We're halfway through the year, which makes this one of the best times to pause and ask a simple question: is my plan still on track? A lot can shift in six months. Markets move, tax rules get clarified, and family situations change. A mid-year check-in isn't about rebuilding your plan from scratch. It's about making small, intentional adjustments while there is still time to act before year-end.
In this short video, Brennan Hollenbeck, CFP® AIF®, and Brian Erickson, CFP®, of Mueller Wealth, walk through four areas worth a closer look right now: your investments, your tax picture, your risk exposure, and your estate plan.
What We Cover
How allocation drift, excess cash, and concentrated positions can quietly pull your investment portfolio off target.
The mid-year tax moves that give you options at year-end: withholding and estimated payments, capital gains and losses, retirement plan contributions, and charitable giving.
The coverage review and life changes that reshape your risk picture, from umbrella and disability coverage to key-person and buy-sell planning for business owners.
The estate planning checks most people put off: documents, beneficiary designations, and whether your trust is actually funded.
Beyond the numbers, the goal is clarity: knowing your plan still fits your life, your goals, and the year ahead.
Ready to Talk?
If you'd like a second set of eyes on any of these areas, our financial advisor team in Oak Brook and Sarasota is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mid-year financial review?
A mid-year financial review is a check-in about halfway through the year to confirm your plan is still on track. Rather than rebuilding everything, you make small, intentional adjustments across investments, taxes, risk, and estate planning while there is still time to act before year-end.
Why is summer a good time for tax planning?
Most people think about taxes in April, but by then the year is over. Reviewing in the summer gives you time to adjust withholding or estimated payments, plan around capital gains and losses, and pace retirement plan contributions before the December rush. Coordinate any moves with your CPA or tax advisor.
Should I rebalance my portfolio in the middle of the year?
It can help. After the first half of the year, one part of the market may have run up and left your portfolio holding more risk than you intended. Rebalancing brings your allocation back in line with your goals. Mid-year is also a good time to review excess cash and any concentrated positions in employer stock.
What insurance should I review during the year?
Life changes can change your risk picture. It is worth reviewing property and liability coverage, including an umbrella policy, life and disability coverage if your income has grown, and, for business owners, key-person coverage and buy-sell funding.
How often should I update my estate plan?
A good rule is to revisit your will, trust, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives every three to five years, or sooner after a major life event. It is also worth confirming that any trust you have is actually funded.
When should I update my beneficiary designations?
Retirement accounts, life insurance, and transfer-on-death accounts pass by beneficiary designation, not by your will. Review them after any major life change such as a marriage, divorce, birth, or death, because outdated beneficiaries are one of the most common and most preventable planning mistakes.