Five things clients say about their adviser

id

In today’s world of growing financial complexity and uncertainty, the role of the financial adviser has never been more essential - or more appreciated.

Our Retirement Voice: Adviser Edition reveals powerful insights into how UK clients perceive the value of financial advice.

Here are five standout findings - and why they matter.

1. Advice makes a positive difference

Clients overwhelmingly say their adviser has made a tangible difference to how they feel about their finances. And this holds true across all income levels.

In fact, 68% of those earning less than £50k who take advice say they currently feel financially positive, compared to just 40% of non-advised individuals in the same income bracket. Even among those earning over £100k, 89% of advised clients say they’re positive about their finances, versus 80% of similar earners who don’t take advice.

These findings highlight the broad impact of advice – not just on financial outcomes, but how people currently feel about their money and their situation.

2. Having an adviser brings emotional benefits

Financial advice isn’t just about helping to growing wealth, it also provides peace of mind.

Right now, 38% of advised clients say cost of living issues have affected their mental health or caused stress. This compares to 46% of the UK’s non-advised population.

More than half of advised clients (57%) agree that talking to their financial adviser helps with their mental wellbeing.

Younger clients are particularly affected by emotional strain, with 61% of Gen Z and 51% of Millennials reporting stress due to cost of living pressures. Encouragingly, these same groups are also the most likely to say that speaking with their adviser has helped - 73% of Gen Z and 72% of Millennials agree.

3. Advice helps people make good financial decisions

People who take advice are significantly more confident in their ability to make sound financial decisions.

For example, 67% of advised individuals say they feel confident about where to invest their pension savings, compared to just 34% of those without advice. Similarly, 66% of advised clients feel confident about when to access their pension, compared to 49% of non-advised individuals.

Even in retirement, the benefits of advice remain clear: 68% of advised clients disagree with the statement ‘I worry that I am making bad decisions around using my retirement finances’, compared to 59% of those without an adviser.

4. Advice makes a comfortable lifestyle more likely

Despite ongoing economic challenges, 77% of clients say they’re financially better off thanks to their adviser – while 69% also say their adviser’s support has helped to improve their standard of living.

These results are especially evident when looking at how people would describe their current financial situation.

Among those earning less than £50,000, advised clients are twice as likely to define their current living situation as ‘comfortable’ compared to non-advised individuals (42% vs. 20%).

At the higher end of the income scale, the disparity continues – with the non-advised population twice as likely to say they’re finding things difficult right now (30% vs.13%).

Of course, the more money people earn, the more likely they are to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. However, as we move up through the income levels, those who take advice are consistently more inclined to say they’re living comfortably and less likely to say they’re finding life difficult.

5. Advice delivers value for money

Given all these benefits, it’s no surprise that 82% of advised clients say their adviser delivers value for money. Nearly the same population (83%) also say they value the relationship they have with their financial adviser.

This connection between tangible benefits, emotional support and ongoing value perhaps explains why as many as 77% of clients in the UK today still expect to be using their adviser well into their retirement.

The enduring value of advice

The data from this report is compelling. Clients value their advisers not just for financial returns, but for the confidence, comfort, and clarity they bring to life’s biggest decisions. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, so too does the role of the adviser – from financial expert to trusted partner.

By understanding what clients truly think and feel, advisers can continue to deliver meaningful, multi-generational value – and build relationships that last a lifetime.

For a deeper dive into client insights, you can read the full Retirement Voice: Adviser Edition report on our website.

 

Source: Standard Life, Retirement Voice: Adviser Edition, 2025