Building a successful retirement strategy can take the same energy and focus as building a successful career. It takes dedication, commitment and guidance and it becomes even more challenging when the situation changes—often suddenly. Responding to these changes may require complex and often difficult decisions. A Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor stands ready to help.

 

Our Financial Advisors can draw on Morgan Stanley’s formidable expertise to help you make smart decisions about everything from saving and account consolidation to investments and asset allocation. And, they can also tap a wealth of solutions to help you achieve the retirement lifestyle you have dreamed about.

 

Saving for Retirement

Now, more than ever, you must take responsibility for your own retirement savings. With the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution (i.e., 401(k)) plans that has been taking place in companies across the country, the onus for retirement savings is squarely on the shoulders of employees themselves. And no matter where you fall on the income scale, the shortfall projected in Social Security will impact you. According to a new study published by the National Center for Policy Analysis (“NCPA”), even high-wage workers depend on Social Security for a substantial portion of their retirement income.

 

With these issues in mind, the federal government is encouraging people to focus on their personal retirement strategy through events such as National Save for Retirement Week (Oct. 21–27). Seize the moment and review your strategy as well.

 

Our Financial Advisors can draw on a client-centered approach that leverages Morgan Stanley’s global presence and insights as well as a broad range of products and services, including IRAs, annuities, mutual funds, alternative investments and more. With such an approach, you’ll be able to maximize your retirement potential. And, if you own a small business, Morgan Stanley has retirement plans designed just for your needs that can benefit you as well as your partners and/or employees.

 

Consolidate Your Savings

If you have retirement savings scattered among different accounts and retirement plans held at various financial institutions, you should begin to think carefully about consolidating these assets and investments (if eligible to do so). Consolidating your retirement investments offers a number of benefits including:

 

• Simplified tracking — it’s easier to monitor progress and investment results when all the assets are in one place

• Less paperwork — you’ll receive one statement versus keeping track of multiple account statements from various sources

• Lower costs — you might be able to lower your costs by consolidating your accounts

 

Invest Wisely

Even if you are maxing out your retirement savings, you still have to decide how to invest your money. This is no easy task, but you and a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor can create an effective retirement investment strategy. Depending on your age, when you want to retire and your risk tolerance, Morgan Stanley has investment solutions that will help you to build an efficient portfolio. A Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor can also help you make sure that the assets in your retirement portfolio are properly allocated to ensure the level of risk, diversification and investment choices are still appropriate for you.

 

Get Started Today

 

No matter when you plan to retire, it’s a good idea to talk things over. If retirement is a long way off, a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor can help with a highly customized savings strategy. Or, if the next phase of your life is right around the corner, he or she can make recommendations to help ensure that you’ve got the income you need when you need it.

 

To find a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor near you, click here.

 

 

Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide legal or tax advice, are not fiduciaries (under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise) with respect to the services or activities described herein, and this material was not intended or written to be used for the purposes of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Individuals are urged to consult their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving IRAs or other tax-advantaged investment vehicles.