Following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, UK adults admit they need financial advice for their current situation[1]. A report, which looked at intergenerational planning and wealth transfer between advised families amid the financial volatility and insecurity of the pandemic, found that more than half (53%) of UK adults surveyed say they have been prompted to seek advice from a financial adviser.

Of these, a third (33%) have already sought financial advice and 20% are planning to. Even among those who say they aren’t seeking financial advice, 15% say they might in the future. The research comes as an overwhelming 85% of respondents say they have financial concerns when thinking about the next 12 months, with one quarter of respondents having to dig into savings for living costs. Furthermore, investments losing money and having a reduced income are the next most concerning issues.

1Having to use savings to make ends meet – 23%

2Investments losing money – 20%

3Having a reduced income – 18%

4Being made redundant/losing a job – 17%

5Social care/health costs – 14%

6Not saving any money – 13%

7Getting into debt – 11%

8Having to financially support children – 11%

9Not being able to afford to retire as planned – 10%

10Having to ask parents or family for financial support – 9%

The report also revealed that the need for financial advice was felt the most urgently among the younger generations, with 74% of Millennials saying they had or were going to see an adviser, and 58% for Gen Z, driven by ‘getting into financial difficulty’ and ‘wanting to start their investment journey’.

While still pronounced, the need for advice decreases slightly with age, with 32% of Gen X, 21% of Boomers and a quarter (24%) of the 75+ age group saying the crisis specifically had driven them to seek advice.

Perhaps this need has arisen because younger generations, who have not necessarily been financially active during a financial crisis, have been made nervous by volatility – or have unspent monies to invest. The pandemic outbreak has been challenging for many adults up and down the country and this has stimulated the need for advice, be it because of pent-up cash levels, market volatility or job security.

We can help you chart your path through life, ensuring you are financially ready for every stage, from getting your own place to funding your children’s education to anticipating a comfortable retirement. Once we’re sure that we understand the life goals that matter most to you, we’ll recommend a plan to help you get there. To find out more, please contact us.

[1] Research was carried by Opinium for Prudential UK & Europe, a part of M&G plc, among a UK representative sample of 1,000 advised families. The survey was completed in November 2020.