Millennials and Gen Z Driving Financial Resilience: A Strategic Opportunity for UK Financial Planning Firms

Key Findings: Young Adults Leading the Savings Revolution

Recent research from Scottish Friendly has revealed compelling insights that challenge outdated stereotypes about younger generations’ financial behaviour. The study, surveying 2,511 UK adults between March and April 2025, demonstrates that Millennials and Gen Z are taking unprecedented ownership of their financial futures.

Striking Statistical Differences by Generation

The data reveals significant generational gaps in financial engagement:

Reaching the Advice Gap Middle: A Smart Move for Financial Planners

The UK faces a retirement crisis of unprecedented scale. With 15 million people at risk of financial hardship in later life, financial advisers have both a social responsibility and a significant business opportunity to address this growing challenge.

The Scale of the Crisis: Understanding the Numbers

Recent research reveals alarming statistics about retirement preparedness in the UK. According to the Financial Conduct Authority, 10% of adults are not saving anything at all, whilst 21% have less than £1,000 in savings. More concerning still, almost a quarter of the population—13 million people—find themselves in a fragile financial state, struggling with debt and everyday expenses.

Financial Resilience 2025: Unlocking Three High-Value Client Segments for Financial Advisers

The latest research from Royal London reveals a stark reality: whilst fewer adults now describe themselves in financial crisis, the foundations of Britain’s financial resilience remain alarmingly fragile. For forward-thinking financial advisory practices, this presents an unprecedented opportunity to serve underserved markets and build sustainable growth.

The Scale of Opportunity: Significant Advice Gap Persists

Royal London’s comprehensive 2025 Financial Resilience Report, surveying over 4,000 UK adults, confirms what progressive advisers already recognise: financial pressure remains elevated across all demographics. Despite slight improvements in inflation and interest rates, one in five adults have less than £100 in savings, and 43% admit their retirement plans have been disrupted.