IFAs say targeted support will push more clients to seek advice

Ahead of the introduction of the FCA’s targeted support framework in April, new polling from Opinium found that nearly half of IFAs (46%) believe access to targeted pension and investment support would make people more likely to seek independent financial advice.

The new regulatory framework is designed to enable financial firms to offer tailored and more affordable product-specific recommendations to groups of consumers with similar characteristics, aiming to close the gap between high-level guidance and full independent financial advice.

Only 19% of IFAs believe targeted support would make people less likely to seek independent advice, suggesting confidence among advisers that targeted support will not supplant the need for paid, personalised advice.

In addition, nearly three in five (57%) agree that targeted support would help clients better plan their financial future.

Over half (52%) of IFAs report that new clients accessing their services in 2026 did so in order to plan for new financial goals, such as planning for retirement, paying off a mortgage or buying a home. 38% also say they are seeing new clients accessing advice due to life events such as weddings, having children or moving house.

29% cite changes in income or employment as reasons for new clients seeking advice, reflecting the increasingly uncertain labour market. 12% report new clients accessing advice in order to plan for upcoming major expenses.

Matthew Howlett, research manager at Opinium, commented: “Ahead of targeted support being introduced next month, IFAs believe the new framework could play an important role, not only giving people more support to plan their financial futures but also helping them to understand when they need to seek independent advice. 

"Our research shows that IFAs are seeing an influx of new clients this year reaching out to plan for new goals and life’s big moments, whether that’s planning for retirement, buying a home or having kids, showing that consumers realise the value of professional advice at major decision points.”