How financial planners can guide clients through budget rumours

12 Nov 2025

As the 2025 Budget approaches, there is a lot of rumour and uncertainty around potential changes to key financial areas: Tax-Free Cash, Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Pension Tax Relief, and Inheritance Tax (IHT), among others. For financial planners, this period of uncertainty presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to reassure clients and reinforce the value of professional advice.

In times like these, planners play a crucial role in helping clients stay grounded, make informed decisions, and avoid reactive moves that could put long-term goals at risk. Here are three key considerations for navigating this landscape:

1. Reinforce the value of advice

Rumours can be unsettling, but acting on speculation rarely leads to optimal outcomes. Financial planners should remind clients of the importance of basing decisions on facts and current legislation, not fear or unconfirmed information.

  • Premature decisions can be costly. For example, in 2024, some clients accessed their tax-free cash purely out of concern it might be reduced or removed, without a strategic reason.
  • Focus on stability. Helping clients focus on what’s known and stable can prevent unnecessary disruption to their financial plans.

2. Revisit goals and reaffirm the plan

When uncertainty looms, it’s easy for clients to fixate on specific issues, like tax-free cash, without considering the broader context of their financial goals.

  • Refocus on purpose. What is the money for? What are the client’s long-term objectives? Could reacting to rumours derail those goals?
  • Support recovery if action has already been taken. If a client has withdrawn funds prematurely, planners can help realign their strategy to ensure those funds still serve their intended purpose, such as generating income in an IHT-efficient way, potentially through trusts.
  • Remind clients of irreversible decisions. For instance, HMRC has stated that tax-free cash cannot be returned once taken.

3. Act only when changes are confirmed

The best course of action is often to wait for official announcements before making any adjustments.

  • Stick to the fundamentals. Continue to apply allowances and exemptions appropriately and maintain a disciplined approach to planning.
  • Respond to facts, not forecasts. Once the Budget is delivered, planners can assess the impact and take informed steps to adapt strategies accordingly.

Final thoughts

Uncertainty is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be destabilising. Financial planners have a unique opportunity to provide clarity and confidence during turbulent times. By staying focused on facts, reinforcing long-term goals, and acting only when necessary, planners can guide clients through the noise and help them stay on track.

Once the Budget is announced, we’ll be here to support you through any changes.