Authored by Kenji Noguchi

Key Takeaways

• With a few paychecks remaining in 2026, reviewing your 401(k) contribution rate can help you make the most of the $24,500 employee limit and any employer match.
• Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies are worth reviewing regularly, especially after major life changes.
• A quick review of your emergency savings, monthly budget, and financial priorities can help you set meaningful goals for 2027.
• Some financial deadlines fall on December 31, while 2026 IRA and HSA contributions can generally be made until April 15, 2027.

As the holidays approach, it is a natural time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to what is next. A few simple financial decisions today can help you start 2027 on solid footing. From reviewing retirement contributions to updating beneficiaries and revisiting your financial goals, these three year-end money moves deserve a spot on your list before December 31.

Want to keep track of important deadlines? Download our free Year-End Money Moves Checklist for a simple, printable guide at the bottom of this article.

Before anything else, a few administrative steps need to happen quickly.

With only a handful of paychecks left in 2026, it’s worth reviewing your contribution rate today.

Do the Simple Math

For 2026, the standard employee contribution limit is $24,500. Eligible workers age 50 and older can contribute an additional $8,000, and those ages 60 through 63 may qualify for a higher catch-up contribution of $11,250 instead of $8,000.

To see where you stand, find your year-to-date contributions on your latest pay stub, subtract that amount from the limit that applies to you, and divide what remains by the number of paychecks left this year. Here is an illustration for a saver under age 50: if you have contributed $20,000 so far, you have $4,500 of room left. With six paychecks remaining, that’s about $750 per paycheck.

Contribution limits generally apply across applicable employer plans, and the amount you can elect depends on your plan’s rules. Depending on your financial circumstances, increasing your contribution rate may be worth considering. Payroll changes can take a pay cycle or two to take effect, so reviewing your options now gives you more time to make adjustments before December 31. Your HR or benefits team can confirm the timing for your plan.

Know How Your Match Works

If your employer offers a match, it is one of the most valuable benefits in your plan. Match formulas vary. For illustration, an employer that matches 50% of the first 6% of pay on a $100,000 salary would contribute up to $3,000 for an employee who contributes at least $6,000.

Plans also differ in timing. Some calculate the match with every paycheck, and others review contributions at year-end and add a true-up contribution. Your plan’s summary plan description or your benefits team can tell you which approach applies to you, and whether your match follows a vesting schedule.

A 2026 Update for Savers 50 and Older

Beginning in 2026, employees age 50 and older who earned more than $150,000 in Social Security wages from the employer sponsoring their plan in 2025 generally must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. A plan needs a Roth option to accept catch-up contributions from employees in this group. If this may apply to you, your plan administrator can confirm how your plan handles it.

Beneficiary designations are easy to set up and easy to forget. For retirement accounts and life insurance policies, beneficiary designations generally determine who receives the assets and often take precedence over instructions in a will.

That makes a quick review worthwhile whenever life changes. Common moments include marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, or the loss of a loved one. If you recently welcomed a child, our New Child Financial Checklist walks through beneficiary updates alongside other first-year steps.

Here is a simple way to review:

• Gather your list: workplace retirement plans, IRAs, life insurance policies, annuities, and HSAs.
• Confirm that each primary beneficiary’s name is current and complete.
• Review your contingent beneficiaries so your assets pass as you intend if a primary beneficiary cannot receive them.
• Check your plan’s rules, since workplace retirement plans often give spouses specific rights that can affect who you name.
• Check that your designations fit with your will or trust. An estate planning attorney can help everything work together.
• Save a copy of each confirmation for your records.

Your financial priorities may look different today than they did at the beginning of the year. Setting aside about 30 minutes to review where you stand can help you identify what deserves your attention in 2027. Start with three questions:

• Do I have enough in emergency savings? Many savers aim for a cushion that covers several months of essential expenses. Look at your balance and decide whether a small monthly boost makes sense in 2027.
• Does my monthly budget support my priorities? Compare what came in and what went out this year. Even a modest adjustment can free up room for the goals that matter most to you.
• Am I saving for the things that matter most? Retirement, education, a home, travel, and family goals all compete for the same dollars. If education is on your list, our 529 Plan Basics post covers how those accounts work.

Finish by writing down two or three goals for 2027 and one action for each. A short, written list is easy to revisit and easy to share with your advisor.

Some deadlines land on December 31, and others give you more time. This quick guide can help you sort them out.

A Few Important Details

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) generally begin at age 73, although certain exceptions apply. Your first RMD may be deferred until April 1 of the following year. Subsequent distributions are generally due by December 31.

For 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 for individuals age 50 and older, subject to eligibility requirements. For HSA contribution limits, see our HSA vs. FSA 2026 guide.

FSA deadlines depend on your employer’s plan. Some allow a grace period or limited carryover of unused funds, so review your plan’s provisions before the year ends.

Growing your savings, protecting the people you love, and planning for 2027 all start with a few focused steps. The Prime Capital Financial Denver team can help you review your contribution rate, beneficiaries, and goals, and decide which steps deserve attention first.

Sources

IRS: 401(k) Limit Increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA Limit Increases to $7,500

IRS: Retirement Topics, Catch-Up Contributions

IRS: Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs

IRS: Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements

IRS: Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans

This information does not constitute legal advice. Prime Capital Financial and its associates do not provide legal advice. Individuals should consult with an attorney regarding the applicability of this information for their situations.

Advisory products and services offered by Investment Adviser Representatives through Prime Capital Investment Advisors, LLC (“PCIA”), a federally registered investment adviser. PCIA: 6201 College Blvd., Suite 150, Overland Park, KS 66211. PCIA doing business as Prime Financial | Wealth | Retirement | Wellness | Family Office | Tax Advisory | Endowments & Foundations. Tax planning and preparation services are offered through Prime Financial Tax Advisory.