10/21/2026
Before the Year Ends: Your Financial Planning Checklist ✅
The end of the year is a great time to pause and make sure your financial plan is keeping up with your life.
Before December 31, consider reviewing:
💙 Charitable Giving & Donor-Advised Funds
If charitable giving is part of your plan, review contributions to your donor-advised fund, including whether gifting appreciated investments makes sense for your situation.
🏥 Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you're eligible, review your HSA contributions. For 2026, the contribution limits are $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage.
💰 Traditional & Roth IRAs
Review whether an IRA contribution fits your strategy. The combined 2026 contribution limit for Traditional and Roth IRAs is $7,500, or $8,600 if you're age 50 or older, subject to eligibility and income rules.
📈 Workplace Retirement Plans
Check your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 contributions while there's still time to adjust payroll contributions. The employee deferral limit is $24,500 for 2026, with additional catch-up opportunities for eligible participants.
📉 Investment & Tax Review
Review realized gains and losses, portfolio allocations, concentrated positions, and whether year-end tax planning opportunities may be available.
👨👩👧 Beneficiaries & Estate Planning
Life changes. Make sure beneficiaries on retirement accounts, insurance policies, and other accounts still reflect your wishes.
🎁 RMDs & Charitable Distributions
If you're subject to Required Minimum Distributions, make sure your distribution requirements have been addressed. For charitably inclined IRA owners age 70½+, a Qualified Charitable Distribution may also be worth discussing. Remember, QCDs cannot be made to donor-advised funds.
Good financial planning isn't just about what your investments earned. It's about making sure all the pieces of your financial life continue working together.
Before the calendar turns, take a little time to review your plan with your financial and tax professionals.