Four in five (83%) financial advisers say the high level of inflation is their clients main worry this year.

The second biggest concern was the value of portfolios, with 68% of advisers stating this was a key concern for clients.

The research from Canada Life revealed that despite a difficult economic environment, fears over recession were much further down the list of client concerns with only 37% mentioning economic woes.

Generating an income in retirement, and the changes in CGT and dividend tax, were of least concern with advisers saying that about one in four clients had concerns in these areas (26% and 25% respectively).

Shelley Greenwood, head of investment proposition, Wealth at Canada Life said: “Inflationary pressures continue to pervade the global economy, with clients feeling this acutely in both their day to day costs and the steady stream of news headlines.

"Client portfolios will not be insulated from the broader geo-political and macro-economic headwinds and this is where advisers will be helping their clients by providing peace of mind as well as ensuring plans remain on track."

• Canada Life researched 149 financial advisers in January.