OAKS, Pa., Aug. 6 /EMWNews/ -- An SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) poll

released today revealed that while tax management is a major concern for

both investment advisors and their clients, the industry is divided on how

to optimize it. According to the poll entitled "How Tax Aware Are You and

Your Clients?," nearly 97 percent of advisors polled said that tax

management was a consideration when developing proposals for prospective

clients, evidencing a heightened awareness of client demand.



    As Boomers retire with larger retirement balances, more than a third

(34 percent) of advisors felt clients were "very" tax aware, while more

than half (55 percent) felt their clients were "somewhat" tax aware. As the

market downturn continues to linger, tax management is emerging as an

effective way to recognize losses to offset gains and create more wealth

for clients.



    Additionally, nearly 95 percent of advisors polled also admitted they

could be doing more for clients regarding tax management. Yet despite

continued opportunities, an overwhelming majority of advisors are not

matching gains and losses for tax purposes on an ongoing basis.

Approximately 50 percent of advisors say they match only at year's end,

while 15 percent stated they rarely, if ever, do so.



    "It's not what you make, it's what you keep, and continuous tax

management throughout the year is a great way to increase a client's

overall portfolio value - especially in these markets," said Stephen

Onofrio, Senior Managing Director, SEI Advisor Network. "Advisors are

telling us that it is a great differentiator with clients, however, they

struggle to find the time, resources and expertise to truly leverage tax

management on their own."



    "As advisors, we're dealing with portfolios with so many moving parts

for every client, and providing ongoing tax management is becoming more and

more important," said John Egan, CFP, of JM EGAN Wealth Advisors in

Madison, NJ.



    The survey also revealed a lack of consistency in advisors' preferred

tax management technique, demonstrating a mix of products and strategies.

The number one choice among advisors polled was tax managed mutual funds,

which thirty-six percent of advisors stated they typically employ to

address tax management. Other responses included:






    -- Tax efficient separate accounts - 24 percent;

    -- Tax exempt investments, such as municipal bonds - 16 percent;

    -- Matching gains and losses throughout the year - 10 percent;

    -- Harvesting losses on their own at year's end - 8 percent;

    -- Only 6 percent stated they only focus on gross returns.



    The poll was administered by the SEI Advisor Network last month and

included feedback from nearly 300 independent advisors.

    About the SEI Advisor Network



    SEI Advisor Network provides independent advisors with outsourced

wealth management platforms that are designed to meet the demands of a new

generation of wealthy clients. In an evolving wealth management industry,

the group offers an end-to-end process for successfully transforming their

clients' businesses in every critical area, including marketing, practice

management, investment strategy and client relationship platforms. The SEI

Advisor Network is a strategic business unit of SEI. For more information,

visit http://www.seic.com/advisors.



    About SEI



    SEI (Nasdaq: SEIC) is a leading global provider of outsourced asset

management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The

company's innovative solutions help corporations, financial institutions,

financial advisors, and affluent families create and manage wealth. As of

June 30, 2008, through its subsidiaries and partnerships in which the

company has a significant interest, SEI administers $420 billion in mutual

fund and pooled assets and manages $178 billion in assets. SEI serves

clients, conducts or is registered to conduct business and/or operations,

from more than 20 offices in over a dozen countries. For more information,

visit http://www.seic.com.






    Company Contact:              Media Contact:

    Dana Grosser                  Caralyn Gilotti

    SEI                           Braithwaite Communications

    610-676-2459                  215-564-3200 x112

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