Winston & Companies

09/02/2026

Should You Tap Your Retirement Savings to Pay off Your Mortgage?

🏡💰 Thinking about paying off your mortgage before retirement? Not so fast…
Going into retirement debt-free sounds like the dream, but should you tap your retirement savings to make it happen?
In this interview, Shane Stevenson with Winston & Companies and Erin Kennedy break it down 👇
✅ When it does make sense to pay off your mortgage
⚖️ How to balance the numbers vs. peace of mind
🚨 Why pulling from retirement accounts could backfire
📈 The hidden risks: taxes, reduced liquidity, and even higher Medicare premiums
Bottom line: A paid-off house feels great… but the strategy behind it matters even more. Before you write that final check, give Shane a call at 602 456-1928 or visit www.WinstonandCompanies.com

09/01/2026

Start by discovering your Risk Number®—it only takes about 5 minutes!

Start by getting your Risk Number®. Takes 5 minutes.

08/31/2026

”Get ready to dive into the next exciting chapter that you have the chance to create!”

Explore the next chapter you get to author.

08/27/2026

Retirement Readiness Checklist: 5 Steps to Prepare for the Next Chapter

Retirement readiness isn’t just about how much you’ve saved... it’s about how you want to live.
In this conversation, Shane Stevenson with Winston & Companies and Erin Kennedy break down a simple, 5-step checklist to help you prepare for your next chapter:
✔️ Define what retirement actually looks like for you
✔️ Take stock of your financial and personal assets
✔️ Prioritize your health (it affects more than you think)
✔️ Build a realistic retirement budget
✔️ Decide when to claim Social Security
The earlier you start planning, the more freedom you have to actually achieve your goals. If you'd like to talk with Shane to start building a retirement plan that aligns with your life, not just your balance sheet, feel free to give him a call at 602 456-1928 or visit www.WinstonandCompanies.com

08/24/2026

The transition away from pensions has really changed the narrative.

The shift from pensions changed the story.

08/21/2026

What a wonderful evening at our Wine & Wisdom client event! 🍷✨

We loved bringing our clients together for great conversation, meaningful connections, and, of course, some fantastic wine and food. Events like this are a wonderful reminder of how much we value the relationships we’ve built and the incredible people we have the privilege of serving.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the evening such a success. We’re already looking forward to the next one! 🥂

Want to join us at our next event? We’d love to see you! 😊 Click here to check out our upcoming events and find one that’s right for you. 🥂✨https://winstonandcompanies.com/attend-an-event/

08/19/2026

Retirement Spending Peaks Earlier Than You Think

Here’s a number that should change how you think about retirement: 12.
That’s about how long a healthy 60-year-old has before mobility, energy, and independence begin to decline.
Let that sink in.
Too many financial plans are built around steady, flat income over 25–30 years. But real life doesn’t work that way.
💡As Shane Stevenson with Winston & Companies explains to Erin Kennedy, spending tends to follow a pattern:

➡️ “Go-Go” years: Travel, experiences, living fully
➡️ “Slow-Go” years: Less activity, more time at home
➡️ “No-Go” years: Healthcare and essentials take priority
In fact, research shows spending on travel and leisure often peaks around age 75, then declines… not because the money is gone, but because the ability to enjoy it changes.
And here’s the challenge:
Most people are wired to save and be cautious… so they underspend in the years that matter most.
🎯 The takeaway:
Retirement planning isn’t just about how much you save…
…it’s about when you spend it.
To create a retirement plan and spending plan that supports the life you actually want to live, please give Shane a call at 602 456-1928 or visit www.WinstonandCompanies.com

08/17/2026

Retirement is increasingly becoming a more individualized experience.

Retirement is becoming more personal.

08/12/2026

Claiming Social Security at 62: What You’re Really Giving Up

It sounds like a smart move: claim your Social Security early, invest the checks, and get ahead.
But for many high earners, that strategy can backfire… and cost far more than expected. As Shane Stevenson with Winston & Companies and Erin Kennedy discuss, claiming early and investing the benefit isn’t as simple as it sounds.
🎯 We also break down:
• How the Social Security earnings test can wipe out your benefit while you’re still working
• The true cost of claiming at 62 vs. waiting until full retirement age, or even 70
• The often-overlooked impact on your spouse, especially survivor benefits
💡 Bottom line: Timing when you claim Social Security isn’t just about getting paid sooner, it’s about maximizing income, protecting your spouse, and avoiding costly mistakes. It's one of the most important decisions you will make in retirement, and it's something Shane specializes in. To determine when you should claim, call 602 456-1928 or visit www.WinstonandCompanies.com

08/10/2026

Retirement Has Changed Over the Years

See how retirement has changed over 75 years.