Fall Meetings Are Coming: What We’re Focused on Before Year-End
It’s hard to believe that fall is almost here! This is one of my favorite times of year because it gives us an opportunity to look at where you stand financially, take care of important planning before December 31, and begin looking ahead to 2027.
Our fall client meetings will be starting soon, and we’ll be sending out invitations shortly so you can schedule your meeting.
Behind the scenes, we’re already beginning our year-end retirement planning and tax planning for clients. Every client's situation is different, of course, but there are several areas we're particularly focused on as we head into the final months of 2026.
Here are five things that are on our radar right now.
1. Your 2026 Tax Picture
Fall is an excellent time to estimate where you may land from a tax perspective and determine whether there are opportunities to consider before December 31.
Depending on your circumstances, we may look at Roth conversions, capital gains and losses, charitable giving, and other year-end tax planning strategies.
For clients considering a Roth conversion, we also want to look beyond the immediate tax bill. Increasing taxable income can have other consequences, including potentially increasing future Medicare premiums through IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharges.
Good retirement tax planning isn't about minimizing taxes in a single year. It's about looking at your taxes over your lifetime and coordinating those decisions with the rest of your financial plan.
2. RMDs and Charitable Giving
For clients who are subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), we'll make sure distributions are on track to be completed by the appropriate deadline.
If charitable giving is important to you, we may also consider whether a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) makes sense. For eligible IRA owners, a QCD allows money to be sent directly from an IRA to a qualified charity and can be a tax-efficient way to give.
For larger charitable gifts, other strategies, including donating appreciated investments or using a donor-advised fund, may also be worth considering.
The goal isn't simply to make a charitable contribution. It's to coordinate your generosity with your overall retirement and tax strategy.
3. Your Retirement “Paycheck”
One of the biggest transitions in retirement is moving from receiving a regular paycheck to creating your own.
Your retirement income may come from Social Security, pensions, IRAs, Roth IRAs, taxable investment accounts and cash reserves. Retirement income planning involves deciding not only how much to withdraw, but also where the money should come from.
The order and timing of withdrawals can affect your income taxes, future RMDs and Medicare IRMAA premiums.
We'll also look ahead at your spending needs. Are you planning a special trip in 2027? A home renovation? A new car? A significant gift to children or grandchildren?
Your financial plan isn't simply about making your money last. It's about making sure your money supports the life you want to live.
4. Your Investment Strategy and Cash Needs
Year-end planning doesn't mean making investment changes simply because the stock market has moved.
Instead, we'll review whether your investment strategy continues to support your retirement plan. Do you have enough cash available for upcoming expenses? Is your asset allocation appropriate for your anticipated withdrawals? Has anything changed in your life that should affect the amount of investment risk you're taking?
For retirees, having a thoughtful strategy for both investments and near-term cash needs can make it easier to navigate periods of market volatility without allowing short-term market movements to dictate long-term decisions.
5. Looking Ahead to 2027
Finally, our fall meetings aren't only about finishing 2026. They're also an opportunity to start thinking about next year.
Let us know about changes you're anticipating. Perhaps you're planning to retire, start Social Security, enroll in Medicare, make a major purchase, travel more, help a family member financially, or make changes to your estate plan.
And please tell us about the good things, too!
Travel, family celebrations, home projects and the experiences you've worked hard to enjoy are all part of retirement planning. Knowing what's ahead helps us plan proactively rather than react after the fact.
Looking Forward to Seeing You This Fall
Keep an eye on your inbox for your fall meeting invitation. We'll be sending scheduling information soon, and I'm looking forward to catching up with each of you.
During our meeting, we'll focus on the areas that are most relevant to your financial life. You don't need to figure out which of these strategies applies to you—that's what we're here for.
And, as always, if something important comes up before your meeting, please don't feel that you need to wait to reach out.
Good financial planning doesn't require making dozens of changes every year. Often, the greatest value comes from identifying the few decisions that matter most—and addressing them at the right time.
Here's to a wonderful fall and a strong finish to 2026!
About Dorsey Wealth Management
Dorsey Wealth Management is a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm based in Torrance, California, helping women and couples prepare for and enjoy retirement. We provide personalized retirement planning, retirement income strategies, tax planning, investment management, and guidance on decisions such as Social Security, Medicare, Roth conversions, and RMDs.
Angela Dorsey, CFP®, MBA, is the founder of Dorsey Wealth Management and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional.
To learn more about working with Dorsey Wealth Management, schedule a free introductory 30-minute phone call.