Aaron Chung
My Mission Statement
My Story and Services
I work with a select group of successful individuals and families: tech executives, business owners, and people whose financial lives have grown beyond what a conventional advisor is designed to handle.
What I do is coordinate everything into one integrated strategy. We optimize your equity compensation and concentrated positions before they become a tax problem. We build tax-efficient structures that keep more in your family's hands across generations. And we make sure every dollar of income, investment, insurance, and estate planning is working toward the same destination.
A ship without a chart doesn't sink. It drifts. Reactive, exposed, burning fuel without making real progress. You can work hard your whole life and still arrive somewhere you never intended. My job is to make sure that doesn't happen. To give you the chart, the course, and an experienced crew so that the only thing left to do is sail.
The work starts with a deep conversation about your goals, your values, and what you're actually trying to build. From there, everything evolves with your life, not just your portfolio.
At the end of the day, my job is simple: make sure you never lose a night of sleep over your finances. I operate as a family office for the families and individuals I serve, which means I act with complete loyalty to you, your goals, and your legacy. Your interests come first. Always. That is the standard I hold myself to.
The best relationships I have with clients are the ones where I am the first call for everything. Not just investments, but life. That is the relationship I am committed to.
With over 14 years in wealth management, I have spent my career working as a fiduciary alongside high net worth individuals and families. Earning their trust, protecting what they've built, and helping them grow it with intention. That experience shapes every conversation and every recommendation I make.
Outside of work, I am most at home with my wife Lynn, to whom I have been happily married for 15 years. We live in Sunnyvale and share a genuine love for discovering the Bay Area's finest restaurants, one neighborhood at a time. Away from the office you will likely find me actively involved in my local church by mentoring high school and college students, on the golf course working on a game that remains a work in progress, at a bowling alley, or watching a movie.
Stop wondering if you’re on track. Let’s make sure you are. Schedule a conversation today and take control of your financial future with a partner who’s fully invested in your success.
- AnnuitiesFootnote1
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote2
- 529 PlansFootnote3
- Asset Management
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote4
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote5
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote6
- Executive Benefit ServicesFootnote7
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote8
- Financial PlanningFootnote9
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote10
- Long-term Care InsuranceFootnote11
- Life InsuranceFootnote12
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote13
- Stock Option PlansFootnote14
- Stock Plan ServicesFootnote15
- Wealth ManagementFootnote16
My Process
My role, as your dedicated Financial Advisor, is to tailor a personalized financial strategy designed to fit whatever needs you may have. In my experience working with clients, I have developed a step-by-step approach to service:
I take time to fully understand you and your family's needs and goals. Whether you're planning for retirement, purchasing a home, or living out your retirement years - I take in to account your aspirations, challenges, risk tolerance and other factors to help me develop your financial plan.
Using your goals as a guide, I create a detailed strategy with recommendations aimed to help you grow, preserve, and transfer your wealth. I use proprietary financial planning tools in tandem with your personal priorities to help formulate a plan that fits your needs.
In this step, I present the strategy I created for you. Upon your approval, I begin to implement the strategy using the firm's world class platforms.
Continuing the conversation allows me to help ensure that your current goals are top of mind when working on your wealth management strategy. I monitor your plan and portfolio to help make certain your assets are positioned to align with your changing circumstances.
Planning For Your Family’s Financial Needs
We deliver a full range of expertise and resources to help address different aspects of your financial life.
We work with you to explore factors that are relevant to existing or future estate structures. We will discuss different tax and estate planning strategies and collaborate with your external tax and legal advisors to create a plan that reflects your desires during and after your lifetime.
Financial literacy means being equipped with the knowledge to help make smart financial decisions during every stage of your life. No matter your current priorities, a strong financial literacy foundation can help you meet your goals.
Many of us prefer to combine our support for the causes and people we care about with a desire to save on taxes. Fortunately, there are strategies that may help us accomplish both. Whether you want to donate to charity or invest in a loved-one's future, consider these tax-smart ways to help make your giving go further.
When it comes to providing institutional-level support for your family office, scale matters. Our offering aims to bring together specialized investment services and operational support to enhance your life and legacy.
We believe in taking a holistic approach to your finances and taking into consideration the tax implications of your portfolio can help maximize returns. Using Morgan Stanley's Total Tax 365 platform we implement tax-efficient investing to help minimize the impact taxes have on your returns.
In the case of an ultra-high net worth it's extremely important to have a sound framework within which to make decisions - in other words, a family governance system.
Retire With Confidence
We can help you map a comprehensive retirement plan that dynamically adjusts investing strategies based on the different stages of your life and accounts for your investing preferences, legacy goals, and life events. Let's connect if you would like to learn more about how we can help you retire with confidence.
Everyone has a different idea of their dream retirement. Whatever you envision, it's essential to plan ahead so that your nest egg will last.
Retire the notion that it is still too early to save and start saving early so you will have the freedom to enjoy your future in style.
How much money is enough for a comfortable retirement? Here are three strategies that may help you optimize your plan in the year ahead.
Figuring out ways to minimize how much the IRS takes from your retirement money should be a central part of retirement planning. Consider these strategies to help you reduce your taxable income, generate tax-advantaged growth potential in your accounts and keep more of what you've worked so hard to save.
Digital Resources for Clients
Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.
Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app! Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this handy resource that is available 24/7.
Complete your financial profile with Total Wealth View. By linking your external account information, you will benefit from more educated and holistic wealth planning, along with convenient connectivity.
Digital Vault lets you easily and conveniently manage and share life's most important documents, such as wills, deeds and estate plans, as well as financial statements and tax filings.
Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards clients with over one million dollars in assets and liabilities invested at the firm. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance and fixed income.
Detailed Market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
Location
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
3Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan's investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan's flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan's investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state's own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state's tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.
4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
7When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
9Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
10Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
11Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
12Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
13Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
14Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
15Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
16Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley