Retiring in 2026? 3 Portfolio Moves to Make Before January.

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of last-minute planning for individuals planning to retire in 2026, focusing on Social Security and Medicare enrollment [1][2]. Group 1: Retirement Planning - Individuals should determine if they will claim Social Security immediately and understand their monthly benefits [1]. - It is advisable to look into Medicare enrollment for health coverage post-employment [1]. Group 2: Portfolio Management - A significant move before retirement is to ensure the retirement portfolio is structured to provide income while minimizing risk [2]. - It is recommended to reduce stock holdings as retirement approaches to avoid excessive market exposure [4]. - The appropriate percentage of stocks in a portfolio should be based on individual income needs and risk tolerance, with some comfortable keeping 60% in stocks while others may prefer a maximum of 30% [5]. Group 3: Income Generation - Portfolio rebalancing is crucial before retirement, focusing on steady income-producing assets and maintaining cash reserves as a backup [6][7]. - Regular income needs from the retirement portfolio necessitate investments in predictable income-generating assets rather than growth stocks, which typically do not provide dividends [8].