Q3 Check-Up: Making Sure You’re on Track for Year-End

Written by: Greg Phillips, AIF®, CPFA®, C(k)P®

As summer winds down and the third quarter wraps up, it’s a great time to take a closer look at your retirement plan. With three quarters of the year behind us, you now have enough data to assess whether you’re on pace to reach your savings goals — and still enough time to make meaningful adjustments before year-end

Review Your Year-to-Date Contributions

Start by confirming how much you’ve contributed so far in 2025. The 401(k) contribution limit is $23,500 this year, plus a $7,500 catch-up if you’re 50 or older.

New in 2025, individuals ages 60–63 can make an additional “super catch-up” contribution of $3,750 on top of the $7,500 regular catch up.

Checking your progress now ensures you’re on track and not leaving valuable tax-advantaged savings opportunities on the table.

Make Sure You’re Capturing the Full Employer Match

If your company offers a match, double-check that your contribution rate is high enough to earn the full match on every paycheck. Even a small shortfall can mean missing out on free money. If your contributions were paused or adjusted earlier in the year, this is the time to correct it.

Revisit Your Investment Allocation

Markets fluctuate — and so does your portfolio. If it’s been a while since you rebalanced, your investments may have drifted away from their intended mix of stocks, bonds, and cash.

Q3 is a great time to:

• Review whether your risk level still matches your goals and timeline.
• Check your target-date fund or custom allocation to ensure it aligns with your comfort level.
• Make adjustments thoughtfully, rather than reacting to short-term market movements.

Look at the Bigger Picture

Your retirement plan is just one piece of your overall financial picture. Use this checkpoint to:

• Revisit your budget and cash flow — are you saving what you planned?
• Review debt and emergency savings levels to ensure balance.
• Confirm your beneficiary designations are up to date.
• Consider whether you should diversify savings into a Roth 401(k) or IRA for future tax flexibility.

Take Advantage of Time

Adjusting now, rather than in December, gives you multiple pay periods to spread out contributions — a smoother way to meet your goals without large paycheck swings at year-end. This also helps avoid last-minute administrative issues, like payroll cutoff dates or exceeding IRS limits.

Think of Q3 as a financial halftime: the year isn’t over, but you’ve gathered enough insight to make smart plays for the finish. A quick check-up on your contributions, investments, and overall plan now can make a big difference in where you stand come December — and beyond.

At Twelve Points, we work with clients to create personalized strategies that align with their unique goals and circumstances. Contact us today to schedule a conversation with an advisor.