Blog

Still Time to Save: Smart Year-End Tax Moves Before the Ball Drops

By Jason Gunkel, CFP®, CFA, CAP®, Chief Investment Officer

As we head toward the end of 2025, you can still make charitable donations, contribute to your retirement plan, or make gifts to loved ones before the end of the year. Below is a summary of those strategies and how the new tax bill can potentially adjust your planning for this year and beyond. As always, we are here to help you sort through all these strategies for your situation.

Read the full article here. 

Financial Transitions Are Opportunities, Not Setbacks

By Jennifer Scheck, CFP®, Financial Planner

Change is inevitable. Whether it is starting a new job, retiring, selling a business, receiving an inheritance, or navigating the loss of a loved one, financial transitions are part of life. At Syverson Strege, we understand that these moments often bring uncertainty — and with it, emotion. But we also believe financial transitions are not setbacks. They’re opportunities.

Read the full article here. 

2025 Contribution Deadlines

• 401k Contributions: Dec. 31
• IRA Contributions: April 15, 2026 (before you file your 2025 taxes)
• 529 Contributions: April 15, 2026 (before you file your 2025 taxes)
• Roth IRA Conversions: Dec. 31
• HSA Contributions: April 15, 2026 (before you file your 2025 taxes)
• Charitable Contributions: Dec. 31

Please remember to write your checks to charity as soon as possible because they must be cashed before year-end.

Events

Santa is Coming to Syverson Strege: Dec. 6 (2-4 p.m.), Syverson Strege Office; Get ready for some holiday cheer! Enjoy holiday treats, kids’ crafts, holiday movies and photos with Santa! Please RSVP here so we have an accurate count for activities and treats. 

It’s a Wrap: Dec. 12 (9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), Syverson Strege Office; Free gift-wrapping event for clients. Refreshments will be served. RSVP here to have your gifts wrapped.

Financial Foundations – Education for Lifelong Success: Feb. 17 & Feb. 24 (5:30-7:30 p.m. both dates), Syverson Strege Office or via Zoom;

This FREE, two-part course is designed for individuals ages 18 and older. Created by the Syverson Strege team, Financial Foundations is a financial education course to learn more about the purpose of money, spending, investing, savings, income taxes, insurance, estate planning, and charitable giving. Dinner is provided. Zoom option available. Limited to the first 30 individuals or family units. Learn more and register here.

Inside Look

Syverson Strege voted “Best of the West” for Third Year in a Row

For the third year in a row, we are honored to be voted Best Wealth Management Company in the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce 2025 Best of the West Awards! Thank you to our clients, partners, families and friends for voting for us – you make what we do special every day of the year!

Disclaimer: Award rating provided by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce on 11/5/25 based on the number of votes Syverson Strege received during the voting period 10/1/25-10/31/25. Syverson Strege did not provide any direct or indirect compensation in return for consideration of the rating. 

2026 Syverson Strege Calendars

The 2026 Syverson Strege calendars are here! If you requested to have a calendar mailed to you last year, we will mail one to you again this year. If you would like one mailed to you, please contact Deb Longseth at dlongseth@SyversonStrege.com or (515) 225-6000. You can also pick one up in our office lobby. 

Office Closure

The Syverson Strege office will be closed Nov. 26 for a team volunteer event, and Nov. 27-28 to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, Dec. 1.

Out and About

Southeast Iowa Client Event

We loved spending time with our Southeast Iowa clients in late October! Our Client Appreciation Event was a great evening filled with good conversation, laughter, and gratitude for the wonderful people we get to serve. Thank you to everyone who came out and made it so special!