Budget-driven tax changes spur young wealthy Britons to double down on smarter financial planning

Our ‘In Focus’ campaign this month explores how younger generations are reshaping the advice landscape, from where they turn for financial guidance to the expectations, priorities and behaviours advisers need to understand.

Young wealthy adults aged 18-34 are emerging as the UK’s most proactive tax planners, challenging longstanding assumptions, according to new research from Brown Shipley, the UK wealth manager and subsidiary of Quintet Private Bank.

In response to changes announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget and broader tax changes, this younger demographic is acting far more quickly than their older counterparts. Two thirds (66%) of wealthy 18-34 year olds say they are now more likely to use tax-efficient wrappers such as ISAs, compared with 31% of those aged 35-54 and just 23% of those aged 55 and over.

This heightened engagement extends beyond individual products. Almost seven in ten (70%) young wealthy adults plan to review their long-term wealth strategies in light of policy changes, compared with 40% of 35-54 year olds and 31% of those over the age of 55.

The findings point to a generation responding dynamically to fiscal signals. Following the announcement that pensions will be subject to inheritance tax from 2027, 51% of wealthy 18-34 year olds say they plan to increase their pension contributions, compared to 21% of those aged 35-54 and just 2% of those aged 55 and older. Similarly, ahead of changes to National Insurance on salary sacrifice contributions from April 2029, more than half (53%) of younger respondents plan to increase pension funding, compared with 27% of 35-54 year olds and 2% of those aged 55 and over.

Younger wealthy adults are also more willing to consider structural lifestyle changes. Over half (57%) say they would consider downsizing to reduce exposure to the forthcoming Mansion Tax, compared with 19% of those aged 35-54 and just 3% of over‑55s.

Early action to reduce future tax exposure is also a defining feature of this group. Almost two thirds (62%) say they are more likely to gift assets earlier to mitigate potential future inheritance tax liabilities, nearly double the level seen among older generations. By contrast, 37% of 35-54 year olds and 29% of those aged 55 and over plan to do the same.

Young wealthy adults are also alert to the possibility of further fiscal tightening. Almost two thirds (64%) express concern that upcoming reforms could affect their ability to maintain their wealth in 2026, compared with 43% of those aged 35-54 and 25% of those 55 and over.

However, the research suggests a measured rather than panic‑driven response. One in five young wealthy adults has already reduced investment exposure amid uncertainty, compared with 9% of 35-54 year olds and 5% of those 55 and over. A further 30% of the younger generation plan to do so over the next year, versus 15% and 3% respectively.

Lindy Kroese, Wealth Planner at Brown Shipley, said: “Our research shows a new generation taking ownership of their financial future in a way we have not seen before. Younger wealthy Brits are responding to fiscal changes, instead of waiting for change to happen to them.

“Together, these behaviours point to a clear generational shift. Today’s young wealthy adults are engaging with financial planning earlier, acting more decisively and adapting more quickly to legislative changes – reshaping what financial resilience looks like in modern Britain.”