Financial advisors say that public debt is a top concern for nervous investors as they worry about the presidential election.

• A new survey reveals that financial advisors believe public debt is a more pressing concern for investors than the November election.
• Experts suggest that individual investors can take specific actions to minimize their exposure to broader financial risks.

Concerns about the impact of the presidential election on investments are prevalent among many investors.

Financial advisors are also concerned about public debt, as shown in a recent survey by Natixis Investment Managers.

A survey of 2,700 respondents in 20 countries, including 300 in the U.S., found that 68% of U.S. advisors and 64% of advisors worldwide ranked public debt as the top economic risk.

According to Dave Goodsell, executive director of the Natixis Center for Investor Insight, the winner of the election is convinced that public debt will continue to increase.

The U.S. Treasury uses the terms public debt, national debt, and federal debt interchangeably.

The government has borrowed money to cover expenses, similar to how a person might use a credit card and not pay off the full balance each month. Currently, the U.S. national debt exceeds $35 trillion and continues to increase.

The government spending dilemma and impending depletion dates for Social Security and Medicare trust funds will be inherited by the next U.S. president and Congress.

According to Goodsell, a Natixis survey has shown that more individuals now believe they are solely responsible for funding their retirements.

Experts suggest that individual investors can take specific actions to minimize their exposure to broader risks.

While you can't control Congress' actions, you can manage your financial planning, saving, investing, and response to news, according to Marguerita Cheng, a certified financial planner and CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth in Gaithersburg, Maryland, who is also a member of the CNBC FA Council.

Diversify your portfolio

Diversifying your portfolio can help mitigate risks and prevent impulsive decisions based on market fluctuations.

Currently, it is crucial to have a non-correlated investment in your portfolio to balance out risks, according to Goodsell.

With the equity market hitting new record highs, investors have increased their expectations for greater returns.

According to Natixis research, investors anticipate returns of 15.6% above inflation, while financial experts believe a more realistic goal is 7.1% above inflation, as stated by Goodsell.

Bonds can offer an opportunity to mitigate stock risks, he said.

Barry Glassman, a certified financial planner and the founder and president of Glassman Wealth Services, advised investors to consider both U.S. and international bonds. Bonds with longer duration tend to come with more risks. Glassman is also a member of the CNBC FA Council.

Adding international exposure to a portfolio can help alleviate concerns about the country's debt leading to slow growth, according to Cheng.

Adjust your tax exposure

Higher national debt means taxes may also likely go up.

Tax rates in the future are uncertain, according to Cheng.

By diversifying their investments into tax-deferred, tax-free, and taxable accounts, investors can gain flexibility in managing their taxable withdrawals.

Roth individual retirement accounts and 401(k) plans allow savers to invest after-tax money for retirement. Utilizing other types of accounts, such as 529 college savings plans or health savings accounts for medical expenses, may offer tax benefits for qualified expenses.

Pare back personal debts

Consumer debts have been increasing as the U.S. national debt remains high.

Glassman found it astonishing that the substantial amount of debt with an annual interest rate above 10% is accumulating.

Having good credit helps keep balances in check and manage their costs, according to Cheng.

By paying bills on time, consumers can lower the cost of their debts, secure better interest rates for loans on various items, and potentially decrease car insurance costs, as stated.