Amid all the holiday flurry, the final weeks of the year pass by quickly.

But as you wrap the presents and prepare the pumpkin pie, don't forget to carve out time to make moves that can lower your tax bill, plump your nest egg, and otherwise improve your financial life by the key deadline of New Year's Eve.

Here are six items to put on your financial checklist in 2026.

Retirement Savings

(Image credit: Getty Images)

1. Maximize savings in your workplace retirement plan

Give your retirement savings a boost by topping off your 401(k), 403(b), or other employer plan before December 31.

For most plans, the 2026 workplace contribution cap is $24,500.

But for plans that permit catch-up contributions, those who are 50 and older can add an extra $8,000 ($32,500 total).

Under SECURE 2.0 , workers aged 60 to 63 may get a "super catch-up" contribution of $11,250, raising their maximum to $35,750.

And don't overlook a new rule that went into effect this year: If you earned $150,000 or more in FICA wages the…