Year-End Financial Planning: Survey of 1,000 Boldin Planners Reveals 6 Powerful Insights

Year-end financial planning is more than just a checklist or a set of transactions. According to a survey of more than 1,000 Boldin users who are approaching or living in retirement, this is a meaningful time to step back, reflect and make thoughtful decisions about the future. Respondents told us that the end of the year is a time to think strategically about their goals, resources and future options, a process that leaves them feeling more grounded, prepared and confident.

Across all age groups and asset levels in the survey, one theme was unmistakable: When people engage in year-end strategic reflection, their confidence grows.

About year-end planning survey respondents

Insights for this report come from Over 1,000 Boldin users People who are actively planning for retirement or already living in retirement. This group represents a financially experienced, highly engaged audience that understands how important strategy and reflection are to embarking on the next chapter in life.

Most respondents are in the heart of their retirement decision window:

• 63% are aged 55-64
• 22% are aged 65-74
• Only 14% are under the age of 55

Many people have retired or are preparing to retire soon:

• 51% Already retired
• 47% are actively planning for retirement, of which 31% plan to retire within the next two years, and another 17% plan to retire within the next 3-10 years.
• 2% Plan to retire in more than 10 years

They often result in significant savings, which reflect years of rigorous work and planning:

• More than 70% saved $1 million to $5 million
• 15% Has over $5 million
• only 14% Own less than $1 million

For survey respondents, planning is a regular habit:

• 27% review their financial situation once or more per week
• 21% plan 2-3 times per month
• 25% evaluate their situation monthly
• Review 20% every quarter
• Only 6% conduct reviews annually (1%), twice a year (3%) or when issues arise (2%)

6 Powerful Insights from the Year-End Planning Survey

1. Nearly all survey respondents participate in year-end planning

Ninety-nine percent of respondents said they participated in year-end financial planning.

2. Year-end planning is largely a strategic and reflective activity rather than a tactical one

Most respondents see the end of the year as a meaningful time to look at the bigger picture and see the bigger picture. one 87% of respondents said they view year-end financial planning as a long-term strategic activity 15% said it was primarily strategic, 19% said it was somewhat strategic, and 54% said it was balanced, with an even mix of tactics and strategic planning.

Only 12% of respondents said their plans were somewhat or mostly tactical and focused on specific transactions.

strategic activities

When asked what activities they had completed by the end of the year, respondents overwhelmingly mentioned reflective and strategic actions.

Survey respondent comments:

• Last year’s expenses and income (62%)
• Their financial performance for the year (60%)
• Savings goals and progress (44%)
• Financial goals for the coming year (43%)
• Asset allocation (37%)

tactical activities

Survey respondents made fewer tactical adjustments at the end of the year to optimize their situation compared to strategic planning. However, when it comes to strategies, they are primarily interested in health, tax and investment optimization.

• Plan for health care coverage in the coming year (50%)
• Adjust investment allocation (45%)
• Optimize tax liability or perform tax loss harvesting (40%)
• Complete Roth Conversion (39%)
• Adjust asset allocation (37%)

This is a significant shift from old planning paradigms: chasing returns, collecting statements, or reacting to financial to-do items. People want a plan that helps them connect resources to goals and make thoughtful adjustments as life evolves.

3. Taxation and investment are primary considerations

When people think about the end of the year, there are two priorities that clearly stand above everything else: tax and invest. Both ranked as the number one issue in our survey, both by 68% Number of respondents. That means nearly 7 in 10 people who are nearing or nearing retirement are focused on how to restructure their investment portfolios before December 31 and make smart, tax-efficient moves.

This arrangement tells a story about what matters most during the transition into the new year. People look back not just at what happened in the market, but also at what happened in the past. They ask how to plan wisely for the coming year.

Overall, respondents emphasized a combination of cost-of-living realities and forward planning:

• Taxes and year-end planning: 68%
• Investment performance or portfolio: 68%
• Inflation or cost of living: 44%
• Planning target for 2026: 43%
• Overhead expenses or cash flow: 42%
• Political environment: 31%
• Savings progress: 27%
• Economy or job market: 27%
• Interest rate: 16%
• Debt repayment: 5%

This mix of concerns reflects the complexity of today’s financial environment and the desire for clarity in the face of uncertainty. People are simultaneously thinking about their investments, tax strategies, day-to-day spending and the economic forces that will shape the coming years.

Taken together, these results reinforce that year-end planning is about more than just optimizing returns or reducing taxes alone. It’s about connecting year-end decisions to broader goals, preparing for the future and creating a sense of control during a time when many external variables feel unpredictable.

4. Year-end planning is important for achieving financial goals

The vast majority of respondents do not consider year-end planning to be optional. They believe this is critical to achieving long-term financial goals. In our survey, 72% of respondents said their year-end plans were extremely or Very Very important and incredible for their ability to achieve their goals 95% Say it's important to them in some way.

This near-universal consensus shows that people recognize that the end of the year is a natural checkpoint: a time to review their progress, make adjustments, and ensure that the choices they make today support the outcomes they want in the future. only 1% Saying that year-end plans are “not important at all” highlights how widely accepted this behavior is.

5. Confidence is the core reason why people make year-end plans

when we asked Why When people make year-end plans, there is one theme above all else: confidence.

This is a group that takes financial decisions seriously. They think about taxes, health care, longevity and inheritance. They use tools, ask good questions, and want to understand how different parts of their financial lives connect. Most importantly, they told us that confidence—not just optimization—is what they're really looking for at the end of the year.

These interviewees provide a valuable window into how thoughtful planners use reflection, adjustment, and strategic review to be better prepared for the future.

Here are the most common answers to why people complete their year-end financial activities:

• 66% say they are more confident in my financial decisions
• 64% feel more financially secure
• 61% increased confidence in my plan
• Reduce my tax burden by 50%
• 48% have a clearer understanding of where I stand
• 45% felt I was doing the right thing financially
• 44% will continue to move towards my goals
• 43% reduced financial anxiety
• 43% of people build wealth over time
• 42% reduced financial risk

This is a meaningful insight: People plan for more than just optimizing performance. They plan to feel grounded, informed, and empowered to move forward.

Planning does not eliminate uncertainty, but it can make it controllable.

It gives people the confidence to say, “I know where I stand, I know what's important and I know what I'm going to do next.”

6. Plans and confidence rise together

The strongest signal in the data is the link between planning and confidence. Across three separate questions:

Understanding your numbers helps make better financial decisions

Here's how Boldin users responded to this question: “Knowing where my finances stand at the end of the year gives me the confidence to make the right decisions for the future.”

• 90% agreed, 65% strongly agreed and 34% somewhat agreed
• 8% neither agree nor disagree
• 2% somewhat disagree
• 0% strongly disagree

Reflecting on big-picture goals can boost confidence

We asked users “Would reflecting on my overall financial goals and progress annually (or more frequently) significantly increase my confidence,” and Boldin users overwhelmingly agreed:

• 92% agreed, 57% strongly agreed and 34% somewhat agreed
• 7% neither agree nor disagree
• 1% somewhat disagree
• 1% strongly disagree

Financial empowerment tools make people feel more empowered

Finally, we asked the question: “The financial planning and management tools I use give me confidence in my ability to achieve my financial goals.” Here's what Boldin users responded to:

• 92% agreed, 51% strongly agreed and 41% somewhat agreed
• 7% neither agree nor disagree
• 1% somewhat disagree
• 0% strongly disagree

Planning is an important feedback loop

The pattern for all three questions is clear: Clarity brings confidence. When people take a moment to review, reflect, and redefine their goals, they enter the new year feeling more stable, stronger, and in control—which is what good financial planning is all about.

These results tell us some important things:

• Reflection builds confidence.
  • Confidence leads to better decisions.
    • Better decisions lead to better results.

This feedback loop keeps people engaged in the program year after year.

What to do if you want a wealthier, more confident future, say successful retirees and would-be retirees

Year-end planning is not about checking off tasks. It’s about getting into the driver’s seat of your financial life.

Now is the time to:

• Reflect on the most important things this year
• Assess what has changed
• Connect your goals to your resources
• Make adjustments clearly and with intention
• Let yourself face the new year with more confidence and less uncertainty

This is why planning is important – it’s not the frequency; Reflection quality That's the difference.

Boldin is built for planning

Boldin is designed to help you think strategically, understand the “why” behind your decisions, understand how everything fits together, and build confidence through clarity of thought.

Whether you're planning for taxes, healthcare, retirement income, or legacy goals, Boldin gives you a clear view of your financial future and the tools to take thoughtful action.

A more confident financial future starts with more purposeful planning. We're here to help you achieve this goal.

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