At a glance
- Another 46% of firms have a succession plan being implemented or in place, versus 42% in 2025, while the share saying they would draft one fell to 16% from 29%.
- DeVoe surveyed 132 RIA founders, owners, partners and employees between March and May, mostly at firms with at least $100 million in AUM.
- Principals benchmarking their own firms have a size line: 52% of firms with $1 billion or more in AUM rate their training as fairly structured or better, versus 19% of smaller firms.
A record 21% of RIAs said they are not considering a formal written succession plan, up from 6% a year earlier, InvestmentNews reported from DeVoe & Company's 2026 Talent & Growth Report.
Another 46% of firms have a succession plan being implemented or in place, versus 42% in 2025, while the share saying they would draft one fell to 16% from 29%. DeVoe surveyed 132 RIA founders, owners, partners and employees between March and May, mostly at firms with at least $100 million in AUM. The same report found record use of structured pay plans and performance reviews, as Private Wealth Daily previously reported.
Principals benchmarking their own firms have a size line: 52% of firms with $1 billion or more in AUM rate their training as fairly structured or better, versus 19% of smaller firms. Only 10% of all firms call their junior-advisor program robust and comprehensive, and 72% lack confidence they could hand off leadership smoothly, up from 57% in 2019.
Firms not considering a succession plan tripled in a year
Share of RIAs by succession-plan status, 2025 vs. 2026 (%)
Show as table
| Item | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not considering a plan | 6% | 21% | +15% |
| In place or being implemented | 42% | 46% | +4% |
| Would draft a plan | 29% | 16% | −13% |
Reported by the RIA desk from InvestmentNews. Published . Corrections