Client Impact Study: FPLS Data

The Financial Planning Longitudinal Study (FPLS) is tracking, following and measuring financial and overall wellness outcomes of a diverse and representative sample of American households over at least the next decade. The study aims to provide an empirical evaluation of the benefits of financial planning and working with CFP® professionals compared to the services of professionals who do not hold CFP® certification and those with do-it-yourself approaches. The data for the study comes from an annual survey of Americans.

Thus far, the researchers have conducted two surveys: one in July 2024 and a second in 2025. Both surveys drew their data from targeted members of the AmeriSpeak® panel, managed by NORC at the University of Chicago. Participants represented working and retired Americans ages 25-65 who serve as primary or shared financial decision-makers in their households, with a minimum annual income of $50,000 and investable assets of at least $30,000.

CFP Board published the 2024 and 2025 key findings. The Financial Planning Review (FPR) journal article “Introducing the Financial Planning Longitudinal Study (FPLS)” describes the data and findings from the first wave. Follow FPR for subsequent descriptive reports.

The data, codebook and frequency tables, methods and transparency report, and survey instrument are available to researchers.

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