2026 CFP® Professionals Financial Outlook Survey

The year 2025 will not go down in the history books as a year of stability. It featured a change in political leadership in Washington, D.C., major shifts in economic policies — including increased tariffs — and the enactment of new tax laws. Meanwhile, the U.S. stock markets saw share prices rise, and the Federal Reserve began cutting short-term interest rates. In this environment, consumer sentiment varied significantly over the past 12 months.

In addition to broader 2025 economic trends, this fall also featured the longest federal government shutdown in history, disrupting checks for federal workers, contractors and recipients of social assistance. The government shutdown interrupted the publication of many key economic data reports, adding uncertainty to an already unsettled economic environment.

Millions of Americans depend on the expertise of financial advisors, such as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals to develop financial plans that navigate both short-term and long-term uncertainties, enhancing overall financial well-being. The development and implementation of these plans occur through honest and open conversations between CFP® professionals and their clients. These discussions, which focus on setting goals, identifying challenges and creating a path toward better financial health, give CFP® professionals a unique advantage in understanding consumers’ sentiments across the United States.

To gain insight into clients’ outlook for 2026, CFP Board’s Research team surveyed CFP® professionals in November 2025. This survey examines clients’ sentiments, challenges and opportunities, while also exploring the types of strategies that CFP® professionals recommend.

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