed their own expectations for financial security."

The importance of relationship also resonated in preferences around the delivery of advice. According to the study, 6 in 10 Americans said a human relationship combined with technology is ideal while only 11% opted for a fully automated solution.