Despite increasing pressure to slash debt and rebuild retirement funds, nearly two-thirds of consumers do not have a written financial plan, according to the 2009 National Consumer Survey on Personal Finance.

The survey, released today by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, found that 64% of respondents do not have a written financial plan in place.

But those with a college degree, higher household incomes and more assets to invest are more likely to have one. Of the 284 respondents who have a written financial plan in place, 62% were motivated to have one because of retirement goals and planning. Meanwhile, 48% wanted advice on a broad range of financial matters, 41% were focused on savings goals and planning and 36% were concerned with investment goals and planning. The CFP spoke to 1,742 respondents in total.

“Those in the know who are using financial planning are finding it a valuable experience,” Eleanor Blayney, consumer advocate for the CFP Board, said in an interview. “There are just too many people who are not using it.”

Income level determines how much importance consumers place on various financial planning issues. For instance, those making less than $50,000 (58%) are most concerned with managing and reducing debt. Those making more than $150,000 (62%) want to generate current income.

The percentage of respondents who believe that providing health insurance coverage is the most pressing financial planning issue was fairly consistent across all income levels— those making less than $50,000 (56%); those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 (56%); those in the $100,000 to $150,000 range (59%). The biggest difference was for those earning more than $150,0000. That percentage was 46%.

Blayney notes that respondents who don’t use a financial planner are hesitant because their pecuniary situation is not complicated enough. They also are confused about what a financial planner does or believe that it’s too expensive to use one, she says.

“It’s important to develop a healthy baseline [financial plan] and not just use it in times of crisis,” Blayney says.