Closing the Confidence Gap in Financial Planning with John Roberts
From Power Your Advice by Advisorpedia
March 27, 2026 · 24 min
About this episode
John Roberts discusses the growing confidence gap in financial planning among younger investors and the importance of working with advisors.
John Roberts , Chief Field Officer at Northwestern Mutual , shares insights from the firm’s 2026 Planning & Progress Study , pointing to a growing gap in financial confidence—particularly among younger investors. Gen Z and millennials are increasingly turning to speculative behaviors like crypto, sports betting, and prediction markets as a way to “catch up,” often driven by a sense of falling behind. In contrast, those working with advisors report significantly higher levels of confidence, reinforcing the role of advice in shifting clients toward long-term planning, compounding, and protection. Roberts also highlights how financial planning is becoming more multi-generational, with a rising number of parents actively saving to help their children purchase a home. That shift, alongside the need for earlier and more deliberate succession planning, underscores a broader theme across the industry. Among top-performing firms, the differentiators are consistent: strong leadership development, intentional talent building, and a focus on engaging the next generation—both as clients and future advisors. Resources: Northwestern Mutual Source
People in this episode
Guest: John Roberts
Topics covered
- financial planning
- confidence gap
- younger investors
- multi-generational planning
- succession planning
- leadership development
Keywords
- financial confidence
- investment behaviors
- crypto
- sports betting
- long-term planning
- home purchase
- succession planning
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Northwestern Mutual
Places: Gen Z, millennials
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