promoearn: So long, 2020 👋

Thursday, December 31

A view of the New Year's Eve Ball during testing before the official Times Square Celebration on December 30, 2020 in New York City.

So long, 2020 👋

The deadline for 401(k) contributions arrives and more news to start your New Year's Eve.

Well, 2020, it's nearly a wrap. So long, farewell, you won't be missed. I'm Jane, with the final Daily Briefing of the year.

Don't forget to make your 401(k) contributions by today if you want the largest nest egg possible. President Donald Trump will return to the White House, cutting his holiday trip to Florida short. Britain's divorce from the EU will finally be a done deal after more than four years of wrangling. And, can't want to ring in 2021? Start your celebrations early with "Noon Year's Eve."

Here's Thursday's news:

Today's the last day to contribute to some retirement accounts

If you want to end up with the largest nest egg possible, knowing when to contribute to your retirement account is almost as important as contributing in the first place. You must make your 401(k) contributions by Dec. 31, 2020 , if you want to write them off on this year's taxes. That might sound obvious, but other savings accounts – like an IRA or health savings account (HSA) – allow you to do so up until the tax filing deadline, which is April 15, 2021. For your 401(k), you usually cannot make lump-sum contributions, but instead need to change the amount of money your employer withholds from each paycheck.

•	As painful 2020 ends, it's time to set yourself up for financial success in 2021

Trump to cut short Florida trip, return to White House

President Donald Trump will cut his annual holiday trip to Florida short and return to Washington on New Year's Eve, the White House said. The announcement Wednesday came hours after media reports indicated Trump would go forward with an annual New Year's Eve celebration at his Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago, amid the coronavirus pandemic. White House officials did not disclose the reason for Trump's decision to return Thursday. Trump has kept a low profile in Florida since arriving on Dec. 23 and has rarely been seen outside the golf course. Instead of providing a detailed schedule, the White House said only that he was working "tirelessly for the American people" and would take "many meetings and calls." The president's return date had long been somewhat in the air, but he has in the past attended the annual black-tie New Year's Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago.

•	Sen. Hawley will object to Electoral College results, ensuring a doomed fight to overturn Biden's win
•	Trump's pardons, including controversial allies, increase in final days of presidency
•	Post-presidency at Mar-a-Lago; What Donald Trump can expect when he leaves the White House

In coronavirus news:

•	Coronavirus updates: Los Angeles County tops 10K deaths; New York to allow 6,700 fans at Bills' NFL playoff game
•	Employee intentionally removed COVID-19 vaccine from fridge, ruining more than 500 doses, hospital says; FBI investigating
•	Getting COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of Americans is off to a slow start; why the holdup?
•	Debate over $2,000 coronavirus aid checks could spur both Democratic and GOP turnout in Georgia Senate races
•	Teachers should be next in COVID-19 vaccine schedule, CDC says. Can a shot reopen schools?

How your New Year's Eve may fare, weather-wise

Fitting for the last day of 2020, a pair of storms could put a damper on New Year's Eve celebrations across large portions of the U.S. Some areas could see rain, thunderstorms, snow or even ice. The storm in the eastern half of the nation will bring unwelcome heavy rain to some areas and locations from the Great Lakes region to the Appalachians and Southeast should be ready for what could be a soggy New Year's Eve . At Times Square in New York City, the few revelers who are out should see rain and temperatures in the 40s. There also could be severe thunderstorms – including the chance for tornadoes – across portions of the Deep South and the Southeast.

•	2020 was an extreme year for Earth's temperatures. But was it the hottest on record? It depends
•	'A serious threat': Plastics we use every day are leaching hazardous chemicals, report says

The UK's divorce from the European Union finally completes

The United Kingdom's long and divisive Brexit journey will finally be completed Thursday, after the nation voted in a June 2016 referendum to leave the European Union. The U.K. left the EU that it had joined in 1973 almost a year ago, but remained within the bloc's economic embrace during a transition period that ends at midnight Brussels time (6 p.m. EST). Britain's Parliament voted Wednesday to approve a trade deal with the EU , averting economic chaos with just one day to spare. Big changes are coming on New Year's Day. The trade agreement, hammered out after more than nine months of negotiations and sealed on Christmas Eve, will ensure Britain and the 27-nation EU can continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas. That should help protect the $894 billion in annual trade between the two sides, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on it. But Brexit will still bring inconvenience and new expense for both individuals and businesses — from the need for tourists to have travel insurance to the millions of new customs declarations that firms will have to fill out.

More news you need to know:

•	Parade viewing stands dismantled near White House as Biden team seeks to discourage inauguration crowds
•	McConnell again blocks $2K stimulus checks, says standalone bill has 'no realistic path'
•	Officer who fatally shot Breonna Taylor didn't identify target before spraying apartment with bullets, chief says
•	Prefer to listen? Hit play to hear the 5 Things podcast 🎧
•	Minimum wage set to rise in 20 states, 32 localities as growing number adopt $15 an hour
•	Target recalls 480,000 infants' rompers, swimsuits over choking, pinching concerns
•	R.I.P. Dawn Wells: Remembering my boat cruise with lovely Mary Ann from 'Gilligan's Island'
•	Backstory: In a dire year, reporters found hope. Some favorite moments of 2020

What is open and closed on New Year's Eve?

Whether you need groceries or want to pick up a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the end of a trying year and welcome 2021, take note. Many stores will close early Thursday, hours before the ball drops and have limited hours Friday for New Year's Day. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, expect some stores to limit the number of shoppers allowed inside. To help plan your last-minute shopping down to the minute, here are New Year's Eve and New Year's Day store hours for department stores, discount retailers and grocers. As for restaurants, unlike Christmas, when many major chains closed, more restaurants will be open to bid 2020 a farewell and welcome in 2021. Expect to find many restaurants operating with special hours Thursday and Friday.

•	Shopping malls were struggling before COVID-19 and now have more empty stores. What's next after the pandemic?
•	More store closings in 2021? These are the most vulnerable major retailers of 2021 as pandemic continues

And finally: Weird New Year's Eve drops to watch

Families, early sleepers and those wanting to social distance due to the coronavirus pandemic might consider a midday "Noon Year's Eve" celebration for Dec. 31. Depending on your timing, you can still ring in the new year with noisemakers as the clock strikes 12 in other countries around the world. For those staying up to midnight, cities around the United States will be ringing in the new year by dropping weird giant objects. Many New Year's Eve celebrations will be held virtually this year, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges Americans to celebrate from the safety of their homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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•	How to celebrate: CDC recommends alternatives for New Year's Eve celebrations