Robert L Godown Jr., CFP®
Senior Vice President, Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor
Direct:
(610) 559-6399(610) 559-6399
Toll-Free:
(800) 965-9110(800) 965-9110
My Story and Services
As a CERTIFED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with Morgan Stanley, I am here to serve my clients with tailored financial plans and smart investment solutions. I have been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, and have many years of experience as a financial advisor. I constantly work towards meeting my client’s goals, and ensure their needs, values, and unique challenges are taken into consideration during the process.
I provide a full spectrum of financial services. My areas of focus as part of the Godown/Wilson Group at Morgan Stanley include:
• Financial Planning
• 401(k) Rollovers
• Retirement Income Planning
• Strategies for Tax Efficiency
• Long Term Care and Life Insurance
• Access to Lending Services
I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation by meeting difficult education, examination, and ethics requirements. All of my experience and rigorous training has equipped me with the capability to provide an excellent service.
I believe a tailored financial plan is the key to helping clients make proper financial decisions. I would welcome the chance to prove my passion for your financial well-being, and encourage you to contact me at the number below.
Robert L. Godown Jr., CFP®
101 Larry Holmes Dr, Suite 301
Easton, Pa 18042
610-559-6399
Typically, a retirement plan participant leaving an employer has the following four options (and may engage in a combination of these options depending on their employment status, age and the availability of the particular option):
1. Cash out the account value and take a lump sum distribution from the current plan subject to mandatory 20% withholding, as well as potential taxes and 10% penalty
OR to continue tax deferred growth and:
2. Leave the assets in the former employer’s plan (if permitted)
3. Rollover the retirement savings into the new employer’s qualified plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted
4. Rollover the retirement savings into an IRA
Other factors in making a rollover decision- include (among other things) the differences in: (1) Investment Options, (2) Fees and Expenses, (3) Services, (4) Penalty-Free Withdrawals, (5) Creditor Protection in Bankruptcy and from Legal Judgments, (6) Required Minimum Distributions or “RMDs”, and (7) the Tax Treatment of Employer Stock.
Since life insurance and long term care insurance are medically underwritten, you should not cancel your current policy until your new policy is in force. A change to your current policy may incur charges, fees and costs. A new policy will require a medical exam. Surrender charges may be imposed and the period of time for which the surrender charges apply may increase with a new policy. You should consult with your own tax advisors regarding your potential tax liability on surrenders.
Guarantees and contractual obligations are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
I provide a full spectrum of financial services. My areas of focus as part of the Godown/Wilson Group at Morgan Stanley include:
• Financial Planning
• 401(k) Rollovers
• Retirement Income Planning
• Strategies for Tax Efficiency
• Long Term Care and Life Insurance
• Access to Lending Services
I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation by meeting difficult education, examination, and ethics requirements. All of my experience and rigorous training has equipped me with the capability to provide an excellent service.
I believe a tailored financial plan is the key to helping clients make proper financial decisions. I would welcome the chance to prove my passion for your financial well-being, and encourage you to contact me at the number below.
Robert L. Godown Jr., CFP®
101 Larry Holmes Dr, Suite 301
Easton, Pa 18042
610-559-6399
Typically, a retirement plan participant leaving an employer has the following four options (and may engage in a combination of these options depending on their employment status, age and the availability of the particular option):
1. Cash out the account value and take a lump sum distribution from the current plan subject to mandatory 20% withholding, as well as potential taxes and 10% penalty
OR to continue tax deferred growth and:
2. Leave the assets in the former employer’s plan (if permitted)
3. Rollover the retirement savings into the new employer’s qualified plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted
4. Rollover the retirement savings into an IRA
Other factors in making a rollover decision- include (among other things) the differences in: (1) Investment Options, (2) Fees and Expenses, (3) Services, (4) Penalty-Free Withdrawals, (5) Creditor Protection in Bankruptcy and from Legal Judgments, (6) Required Minimum Distributions or “RMDs”, and (7) the Tax Treatment of Employer Stock.
Since life insurance and long term care insurance are medically underwritten, you should not cancel your current policy until your new policy is in force. A change to your current policy may incur charges, fees and costs. A new policy will require a medical exam. Surrender charges may be imposed and the period of time for which the surrender charges apply may increase with a new policy. You should consult with your own tax advisors regarding your potential tax liability on surrenders.
Guarantees and contractual obligations are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Securities Agent: CO, CA, WA, MS, MI, MO, ME, KY, NH, KS, WI, VA, OR, NJ, DE, GA, TN, PA, NY, NC, MA, LA, IN, OH, CT, AZ, WV, NM, IA, TX, VT, SC, MT, MN, MD, FL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1347335
CA Insurance License #: 4250140
NMLS#: 1347335
CA Insurance License #: 4250140
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Education
Moravian College B/A , Business Management
1987-1991
1987-1991
Location
101 Larry Holmes Dr
Suite 301
Easton, PA 18042
US
Direct:
(610) 559-6399(610) 559-6399
Toll-Free:
(800) 965-9110(800) 965-9110
Fax:
(610) 515-0914(610) 515-0914
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Robert L Godown Jr. today.
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.
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
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
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)
