CFP®-Advised Households Show Stronger Financial Outcomes in Longitudinal Study — Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board)

Event summary

CFP Board's 2025 Financial Planning Longitudinal Study found that 94% of households advised by CFP® professionals feel confident in achieving financial goals, compared to 81% of unadvised Americans.
83% of CFP®-advised clients maintain emergency funds covering three months’ income, versus 53% of unadvised individuals.
73% of clients have strong trust in their CFP® professional, significantly higher than the 52% for other advisors.
The study will track financial outcomes of a diverse sample of American households for at least 10 years.

The big picture

CFP Board's longitudinal study underscores the tangible benefits of working with certified financial planners, aligning with broader industry trends emphasizing holistic financial planning. As regulatory scrutiny on financial advice intensifies, the study's findings could bolster CFP® professionals' standing in a competitive market. With over 107,000 CFP® certificants in the U.S., the scale of this certification network positions it as a key player in shaping financial advisory standards.

What we're watching

Sustaining Differentiation: Whether CFP® professionals can maintain their advantage in financial preparedness and client trust as the study progresses over the next decade.
Holistic Planning Impact: How the broader adoption of holistic planning approaches by CFP® professionals will influence long-term financial outcomes across different life stages.
Market Positioning: The pace at which CFP Board can leverage these findings to strengthen its market position against other advisory certifications and unadvised financial management.