Neil Fenning | Nov 10 2026 14:00
As the leaves fall and the evenings get longer here in the Pacific Northwest, it's a natural time to slow down and take stock. Year-end retirement planning gives you a chance to see where your plan stands, catch decisions that are easier to make before December 31, and head into 2027 with a clearer view of the road ahead. Whether retirement is a few years away or you're already enjoying it, this checklist can help turn year-end uncertainty into a focused, productive conversation.
Revisit Your Retirement Income Picture
Start with the basics: what's coming in and what's going out. List your expected income sources, such as Social Security, pensions, and withdrawals from your investment accounts. Then look at your monthly spending and separate essential expenses, like housing, food, and healthcare, from discretionary ones, like travel and hobbies.
This simple exercise shows whether your withdrawals are truly aligned with your goals or just covering whatever comes up.
Review Roth Conversion Opportunities
A Roth conversion moves money from a pre-tax account, like a traditional IRA, into a Roth IRA. You pay income tax on the converted amount now, and qualified withdrawals later can be tax-free. A conversion counts toward the year it's completed, so one intended for 2026 needs to be finished by December 31.
Should everyone nearing retirement consider a Roth conversion? Not necessarily. Timing and tax brackets matter, and a conversion only makes sense when it fits your full retirement income picture. For some people, the lower-income years between retirement and required minimum distributions (RMDs), which currently begin at age 73, open a window worth exploring.
Check Your Withdrawal Strategy
Are you pulling money from accounts in a coordinated order, or simply from whichever account is most convenient? The sequence matters. Picture a retiree who needs steady monthly income but also wants flexibility for future healthcare costs or a long-awaited trip. Drawing from the wrong account at the wrong time could push them into a higher tax bracket. It could even raise their Medicare premiums later, since Medicare's income-related surcharges (IRMAA) are generally based on your tax return from two years earlier. A thoughtful, tax-efficient withdrawal strategy can support both today's income and tomorrow's flexibility.
Stress-Test Your Plan
An account balance alone doesn't tell you whether your retirement is sustainable. A strong plan should hold up when life doesn't go as expected. Ask yourself:
- How would rising prices affect your spending over 20 or 30 years?
- What happens if the market drops early in your retirement?
- Is your plan built for a longer-than-expected lifespan?
- Do you have a cushion for surprise expenses?
Identify Decisions for the New Year
Wrap up your review with a short to-do list for 2027:
- Review your investment risk and make sure it still matches your timeline.
- Update beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies.
- Coordinate with your CPA or tax professional before tax season.
- Clarify how much income you'll need for the year ahead.
Let's Map Out Your Next Steps Together
Year-end planning doesn't have to feel overwhelming. At A5 Financial, we help pre-retirees and retirees across Bothell, Seattle, and the Eastside answer the big questions: Can I retire? Will my money last? How should my accounts work together? If you'd like a clear, sustainable retirement income strategy heading into the new year, schedule a strategy review with our team or give us a call at (425) 491-0143.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Please talk with your tax professional about your specific situation.
