> The Per Stirling Blog: What to ask a Financial Advisor

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31

October

Per Stirling Capital Outlook – October

Election Day is fast approaching, and there seems to be a growing consensus that the presidential election, in particular, could be the most important of our respective lifetimes.  There is certainly some justification for this perspective as, unlike most previous U.S. presidential elections, which have traditionally offered a choice between slightly left-of-center and slightly right-of-center, […]

30

October

2024 Shred Event

This year, we were thrilled to host our annual Shred Day event, which has quickly become a highly anticipated tradition. A big thank you to all our clients and their guests who joined us for the occasion! With privacy and security at the forefront of everything we do, we wanted to provide our clients and […]

22

October

Should I Use My 401(k) to Pay for My Child’s College Education?

You can, but it isn’t your best option. Your 401(k) plan should be dedicated primarily to your retirement. There are two primary drawbacks to using your 401(k) for college funding. First, if you withdraw funds from your 401(k) before you are 59½, you will owe a 10% premature distribution penalty on the withdrawal. This penalty […]

15

October

Thoughts: Your Social Security Number Compromised

  Another day, another breach.  National Public Data, a data broker that sells personal information, was hacked last year but only released details of the event at the end of August.  The breach exposed sensitive details like full names, Social Security numbers, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.  What’s truly alarming is the scale: […]

15

October

Charitable Contributions from IRAs

Did you know that, if you are at least 70½ years old, you can make tax-free charitable donations directly from your IRA? By making what’s called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), you can benefit your favorite charity while excluding up to $105,000 in 2024 from gross income. These gifts, also known as “charitable IRA rollovers,” […]

08

October

Understanding the Retirement Gap: What It Is and How It Might Affect You

Does your idea of an ideal retirement include globetrotting, visiting family, moving to a warmer climate, or something else entirely? As you envision the goals for your golden years, it’s important to make sure you have the financial wherewithal to pursue them. Otherwise, your expectations and reality might not align. In the world of finances, […]

08

October

How Much Annual Income Can Your Retirement Portfolio Provide?

Your retirement lifestyle will depend not only on your assets and investment choices, but also on how quickly you draw down your retirement portfolio. The annual percentage that you take out of your portfolio, whether from returns or the principal itself, is known as your withdrawal rate. Figuring out an appropriate initial withdrawal rate is […]

07

October

Why an HSA Should Be on Your Radar for 2025

Why an HSA Should Be on Your Radar for 2025 As we enter the 2025 benefits enrollment period, it’s time to start thinking about your healthcare options for the new year. While many people focus on health insurance plans, there’s one powerful tool that often gets overlooked: the Health Savings Account (HSA). But don’t let […]

01

October

Business Succession Planning

When developing a succession plan for your business, you must make many decisions. Should you sell your business or give it away? Should you structure your plan to go into effect during your lifetime or at your death? Should you transfer your ownership interest to family members, co-owners, employees, or an outside party? The key […]

27

September

Per Stirling Capital Outlook – September

One of our Directors recently had the distinction of serving on a panel at the 2024 Titan Investors Active Exchange, where the panel addressed macroeconomic “Mega Trends”, such as AI (artificial intelligence), the transition and build-out of the energy grid to accommodate the anticipated surge in demand, and the “reshoring” of the global supply chain.  […]