Politics is now the No. 1 money worry, financial planners say
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In the wake of the longest federal government shutdown ever, shifting tariff policies and increased stock market volatility, many Americans are worried about how much political uncertainty will cost them.
The political environment has become the top concern clients convey to their advisors as we head into 2026, according to a new report by . CFP Boardis the credentialing organization behind the certified financial planner designation for financial advisors.
Nearly half of CFPs surveyed said politics dominates financial planning conversations, even on money-related issues like inflation and market fluctuations. The CFP Board surveyed 322 financial advisors with this designation in November.
“A lot of people were tying their perspectives to overall economic and political conditions,” said Kevin Roth, managing director of research for the CFP Board of Directors.
Uncertainty ‘spreading’
“The uncertainty that we’re seeing caused by economics and politics is definitely increasing a little bit,” Roth said. “CFP professionals have a unique relationship,” he said, because they are often the first to know about the financial concerns weighing on clients.
While most CFPs surveyed said clients were “cautious,” “undecided” or “concerned,” most still said clients had an optimistic outlook for the year ahead, according to the CFP Board of Directors report. About 82% said customers expect to achieve long-term goals, and many also have customers planning big expenses like vacations, home repairs or renovations.
Other research also shows that most Americans are more confident in 2026. According to a study, almost 3 in 5 adults plan to take a financial risk such as buying a home or starting a business in the next year. NerdWallet report.
Still, emotions are mixed as we head into the new year, NerdWallet finds: More than a third of Americans are optimistic about their finances, but almost as many feel anxious or stressed.
“While the overall health of the economy can certainly play a role in these considerations, much of the decision should depend on the shape of your finances, including the amount of savings you have and the debt you currently carry or may take on,” Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet, said in a statement. he said.
Having a personalized financial plan can help
Many experts say working with an advisor on a financial plan for short- and long-term goals is an important first step.
“When uncertainty increases, the value of professional financial planning becomes clearer,” CFP Board of Directors CEO Kevin Keller said in a statement.
Roth also said having well-defined goals and a personalized financial plan can help weather political or economic ups and downs. “When you develop a financial plan, you have to react less to daily or weekly actions,” Roth said.
