Your Q1 2026 Financial Planning Checklist

A Few Small Steps Now Can Make a Big Difference Later

A new year, a fresh start - and for 2026, a few things have changed that are worth paying attention to. Whether you're tweaking your tax strategy, maxing out your retirement contributions, or just making sure your plan still fits your life, now is the time to get ahead of it. We put together this checklist to help you stay on track.

Here's What's Coming Up

These are the dates that matter most over the next few months. If any of them are sneaking up on you, don't worry - just reach out and we'll help you get ahead of it.

Five Things Worth Checking Off Right Now

Beyond the calendar, here are a few moves that are worth making before spring. None of these take long - but together, they can make a real difference.

1. Review your beneficiary designations. This one's easy to let slide - but it matters more than you'd think. If anything changed last year (a marriage, a new baby, a move), your beneficiaries on retirement accounts and insurance policies may need updating. And here's the thing: those designations override your will. So it's worth a quick look.
2. Take a fresh look at your tax withholdings. If you got hit with an unexpected tax bill last spring - or got a bigger refund than you expected - that's usually a sign your withholdings are off. Adjusting your W-4 now is especially important if you had equity vesting, a job change, or a shift in deductions. A small tweak today can save you a headache down the road.
3. Make sure you're hitting your 2026 contribution limits. The 401(k) limit moved up to $24,500 this year, and IRA contributions are now $7,500. If you're 50 or older, there are catch-up amounts on top of that - and one important change to know about: if you earned more than $150,000 in 2025, those catch-up contributions must now go into a Roth account.
4. Check on your emergency fund. With interest rates on high-yield savings still looking good, it's worth making sure your reserves are actually earning something while they sit there. The general rule of thumb is three to six months of expenses in something liquid and accessible - but the right number really depends on your situation. Happy to talk through it if you'd like.
5. Update your financial roadmap. Did anything big change in 2025? A new job, a home purchase, a kid graduating, a retirement date getting closer? Your plan should reflect where you are right now - not where you were a year ago. If you're not sure where to start, just reach out. This is one of our favorite conversations to have.

A little planning in Q1 can prevent a lot of surprises later. And we're right here if you want to talk through any of it.

Questions? We're always just a call or email away.

Phone: (860) 838-3730

Email: entrust@entrustwp.com