Bryn Mawr Trust Survey Reveals Americans Value Digital Assets at $191,516 on Average, But Gaps Exist in Digital Asset Awareness and Estate Planning
Bryn Mawr Trust's recent survey reveals that Americans value their digital assets at an average of $191,516, yet 76% report having little to no knowledge of digital estate planning. The study, which surveyed 1,500 U.S. adults including high-net-worth individuals, found that only 44% of respondents with financial advisors discussed digital asset planning.
Despite having up to 250 digital accounts and 30,000 digital files per person, there's widespread uncertainty about digital asset management. While 79% believe protecting digital assets is important, only 32% have an estate plan, and merely 53% of those with wills specify wishes for digital assets. The survey also revealed that 39% of Americans have never heard of digital estate planning, highlighting a significant knowledge gap in this important area.
Il recente sondaggio di Bryn Mawr Trust rivela che gli americani valutano i loro beni digitali in media $191.516, tuttavia il 76% riporta di avere poca o nessuna conoscenza della pianificazione patrimoniale digitale. Lo studio, che ha intervistato 1.500 adulti statunitensi, tra cui individui con un elevato patrimonio netto, ha scoperto che solo il 44% dei rispondenti con consulenti finanziari ha discusso della pianificazione dei beni digitali.
Nonostante molti abbiano fino a 250 account digitali e 30.000 file digitali per persona, c'è una diffusa incertezza sulla gestione dei beni digitali. Mentre il 79% crede che proteggere i beni digitali sia importante, solo il 32% ha un piano patrimoniale e appena il 53% di coloro che hanno testamenti specifica desideri per i beni digitali. Il sondaggio ha anche rivelato che il 39% degli americani non ha mai sentito parlare di pianificazione patrimoniale digitale, evidenziando un significativo divario di conoscenza in questo importante ambito.
La reciente encuesta de Bryn Mawr Trust revela que los estadounidenses valoran sus activos digitales en un promedio de $191,516, sin embargo, el 76% informa tener poco o ningún conocimiento sobre la planificación patrimonial digital. El estudio, que encuestó a 1,500 adultos en EE. UU., incluidos individuos de alto patrimonio, encontró que solo el 44% de los encuestados con asesores financieros discutió sobre la planificación de activos digitales.
A pesar de tener hasta 250 cuentas digitales y 30,000 archivos digitales por persona, hay una gran incertidumbre sobre la gestión de activos digitales. Aunque el 79% cree que proteger los activos digitales es importante, solo el 32% tiene un plan patrimonial, y apenas el 53% de los que tienen testamentos especifica deseos para los activos digitales. La encuesta también reveló que el 39% de los estadounidenses nunca ha oído hablar de la planificación patrimonial digital, destacando una significativa brecha de conocimientos en esta importante área.
Bryn Mawr Trust의 최근 설문조사에 따르면, 미국인들은 자신의 디지털 자산을 평균 $191,516로 평가하고 있지만, 76%는 디지털 유산 계획에 대한 지식이 높지 않다고 보고했습니다. 이번 연구는 1,500명의 미국 성인을 대상으로 조사하였으며, 고액 자산가도 포함되어 있습니다. 응답자 중 단 44%만이 재정 고문과 디지털 자산 계획에 대해 논의했습니다.
1인당 최대 250개의 디지털 계정과 30,000개의 디지털 파일을 보유하고 있음에도 불구하고, 디지털 자산 관리에 대한 불확실성이 널리 퍼져 있습니다. 79%가 디지털 자산 보호가 중요하다고 믿고 있는 반면, 32%만이 유산 계획을 가지고 있으며, 단 53%의 유언자가 디지털 자산에 대한 희망사항을 명시하고 있습니다. 조사에서는 또한 39%의 미국인이 디지털 유산 계획에 대해 들어본 적이 없다고 밝혀, 이 중요한 분야에서 큰 지식 격차가 존재함을 강조했습니다.
Le récent sondage de Bryn Mawr Trust révèle que les Américains estiment la valeur de leurs actifs numériques à une moyenne de 191 516 $, pourtant 76 % déclarent avoir peu ou pas de connaissances sur la planification de succession numérique. L'étude, qui a interrogé 1 500 adultes aux États-Unis, y compris des personnes fortunées, a révélé que seulement 44 % des répondants ayant des conseillers financiers ont discuté de la planification des actifs numériques.
Malgré le fait que chacun posséde jusqu'à 250 comptes numériques et 30 000 fichiers numériques, il existe une grande incertitude quant à la gestion des actifs numériques. Bien que 79 % estiment qu'il est important de protéger les actifs numériques, seulement 32 % possèdent un plan de succession et à peine 53 % de ceux qui ont des testaments spécifient leurs souhaits concernant les actifs numériques. Le sondage a également révélé que 39 % des Américains n'ont jamais entendu parler de la planification de succession numérique, mettant en évidence un écart significatif de connaissances dans ce domaine important.
Eine aktuelle Umfrage von Bryn Mawr Trust zeigt, dass Amerikaner ihre digitalen Vermögenswerte im Durchschnitt auf 191.516 $ schätzen, jedoch berichten 76%, dass sie wenig bis gar kein Wissen über digitale Nachlassplanung haben. Die Studie, die 1.500 Erwachsene in den USA befragte, darunter auch wohlhabende Personen, ergab, dass nur 44% der Befragten mit Finanzberatern über digitale Vermögensplanung gesprochen haben.
Trotz der Tatsache, dass jeder Einzelne bis zu 250 digitale Konten und 30.000 digitale Dateien hat, gibt es weit verbreitete Unsicherheiten im Umgang mit digitalen Vermögenswerten. Während 79% glauben, dass der Schutz digitaler Vermögenswerte wichtig ist, hat nur 32% einen Nachlassplan und lediglich 53% derjenigen mit Testamenten geben Wünsche für digitale Vermögenswerte an. Die Umfrage zeigte auch, dass 39% der Amerikaner noch nie von digitaler Nachlassplanung gehört haben, was eine erhebliche Wissenslücke in diesem wichtigen Bereich verdeutlicht.
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Despite placing six-figure valuations on their digital assets, Americans are largely neglecting these assets during financial planning
The data also uncovered opportunities for financial advisors to bring these assets to the attention of their clients, with only
The survey of 1,500
The State of Digital Assets
The survey identifies digital assets as including personal records, videos, social media content, passwords, biometric data, and financial information. When asked to assign monetary values to these assets, financial data, biometric information, and business accounts ranked highest for both groups. Despite recognizing the importance of digital asset security—
Unsurprisingly, respondents indicated that the number of digital devices and assets they possess continues to grow. However, while Americans are generally aware of the sheer volume of their digital presence, there is a lack of familiarity with the concept of “digital assets,” and even more so when considering how these assets fit into estate planning.
On average, respondents reported having up to 250 digital accounts, with
“Overall, the survey’s findings underscore the significant role digital assets play in our lives,” said Jamie Hopkins, Chief Wealth Officer for WSFS and Bryn Mawr Trust. “Notably,
Knowledge and Preparation Gaps
The survey reveals a significant gap in the understanding of digital asset estate planning among Americans. While many respondents can identify their digital devices and some can identify digital assets, their understanding of their value and preparedness for integrating these assets into estate planning varies widely. Only
“We live in a digital world where much of our lives are connected to online and digital platforms. Traditional storefronts have been replaced by online storefronts, our payments are mostly digital, our family photo albums are now online, and even how we communicate with others has become increasingly digital with instant messaging and email. However, there is a general lack of familiarity with digital asset planning and the crucial role it plays in our personal and financial security,” said Hopkins. “Consumers should start thinking about their digital presence more strategically and approach their financial advisor and estate planner with the right questions to prepare accordingly.”
Planning Ahead
Digital estate planning remains unfamiliar to many Americans, despite its significance in securing digital assets. The survey findings show that
“While it may not be top of mind for many, our digital assets are a significant part of our lives and the legacy we leave behind. Over time, many of us have accumulated thousands of digital files, some containing sensitive and valuable information. Understanding how to secure and transfer these important assets should be an integral part of estate planning,” said Steven Klammer, Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth & Trust Advisor, Bryn Mawr Trust.
Despite the importance of these issues, only
However, when digging deeper into the contents of those plans, only
“The good news is that most Americans are planning for a future after they're gone, but digital estate planning remains a topic many are unfamiliar with, and one that some financial advisors may overlook. It’s crucial to work with experts who consider all aspects of our lives, including our digital presence, when planning our legacies,” Klammer continued. “To better prepare for digital estate planning, individuals should take actionable steps, such as listing their digital assets and discussing their valuation with a financial advisor. It is crucial to ensure that digital assets are incorporated into overall estate planning documents, including wills and trusts.”
Deep Dive: Read the full report on survey results.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by market research and insights agency Opinium. The sample includes a nationally representative survey of 750 respondents, and a survey of 750 high-net-worth individuals. All respondents were over the age of 18. The online survey was conducted from September 25-October 2, 2024. It has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
About Opinium, Inc.
Opinium is an award-winning strategic insight agency built on the belief that in a world of uncertainty and complexity, success depends on the ability to stay on pulse of what people think, feel and do. Creative and inquisitive, we are passionate about empowering our clients to make the decisions that matter. We work with organizations to define and overcome strategic challenges – helping them to get to grips with the world in which their brands operate. We use the right approach and methodology to deliver robust insights, strategic counsel and targeted recommendations that generate change and positive outcomes.
About WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS Financial Corporation is a multibillion-dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally headquartered bank and trust company in the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205096859/en/
Media:
Kyle Babcock
(215) 864-1795
kbabcock@wsfsbank.com
Source: WSFS Financial Corporation
FAQ
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