Adviser research highlights client anxiety ahead of Budget

The study, part of Royal London’s Meaning of Value research, found that 81% of advisers have seen a rise in client concern, with many seeking additional reassurance. Around 16% said some clients have already acted on speculation, taking irreversible financial decisions, while only 3% reported that their clients were unaware of the discussion.

In response, advisers are adopting different approaches to manage uncertainty. Forty per cent are proactively reminding clients to remain focused on long-term plans, while 30% are addressing concerns only when clients reach out. A further 16% are directly contacting clients to offer reassurance, and 9% are closely monitoring the situation to decide whether to make adjustments.

The scale of speculation this year has led to a noticeable increase in client contact, with advisers warning that uncertainty is causing unnecessary worry and, in some cases, poor financial decisions.

Jamie Jenkins, director of policy at Royal London, said:

“It’s clear that when it comes to financial advice, managing client anxiety comes with the territory and is a key element of the value delivered by advisers. It also underlines the value advisers bring by guiding clients through uncertainty, reinforcing the importance of steady, long-term planning.

“The research highlights the variety of responses from advisers, with some proactively reassuring clients, others only responding when approached, and a minority considering pre-emptive adjustments to financial plans. While the majority see only a limited rise in client concern, speculation this year is clearly prompting distress among some clients, with a few taking actions that could harm their longer-term goals."