Nearly half of IFAs (46%) believe that the introduction of Targeted Support from April will make consumers more likely to seek independent financial advice, according to a new poll from Opinium.
Targeted Support will be allowed from April by the FCA and will enable advisory and provider firms to provide outline financial guidance, but not bespoke personal advice, to savers with ‘common characteristics.’
Targeted Support is designed to give millions more people access to some form of financial guidance, particularly those who cannot afford full Financial Planning services.
Some critics have suggested that Targeted Support could damage demand for regulated financial advice but this survey of 200 advisers, carried out earlier this month by Opinium, suggests that many advisers see Targeted Support as potentially fuelling the demand for financial advice.
Only one in five advisers see Targeted Support as "damaging" to regulated financial advice.
Among the key findings from the survey:
- 57% of IFAs say that Targeted Support will help clients “better plan” their financial future
- 52% say new clients have accessed advice to plan for new financial goals
- 46% of IFAs believe access to targeted pension and investment support would make people “more likely” to seek independent financial advice
Only 19% of IFAs believe Targeted Support would make people “less likely” to seek independent financial advice
Over half (52%) of IFAs 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.
Nearly two in five (38%) IFAs also said that they were seeing new clients accessing advice due to life events such as weddings, having children or moving house.
Nearly three in ten (29%) cited changes in income or employment as reasons for new clients seeking advice, reflecting an uncertain labour market, according to Opinimum. One in ten (12%) report new clients accessing advice from them 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.”
• Opinium surveyed 200 IFAs between 2-9 March 2026.