
With the new year comes new opportunities. Are you changing jobs? If so, here’s a checklist to help you for a smooth transition!
| General information | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Has relevant personal information been gathered? • Names, ages • Children and other dependents |
▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. Has financial situation been assessed? • Income • Expenses • Assets • Liabilities |
▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Employee benefits | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Has a benefits package been discussed with the new employer? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. If yes, are there restrictions or a waiting period for all benefits? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. Is health insurance offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Are short- and long-term disability offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 5. Is a Section 125 or flexible spending account offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 6. Is dental insurance offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 7. Is vision insurance offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 8. Is life insurance offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 9. Is a retirement plan offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 10. Is adoption assistance offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 11. Is long-term care insurance offered? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 12. Other insurance? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 13. Has vacation/time off been reviewed? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Financial picture | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Has annual compensation been determined? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. If married, will spouse work outside the home? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. If there are children, will day care be necessary? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Will living expenses be affected? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Money management | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Has budget been updated to reflect changes in income and expenses? • Housing costs • Transportation costs • Food, clothing, and other household expenses • Health-care expenses • Life and disability insurance premiums • Child-care costs |
▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. Has an emergency fund been established? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Housing situation | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Is relocation an issue? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. Is there a home that needs to be sold? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. Is a home purchase planned? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Have the advantages and disadvantages of buying a home versus renting a home been discussed? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 5. Have other expenses been reviewed? • Mortgage origination fees • Real estate agent fees • Attorney fees • Moving expenses • Potential increase in real estate taxes • Cost of living in new location |
▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 6. Will the new employer pay all relocation expenses? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Insurance planning | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Is a current health insurance plan in place? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. Has spouse's coverage been evaluated? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. Will COBRA be needed during the job transition period? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Is an individual (non-employer-sponsored) life insurance policy in place? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 5. Does life insurance need to be upgraded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 6. Does automobile insurance need to be purchased/upgraded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 7. Does homeowners/renters insurance need to be purchased/upgraded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 8. Does disability income insurance need to be purchased/upgraded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 9. Does personal liability insurance need to be purchased/upgraded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 10. Does long-term care insurance need to be purchased/upgraded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 11. Are beneficiary designations up-to-date? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Investment planning | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Has liquidity need changed? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. Has risk tolerance been determined? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. Have investment goals been considered/prioritized? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Has size/frequency of investments been determined? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 5. Has current asset allocation been reviewed? • Stocks • Bonds • Mutual funds • Annuities • Real estate • Art/collectibles |
▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 6. Will job change affect existing employee stock options? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Retirement planning | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Is a retirement plan available? • Employer-sponsored retirement plan • Beneficiary designation updated |
▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. If a 401(k) is offered, will the employer match employee contributions? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. Are IRAs being effectively utilized? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Will all available plans be funded? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| Tax planning | Yes | No | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Will withholding change? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 2. Is the maximum tax advantage of employee benefits realized? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 3. Will child care be needed? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 4. Will there be a home office? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 5. Have home office deductions been discussed? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |
| 6. Is there self-employment income? | ▢ | ▢ | ▢ |


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