Identity & Estate Planning
☐ Update beneficiaries on all retirement accounts
☐ Update beneficiaries on life insurance policies
☐ Review and update wills and estate documents
☐ Establish or revise powers of attorney and healthcare directives
☐ Review account titling (individual, joint, or trust ownership)
Retirement & Long-Term Savings
☐ Inventory all retirement accounts for both spouses
☐ Confirm contribution levels and capture full employer matches
☐ Review Roth IRA eligibility under combined income
☐ Evaluate potential backdoor Roth strategies
☐ Identify old employer plans for potential consolidation
☐ Review investment allocations for duplication or overlap
Tax Strategy & Optimization
☐ Estimate combined tax bracket
☐ Adjust payroll withholdings if needed
☐ Evaluate pre-tax vs. Roth contribution mix
☐ Identify any IRA pro-rata rule exposure
☐ Explore potential Roth conversion opportunities
Protection & Risk Management
☐ Review life insurance coverage for both spouses
☐ Assess disability insurance coverage
☐ Establish an updated emergency fund target (3–6+ months)
☐ Consider a personal liability umbrella policy
Employer Benefits Review
☐ Compare health plan options and costs
☐ Coordinate HSA and FSA contributions
☐ Review employer retirement plan investment options
☐ Confirm beneficiary designations within workplace plans
Financial System Alignment
☐ Create a shared balance sheet
☐ Decide on a cash-flow structure (joint, separate, or hybrid)
☐ Automate savings and investment contributions
☐ Prioritize and fund major short- and long-term goals
Taking these steps early can help reduce confusion, strengthen communication, and create a coordinated financial foundation. A Financial Advisor can help by aligning goals, building a long-term plan, and coordinating moving parts like an investment strategy, retirement planning, and asset protection.
