{"id":6978,"date":"2025-12-26T18:53:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T23:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dupreefinancial.com\/?p=6978"},"modified":"2026-01-04T16:06:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T21:06:36","slug":"year-end-financial-planning-checklist-critical-actions-before-december-31st","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dupreefinancial.com\/year-end-financial-planning-checklist-critical-actions-before-december-31st\/","title":{"rendered":"Year-End Financial Planning Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"<iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.blubrry.com\/?podcast_id=151046491&amp;media_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.blubrry.com%2Ftomdupreeshow%2Fcontent.blubrry.com%2Ftomdupreeshow%2FHOUR1_12-27-25.mp3&amp;modern=1#mode-Light&border-000000&progress-000000\" scrolling=\"no\" width=\"100%\" height=\"165\" frameborder=\"0\" id=\"blubrryplayer-1\" class=\"blubrryplayer\" title=\"Blubrry Podcast Player\"><\/iframe><div data-test-render-count=\"2\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 mt-6 group\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-end gap-1\">\n<div class=\"group relative inline-flex gap-2 bg-bg-300 rounded-xl pl-2.5 py-2.5 break-words text-text-100 transition-all max-w-[75ch] flex-col !px-4 max-w-[85%]\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row gap-2 relative\">\n<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<div class=\"font-large !font-user-message grid grid-cols-1 gap-2 py-0.5 relative\" data-testid=\"user-message\">\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\"><span style=\"color: #333333; font-size: 26px;\">Introduction<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-test-render-count=\"1\">\n<div class=\"group\">\n<div class=\"group relative pb-3\" data-is-streaming=\"false\">\n<div class=\"font-claude-response relative leading-[1.65rem] [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:bg-bg-000\/50 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-0.5 [&amp;_pre&gt;div]:border-border-400 [&amp;_.ignore-pre-bg&gt;div]:bg-transparent [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&amp;_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8\">\n<div class=\"standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid gap-4 [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 standard-markdown\">\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Most people spend more time planning vacations than reviewing their largest asset: their retirement portfolio. But the market&#8217;s strong multi-year run has created hidden dangers in 401(k) accounts, particularly for those approaching retirement who haven&#8217;t rebalanced in years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">In this episode of The Tom Dupree Show, Tom Dupree and Mike Johnson provide an essential year-end checklist covering portfolio drift, account consolidation, tax-smart charitable giving, target date fund dangers, and fraud protection as scam season intensifies.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Portfolio Drift: The Silent Risk Multiplier<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">What Five Years Did to Your 401(k)<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">If you established a 60\/40 portfolio (60% stocks, 40% bonds) five years ago and never rebalanced, you&#8217;re sitting on dramatically more risk than intended.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;If you had a 60-40 split in 2020, today you&#8217;re at about 76% stocks if you&#8217;ve made no changes,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike Johnson explained. <strong>&#8220;And your account&#8217;s worth 20 or 30% more, so there&#8217;s more dollars at stake, at risk.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>The drift problem:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1.5 [li_&amp;]:gap-1.5 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-2 pl-8 mb-3\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Stocks outperformed bonds over five years<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Your stock allocation grew from market gains<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Total account value increased substantially<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Risk exposure multiplied<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> $500,000 in 2020 (60% stocks = $300,000) is now $650,000 with 76% stocks = $494,000 in equities. Your stock exposure grew 65%.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">S&amp;P 500 Concentration Risk<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;About 40% of the S&amp;P 500 is allocated to tech and high multiple stocks,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike noted. <strong>&#8220;If it&#8217;s been on autopilot, now is as good a time as any to look at it critically.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Market Corrections Are Inevitable<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;On average, every year you have a 10% drop in the market. That&#8217;s just the cost of admission,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;We had one back in April\u2014it was closer to 20%. You were looking at 40, 50% drops in some things.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;A lot of people have forgotten how\u2014and even that they should\u2014play defense, especially when you&#8217;re getting close to retirement,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike cautioned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Year-end action:<\/strong> Check your actual allocation today. If stocks exceed your risk tolerance, rebalance before December 31st.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Account Consolidation: Simplify Now<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The Multiple Account Problem<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;People&#8217;s thinking is, if I have this account over here and this account over here, I&#8217;ve got more money,&#8221;<\/strong> Tom observed. <strong>&#8220;When they consolidate those accounts, every one of those five pieces put together as one is gonna get managed better.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Hidden Costs of Scattered Accounts<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s really hard to track performance if you have multiple accounts,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s much simpler, much more accountable when it&#8217;s all consolidated together.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Problems with scattered accounts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1.5 [li_&amp;]:gap-1.5 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-2 pl-8 mb-3\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Impossible to track overall performance<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Multiple RMD calculations<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Complex tax reporting<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Higher fees (missing breakpoint discounts)<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Poor overall portfolio coordination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Mike&#8217;s consolidation benefits:<\/strong> <strong>&#8220;Proper investment to reach your goals, performance tracking, tax reporting, tax planning, and possible discounts on fees.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Year-end action:<\/strong> List all retirement accounts\u2014schedule consolidation to simplify 2025 RMDs and reduce fees.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Tax-Smart Year-End Strategies<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Strategy 1: Gift Appreciated Stock<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;Let&#8217;s say you give $10,000 a year to charity. You can gift those appreciated shares of stock to the organization,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;You can put that money right back into your brokerage account and reinvest it. You could even repurchase the same stock.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>The double benefit:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1.5 [li_&amp;]:gap-1.5 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-decimal flex flex-col gap-2 pl-8 mb-3\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Charitable deduction for full market value<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Avoid capital gains tax on appreciation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> Stock purchased for $4,000, now worth $10,000. Gift it, avoid $6,000 capital gain, use the $10,000 cash to buy it back.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Strategy 2: Qualified Charitable Distribution<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;If you&#8217;re of the age where you have required minimum distributions, you can do a qualified charitable distribution,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;If you gift the RMD straight to the charity, it never flows through as taxable income to you.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>QCD advantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1.5 [li_&amp;]:gap-1.5 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-2 pl-8 mb-3\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Counts toward RMD requirement<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Reduces adjusted gross income<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Lowers Medicare premiums<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Reduces taxes on Social Security<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Works even if you don&#8217;t itemize<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Year-end deadline:<\/strong> Execute stock gifts or QCDs before December 31st to count for 2024 taxes.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">The In-Service Rollover: Plan Three Years Ahead<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Act at Age 59\u00bd\u2014Even While Working<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;At 59 and a half, you can do what&#8217;s called an in-service rollover,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;Even if you&#8217;re still employed and working, you can move over the balance of your 401(k) to an IRA and invest it more specifically for your situation.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The Three-Year Retirement Transition<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;Let&#8217;s say you&#8217;re 59 and a half and planning on retiring at 62. You can do that rollover, get the funds invested into an income-producing portfolio,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike detailed. <strong>&#8220;While you&#8217;re working, that income just reinvests back in. But when you hit 62, that portfolio&#8217;s already in place, it&#8217;s already working, and literally it&#8217;s linked to your checking account.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Tom emphasized the benefit: <strong>&#8220;It makes the retirement process more comfortable because you&#8217;re not leaving work and at the same time coming in brand new, getting comfortable with our investment approach. You&#8217;ve planned for it.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>The seamless transition:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1.5 [li_&amp;]:gap-1.5 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-2 pl-8 mb-3\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Portfolio established 2-3 years before retirement<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Dividends reinvest while still working<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">At retirement, switch to income payout mode<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">No adjustment period or uncertainty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Year-end action:<\/strong> If age 59\u00bd+, investigate in-service rollover options.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Target Date Funds: Hidden Dangers<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The Collective Investment Trust Problem<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;52% of the assets in target date funds\u2014over $2 trillion\u2014are now in collective investment trusts,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>What makes CITs dangerous:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;A collective investment trust\u2014they&#8217;re not required to register with the SEC,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;They don&#8217;t have to report, as transparently, all the internal fees. And they&#8217;re allowed to hold more illiquid investments inside of them.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The Blue Rock Disaster<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;There was a private real estate fund\u2014the Blue Rock Total Income Fund,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike detailed. <strong>&#8220;The net asset value when it was private was about $24 a share. They decided to go public. The fund closed the day it went public at $14.70.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Investor loss:<\/strong> 39% immediately when real market pricing was revealed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;The NAV was bogus. It was totally bogus,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike concluded.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The Vanguard-TIAA Annuity Trap<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;Vanguard announced they&#8217;re partnering with TIAA, and the target date fund automatically enrolls the investor in an annuity,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;What they&#8217;re hoping is that these people that have been on autopilot for 40 years\u2014they&#8217;re not gonna change from being on autopilot at year 41,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s just gonna automatically roll into these annuities. This is a money grab to keep the assets locked in.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Why Dupree Financial Group Avoids Them<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;We don&#8217;t use target date funds. We don&#8217;t like what the target date fund does to the client&#8217;s return,&#8221;<\/strong> Tom stated. <strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s about having all your money in one spot the day you retire. That money doesn&#8217;t need to be in one spot. It needs to be growing and throwing off dividends.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Mike:<\/strong> <strong>&#8220;The target date&#8217;s all based on historical averages. It doesn&#8217;t take into account what&#8217;s going on in the market or your situation.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Year-end action:<\/strong> If in a target date fund, research what&#8217;s actually inside it before the &#8220;glide path&#8221; continues.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Year-End Fraud Alert: Peak Scam Season<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The January-February Surge<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;This time last year, at the first of the year, was one of the biggest fraud pushes that we&#8217;ve seen,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike warned. <strong>&#8220;As we get close to the end of the year, be diligent and protect yourself.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Sophisticated Team Operations<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;These fraudsters are very convincing. They sound like us. They sound like an advisor,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike explained. <strong>&#8220;They&#8217;ll bring somebody onto the line. They&#8217;ll keep people on the line for three hours. They&#8217;ve gotten used to handling objections.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Real Client Losses<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;We heard two in a row from our clients\u2014older women, same amount: $10,000 each,&#8221;<\/strong> Tom recounted. <strong>&#8220;One woman could afford it. The other one really couldn&#8217;t.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">The Defense Strategy<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;The first line of defense is you, the client,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike stated. <strong>&#8220;If you have something that pops up on your screen\u2014don&#8217;t click there. If somebody calls\u2014call somebody. Call a trusted person. If you&#8217;re a client of ours, call us. But do not take action on any of these things.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Critical warning:<\/strong> <strong>&#8220;Do not verify within their ecosystem. They say, &#8216;We&#8217;ll let you verify,&#8217; and then they transfer you. They&#8217;re all working together.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Tom&#8217;s advice: <strong>&#8220;Get off the phone or don&#8217;t click on things and get somebody that you trust to find out exactly what&#8217;s going on.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Year-end vigilance:<\/strong> Never click pop-ups, never transfer money based on calls, always verify independently.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Your Year-End Action Plan<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Critical Tasks Before December 31st<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Check portfolio drift<\/strong> \u2013 Verify stock\/bond allocation matches risk tolerance<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Rebalance if needed<\/strong> \u2013 Reduce risk before 2025<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Execute charitable strategies<\/strong> \u2013 Gift stock or make QCD before deadline<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Consolidate accounts<\/strong> \u2013 Simplify RMDs and reduce fees<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Research in-service rollovers<\/strong> \u2013 If 59\u00bd+, investigate options<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Review target date funds<\/strong> \u2013 Understand holdings before glide path continues<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>\u2713 Increase fraud vigilance<\/strong> \u2013 Peak scam season protection<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\">Questions Before Year-End<\/h3>\n<ol class=\"[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1.5 [li_&amp;]:gap-1.5 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-decimal flex flex-col gap-2 pl-8 mb-3\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">What&#8217;s my actual current allocation?<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">How many retirement accounts do I have scattered?<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Am I missing tax-saving charitable strategies?<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Do I understand what&#8217;s in my target date fund?<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\">Am I 59\u00bd+ with rollover options available?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">With days remaining in 2024, retirement investors face critical decisions affecting taxes, risk exposure, and 2025 positioning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Portfolio drift has likely pushed your stock allocation far beyond original intentions. Target date funds may contain illiquid investments, opaque fees, and automatic annuitization. But opportunities exist: tax-smart giving, consolidation, in-service rollovers, and rebalancing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>&#8220;All of these things fit into more of a holistic long-term retirement financial plan,&#8221;<\/strong> Mike concluded. <strong>&#8220;You want everything moving in the right direction to accomplish your goals.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Schedule Your Portfolio Review<\/h2>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Is your portfolio drifted into dangerous territory? Missing tax-saving strategies? Approaching retirement without a transition plan?<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Call (859) 233-0400<\/strong>\u00a0or schedule your <a class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dupreefinancial.com\">complimentary portfolio review.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"><strong>Dupree Financial Group \u2013 Where we make your money work for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\" \/>\n<h2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\">Important Disclosures<\/h2>\n<p class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">Dupree Financial Group is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, tax advice, or a solicitation. Past performance does not indicate future results. All investments involve risk, including potential loss of principal. Tax strategies should be reviewed with a qualified tax professional. Before making investment or tax decisions, consult qualified professionals. For more information, review our Form ADV Part 2A at <a class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"http:\/\/www.adviserinfo.sec.gov\">www.adviserinfo.sec.gov<\/a> or call (859) 233-0400.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Most people spend more time planning vacations than reviewing their largest asset: their retirement portfolio. But the market&#8217;s strong multi-year run has created hidden dangers in 401(k) accounts, particularly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5833,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcasts"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Year-End Financial Planning Checklist - Dupree Financial<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Essential year-end financial moves for retirees: fix portfolio drift, consolidate accounts, maximize tax savings, and protect against fraud before December 31st.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dupreefinancial.com\/year-end-financial-planning-checklist-critical-actions-before-december-31st\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Year-End Financial Planning Checklist - 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