Just when we thought we could breathe a little easier after 2008's market free fall, Prudential Financial's new survey shows investors remain leery of risk exposure. In fact, despite the slowly recovering markets, 60 percent say they want as many guarantees on their financial future as they can get.

While 401(k) plans may have rebounded to pre-meltdown levels, mutual fund investors have bridled their portfolios to a level that's just as focused on managing risks as generating good returns, says Judy Rice, president of Prudential Investments.

"As a result, they are looking to real assets and market neutral and fixed income products to protect against the threat of inflation and market volatility," she says.