Your 2026 Financial Planning Checklist

As the year winds down, this is the moment to step back and get intentional about what comes next.

This special edition of VIP Wealth Weekly outlines the top financial planning moves we are actively discussing with clients right now to help them enter 2026 positioned, aligned, and ahead of the curve.

Save this checklist. A few minutes now can make a meaningful difference in 2026.

Key Takeaways for 2026 Financial Planning

• 2026 contribution limits are higher, but timing and structure matter more than maxing out blindly.
• High earners face new Roth-only catch-up rules that require proactive tax planning.
• Roth conversions, HSAs, and gifting strategies work best when coordinated together.
• Investment decisions should be aligned with tax strategy, not made in isolation.
• Equity compensation planning is increasingly critical due to tighter AMT thresholds.

Lock In Your 2026 Retirement Contribution Strategy Early

For 2026, the IRS increased retirement contribution limits again, creating more tax-advantaged room for disciplined savers:

• 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and TSP employee deferral limit: $24,500
• IRA and Roth IRA contribution limit: $7,500

Rather than waiting for bonuses or improved cash flow, the strongest outcomes come from designing contributions now so January paychecks are already optimized.

Use Catch-Up Contributions Strategically, Not Automatically

Catch-up contributions remain a powerful lever, especially as retirement approaches:

• 401(k) catch-up (age 50+): $8,000
• Special catch-up (ages 60-63): $11,250
• IRA catch-up (age 50+): $1,100

The right approach depends on tax brackets, liquidity, and timing. Planning intentionally allows these dollars to support a broader strategy.

Prepare for the New Roth Catch-Up Rule for High Earners

Beginning in 2026, individuals with prior-year wages above $150,000 must make 401(k) catch-up contributions into the Roth bucket rather than pre-tax.

This does not eliminate the value of catch-up contributions, but it does shift tax timing. Planning ahead ensures this rule aligns with your broader tax strategy.

Revisit Your Roth Conversion Plan With Fresh Eyes

With higher contribution limits and evolving tax dynamics, 2026 is an ideal time to reassess Roth conversion strategies.

Staged conversions can reduce lifetime taxes, improve retirement flexibility, and manage future required distributions when coordinated precisely.

Incorporate HSA Planning Into Your Long-Term Strategy

• Self-only limit: $4,400
• Family limit: $8,750
• Catch-up (age 55+): $1,000

When integrated properly, HSAs can serve as a powerful long-term tax-advantaged asset, not just a spending account.

Align Investment Allocation With Tax Strategy

• Review asset allocation and concentration risk
• Identify tax-loss harvesting opportunities
• Plan strategic realization of gains

When investment and tax planning work together, the impact is often greater than either in isolation.

Redesign Your 2026 Cash Flow and Savings Structure

• Adjust automatic savings and investments
• Update bonus deferral elections
• Align monthly cash flow with annual goals

Small changes made early can compound meaningfully over time.

Use Gifting Strategies Thoughtfully and Intentionally

Estate and gift planning thresholds continue to rise in 2026, creating expanded planning flexibility:

• Annual exclusion: $19,000 per recipient
• Gift splitting: $38,000 per recipient
• Lifetime exemption: $15M per individual

These limits create opportunities for thoughtful wealth transfer, trust funding, and family support when coordinated with an overall estate plan.

Coordinate Charitable Giving With Broader Planning Goals

Charitable strategies are most effective when aligned with tax planning and long-term objectives.

Whether through donor-advised funds, appreciated assets, or multi-year giving strategies, planning enables generosity to align with financial goals.

Align Your Equity Compensation Strategy With 2026 AMT Realities

For many VIP clients, equity compensation accounts for a meaningful portion of their total wealth. As we move into 2026, it is essential to align RSUs, Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs), and Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) with updated tax rules, including changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).

AMT in 2026: What to Know

For 2026, the AMT exemption and phaseout mechanics shift in a way that can affect high-income earners more quickly:

• Exemption: $90,100 for single filers and $140,200 for married filing jointly
• Phaseout begins at $500,000 (single) and $1,000,000 (married filing jointly)
• Phaseout rate: $0.50 for every $1 of income above the threshold

This makes significant equity events, particularly ISO exercises, more likely to trigger AMT without careful planning.

RSUs and NQSOs: Taxed as Compensation

Restricted Stock Units and Non-Qualified Stock Options are taxed as ordinary income at vest (RSUs) or exercise (NQSOs). Because clients are already paying full ordinary income taxes at that point, our typical recommendation is to sell RSUs at vest.

Selling at vest:

• Avoids unnecessary concentration
• Simplifies tax reporting
• Supports diversification

Holding vested RSUs is an active investment decision, not a default one, and should be evaluated in the context of your total balance sheet.

ISOs and AMT Planning

Incentive Stock Options can offer favorable tax treatment, but the bargain element at exercise is included in AMT income, even if the shares are not sold.

With lower phaseout thresholds and a faster phaseout rate in 2026, large ISO exercises can push taxpayers into AMT more quickly. In some cases, a disqualifying disposition or a staggered exercise strategy may be preferable to minimize overall tax exposure and risk.

Planning Takeaway

Equity compensation decisions should never be made in isolation. Modeling exercises, sales, and holding periods in advance allow us to manage taxes, diversify risk, and avoid unintended outcomes in high-income years.

2026 Financial Planning FAQs

What should high-income earners prioritize for 2026 financial planning?

High-income earners should focus on contribution timing, Roth vs pre-tax decisions, coordinated tax and investment planning, and proactive equity compensation modeling rather than last-minute moves.

How do the new Roth catch-up rules affect retirement planning in 2026?

Beginning in 2026, high earners above the wage threshold must make catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. This shifts tax timing and requires coordination with broader tax and conversion strategies.

Is maxing out retirement accounts always the right move?

Not always. The right strategy depends on tax brackets, liquidity needs, equity compensation, and future income expectations. Optimization often beats simple maximization.

How does AMT affect equity compensation in 2026?

Lower AMT phaseout thresholds make ISO exercises more likely to trigger AMT. Modeling exercises and potential dispositions ahead of time helps avoid unintended tax outcomes.

When should I start planning for 2026?

The ideal time is before the year begins. Early planning allows payroll elections, investment positioning, and tax strategies to work throughout the year rather than retroactively.

Want Help Turning This Checklist Into a Personalized 2026 Plan?

The checklist is the easy part. Applying it to your taxes, equity compensation, and cash flow is where real planning begins.

Schedule a 2026 Planning Conversation