If you're a 1K this year, shouldn't your status only drop to Premier Exec next year? They should drop you only one level, even though you didn't fly much this year. That, at least, would preserve your 100% bonus.
They used to have this policy in previous years, but not this last one. In 2004 non-requalifying 1Ks only found themselves being afforded a "Soft Landing" down to Premier Executive status if they generated substantial revenue (usually from high-fare type tickets) for United.
Another one:
If you think you might be wanting any Economy free award travel, you might consider booking that before your 1K membership expires, because 1Ks enjoy a special inventory of Economy Saver seats on some flights. This may get you seats on flights that non-1Ks can not get.