I'm a Financial Planner: 5 Retirement Moves Worth Making in the End of 2026
The second half of the year is a chance to make meaningful progress on retirement goals before the calendar turns.
Whether it’s increasing contributions, rebalancing investments or revisiting long-term plans, a few strategic adjustments now can have a lasting impact.
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One financial planner shared the retirement moves worth making in the second half of 2026 and why they deserve a closer look.
1. Review the New Rules
MoneyLion asked certified financial planner Christopher Stroup, founder of Silicon Beach Financial, which retirement moves deserve the most attention before the end of 2026.
“One key area to watch in 2026 is contribution limit increases tied to inflation, along with continued implementation of SECURE 2.0 provisions,” Stroup said.
He recommended that higher earners review catch-up contribution rules, Roth requirements and employer retirement plans. Business owners should also determine whether their current retirement plan remains the most tax-efficient option.
Contribution limits, tax rules and employer-sponsored retirement plans can change from year to year. Reviewing those updates before year-end can help workers and business owners take advantage of available retirement savings opportunities.
2. Match Savings to Retirement Goals
As the year progresses, many workers have a clearer picture of their income, bonuses and cash flow.
That makes the second half of the year a good time to review retirement savings across workplace plans, IRAs, brokerage accounts and business retirement plans to see whether the current pace supports long-term goals.
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“The most impactful move is making sure your retirement savings rate actually matches your future goals,” Stroup said. “Many high earners, especially entrepreneurs and tech professionals, assume a strong income guarantees retirement readiness. It doesn’t.”
3. Look for Tax-Saving Opportunities
Stroup said the second half of the year is a good time to revisit retirement plans because people usually have a better idea of their income and tax situation.
That can open the door to retirement planning strategies such as Roth conversions, increasing payroll deferrals, portfolio rebalancing and Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) planning.
“For retirees, proactive RMD planning can also reduce unnecessary tax surprises and improve long-term tax efficiency,” Stroup said.
4. Increase Contributions Automatically
Even a small increase in retirement savings can add up over time when contributions are made consistently.
“I’d recommend automating a higher savings rate immediately, even if the increase feels modest,” Stroup said. “Raising contributions by just 1% to 3% can meaningfully improve long-term outcomes because it compounds over decades.”
He added, “The goal is to make wealth building automatic and consistent, so progress continues regardless of market headlines, business cycles or short-term uncertainty.”
5. Don’t Wait Until December
Putting off retirement planning until the end of the year can leave fewer opportunities to adjust contributions or manage taxes before the calendar resets.
“The biggest mistake is treating retirement planning like a December checklist instead of a year-round strategy,” Stroup said.
Waiting too long can also mean missing opportunities to adjust retirement contributions, manage tax brackets, make Roth conversions or plan charitable giving. Stroup said the result can be higher lifetime taxes, missed compounding and fewer opportunities to build long-term wealth.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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