Andrew Clift
First Vice President,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(408) 358-0967(408) 358-0967
My Mission Statement
To provide customized investment plans that manage risk, either as stand-alone portfolios, or as one component of a comprehensive financial plan.
My Story
The financial needs and goals of my clients direct the course of their investments. I don’t ascribe to the notion that one size fits all, nor do I provide off-the-shelf solutions. Each client’s portfolio should be a financial reflection of their unique life.
For more than 30 years, I have provided clients with customized financial portfolios that are tailored to meet their specific objectives and comfort level with risk. Together, we design unique financial strategies that find solutions to accumulate wealth, to plan for retirement, or to provide for children or grandchildren’s education. I also work with specialists to provide estate planning.
I grew up in Tennessee and received my B.S. degree in marketing from the University of Tennessee in 1978. After graduation, I worked in corporate sales at Burroughs for three years before joining Dean Witter’s Cupertino, CA office in 1983 as a Financial Advisor. After Dean Witter merged with Morgan Stanley, I moved to Los Gatos and opened a new branch there as its first Branch Manager. I enjoyed the challenge of management, but after three years, I missed the daily interaction of helping clients with their investment needs and decided to return to full time financial advising.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, spending time with my family and discovering new food and wine experiences. Married since 1985, my wife and I have two grown children.
For more than 30 years, I have provided clients with customized financial portfolios that are tailored to meet their specific objectives and comfort level with risk. Together, we design unique financial strategies that find solutions to accumulate wealth, to plan for retirement, or to provide for children or grandchildren’s education. I also work with specialists to provide estate planning.
I grew up in Tennessee and received my B.S. degree in marketing from the University of Tennessee in 1978. After graduation, I worked in corporate sales at Burroughs for three years before joining Dean Witter’s Cupertino, CA office in 1983 as a Financial Advisor. After Dean Witter merged with Morgan Stanley, I moved to Los Gatos and opened a new branch there as its first Branch Manager. I enjoyed the challenge of management, but after three years, I missed the daily interaction of helping clients with their investment needs and decided to return to full time financial advising.
Outside of work, I enjoy playing golf, spending time with my family and discovering new food and wine experiences. Married since 1985, my wife and I have two grown children.
Securities Agent: NY, OR, PA, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, MN, LA, IN, IL, OK, ID, HI, GA, CA, AZ, FL, NC, NJ, NV; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1696786
CA Insurance License #: 0A18321
NMLS#: 1696786
CA Insurance License #: 0A18321
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
I believe people make better choices when they understand the process. I help my clients understand their options at each step:
First, I meet with clients to take a comprehensive look at all aspects of their life. I will ask questions, such as where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Will you want to help with children or grandchildren’s education? Where do you want to live?
Next, I’ll begin to match those goals and objectives with investment solutions. Each client’s investment portfolio is custom designed based on their individual needs.
Then, we will meet again to review the proposed plan. We will take as much time as is needed to ensure that each part of the plan is thoroughly understood. Together, we will fine tune the plan and agree on a financial roadmap that allows the client to achieve their goals with the least amount of risk possible. I will also suggest solutions to help protect the wealth they have already accumulated.
Finally, I monitor every portfolio and conduct regular reviews of each client’s financial status to help ensure that they are properly positioned to meet their financial goals.
First, I meet with clients to take a comprehensive look at all aspects of their life. I will ask questions, such as where do you want to be in 5-10 years? Will you want to help with children or grandchildren’s education? Where do you want to live?
Next, I’ll begin to match those goals and objectives with investment solutions. Each client’s investment portfolio is custom designed based on their individual needs.
Then, we will meet again to review the proposed plan. We will take as much time as is needed to ensure that each part of the plan is thoroughly understood. Together, we will fine tune the plan and agree on a financial roadmap that allows the client to achieve their goals with the least amount of risk possible. I will also suggest solutions to help protect the wealth they have already accumulated.
Finally, I monitor every portfolio and conduct regular reviews of each client’s financial status to help ensure that they are properly positioned to meet their financial goals.
Understanding a client’s risk profile and tolerance for market volatility is a key element in selecting suitable investments. While more market risk often equates to greater financial returns, it’s not always a direct route. I need to know the extent to which each client is willing to withstand any losses, as well as their ability to deal with fluctuations within market cycles.
I can also evaluate the investment risks that are inherent in existing portfolios that clients may have placed with another firm. When someone becomes a client, I look at what they already have, evaluate the risks, and then build around it. I believe that when a client chooses me as their Financial Advisor, it’s because they know I can expand their knowledge base, offer more sophisticated advice and customize their portfolio. I do not operate from the point of view that it’s necessary to throw everything out and start from scratch.
Another form of risk that I address with clients is their basic financial risk. This takes into account all aspects of their life – work, health, family circumstances and their business. Without planning, an unforeseen health or financial event has the ability to drain resources and undermine the future. By working closely together, my clients and I can plan for, monitor and adapt our strategies to the potential risks that they face.
I can also evaluate the investment risks that are inherent in existing portfolios that clients may have placed with another firm. When someone becomes a client, I look at what they already have, evaluate the risks, and then build around it. I believe that when a client chooses me as their Financial Advisor, it’s because they know I can expand their knowledge base, offer more sophisticated advice and customize their portfolio. I do not operate from the point of view that it’s necessary to throw everything out and start from scratch.
Another form of risk that I address with clients is their basic financial risk. This takes into account all aspects of their life – work, health, family circumstances and their business. Without planning, an unforeseen health or financial event has the ability to drain resources and undermine the future. By working closely together, my clients and I can plan for, monitor and adapt our strategies to the potential risks that they face.
I have planned for and managed clients’ retirement for more than 30 years, I know that one of the most critical life decisions clients can make is deciding at what age they should retire. My role is to help clients make that decision in a way that makes sense for each individual. Together, we look at current assets, the amount that may be needed to accumulate for the retirement that is envisioned, and the amount of investment risk someone is comfortable assuming. As a result, I gain a clear picture of each client’s current financial position, as well as where they may be when retirement arrives.
However, even when the retirement process has been carefully planned out, unforeseen events can occur. A decline in personal health, needing to take care of a family member or job loss related to the economic downturn can lead to the loss of earnings potential in the most important pre-retirement years. That’s why we’ll look carefully at potential disruptive events and plan for them before they actual occur.
My work with clients doesn’t stop after they retire. Protecting and preserving my clients’ retirement assets allows them the freedom to pursue their dreams and create lasting legacies.
However, even when the retirement process has been carefully planned out, unforeseen events can occur. A decline in personal health, needing to take care of a family member or job loss related to the economic downturn can lead to the loss of earnings potential in the most important pre-retirement years. That’s why we’ll look carefully at potential disruptive events and plan for them before they actual occur.
My work with clients doesn’t stop after they retire. Protecting and preserving my clients’ retirement assets allows them the freedom to pursue their dreams and create lasting legacies.
Location
16000 Los Gatos Blvd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
US
Direct:
(408) 358-0967(408) 358-0967
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Business Planning
Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Philanthropy
Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Ready to start a conversation? Contact Andrew Clift today.
1Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
2Morgan 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.
3When 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.
4Morgan 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.
5When 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.
6Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.
7Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
8Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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
2Morgan 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.
3When 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.
4Morgan 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.
5When 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.
6Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.
7Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
8Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)
