Politics is now the No. 1 money worry, financial planners say

On the heels of the longest-ever federal government shutdown, shifting tariff policies and heightened stock market volatility, many Americans are worried about what political uncertainty may cost them.

Heading into 2026, the political environment has become the top concern clients are raising with their advisor, according to a new report by the CFP Board, the credentialing organization behind the certified financial planner designation for financial advisors.

Roughly half of CFPs surveyed said politics dominates financial planning conversations, even over money matters like inflation and market fluctuations. The CFP Board in November polled 322 financial advisors who hold the designation.

“A lot of people were attaching their outlook to overall economic and political conditions,” said Kevin Roth, the CFP Board’s managing director of research.

“The uncertainty we see caused by economics and politics is definitely creeping up a little bit,” Roth said. “CFP professionals have a unique relationship,” he said, as they are often the first to know about the financial worries that weigh on clients.

While many of the CFPs surveyed said clients are “cautious,” “uncertain” or “anxious,” most still said clients have an optimistic outlook for the year ahead, according to the CFP Board report. About 82% said clients expect to achieve long-term goals and many have clients who are also planning major expenditures such as vacations, home repairs or renovations.

Other studies also show that most Americans are more confident about 2026. Nearly 3 in 5 adults plan to take a financial risk, such as buying a home or starting a business, in the year ahead, according to one NerdWallet report.

Still, feelings going into the new year are mixed, NerdWallet also found: More than one-third of Americans are optimistic about their financial situation but nearly as many feel anxious or stressed.

“While the state of the broader economy can certainly play a role in these considerations, much of the decision should rest on the shape of your finances, including the amount of savings you have and the debt you’re currently carrying or may take on,” NerdWallet’s senior economist Elizabeth Renter said in a statement.

Working with an advisor on a financial plan for short- and long-term goals is an important first step, many experts say.

“When uncertainty grows, the value of professional financial planning becomes even more clear,” CFP Board CEO Kevin Keller said in a statement.

Having well-defined goals and a personalized financial plan can help weather the political or economic ups and downs, Roth also said. “When you develop a financial plan, you are supposed to be less reactive to day-to-day or week-to-week actions,” Roth said.

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