Do you meet in person in Durham?

Yes. I meet clients at Fidelity Bank branches in the Durham area and by video. The first conversation is a free 30-minute call.

What does the first meeting cost?

Nothing. The first call is free, with no obligation. It is a chance to see whether working together makes sense.

Does North Carolina tax Social Security?

No. North Carolina lets you deduct the Social Security benefits included in your federal adjusted gross income, so they are not taxed by the state.

What is North Carolina’s income tax rate on IRA withdrawals?

North Carolina has a flat individual income tax rate: 4.25 percent for 2025 and 3.99 percent for tax years after 2025, according to the NC Department of Revenue. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are generally taxed at that rate.

Do you work with people outside Durham?

Yes. I also work with clients in Chapel Hill and across the Fidelity Bank branches I serve in central North Carolina, and by video anywhere.

How do I choose a CFP® professional near Durham?

Confirm the certification with the CFP Board’s online verification tool and look up the advisor on FINRA BrokerCheck. Then ask how they are paid, what standard of care applies to each service you would use, what a written plan includes, and how often you will meet. You should know what working together costs before you commit to anything.

Do you offer retirement planning in Durham?

Yes. Most of my work is retirement income planning: when to claim Social Security, which accounts to draw from first, whether Roth conversions make sense before required distributions, and how to stay clear of Medicare IRMAA surcharges. It starts with a free 30-minute call.

Durham, North Carolina

Financial advisor and retirement planner in Durham, NC

I’m James Ustby, a CFP® professional and wealth advisor with LPL Financial, located at Fidelity Bank. I help Durham business owners plan a sale and help families turn savings into a retirement paycheck.

We can meet at a Fidelity Bank branch in Durham or by video, whichever is easier for you.

Start with a free 30-minute call.

No cost, no obligation. Bring your questions and your latest statements if you have them.

Book a free call

Or call or text 919-226-4145.

Who I work with

Four kinds of people, one way of working.

Business owners planning an exit. Before a sale: what the business may be worth to different buyers, how deal structure changes what you keep, and owner retirement plans such as solo 401(k)s and cash balance plans.
People within ten years of retiring. When to claim Social Security, how much income your savings can support, and whether Roth conversions make sense before required distributions start.
Retirees who want a paycheck. A withdrawal order across IRAs, taxable accounts, and Social Security, with the tax bill planned year by year.
Anyone leaving an employer plan. What to do with a 401(k) or 403(b) when you change jobs or retire, and what each choice costs.

Money in Durham

In Durham, many of the people I meet are owners of service, construction, and medical practices, or employees of the area’s universities, health systems, and research companies. The questions differ, but the first step is the same: a clear picture of what you have, what it can pay you, and what it will cost in tax.

North Carolina rules that change the math

North Carolina taxes most income at one flat rate: 4.25 percent for 2025 and 3.99 percent for tax years after 2025. Social Security is not taxed by the state; the taxable part on your federal return is deducted on your North Carolina return. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals generally are taxed, so the order you draw from accounts matters here as much as anywhere.

How working together starts

A free 30-minute call to hear what you want to solve. If it makes sense to go further, we gather your accounts and goals, I build a written plan, and we decide together what to do first. You can start learning before we talk with the free Retirement Reality Report or, for owners, the Exit Readiness Scorecard.

Free calculators

Questions people ask

Do you meet in person in Durham?: Yes. I meet clients at Fidelity Bank branches in the Durham area and by video. The first conversation is a free 30-minute call.
What does the first meeting cost?: Nothing. The first call is free, with no obligation. It is a chance to see whether working together makes sense.
Does North Carolina tax Social Security?: No. North Carolina lets you deduct the Social Security benefits included in your federal adjusted gross income, so they are not taxed by the state.
What is North Carolina’s income tax rate on IRA withdrawals?: North Carolina has a flat individual income tax rate: 4.25 percent for 2025 and 3.99 percent for tax years after 2025, according to the NC Department of Revenue. IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are generally taxed at that rate.
Do you work with people outside Durham?: Yes. I also work with clients in Chapel Hill and across the Fidelity Bank branches I serve in central North Carolina, and by video anywhere.
How do I choose a CFP® professional near Durham?: Confirm the certification with the CFP Board’s online verification tool and look up the advisor on FINRA BrokerCheck. Then ask how they are paid, what standard of care applies to each service you would use, what a written plan includes, and how often you will meet. You should know what working together costs before you commit to anything.
Do you offer retirement planning in Durham?: Yes. Most of my work is retirement income planning: when to claim Social Security, which accounts to draw from first, whether Roth conversions make sense before required distributions, and how to stay clear of Medicare IRMAA surcharges. It starts with a free 30-minute call.

Sources

The Nest Egg: one money question every morning, with the math shown.

One email every morning: one money question, the math shown, the government page it came from. Free. Unsubscribe with one click.

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Fidelity Bank and Fidelity Bank Wealth Management are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Fidelity Bank Wealth Management, and may also be employees of Fidelity Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Fidelity Bank or Fidelity Bank Wealth Management.

Not Insured by FDIC or Any Other Government Agency
Not Bank Guaranteed
Not Bank Deposits or Obligations
May Lose Value

The LPL Financial registered representative associated with this site may discuss and transact securities business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offer may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state.

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Neither LPL Financial nor its representatives provide legal or tax advice; please consult your attorney or tax advisor regarding your specific situation. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Examples are hypothetical and for illustration only.