Endowus Wealth Insights Report 2025: Bridging the Wealth & Retirement Gap: Endowus Wealth Report Reveals Disconnect Between Investor Goals and Behaviour in Singapore

• While more than 1 in 2 Singapore investors say planning for retirement is a key priority (61%), less than half of Singapore investors base their investment decisions on the suitability to their financial goals  (42%). Instead, they make investment decisions largely based on short-term metrics, such as fees (52%) and projected returns (47%) 
• 1 in 3 investors update their portfolios on a monthly basis (29%), which can adversely affect the long-term performance of their portfolio
• Despite high overall satisfaction with financial advisors (82%), only half of investors felt that their financial advisors had a clear understanding of their short (46%) and long-term goals (51%), respectively. 

‍

Endowus study reveals gap between goals and actions, calling for stronger advisor alignment and greater fee transparency

‍

‍SINGAPORE, 24 JUNE 2025 – Endowus, Asia’s leading independent wealth advisor and investment platform, has released the 2025 edition of the Endowus Wealth Insights Report: Improving Investing Success (“the study”). Now in its fourth edition, the study takes a deeper look into investor behaviours and preferences of mass affluent individuals in Hong Kong and Singapore, revealing a persistent disconnect between investor goals and their actual investment decisions. This gap underscores the need for financial advisors to play a more engaged, goal-aligned and educational role to guide their clients’ wealth journeys. 

‍

Despite broader access to investment products and information, many Singapore investors remain guided by short-term performance metrics rather than long-term financial goals such as retirement. The report identifies an opportunity for financial advisors to move beyond transactional advice and instead serve as long-term partners in helping clients build financial resilience and clarity.

‍

Even as investors today enjoy broader access to financial solutions, the current investment climate, marked by prolonged volatility and inflationary pressures, has made it more challenging to stay on track. Advisors are uniquely positioned to provide this, but to do so, they must evolve their engagement, refocus conversations on client goals, and provide transparent, high-quality advice that puts clients’ interests first.

‍

‍Key Findings: The Gaps That Matter

‍1. Investors Say ‘Retirement’, But Act on Returns

While 61% of Singapore investors cite retirement planning as their top priority, their decisions remain anchored in short-term considerations — fees (52%) and projected returns (47%) — rather than suitability to goals (42%). This disconnect reflects a broader behavioural paradox between stated intent and investment behaviour.

“The study exposes the irony between what investors claim to prioritise and the actions they take,” said So Sin Ting, Chief Client Officer, Endowus. “Advisors must shift the conversation from just discussing investment features like past returns or liquidity to framing these elements in service of long-term financial wellbeing. That’s where their real value lies: in guiding clients to make decisions that are not only informed, but aligned with their future.”

‍

‍2. Frequent Portfolio Changes Undermine Performance

Nearly 1 in 3 investors (29%) make portfolio adjustments at least once a month — a rate that can hurt long-term returns. Even professional managers struggle to beat the market, with 89% of US active equity funds underperforming the S&P Composite 1500 over five years.

Frequent trading also magnifies costs — not just visible transaction fees, but also hidden spreads and platform charges — despite investor sensitivity to fees. Yet the study reveals that 36% of Singapore investors either do not understand or have never discussed fee structures with their advisors.

‍

‍3. Trust in Advisors Is High — But Desire Better Understanding of their needs 

While 82% of investors report satisfaction with their advisors, fewer than half believe their advisor understands their short-term (46%) or long-term (51%) goals. Only 29% strongly agree that their advisor proactively helps them achieve those goals.

“Singapore investors are increasingly aware of the need for long-term planning but remain swayed by short-term performance and market noise,” said Samuel Rhee, Co-founder and Chairman, Endowus. “This is where the advisor’s role is most powerful, not just to provide product recommendations, but in guiding clients toward clarity, discipline and purpose to achieve their goals. True wealth management goes beyond short-term performance chasing to help investors build financial resilience through goal-based, evidence-backed advice.” 

‍

‍The Opportunity: Time for high-quality, goal-based advisory to shine

As markets evolve and investors gain greater access to financial products and platforms, the role of the financial advisor must also evolve. The study reveals a clear mandate: advisors must move beyond transactional advice to become long-term partners who align deeply with client goals, provide transparent guidance, and help clients stay disciplined through market cycles.

‍

With rising investor expectations and increasing complexity in personal finance, the need for high-quality, goal-based advisory is essential. When advisors lead with purpose and engage in deeper, more intentional conversations, they can drive meaningful progress toward long-term financial security.

‍

“Investors must take an active role in understanding how each decision supports their long-term journey,” said Gregory Van, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Endowus. “When both clients and advisors focus on goal-setting, the quality of interactions will improve, and this shift will enable a transition from product-led selling to holistic wealth advice that considers the full breadth of the clients’ needs and aspirations.”

‍

The future of wealth management lies not just in the technology advancements we see today, but in harnessing the synergy between client-advisor relationships, where trust, transparency, and true alignment can lead to better financial outcomes.