TheLiveBigWay® Digest: Together & Ahead

Life is full of important moments – marriage, having children, changing jobs, big purchases like homes or cars, and more. When these moments happen, we want to be your first call. Why? Because your financial plan touches nearly every part of your life, and the earlier we’re involved, the more helpful we can be. Here are some areas of your world where we’d love to be your first (or second) call.

The calendar has turned and many Clients find themselves reflecting on questions like: “How did my portfolio perform in 2025?” and “What themes are beginning to take shape as we look further into 2026?” Join Yusuf Abugideiri and Lauren Stansell for a live conversation on Thursday, January 29 at 11am PT | 2pm ET as they look back at 2025 and share guiding insight moving forward into 2026. Click here to register today!

We believe that Clients benefit most when their planners are deeply connected to the profession and committed to its highest standards. That’s why we’re proud to share that Sydney Woodward will be leading the Financial Planning Association^® of San Francisco as President in 2026. Read on to to learn what this role means to Sydney and how she hopes to make an impact.

YeskeBuie‘s succession plan was designed with Clients at the center. This piece featured in Financial Planning showcases early insights from the firm’s C3Os on how they are stewarding the firm’s next chapter. Lauren, Lauren, and Yusuf share thoughts on how the transition preserves the firm’s independence and strengthens the Client experience for the long term. See what our leaders have to say about taking up the mantle to serve Clients with care.

1. Although 2026 just started, tax season is around the corner — start gathering your documents now! As for Schwab tax documents (Forms 1099-R and 1099):
   • If you have any retirement accounts that had distributions in 2025, your Form 1099-R is now available on Schwab.
   • The 1099s for taxable accounts will start to be released in February (with any corrections being released later in the month) – the Financial Planning Team and I will continue to monitor the availability of these documents and send additional communication on how to access the forms shortly.
   • Security Notes:
     • Please do not click on any links you receive via email. To be safe, go directly to client.schwab.com, log in using your credentials, and download your tax forms.
       • If you don’t have online access set up or have settings to have your documents mailed to you, keep an eye out for them in your mailbox.
     • Be sure to provide all tax documents and client data organizers/questionnaires to your tax professional securely (do not send as unprotected email attachments).
2. It’s also Safe-Spending season around here! If you’re spending from your portfolio, you’ll hear from your Financial Planning Team this month with your 2025 Safe-Spending Policies Review and 2026 Update. We’ll share a recap of 2025 and how the guardrail rules were applied to your prior spending target to determine your 2026 Safe-Spending Target.
   • We’ll also be placing trades to rebalance your accounts, to be sure your bond stable reserve is topped up, and to raise cash for the coming year’s needs.
3. In the spirit of Giving Big and sharing unconditionally on the path to abundance, we are thrilled to announce Tim Connolly, CFP^® will be serving as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the FPA^® San Francisco chapter in 2026. He will be an integral part of the Board, working with the President (our very own Sydney Woodward, CFP^®) and all members of the Board to monitor the chapter’s financials, as well as planning for the amazing educational meetings and membership connection events planned throughout the year. As a past president of the chapter and someone who works closely with Tim, I am confident he’ll be a wonderful asset to their team.