Many of us are beginning to wind down work for the year and make plans for next year. For many people, this time of year means pushing off decisions and activity until after the new year. But between the holiday celebrations and spending time with family, consider handling some critical annual financial tasks that can make a big difference down the road.

Talk about your retirement goals, write them down, and consult a professional. You might have a vague idea about how you want to live in retirement, but until you have conversations about this stage of your life and develop the steps to get there, you don’t have a plan. A financial adviser can help you create a plan based on realistic goals and provide course corrections when life events occur. If you don’t know where to start, consult friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. And if you already have a financial adviser, make sure to have periodic conversations about your plan.

Make changes to asset allocation

Throughout the year your assets – stocks, bonds, and so on – will go up and down in value, sometimes quite dramatically.

Even in a well-diversified portfolio, I’ve seen a single stock explode in value and throw the target percentages out of whack. Your target allocation is meant to balance several factors, including how long you have until retirement, how you want to live in retirement, and your risk tolerance.

There are online calculators to help, but this is where a financial adviser can provide a lot of help with keeping you on course.

Check employer’s 401(k) or 403(b) plan

From time to time your employer will send you information about its retirement plan that you might ignore. Don’t.

Sometimes companies change their matching contributions program or other aspects of plans. And get as much free money from your employer’s matching contribution as you can.

Get your credit score

There’s no single number, as credit scoring services all use different formulas, but you should know where you stand – you never know when you’ll need it.

Get your free credit reports annually from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It’s important to examine them for inaccuracies and signs of fraud and to try to correct any errors. You can learn more at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.

Go over your tax withholding

Tax laws and tax brackets change. You might be delighted by a refund, but you’re better off investing what you were overpaying instead of giving it to the government during the year. The IRS has a calculator to help you determine the proper amount for tax withholding.

Update your will, estate plan, or both

This might not be an annual task, but many people don’t update their wills and estate plans after major life events or when the state they live in passes laws that affect estate planning. Go over your estate plan with your financial team to make sure it reflects your wishes and is tax-efficient.

By completing these tasks annually, you can get the new year off to a good start financially and help make sure you don’t have any unpleasant tidings years down the road.

Evan R. Guido is the founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2018 Forbes Next-Gen Advisors List Member, and Financial Professional at Avantax Investment ServicesSM. Evan heads a team of retirement transition strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 or eguido@aksalawealth.com. Read more of his insights at heraldtribune.com/business. Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM, insurance services offered through an Avantax affiliated insurance agency. 6260 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: EVAN GUIDO: Hello, new year. Here's your year-end financial to-do list