Stephens Planning

10/01/2026

We’re on YouTube!

At Stephens Planning, we believe financial planning shouldn’t feel complicated.

Our YouTube channel is a place where we break down important financial topics in plain language, including retirement planning, investments, taxes, Social Security, estate planning, and the financial decisions that come up along the way.

Our goal is simple: help you better understand your options and the questions worth asking.

We’ll be sharing new videos regularly, so check out the channel and subscribe to follow along.

▶️ Watch and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr4WlQS06rufCkrWS1DcaKQ

Have a financial topic you’d like us to cover? Let us know in the comments.

At Stephens planning we believe financial planning should bring clarity to the questions that matter most. When can I retire? Will my money last? Am I paying more in taxes than I need to? On this channel, we simplify topics like retirement planning, investments, taxes, Social Security, estate planni...

08/05/2026

Did you know that having a will doesn't automatically keep your family out of probate?

A will tells the court how you want your assets distributed, but in many cases, it still has to go through the probate process. That's why many people choose to learn about other planning tools, such as trusts, depending on their goals and situation.

If you've ever wondered what the difference is between a will and a trust or if you already have documents in place but aren't sure they're still up to date we'll be covering these topics during our Estate Planning & Taxes Educational Dinner.

Thursday, August 13 | 6:00 PM

There is no cost to attend, dinner is provided, and there is no obligation. It's simply an opportunity to learn how estate planning and financial planning work together.

Reserve your seat here:
https://calendly.com/cstephens-stephensplanning/estate-planning-and-taxes-dinner-seminar

Investment advisory services are offered through Fusion Capital Management, an SEC registered investment advisor.

The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration

requirements. SEC registration is not an endorsement of the firm by the commission and does not mean that the advisor

has attained a specific level of skill or ability. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss

07/22/2026

Artificial intelligence isn't just changing technology. It's driving one of the biggest infrastructure booms we've ever seen.

The five largest tech companies, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle, are investing enormous amounts of money to build the computing power AI requires. Together, they're expected to spend nearly $700 billion in 2026 on things like data centers, AI chips, servers, networking, and the power needed to keep it all running.

To put that into perspective, that's almost seven times more than they were spending just six years ago.

Whether you're an investor or simply curious about where technology is headed, this trend highlights how seriously these companies are betting on AI and the future of computing.

What do you think? Is AI creating the next major investment opportunity, or are we seeing another technology spending boom?

07/17/2026

Worried about how taxes could affect your retirement income?

Join us at Stephens Planning for our complimentary Taxes in Retirement Lunch & Learn. We'll discuss common retirement tax challenges, ways to help keep more of what you've earned, and how thoughtful planning can bring more clarity to your future.

This relaxed, community-focused educational session is designed to make complex retirement tax topics easier to understand. Lunch is provided at no cost, but seating is limited.

Reserve your seat today:
https://calendly.com/cste.../taxes-in-retirement-lunch-learn

We hope to see you there!

07/16/2026

Worried about how taxes could affect your retirement income?

Join Stephens Planning for our complimentary Taxes in Retirement Lunch & Learn. We'll discuss common retirement tax challenges, ways to help keep more of what you've earned, and how thoughtful planning can bring more clarity to your future.

This relaxed, community-focused educational session is designed to make complex retirement tax topics easier to understand. Lunch is provided at no cost, but seating is limited.

Reserve your seat today:
https://calendly.com/cstephens-stephensplanning/taxes-in-retirement-lunch-learn

We hope to see you there!

07/08/2026

The United States remains the world's largest producer of nuclear energy. In 2024, U.S. nuclear power plants generated nearly 782,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity, providing about 18% of the nation's electricity. By comparison, China produced about 418,000 gigawatt-hours, or roughly 4.5% of its electricity.

While the U.S. is still the leader today, China is investing heavily in the future. China currently has 35 nuclear reactors under construction, while the U.S. has just one. If those projects are completed as planned, China could nearly double its nuclear generating capacity by 2040, bringing it close to where the United States is today.

Nuclear energy remains an important source of reliable, around-the-clock electricity, and China's rapid expansion highlights how many countries are looking to nuclear power to help meet growing energy needs while reducing emissions.

07/06/2026

Do you know what would happen to your money, home, and other assets if something happened to you tomorrow?

Or what would happen if you were still living but could no longer make financial or medical decisions for yourself?

Many people spend years building wealth but never take the time to understand how it will be protected, managed, or transferred. Just as importantly, many families don't realize that without the proper powers of attorney in place, loved ones may not be able to make important financial or healthcare decisions during a medical emergency.

A few planning decisions today can make a significant difference for both you and the people you care about most.

Join Curtis Stephens of Stephens Planning and Elizabeth Heller of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. for a complimentary Estate Planning & Taxes Lunch & Learn. This unique educational event brings together a financial advisor and an estate planning attorney to help you understand how your financial and legal plans work together.

During this discussion, you'll learn:
• The biggest estate planning mistakes people make.
• The true purpose of estate planning.
• Why powers of attorney are just as important as wills and trusts.
• How estate taxes may impact you and your family.
• Strategies for asset protection.
• Ways to improve tax efficiency and transfer wealth more effectively.

📅 Friday, July 10, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 The Wedge | 620 E. Broadway, Alton, IL
🍽️ Lunch is provided at no cost.

Whether you already have an estate plan or are just beginning to think about one, this event is designed to provide practical, easy-to-understand information in a relaxed, educational setting.

Reserve your seat today by calling 618-551-0028 or registering online:
https://calendly.com/cstephens-stephensplanning/estate-planning-taxes-lunch-learn

We look forward to seeing you there!

06/10/2026

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!

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

06/02/2026

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.

05/13/2026

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.