By George P. Jackson, MBA, CPA, CFA, CFP®, CMT, CLU, ChFC
Everything to Revisit Before the New Year
With 2025 winding down, it’s the perfect moment to take a fresh look at your financial life and set yourself up for a confident start to 2026. A little year-end preparation can go a long way, helping you strengthen your investments, shield your family, and keep your financial plan aligned with the changes in your life.
To help you get organized before January, we’ve created this simple and comprehensive checklist. If you would like help reviewing any of these items, we are always here to guide you.
1. Refresh Your Income and Budget Plans
A new year often brings changes in income, expenses, or lifestyle. Take a moment to revisit:
- Expected income for 2026, including bonuses or business revenue
- Any major expenses coming up, such as home projects, travel, or medical costs
- Whether your emergency fund still covers 3 to 6 months of living expenses
- Any debts you want to reduce or eliminate this year
Starting the year with a clear picture of cash flow makes every other decision easier.
2. Review Retirement Contributions
Contribution limits change from year to year. This is an ideal time to plan for 2026:
- Verify that your 401(k), 403(b), or TSP contributions are set correctly for January.
- Confirm you are receiving the full employer match.
- Plan your IRA or Roth IRA contributions.
- Consider funding a health savings account (HSA) if you are eligible.
- Business owners may want to review SEP, SIMPLE IRA, or solo 401(k) options.
Small adjustments now can make a big difference over the long term.
3. Check Your Investment Strategy
Your portfolio should not be something you set and forget. Heading into the new year, revisit:
- Whether your investments still match your goals and comfort level
- If your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash needs rebalancing
- Any large positions that may be creating unnecessary risk
- Whether you are missing opportunities because too much money is sitting in cash
Markets change, and your plan should evolve with them.
4. Review Insurance and Risk Protection
Life can change quickly. It is important that your protection plan keeps pace. Review:
- Life insurance coverage
- Disability insurance for income protection
- Long-term care planning
- Home, auto, and liability insurance levels
An annual check helps your family and assets stay safeguarded.
5. Revisit Estate Planning Documents
Even if nothing major has changed, it is a good idea to review:
- Wills and trusts
- Power of attorney documents
- Healthcare directives
- Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies
A quick update can prevent costly mistakes or unintended outcomes later.
6. Organize Your Financial Documents
This is a great time to clean up, consolidate, and prepare for a fresh start:
- Update account logins and password storage.
- Review automatic payments and subscriptions.
- Confirm important documents are stored securely and easy to access.
- Gather year-end statements to prepare for early 2026 planning.
A little organization now saves a lot of stress later.
Set Yourself Up for a Strong 2026
Starting the year with a clear plan helps you stay proactive instead of reactive. If you would like help reviewing any item on this checklist, or want to discuss your goals, investment strategy, or retirement planning, we would be happy to set up a time in January.
A thoughtful review today can help make 2026 your strongest financial year yet. At Jackson Wealth Management, LLC, we truly listen to our clients and dig deep to gain an understanding of their individual needs, wants, goals, and timetables. Let us know how we can help you.
If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, schedule a consultation today or calling (407) 585-0235, emailing gj@jacksonwm.com, or booking online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Planning
1. Why is a year-end financial planning review so valuable?
With a new year often bringing income, contribution limit, and life-stage changes, a quick financial planning check helps your strategy stay current, intentional, and built for what comes next (not just what worked last year).
2. What areas should I prioritize on a financial planning checklist?
Start with cash flow, retirement contributions, portfolio alignment, insurance coverage, and estate documents. These core financial planning components create a stronger foundation than focusing on investments alone.
3. Who can help me implement a full year-end financial planning review?
A firm that operates under a fiduciary standard and coordinates both planning and tax insight can make all the moving parts simpler. Teams like Jackson Wealth Management, LLC help clients revisit financial planning holistically so each decision works together.
About George
George P. Jackson is the CEO and CIO of Jackson Wealth Management, LLC, based in Lake Mary, Florida. With over 33 years of experience in the financial services industry, George is passionate about making a meaningful difference in his clients’ lives through comprehensive, integrated wealth management. He specializes in helping clients make confident financial decisions by serving as their trusted “one-stop shop” for anything money related, from investments and retirement planning to taxes and estate strategies.
George obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration as well as his Master of Business Administration (with an emphasis in quantitative analysis) from University of Cincinnati. His designations include Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Chartered Market Technician®, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Chartered Financial Consultant®. Outside the office, he enjoys tennis, flying airplanes, traveling, spending time with his adult children, Christina and Matthew, and anything to do with the ocean. To learn more about George, connect with him on LinkedIn.
755 Primera Blvd, Suite
