Affordability concerns are reshaping Americans’ financial decisions, with 78% of CFP professionals reporting that clients worry about Social Security’s long-term viability and 73% expressing similar concern about Medicare. Half of advisors say clients have taken potentially shortsighted steps to manage current costs, including early retirement-account withdrawals, reducing contributions and assuming high-interest debt. Although 68% of CFP professionals describe clients’ overall financial outlook as positive, 69% say affordability worries have increased over the past year. CFP Board said 85% of professionals are recommending measures such as recession stress tests, emergency-fund targets, contribution-rate changes and faster debt repayment. The findings come from a survey of 440 CFP professionals conducted from July 9 to July 27, 2026, with a reported sampling error of plus or minus 4.7% at the 95% confidence interval.