RJ and Makay

Financial advisors' earnings declined 11% last year, indicates a new poll by the College for Financial Planning. Among 345 Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certificants and recent graduates of the College's CFP program, average annual earnings were $190,922 last year compared with $215,345 in 2009 and $195,349 in 2008. Residual effects of the recession were responsible for last year's decline, the College suggests.

Although they made less money last year, 94% of respondents said they're happy with their career choice. The poll also found respondents are:

The outlook at small U.S. companies is more positive than it's been in several years. In February, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) index of small company optimism rose to 94.5 — its highest level since December 2007. The index also isn't terribly far off the average of 100.7 it posted during the previous expansion that began in November 2001.

“The future is looking brighter for a few more small-business owners,” comments William Dunkelberg, NFIB chief economist. Still, he notes, “this is not a reading that characterizes a strongly rebounding economy.”

When it comes to putting away money for retirement, women generally trail men by a wide margin, suggests a recent study by financial services research and consulting firm LIMRA.

"Women's average defined contribution (DC) plan balances are only 60% of men's," reports Cecilia Shiner, a senior analyst at LIMRA. "This is especially concerning because women live longer than men and thus need more retirement savings. In addition to a longer average lifespan, women are more likely to have work disruptions for caregiving that hinder their capacity to save. Therefore, they need to capitalize on savings opportunities while they are working."