Advisers share their clients' biggest concerns right now

Advisers, business owners and paraplanners share their thoughts

Isabel Baxter
clock • 1 min read
Advisers share their clients' biggest concerns right now

Advisers share the biggest concerns of their clients right now in a Professional Adviser poll.

The latest PA Asks revealed that the cost of living and the state of the economy were un-surprisingly mentioned the most when it came to client concerns.

More specifically, the market concerns mentioned were a worse recession, inflation, and interest rates.

Broader geopolitical issues were also raised as a concern.

One pundit even said that "the world" was a concern, with another saying, "the uncertainties of life".

Investment performance was also a concern that was mentioned by several respondents. This included maintaining buyer power of portfolios, return level, lack of growth in asset values, and fund performance.

Pundits also mentioned various elements of fiscal policies that are concerning clients including tax and spend.

One said: "There's lots of talk about what a Labour Party might do with inheritance tax or with the lifetime allowance."

Another respondent added: "World situation and lack of political will in this country."

Meanwhile, "regulatory overkill" was another client concern that one pundit highlighted.

On the other hand, a couple of respondents said their clients have "not much" or "nothing" that they are currently worried about.

In November, Fidelity International found that almost half (49%) of advisers said clients are increasingly worried about their financial wellbeing with levels of concern now at their highest since the launch of the study in 2020.

More than four-fifths (87%) of advisers said that the cost of living and inflation are the main drivers for unease amid their client base, and doubts about market returns (74%) are also a significant factor.

PA Asks is conducted each week to anonymously collate our readers' views on key news and trends. Respondents include independent and restricted advisers, paraplanners, and administrators. A new poll is released every week! To take part, email our research team here.

More on Your profession

News editor's view: The advice profession is getting bigger, but is it getting better?

News editor's view: The advice profession is getting bigger, but is it getting better?

The news editor's Friday Night Takeaway from 11 September

Isabel Baxter
clock 11 September 2026 • 3 min read
Feel Good Friday: Rosemount renews mental health partnership for advisers

Feel Good Friday: Rosemount renews mental health partnership for advisers

Supporting The Global Returns Project, Grief Encounter, FoodCycle and Verve Foundation

Professional Adviser
clock 11 September 2026 • 1 min read
Is compliance the hidden driver of business value and saleability?

Is compliance the hidden driver of business value and saleability?

'The reality is simple - buyers will pay more for certainty'

Paul Bruns
clock 09 September 2026 • 7 min read

In-depth

Advice JVs: Why professional services tie-ups are moving beyond referrals

Advice JVs: Why professional services tie-ups are moving beyond referrals

Firms look to joint brand relationships

Isabel Baxter
clock 27 August 2026 • 6 min read
The banks are back: What does this mean for advisers?

The banks are back: What does this mean for advisers?

Banks ‘uniquely positioned’ to provide advice to mass market

Sophia Panayi
clock 24 August 2026 • 6 min read
'High returns bring high risks': AI pace of change catches some off guard

'High returns bring high risks': AI pace of change catches some off guard

From ‘future theme’ to investment reality

Jen Frost
clock 21 August 2026 • 10 min read