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Finish Strong: 5 Smart Year-End Financial Moves to Make Before 2026 Thumbnail

Finish Strong: 5 Smart Year-End Financial Moves to Make Before 2026

Let’s talk about December.

Not the parties. Not the peppermint bark. I’m talking about that moment right before the year ends when you have a chance to make small moves that could save you thousands.

I tell every business owner and executive I work with: before you close the books, take an hour to step back and ask, “Is my financial plan still doing what I need it to do?”

Because whether you’re looking to lower your tax bill, boost your retirement plan, or optimize your investment picture, there are a handful of decisions that can make a real difference if you act before December 31.

Here’s what I’d be looking at.

1. Max Out What You Can Save:  Especially for Retirement

If you’ve had a good income year, don’t let it slip through the cracks. The IRS increased contribution limits again in 2025:

  • 401(k): $23,500 for those under 50
  • Catch-up contributions: Add $7,500 if you’re 50 or older
  • Ages 60–63: You get a special super-catch-up. You can put in an extra $11,250 for a total of $34,750

Even if you can’t max it out, just bumping your contributions a bit can put compounding to work for you. That’s the key: let the math do the lifting.

2. Recheck Your Tax Strategy: The Rules Have Changed

2025 brought a few updates that are worth paying attention to:

  • SALT cap increased: From $10,000 to $40,000. That’s a huge shift if you itemize.
  • New deduction for seniors: If you’re 65+, there’s now a $6,000 per person deduction, with some income phaseouts.
  • Charitable giving: This is a good year to make meaningful gifts, especially if you're in a higher bracket.

If you're giving appreciated stock or using a donor-advised fund, that’s a win-win: you support causes you care about and reduce your tax exposure.

Remember: tax law changes are like weather patterns. If you don’t check the forecast, you could get soaked.

3. Leverage Your HSA: One of the Best Tax Tools Out There

Health savings accounts don’t get enough love. They offer triple tax benefits: contributions are deductible, the money grows tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses aren’t taxed.

Here are the limits for 2025:

  • $4,300 for individuals
  • $8,550 for families
  • Plus an extra $1,000 catch-up if you’re 55 or older

That’s a solid way to boost savings with efficiency. Also check your FSA, use it or lose it still applies in most plans.

4. Check Your Investment and Income Picture

If you’ve had stock options vest, RSUs pay out, or a big liquidity event this year, you’ll want to double-check your withholdings. Many stock plans only withhold 22%, which may not be enough.

Here’s what I often ask clients:

  • Have your mutual funds issued any capital gains distributions?
  • Have you rebalanced your portfolio since the market moved?
  • Is your risk exposure still in line with your long-term plan?

I like to take the emotion out of these decisions. Let’s look at the numbers, model the outcomes, and avoid surprises come April.

5. Plan Around Major Life Milestones

If anything in your world changed this year, a new child, real estate sale, inheritance, job shift, it’s time to revisit your financial model.

Age-based milestones matter too:

  • Social Security eligibility
  • Medicare enrollment
  • Required minimum distributions

A good plan adjusts as your life evolves. And sometimes, it’s just about taking the time to ask the right questions.

Bring It All Together

I had a client who inherited a business after a family member passed unexpectedly. We didn’t change their entire financial structure overnight we just started with one step: a list of what changed and where we had exposure. From there, we adjusted retirement contributions, reviewed their charitable plan, and updated their tax projection.

By the time we hit New Year’s, they felt lighter. More focused. More in control.

That’s the goal.

Let’s Get You There

If you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay. I’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and the best plans don’t start with spreadsheets. They start with clarity.

Let’s walk through your numbers, your goals, and your options.

We’ll make sure you feel good about where you stand and even better about where you’re headed.