Edward Jones Study Finds Clients More Concerned About Market Volatility

A July 2025 news release from Edward Jones, based on research conducted with Cerulli Associates, highlights a familiar tension for many households: markets can shift quickly, but retirement planning decisions are built to play out over decades. In the study, financial advisors report that clients are more stressed about market volatility today than they were five years ago, and many also cite increased concern related to retirement planning.

Clients Are Feeling More Pressure from Volatility and Uncertainty

According to the research, advisors say clients are increasingly focused on market swings and the surrounding news cycle. That attention can intensify anxiety—particularly for individuals approaching retirement or actively coordinating income decisions.

In practice, the challenge isn’t only the market movement itself. It’s how uncertainty can influence behavior, timing, and confidence—especially when retirement goals feel closer and decisions feel less reversible.

“Stay the Course” Guidance Remains Common

Even during volatility, the study suggests advisors are generally not recommending significant plan changes based solely on short-term developments. Rather than reacting to headlines, the emphasis remains on keeping decisions aligned with established goals and time horizons.

This approach reflects a broader principle in retirement planning: strategy is typically built to withstand periods of uncertainty, and the most important decisions are often the ones that preserve long-term consistency.

Financial Planning Is Playing a Bigger Role

The release also points to a growing focus on financial planning within advisory practices. As clients’ needs evolve and conversations broaden, advisors increasingly expect financial planning to become more integrated into the services they provide.

For retirement-focused households, this matters because planning isn’t just about accumulation—it’s about coordinating timing, income sources, and expectations in a way that holds up through changing markets.

Wealth Transfer Conversations Continue to Evolve

The research also references the ongoing importance of wealth transfer discussions, which often intersect with retirement planning. These conversations may include legacy goals, family communication, and the practical steps households take to keep plans current as circumstances change.

Why These Findings Matter

Edward Jones’ July 2025 findings reinforce two themes that show up repeatedly in retirement conversations: markets can be noisy, and uncertainty can feel personal. For many households, the objective isn’t to predict volatility—it’s to build a strategy that remains steady through it, with decisions anchored to long-term goals and income needs.

Source: Edward Jones. Original press release published July 14, 2025.
Read the original press release.