Stephens Planning

Looking for clear insights on your estate and tax plan? Come have dinner with us! Stephens Planning is teaming up with Mark Goldenberg of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli P.C. at The Wedge on June 17th at 6:00 PM for a relaxed, community-focused session. It's free to attend but be sure to reserve your spot at the link below. We hope to see you there!

Estate Planning and Taxes Dinner Seminar - Curtis Stephens This educational session, hosted by Curtis Stephens of Stephens Planning in collaboration with Mark Goldenberg of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., will walk through key estate and tax planning concepts in a simple, practical way.We’ll cover: The biggest estate planning mistakes people make The

Many retirees are shocked to learn how much of their retirement income can end up going to taxes.

Stephens Planning is excited to partner with Tomerlin Bookkeeping & Tax Preparation Services for a complimentary Taxes in Retirement Lunch & Learn on Friday, June 5th, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Lunch will be provided at no cost, with no obligation and no pressure.

This event brings together the perspective of a fiduciary financial advisor and a trusted tax professional in the same room. With more than 40 years of tax experience represented by Tomerlin Bookkeeping, attendees will have the opportunity to hear practical educational insight on how taxes and retirement planning work together.

Location:
620 E Broadway
Alton, IL 62002

During this educational event we will be discussing:
• How retirement income is taxed
• Roth conversion strategies
• How Social Security and retirement withdrawals work together
• Simple strategies that may help retirees keep more of what they’ve worked hard to save

If you or someone you know has questions about retirement taxes, this is a great opportunity to learn more in a relaxed and educational setting.

This complimentary event is simply designed to help people better understand how taxes can impact retirement.

We also encourage you to bring a friend, spouse, coworker, or family member with you. Many people have questions about retirement taxes and Social Security, but do not always know where to start. This event is a great opportunity to learn alongside someone you care about and start important conversations about retirement planning together.

Seating is limited.

Reserve your seat by calling 618-551-0028 or registering here:
https://calendly.com/cstephens-stephensplanning/taxes-in-retirement-lunch-learn?month=2026-06&date=2026-06-05

For more information about the event and the topics being discussed, check out this clip from The Daily Show featuring Daniel Smith of Tomerlin Bookkeeping Inc. and Curtis Stephens of Stephens Planning.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dB8vGVQTgpqU91ZL8oeFp_lUOXQ6Tiyy/view?pli=1

We look forward to seeing you there and being part of the conversation.

Stepens planning clip.mp4

A large portion of the federal government’s spending today goes directly toward programs that support individuals and families through benefits, healthcare, retirement income, and other assistance programs. In 2025, nearly 70% of federal spending is expected to go toward these types of payments.

At the same time, areas like national defense now make up a much smaller share of the budget than they did decades ago. Another growing expense is interest on the national debt, which is consuming an increasing portion of taxpayer dollars each year.

Why does this matter? Because the way the government spends money can impact on inflation, taxes, interest rates, retirement planning, and the long-term financial outlook for families across the country. Understanding these trends helps put today’s economic conversations into perspective.

No matter your political views, these are the kinds of economic shifts that can affect everyday Americans for years to come. Staying informed and having a financial plan that can adapt to changing conditions has never been more important.

The U.S. produces plenty of oil, but as this chart shows, it is often the “wrong” type for our specialized refineries. Most of our equipment was built for “Heavy” oil, while we mostly pull “Light” oil out of the ground.

This mismatch forces us to trade on a global scale, which directly impacts inflation and market volatility affecting your retirement.

If you have more questions about how these global trends impact your personal financial path, feel free to reach out to us.

This chart reviews performance for S&P 500 industries by looking at them like different neighborhoods of the economy. It shows how areas like technology, energy, and retail are expected to grow, making it easy to see which areas are speeding up or slowing down.

For example, the dip in Energy followed by a predicted rise helps us identify where the economy is shifting and where new opportunities are starting to grow.

Watching these shifts in the market helps to create a more balanced plan for the future, no matter which way the market moves.

If you have any questions about how these industry shifts might impact your specific goals, feel free to reach out so we can discuss your plan.

Looking for clear insights on your estate and tax plan? Come have lunch with us! Stephens Planning is teaming up with Liz Heller at The Wedge on May 8th at 12:00 PM for a relaxed, community-focused session. It's free to attend, but be sure to reserve your spot at the link below. We hope to see you there! https://calendly.com/cstephens-stephensplanning/estate-planning-taxes-lunch-learn

GHA Partner Elizabeth Heller to Co-Host Free Estate Planning Event – Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. partner Liz Heller is teaming up with Curtis Stephens to host a community Lunch & Learn on estate planning and taxes in Alton, IL.

Join us for the We**ie Party! It is The Wedge's 1-year celebration this Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at 620 E Broadway, Alton, IL 62002.

Short notice, but we didn’t want you to miss it. We would love for you to come by.

If you can, stop in even 15 to 20 minutes. There will be food, light refreshments, live music, and a great atmosphere.

Admission is on us. Use code SP1 for free admission when you register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wedge-turns-w-one-a-community-celebration-tickets-1987095032734?aff=oddtdtcreator

In 2023, more than 153 million Americans filed tax returns, reporting over $15 trillion in income and paying more than $2 trillion in federal income taxes. As shown in the image, the system is designed so that as income goes up, taxes usually do too the top 1% paid about 26% of their income, while the bottom half paid closer to 4%.

For many people, that’s more than just a statistic it’s a reminder that the more you earn and save, the more important tax planning becomes. In retirement, income can come from several places at once like Social Security, retirement accounts, and withdrawals and that can quietly lead to a larger tax bill than expected.
At Stephens Planning, we’re here to help you understand how this applies to your situation, find ways to reduce unnecessary taxes, and ultimately help you keep more of what you’ve worked hard to earn. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out.

I had the opportunity to join The Big Z Morning Show today to discuss why tax and estate planning doesn’t have to be intimidating. It should be about having the information you need to make confident decisions for your family so you can leave behind a legacy rather than a burden.

Looking forward to expanding on these topics at our upcoming Lunch & Learn at The Wedge (620 E Broadway, Alton, IL) on May 8th at 12:00pm. It will be a relaxed environment to get your questions answered and start building a proactive plan for the future.

We’ll also be giving away St. Louis Cardinals tickets and some other fun items for those who join us!

You can listen to my full segment here for more details:
https://www.advantagenews.com/podcasts/big_z_morning_show/taxes-and-estate-planning-lunch-and-learn/audio_d423f024-fddd-4876-8945-4f738cb5e826.html

Interested in joining us? Register for the Lunch & Learn here:
https://calendly.com/cstephens-stephensplanning/estate-planning-taxes-lunch-learn

Texas Trip = a great mix of friendship and business. Grateful for the conversations, the opportunities, and the time spent with good people!