If you are employed by a large company with stock plans, retirement plans, and other company benefits, the beginning of the new year is a great time to evaluate your financial planning. To help you get started, here is a sample of some of the topics I review with my executive clients:

2025 Executive Financial Planning Checklist

□ Take stock of last year 

1.  Review portfolio performance and asset allocation
2.  Discuss tax-smart investments
3.  Review adding private alternative investments

□ Bonus Planning

1.  Review spending and saving
2.  Discuss options for saving bonus 

□ Cash flow planning

1.  Ensure adequate cash reserves
2.  Maximize yield on cash reserves
3.  Consider a line of credit for emergencies - i.e. stock based loan or HELOC

□ Review 401k 

1.  Confirm contribution amount and update withholding if necessary
2.  Confirm mix of Roth vs Regular
3.  Review asset allocation and performance
4.  Discuss new mutual funds added to lineup
5.  Review and discuss planning opportunities
   • In-service distributions
   • Roth conversions
   • Mega-back door Roth

□ Retirement Saving in 2025

1.  Discuss deferred compensation
2. Is there self-employed income eligible for a solo retirement plan? 
3.  Review Health Savings Account (HSA) asset mix if applicable

□ Review Employer Stock, Options, Stock Purchase Plan, Restricted Stock

1.  Discuss prior year performance
2.  Review company stock concentration risks
3.  Discuss divesting employer stock in a tax-efficient manner if appropriate
4.  Stock Options - know expiration and discuss how to maximize - consider impact of possible changes in tax code
5.  Employer Stock Purchase Plan - discuss advantages/disadvantages, reinvest dividends? 
6.  Restricted Stock - evaluate 83b and partial 83b election 

□ Evaluate Insurances

1. Is the Group Term life insurance competitive? 
2. Is the Group Disability Insurance coverage enough and adequate? Review terms and conditions
3. Is there a need for permanent insurance?
4. Is the Umbrella Liability insurance adequate?
5. Confirm primary and contingent beneficiary 
6. Should the insurance be trust owned?

□ Income Taxes

1. Ensure proper withholding
2. Current tax rates may expire at the end of 2025
3. Long-term Capital Gains Tax Planning. Evaluate ways to defer or minimize tax. 

□ Estate Planning

1. Are current estate documents up to date? 
2. Are trustees, executors, and beneficiaries current? 
3. Understand possible changes coming in 2026
4. Do the children need estate documents? 

□ College Planning

1.  Review amount and ways to save for college
2.  Evaluate college fund investment mix

□ Charitable Planning

1.  How best to give to charity in 2025?
2.  Consider a Donor Advised Fund? 
3.  Consider bunching donations?