Financial indecision leaves 41% of Britons stressed or worse off

More than a third of respondents had spent at least a year considering a financial decision, while 41 per cent said they had thought about a decision but ultimately did not act. One in six reported stress or anxiety from putting a decision off. Fourteen per cent said they had missed potential investment returns or believed their pension was smaller as a result, and one in 10 had missed chances to save or make money.

Delays also affected choices aimed at building long-term savings. A fifth of those considering whether to start investing spent more than four months weighing it up, including 11 per cent who took more than a year. For people considering increasing pension contributions, 17 per cent deliberated for more than four months and 8 per cent for at least a year.

Among respondents who had spent more than four months considering a financial decision, nearly half cited fear or low confidence as a reason for not acting; a similar proportion said they lacked clarity or information. Almost a quarter worried about making the wrong choice, while 20 per cent feared losing money. Sixteen per cent did not trust their own judgment, and 12 per cent felt overwhelmed by the choices available.

The report found that almost six in 10 said greater clarity and understanding helped them make a decision. More than half pointed to confidence and trusted support. Four in 10 said speaking with their adviser helped them feel able to act. Overall, 70 per cent of people with advice cited confidence and trusted support as factors that helped them decide, compared with 41 per cent of those without advice.

“Taking time over important financial decisions is often the right thing to do, but there is a point where careful consideration can become costly delay,” said Mark FitzPatrick, CEO of St James’s Place. The survey forms the first chapter of the firm’s 2026 Real Life Advice Report, titled “Changing Perspectives.” Further chapters are planned for the coming months and will examine money and investing beliefs, what shapes them, and how advice can help people assess their options and make informed decisions.