2021 was yet again another unprecedented year in many regards. However, that should not serve as an excuse to ignore your personal finances. The end of the year marks a great time to consider the following financial planning moves, if appropriate for your situation. It is always important to do your best to end the year on a positive note and position for a successful 2022.
Review and update your beneficiary designations
Has a marriage, birth, loss of a loved one or divorce occurred in your family in the last 12 months? Even if that’s not the case, other aspects in your life may have changed which may warrant updating a beneficiary designation. Review and update, as necessary, your beneficiary designations on your retirement accounts, investment accounts, bank accounts, trusts, life insurance policies and annuities.
Review your withholding
Review your withholdings to help ensure you are withholding the appropriate amount of taxes from your paychecks. Failure to withhold the proper amount could result in penalties. Withholding too much is not ideal either, even though you will get your excess withholdings back in the form of a refund, you essentially gave the government an interest free loan.
Fund Retirement Plans
There is also still time to max out your 401k (December 31, 2021 deadline) and your IRA’s (April 15, 2022) for tax year 2021. The chart below highlights the contribution limits for 2021 and the subsequent increases, if applicable, for 2022.
Contribute to Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s)
Contributions are tax deductible and any earnings in the account are tax-free. Withdrawals from HSA’s will not be taxed if they are used to pay for qualified medical expenses. The contribution deadline is the April 2022 tax deadline, without extensions. Confirm with your current health insurance plan to find out whether you are eligible to participate in an HSA. The chart below outlines the contribution limits for 2021 and the subsequent increases, if applicable, for 2022.
Spend money in Flexible Spending Account (FSA’s)
FSAs allow for pre-tax contributions to be spent on eligible healthcare products and services by December 31st. With the end of the year approaching, it is time to either use or lose your FSA dollars. For added flexibility, your employer may offer either of these two additional options for your FSA dollars:
- Two-and-a-half-month grace period to spend the dollars in your FSA
- Allow a rollover of $500 into the next year
Capital Gains & Capital Gains Distributions
Over the course of the year, as trades were placed in your account, positions that appreciated in value may have been sold, resulting in a capital gain. If this occurred in a taxable account, taxes will be owed on these gains. Similarly, mutual funds are required to pay out to their shareholders, any gains they realized on the sale of stocks or bonds during the year. If you own these mutual funds in a taxable account, taxes will be owed on these distributions.
Review Goals and Objectives
The end of the year provides a great time to sit back and reflect on the progress you are making toward you goals and objectives. Did you make meaningful progress in 2021? Did the events in the past year set you back? Additionally, major life events may have occurred that require updating or changing your goals. Take this time to make the necessary adjustments so that you can continue on the proper path toward success.
Heading into the holidays is a great time to review this past year from a financial standpoint and make any changes necessary, including the items mentioned above, to put yourself and your family in a better financial position for 2022.
As always, if you have any questions specific to your situation please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sources: SHRM, Optum Bank, Securian
*This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered investment or legal advice. If you have specific investment or legal questions, please consult your financial advisor and/or lawyer.
