Almost half (46%) of advisers believe access to targeted pension and investment support would make people more likely to seek independent financial advice, a new poll has shown.
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, in a bid to close the gap between high-level guidance and full independent financial advice.
The poll by Opinium found only 19% of advisers believe Targeted Support would make people less likely to seek independent financial advice, suggesting confidence among advisers that the new initiative will not replace the need for paid, personalised advice.
Nearly three in five (57%) agree that Targeted Support would help clients better plan their financial future.
Separately, the survey found that half (52%) of advisers 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. More than a third (38%) also say they are seeing new clients accessing advice due to life events such as weddings, having children or moving house.
Nearly three in ten (29%) cite changes in income or employment as reasons for new clients seeking advice, while 12% report new clients accessing advice in order to plan for upcoming major expenses.
Matthew Howlett, research manager at Opinium, said: “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.”
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