Six year-end moves that make every retirement dollar count

Investor Services Insights · Updated for 2026

Retirement planning rewards attention at the margins, and no month offers more of them than December. A handful of decisions, made before the year turns, can change what you owe and what you keep. Six are worth an hour of anyone’s time.

1. Top off contributions

For 2026 the IRA limit is $7,500, or $8,600 for those 50 and older with the catch-up. Workplace and self-employed plans allow far more — a $24,500 employee deferral in a 401(k), with additional catch-ups. You generally have until the tax-filing deadline for IRA contributions, but funding early puts the money to work sooner.

2. Weigh a Roth conversion

A low-income year opens room to convert pre-tax dollars to Roth at a lower rate. Convert deliberately, mind the pro-rata rule if you hold after-tax IRA money, and pay the tax from outside funds. Conversions are permanent, so model before you move.

3. Take your required distribution

If you are 73 or older, confirm your required minimum distribution is satisfied before year-end. Missing it triggers an excise tax on the shortfall. Roth IRAs carry no lifetime RMD for the original owner.

4. Consider a qualified charitable distribution

At 70½ or older, you can direct up to an annual limit from an IRA straight to charity. A qualified charitable distribution can satisfy your RMD without adding to taxable income — often a better outcome than donating cash.

5. Review beneficiaries

Your beneficiary form controls who inherits the account, overriding your will. Marriages, divorces, births, and deaths all argue for a look. It is the highest-leverage five minutes in estate planning.

6. Update valuations and cash

If your self-directed account holds alternatives, make sure this year’s valuations are filed and that the account holds enough cash to cover fees, expenses, and any taxes. A good investment can still force a distribution if the account runs dry.

The bottom line

None of these moves is exotic. Together they are the difference between a retirement account that drifts and one that is steered. Confirm the specifics with a tax professional, and make the calls before the calendar does it for you.

This article is general information, not individualized investment, legal, or tax advice. Sources referenced include the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, Securities and Exchange Commission, and FINRA. Consult a qualified professional about your circumstances.

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