Because Money Doesn’t Come With Instructions
Welcome to Sterk Financial Services, a financial planning practice in the Dakota Dunes suburb of Sioux City, Iowa. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team of experienced professionals to help you live your best life. That’s where we come in. You have doctors, attorneys, and tax professionals you rely on to keep your life running smoothly, and we are prepared to do the same for your financial future. Sterk Financial Services has programs specifically designed to help you manage investments and strategically plan for life changes such as retirement, divorce, job changes, or entering a caregiving role. We can help you preserve and grow your portfolio to help set yourself up for a successful financial future. Our goal is simple – to provide advice and strategies that aligns the money you have with the life that you want to lead.
Our team of professionals has years of experience in strategic financial planning. We are ready to address your needs today and guide you through every phase of life. Let us help you take the complexity and uncertainty out of financial planning, and help create clarity and confidence as you move forward.
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We offer specialized programs that center around managing money and planning for life’s crucial financial events. Your needs & goals. Our advice & strategies.
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As your full-service financial partner and guide, we are here when you need us. Every situation. Every time.
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There are no do-overs in retirement. You need a path. You need a strategy. You need a guide you can trust. Mary’s latest book will arm you with the essential knowledge to create a strategic plan so you can retire with confidence.
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What Is a 1035 Exchange?
1035 exchanges provide a way to trade-in an annuity contract or life insurance policy without triggering a tax liability.
The Latte Lie and Other Myths
Check out this video to begin separating fact from fiction.
Perception vs. Reality
There’s an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.
How Retirement Spending Changes With Time
It can be difficult for clients to imagine how much they’ll spend in retirement. This short, insightful article is useful for jumpstarting a conversation about retirement spending, spending habits, and potential medical costs.
Split Annuity Strategy
Here's one strategy that combines two different annuities to generate income and rebuild principal.
Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Insurance Rates?
Your credit score may influence how much you pay for auto and home insurance.
You Would Rather Be...
Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance.
9 Facts About Social Security
There are things about Social Security that might surprise you.
You May Need to Make Estimated Tax Payments If…
Have income that isn’t subject to tax withholding? Or insufficient withholdings? You may have to pay estimated taxes.
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Federal Income Tax
Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.
Tax Freedom Day
Assess how many days you'll work to pay your federal tax liability.
Long-Term-Care Needs
Determine your potential long-term care needs and how long your current assets might last.
Assess Your Life Insurance Needs
This calculator estimates how much life insurance you would need to meet your family's needs if you were to die prematurely.
Annuity Comparison
This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
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Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
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To Buy or Not to Buy
The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.
Investments
You’ve made investments your whole life. Work with us to help make the most of them.
Bursting the Bubble
Tulips were the first, but they won’t be the last. What forms a “bubble” and what causes them to burst?
Safeguard Your Digital Estate
If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?
An Arm and a Leg
A visit to the hospital can be painful, for both your body and your wallet. Don’t let it be more painful than it has to be.
A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List
A bucket plan can help you be better prepared for a comfortable retirement.