A recent survey conducted by Boldin, the financial confidence company, reveals that financially savvy Americans who engage in systematic end-of-year planning demonstrate high confidence in their financial futures, with most expecting to maintain or increase their wealth through retirement. The survey polled over 1,000 individuals who manage their own financial plans using Boldin's platform, evenly split between retirees (51%) and those planning for retirement (49%), with 70% reporting assets between $1 million and $5 million.
The findings indicate that regular financial check-ins are crucial for building confidence. Twenty-seven percent of respondents review their financial priorities weekly or more often, 21% do so two to three times monthly, and 25% review them monthly. Ninety-two percent agreed that annual or more frequent reflection on big-picture financial goals significantly boosts their confidence, while 90% stated that knowing their year-end financial standing gives them confidence to make informed future decisions.
Nearly all respondents (99%) 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 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 their motivation, 79% cited increasing confidence in their financial decisions as the primary reason for end-of-year 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 users with comprehensive financial planning tools including retirement income modeling, Monte Carlo analysis, and scenario testing capabilities. The software was recently named Bankrate's Best Financial Planning Software of 2025.
The survey results suggest that the planning habits of financially successful individuals—creating a plan, setting goals, taking action, and reviewing progress—can be emulated by others seeking financial security. With tens of thousands of people having used Boldin to gain financial confidence, the data indicates that systematic planning, particularly at year-end, contributes significantly to long-term financial wellbeing and retirement preparedness across wealth levels.
