Financial products with guarantees are likely to keep people invested in the stock market even in the face of short-term losses, according to a study from Prudential Financial.

Almost nine out of ten (84 percent) of the "2006 to 2011: Changing Attitudes About Retirement Income" survey respondents indicated that if they had a retirement investment product with guaranteed income, they would likely stay in the stock market even if they were to experience short-term losses, and 76 percent said that they would stay invested for the longer-term horizon. Both of these measures are higher than in 2006 by 10 and four percentage points, respectively.

"When investors take risk off the table by getting out of the stock market, they potentially increase the risk that they will not be able to generate the returns they need to achieve their retirement goals," said Stephen Pelletier, President of Prudential Annuities. "While annuities and other products that guarantee a stream of income can help meet Americans' retirement income needs, this research demonstrates that such products are also more likely to keep people invested in the stock market—with the potential for higher returns, protection from market declines and benefits to the economy overall."