What is The Best Thing About Being Rich?

Well, for 50% of American millionaires and billionaires this is the ability to be able to give to charity! This is one of the findings of the U.S. Trust 2013 Insights on Wealth and Worth.

The report considers an array of topics that concern the wealthy, including their financial security, retirement, extended family issues, estate planning, etc. Another thing that concerns the wealthy: the social impact of their investment decisions. A few more interesting highlights…

• 45% of high net worth investors agree that their investment decisions are a way to express their social, political and environmental values. Six in ten feel that the way they invest can actually have some sort of influence on society.
• Just over half (51%) think it is important to consider the impact their investment decisions may have on society and the environment. It is relatively more important to women (65%) and investors under the age of 49 (67%).
• Nearly half (46%) of respondents feel so strong about the impact of their investment decisions that they would be willing to accept a lower return from investments in companies providing they have a greater positive impact. 44% would be willing to take on higher risk as well.
• Only 25% of investors have reviewed their investment portfolio to evaluate its impact on social, political or environmental issues.
• 71% of investors think it is better to invest in companies that will have a positive social or environmental impact than to boycott companies that are harmful. 63% said they would not invest in a company that has a negative impact on society or the environment, even if they thought they could make a lot of money.
• High net worth investors believe medical science and healthcare to be ‘the next big thing’ in innovation investing, followed closely by information technology.
  Download the fact sheet for a quick overview for the findings of the report. Alternatively please visit this link to review the key findings report and additional resources.

Download the fact sheet for a quick overview for the findings of the report. Alternatively please visit this link to review the key findings report and additional resources.