This is Americans' top money fear, financial planners say. Is it harming your money choices, too?

Here’s why political stress is now at the forefront of financial planning conversations, and how you can keep calm when the headlines feel overwhelming.

Politics and money

According to the planners surveyed, many political fears stem from uncertainty over tax policy changes, a number of which are tied to President Donald Trump’s new “big beautiful bill,” and questions about the impact of tariffs.

“A lot of people were attaching their outlook to overall economic and political conditions,” Kevin Roth, the CFP Board’s managing director of research, told CNBC (2). He added that the level of uncertainty clients are feeling caused by politics and economics is “creeping up.”

At the same time, consumer confidence is low. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell sharply in January following a small uptick in December — which was preceded by months of decline (3).

Between a recent federal government shutdown, shifting tariff policies and a changing tax system, many people may feel compelled to act to safeguard their savings. But experts warn that this kind of headline-driven thinking can do real damage. Knee-jerk moves tied to political news can end up hurting long-term results.

When you get spooked by breaking news

Most CFPs (80%) surveyed by the CFP Board say their clients still expect to hit their long-term goals, even if they're feeling a little more on edge lately. This signals that financial stability isn’t built on political forecasts, but on solid planning.

“While political developments often bring uncertainty, successful investors know that long-term strategy, not short-term noise, should guide portfolio decisions,” Jimmy Lee, founder and CEO of The Wealth Consulting Group, wrote for Kiplinger in an article published Aug. 6 (4). “Politics might move markets day-to-day, but fundamentals drive performance over time.”

Here are some key fundamentals that should always be part of your portfolio planning.