Trading Strategies & Tech
Nearly Half of Britons Feel Unprepared for Major Financial Shocks, New Research Finds
28 Sept 2026
YouGov research for Mattioli Woods finds 44% of UK adults feel financially unprepared for major life events, with confidence particularly low among 45–54-year-olds and women.
28 September 2026 — Almost half of Britons say they are financially unprepared for major life events that could disrupt their long-term plans, according to new research commissioned by UK wealth management and employee benefits firm Mattioli Woods.
The YouGov study, based on 2,078 UK adults, found that 44% of respondents did not feel financially prepared for any of the major life situations presented to them. These included needing long-term care, losing the ability to manage their own finances, supporting an ageing relative and experiencing a relationship breakdown or divorce. Pasted text
The findings suggest a gap between recognising the importance of long-term financial planning and feeling genuinely prepared for unexpected events before retirement.
Financial confidence is lowest among 45–54-year-olds
The research found the strongest sense of financial unpreparedness among people aged 45 to 54, with 53% saying they did not feel prepared for major life events.
By comparison, the figure fell to 32% among those aged 55 and over. Women also reported lower levels of confidence than men, with 48% saying they felt financially unprepared compared with 40% of men. Pasted text
The age gap is particularly notable because people in their mid-40s and early 50s are often approaching a period where retirement planning becomes more prominent, while at the same time potentially facing responsibilities such as supporting children, ageing parents or managing health-related costs.
This creates a wider financial resilience challenge: preparing for retirement while also retaining enough flexibility to absorb unexpected events before retirement begins.
Regional differences are also significant
The study found clear differences across the UK.
Respondents in Scotland and the North West reported the highest level of financial unpreparedness at 49%, followed by Yorkshire at 48%. The East Midlands stood at 46%, the South East at 45%, the South West at 44%, the West Midlands at 43% and the North East at 42%. Pasted text
These regional differences may reflect variations in household finances, property costs, savings levels, employment patterns and access to financial advice, although the survey itself does not establish the causes behind the differences.
What the data does show is that financial resilience is not evenly distributed across the country.
Britons think serious financial planning should begin before 30
Despite widespread concern about preparedness, respondents clearly recognise the importance of planning early.
On average, people surveyed said serious long-term financial planning should begin at 28.5 years old. Pasted text
That finding suggests the problem is not necessarily a lack of awareness.
Many people appear to understand that financial planning should begin relatively early, but translating that belief into enough savings, protection and contingency planning to handle major life events remains more difficult.
Amit Joshi, Managing Director of Wealth at Mattioli Woods, said traditional financial planning often focuses heavily on retirement but can overlook shocks that happen much sooner.
“Many people understandably think about financial planning in terms of retirement and making sure they have enough money for later life. But our research shows that the financial events people feel least prepared for can often happen much earlier.” Pasted text
Long-term care and family responsibilities are major concerns
The situations respondents felt least prepared for included long-term care, losing the ability to manage their finances and supporting ageing relatives. Pasted text
These events can be particularly difficult to plan for because their timing, duration and financial impact are uncertain.
A person may know approximately when they want to retire, for example, but cannot predict when a parent may require care, whether a relationship may end or whether they themselves may lose the ability to manage financial decisions.
Joshi said these scenarios can have significant consequences for personal financial security but are often avoided because they are difficult to think about.
“A long-term financial plan should also consider what happens if circumstances change along the way.”
He added that planning for care needs, family responsibilities and loss of financial capacity can give individuals and families more flexibility when circumstances change. Pasted text
Financial resilience goes beyond retirement savings
The research raises a broader question about what constitutes good long-term financial planning.
Retirement remains one of the biggest financial priorities for households, but resilience also depends on the ability to handle disruption along the way.
Emergency savings, insurance, estate planning, powers of attorney, pension planning and access to liquid assets can all form part of that broader financial picture depending on individual circumstances.
For investors, that can also mean balancing long-term growth with sufficient access to capital.
A portfolio structured entirely around a distant retirement date may become difficult to maintain if a household suddenly faces care costs, family responsibilities or a change in income.
The findings therefore support a wider shift in wealth management from simply asking how much someone needs for retirement to considering how resilient their finances are across different stages of life.
Earlier conversations could give households more options
Mattioli Woods argues that earlier financial conversations can help households prepare for uncertainty even when individual events cannot be predicted.
Joshi said:
“No one can plan for every eventuality, but starting these conversations earlier can give people more time, greater flexibility and more options when circumstances change.” Pasted text
The survey suggests that many Britons already agree in principle, given the average age of 28.5 identified as the point when serious long-term planning should begin.
The challenge is converting that awareness into practical preparation.
For financial advisers and wealth managers, this could mean placing greater emphasis on scenario planning rather than focusing only on expected returns and retirement targets.
For households, it means thinking about financial security as a series of possible transitions rather than one final destination.
Mattioli Woods expands following Kingswood integration
The research comes as Mattioli Woods continues to expand its UK wealth management operations.
The firm recently integrated Kingswood Group under a unified brand following their October 2025 merger. The combined business now serves more than 30,000 clients, with more than 200 financial advisers across over 40 UK offices. Pasted text
Mattioli Woods says the integration strengthens its ability to provide wealth planning, investment management and employee benefits services through a single national business.
Methodology
The research was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Mattioli Woods, surveying 2,078 UK adults between 2 and 3 September 2026. Pasted text
About Mattioli Woods
Mattioli Woods is a UK wealth management and employee benefits firm founded in 1991. The company says it serves more than 30,000 clients and is responsible for £25 billion in assets under advice and management. Pasted text
Its services include investment management, pensions, tax-efficient investing, inheritance tax and estate planning and employee benefits.
