ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisors working with Securian now have tools to help their clients face their issues with debt and develop a strategy for setting up a steady stream of income in retirement.

"Our research shows that debt is the barrier to saving for retirement at all ages," said Kerry Geurkink, director, Annuity Marketing, Securian Financial Group, Inc. "Advisors help their clients prepare for retirement. That's why we say their biggest competition for the client's time and attention is the client's debt."

Securian is equipping advisors with a program aimed at helping their clients assess debt and develop a strategy for paying it down while building retirement reserves. "Life after debt: Helping your clients retire smart," uses Securian research to educate clients about Americans' attitudes toward debt, how they use it, and how debt affects their ability to save for retirement.

"This is not a debt counseling program, nor is it a finger-wagging lecture about using money wisely," said Geurkink. "It's an education process aimed at helping clients understand the reality of their financial situations and how preparing today can help them achieve financial security in the future."

The program includes several educational pieces including a presentation for advisors to give to a client or group of clients that builds a case step by step for facing debt and dealing with it. Also, the Financial Toolbox at Securian.com includes a calculator and work sheets that can help consumers figure out how quickly they can pay off any level of debt.

Securian's research -- "Debt: The blind spot on America's road to retirement" -- shows that nearly half of the 2,000 Americans surveyed place a higher priority on paying off debt than saving for retirement. And that statistic cuts across all age groups, from Generation Y to the Silent Generation born between the World Wars. In fact, Securian's study shows that nearly one-fourth of the retirees interviewed had as much or more debt as assets at retirement.

The study also showed a surprising level of ignorance about debt. Nearly half of the 2,000 people surveyed were unable to identify as debt at least one common financial obligation, such as a balance on a credit card or a payday loan from a friend or family member. About one-tenth of the respondents who said they had no debt -- did.

"We were dismayed to learn that Americans' debt does not decline significantly from generation to generation," said Geurkink. "However, the good news is that the majority of Americans are not comfortable with debt and are strongly motivated to reduce it."

Securian Financial Group helps provide financial security for individuals and businesses in the form of insurance, retirement plans and investments. Affiliates include Minnesota Life Insurance Co., Advantus Capital Management, and Securian financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Securian has nearly $700 billion of life insurance in force, $30 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2008, and a work force of 3,400 employees nationwide. Securian serves more than 9,000,000 individuals in the U.S.

    URLS:
    http://www.securian.com/Debt/home.asp
    http://www.securian.com/calculators/toolbox.asp
    http://www.securian.com

SOURCE Securian Financial Group