Paraplanner survey - Scottish Widows Insights Hub

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Paraplanner survey

Paraplanner survey report 2025

Now in its third edition, the Scottish Widows Paraplanner Survey delves into the paraplanning profession and provides an insight into the vital role that paraplanners play within the financial planning industry.

Our survey of 200 paraplanners reveals how they feel about their role, the future of the industry, the impact of regulation, and how AI is reshaping the landscape.

Findings are presented across three core themes:

Securing the future for paraplanning.
The modern platform landscape.
AI and technology adoption.

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The resilient paraplanner

Now in its third edition, the survey explores paraplanners adapting to workloads, regulation, and AI tools.

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Securing the future for paraplanning

Theme 1 examines paraplanning’s future, focusing on confidence, generational gaps, and career opportunities.

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The modern platform landscape

Theme 2 explores platform trends, highlighting efficiency, flexibility, and paraplanners’ priorities for operational success.

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AI and technology adoption

Theme 3 examines technology adoption, focusing on AI integration, workflow automation, and opportunities for improved efficiency.

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Other key findings

Other key findings highlight demographics, support levels, regulatory challenges, and paraplanners’ resilience amid industry change.

Paraplanner survey

Paraplanner survey report 2024

The Scottish Widows Paraplanner Survey offers an annual snapshot of the paraplanning profession, capturing the evolving roles, challenges, and aspirations of today’s paraplanners. Based on insights from 200 professionals, the survey explores key issues such as platform preferences, adviser collaboration, the impact of Lifetime Allowance (LTA) changes, and the effects of Consumer Duty regulations.

Findings are presented across three core themes:

Paraplanning in the Regulatory Age – how shifting rules are reshaping the role.
Paraplanning: Myths and Misconceptions – challenging outdated perceptions.
Paraplanning and Technology – exploring the complex relationship between tech and the profession.

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Paraplanner survey 2024 introduction - Paraplanning redefined

Welcome to the second edition of the Scottish Widows Paraplanner Survey, which takes the pulse of the paraplanning profession and...

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Paraplanning in the regulatory age

Discover how frequent regulatory changes, including the removal of the Lifetime Allowance and Consumer Duty compliance, are reshaping paraplanner workloads,...

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Paraplanning: The myths and misconceptions

Explore common myths about paraplanning and discover how the role has evolved into a distinct, valued profession with unique skills,...

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Paraplanning & technology: A love-hate relationship?

See how paraplanners feel about how the technology they use is evolving and the potential role of AI to make...

Paraplanner survey 2024 - research round up

Three quarters of our paraplanners are under 50, with a 91% majority employed directly by adviser firms, either full or...

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Paraplanning redefined: Webinar

Rob Kingsbury, editor of Professional Paraplanner, leads a panel discussion on the results of our annual Paraplanner Survey, exploring paraplanning...

Paraplanner survey

Paraplanner survey report 2023

The Scottish Widows Paraplanner Survey is a temperature check on the health of the paraplanning profession and an insight into the pressing issues facing paraplanners today. This issue reveals how over 400 paraplanners feel about their role; their relationships with advisers; their use of technology; the challenges and opportunities within the industry; and their aspirations for the future state of the profession.