ADVERTISING: Advertorial - Six Financial Things to Revisit Before the Second Half of the Year

The first half of the year goes fast. Tax season wraps up, summer arrives, and before you know it July is here. For most families, the financial plan they thought about in January has not been looked at since.

That is completely normal. But the halfway point of the year is one of the best times to take a quick look at where things stand. Not a full overhaul. Just six questions worth asking before the second half of the year gets away from you too.

A mid-year check is not about finding problems. It is about making sure your plan is still working as hard as you are.

1. Is your investment portfolio still aligned with your goals? Markets move. Your portfolio drifts. The mix of investments you had at the start of the year may look quite different today. Now is a good time to ask whether your current allocation still matches where you are in life and how close you are to retirement.

2. Are you on track with retirement contributions? For 2026, the 401(k) contribution limit is $24,500 for those under 50, $32,500 for those 50 and older, and $35,750 for those ages 60 to 63. IRA limits are $7,500 for those under 50 and $8,600 for those 50 and older. If you are not on pace to hit your target, the second half of the year is the time to adjust before December arrives and the window closes.

For additional information around IRS updates for 2025-2026, please check out our blog here: https://www.alpha3wealth.com/blog/tax-season-guide-tax-forms-irs-updates

3. Is your tax withholding still accurate? A lot changed with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If your income has shifted this year, or if last year's return surprised you in either direction, running a quick mid-year tax projection now gives you time to adjust before year end becomes a scramble.

4. Are your beneficiary designations current? This is the most overlooked item on most families' financial lists. A divorce, a death, a new grandchild, or a change in your wishes can all make an outdated beneficiary designation a real problem. It takes ten minutes to check and can save your family enormous headaches.

5. Does your insurance coverage still fit your life? Life changes and insurance needs change with it. If you have had a major life event this year, it is worth a quick look at whether your life, disability, and long-term care coverage still matches your current situation.

6. When did you last look at your estate plan? With the federal estate tax exemption sitting at 15 million dollars in 2026, many families assume estate planning is not relevant for them. But a will, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives matter for everyone. If yours have not been reviewed in the last few years, now is a good time to take that step.

None of these take long on their own. Together they give you a clear picture of where you stand and what, if anything, deserves attention before year end.

A note on our role: Alpha 3 Wealth Management does not provide legal advice or estate planning document preparation. The information in this section is educational. For wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, we recommend working with a qualified estate planning attorney licensed in Idaho. We are happy to work alongside your attorney to make sure your financial plan and your estate plan are aligned.

Want to go deeper on any of these?

We broke each one down in full at https://www.alpha3wealth.com/blog/mid-year-financial-checklist-north-idaho. It is worth a read before the year gets away from you.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. The estate planning information provided is general and educational in nature. Alpha 3 Wealth Management does not provide legal advice or estate planning document preparation. For wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, or any estate planning legal work, please consult a qualified estate planning attorney licensed in Idaho. For investment and retirement planning questions, please consult a qualified financial professional. All decisions should be based on your individual circumstances. Alpha 3 Wealth Management is an investment consulting firm serving North Idaho. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Centaurus Financial, Inc. and Alpha 3 Wealth Management are not affiliated companies. Best of North Idaho recognition is based on reader voting.