Open enrollment is a busy time. You’re choosing health plans, weighing dental and vision, and deciding on FSA or HSA contributions. With so many decisions, one important benefit is easy to forget: your 401(k)/403(b).
Your retirement plan is part of your benefits package, just like your health coverage. It’s there to help you build a secure future, and it works best when you check in on it regularly. Since you’re already reviewing your benefits, take a few extra minutes to review your Retirement Plan too.
Your five-point Retirement Account check-up
1. Review your contribution amount
Are you contributing enough to receive the full employer match? If not, you may be leaving part of your compensation on the table. Even a 1% increase can add up over time, and it’s often less noticeable in your paycheck than you’d expect, because contributions are made before taxes (unless you choose Roth). If your plan offers automatic increases, consider turning them on.
For 2026, the employee deferral limit is $24,500, with additional catch-up contributions available if you’re 50 or older.
2. Confirm your beneficiaries
Life changes: marriages, births, divorces, losses. Your beneficiary designation controls who receives your account, and it can override what’s written in a will. It takes just a few minutes to review, and it’s one of the most valuable things you can do for the people you care about.
3. Check that your investments still match your goals
Think about your time horizon, how comfortable you are with market ups and downs, and what you’re saving for. A choice that made sense several years ago may not fit today. If you’re not sure where to start, look at the plan’s target-date or professionally managed options, which are designed to adjust to your timeline.
4. Consider rebalancing
Markets move, and over time your mix of investments can drift away from your plan. For example, strong stock performance can leave you with more risk than you meant to take. Rebalancing brings your allocation back to where you want it. If you’re in a target-date fund, this is typically handled for you, but it’s worth confirming how your funds work.
5. Look for old retirement accounts
Did you leave a 401(k) or 403(b) with a former employer, or have an IRA you haven’t looked at in years? Gathering your accounts in one place can make them easier to track and manage. Rolling money into this plan is one option, but it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Compare investment options, fees, and features, and ask questions before deciding. Your plan’s service team can walk you through how a rollover works.
Why it matters
Your Retirement Account is one piece of a larger picture that includes your health coverage, insurance protection, and savings accounts. A little time now helps all of those pieces work together. Small, regular check-ins tend to beat big, occasional overhauls.
Your next step
While you’re making your open enrollment elections this season, log in to your 401(k) or 403(b) account and take ten minutes to work through the five points above. If you have questions or want help, reach out to the plan’s service team or attend an education session.
Your retirement plan is a valuable benefit. Don’t let it slip off your to-do list.
This post is for general educational purposes and is not individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Plan features and contribution limits vary, so refer to your plan documents or consult a qualified advisor before making changes.