A recent survey by financial confidence company Boldin reveals that Americans who actively manage their finances through year-end planning exhibit high confidence about their financial futures, with most anticipating having the same or greater wealth at longevity than they currently possess. The survey polled more than 1,000 financially savvy Americans who manage their own financial plans using Boldin, with respondents evenly split between retirees (51%) and those planning for retirement (49%). Seventy percent reported assets ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
The findings indicate that regular financial check-ins and structured end-of-year planning contribute significantly to this confidence. Twenty-seven percent of respondents check their financial priorities once a week or more, 21% revisit them two to three times a month, and 25% review them monthly. Ninety-two percent agreed that annual or more frequent reflection on big-picture financial goals significantly increases their confidence, while 90% stated that knowing their financial standing at year-end gives them confidence to make informed future decisions.
Ninety-nine percent of those surveyed engage in end-of-year planning, with 34% taking a strategic approach focused on long-term planning, 54% using a balanced approach combining tactical actions with strategy, and 12% focusing on specific transactions and short-term goals. Common activities include reflecting on financial performance (60%), reviewing spending and income (62%), examining savings goals (44%), planning healthcare coverage (50%), and reviewing or setting financial goals (43%).
The end of the year also prompts specific financial actions: 40% optimize tax liability or conduct tax-loss harvesting, 39% complete Roth conversions, and 24% make charitable contributions. When asked about motivation, 79% cited increasing confidence in financial decisions as their primary reason for year-end planning, followed by reducing tax burden (50%) and building more wealth over time (43%).
"These findings underscore that people aren't planning simply to optimize performance. They're planning to feel informed and confident in their financial decision-making," said Steve Chen, founder and CEO of Boldin. The company's platform, Boldin Planner, provides financial planning software that enables users to build and manage retirement plans, incorporating features like retirement income modeling, Monte Carlo analysis, and "what-if" scenarios. The tool was named Bankrate's Best Financial Planning Software of 2025.
The survey results suggest that adopting systematic financial planning habits—particularly regular reviews and year-end assessments—can enhance financial confidence and long-term security, offering a model for others seeking to improve their financial outlook. This is especially relevant as individuals face increasing complexity in retirement planning, tax optimization, and wealth preservation.
