Our Story and Services

The South 61 Group at Morgan Stanley represents two highly seasoned Financial Advisors with decades of experience successfully navigating clients through all types of market conditions—and shielding them from many of the unknowns that often disrupt financial plans.

Our complementary backgrounds as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) foster our ability to provide comprehensive client solutions. We’re problem-solvers who thoroughly explore a client’s situation, and often are able to offer outside-the-box insights or alternative solutions to benefit them. We believe advisors who take this type of approach can make a difference in a client’s life.

Our team is adept at constructing retirement financial plans—whether it’s for individual investors, small business owners or solo practitioners. We don’t follow the trend in our industry of relying heavily on off-the-shelf software that only looks at the numbers to create your plan. We look beyond the numbers and rely on our deep experience to craft a holistic plan that’s ideally tailored for you.

For small business owners, we’ll guide you to establish a tax-deferred savings similar to those offered by corporations to better enable you to attract and retain valuable employees. For solo practitioners, we’ll recommend retirement plans with several attractive savings-related features that are designed for one-person businesses.

Clients depend on our extensive knowledge of Social Security and Medicare to help them make well-informed decisions about matters that can substantially impact their retirement outcome. As an example, Social Security can be used to generate a meaningful income stream that facilitates a more secure, comfortable retirement.

We will work with a client’s CPA to help provide advanced tax planning strategies, too. For instance, when considering a Roth conversion it’s important to weigh its potential advantages against the often-overlooked consequences that could adversely impact your tax return. The key to the strategies we may recommend is knowing they exist and then understanding how to effectively use them. It’s a skillset we’ve honed over time.

Choosing an advisory team is an important decision that can greatly impact your financial well-being. We encourage you to learn more about our group, and welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with you.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Financial Planning

Every individual has "needs" and "wants" in life. A basic retirement plan should at least cover the needs. But a truly successful one will also cover the wants.

That type of planning begins by first understanding you as a whole individual. We're interested in learning about both your accomplishments and disappointments, along with your aspirations and worries. We invest the time to deeply explore possible solutions to your financial concerns, and leverage our extensive breadth of knowledge. We don't take shortcuts. It's a commitment we make to every client. And, perhaps most importantly, we put our clients' best interests first.

Our team emphasizes holistic planning knowing that every aspect of your financial life could have a positive—or negative—impact on your retirement outcome. We've seen how a single mistake (or overlooked detail) can undermine an individual's financial future. It's often what you don't know that disrupts your financial plan. Our investment philosophy centers on the belief that the best way to grow wealth is to not lose it. So, we construct diversified, high-quality, long-term portfolios meant for capital preservation.

As part of our comprehensive planning, we offer advanced strategies that include important considerations such as Social Security, Medicare, Roth conversions, net unrealized appreciation (NUA), mega-back door Roths, 401(k) accounts with company stock, pensions, lump-sum payments and long-term care.

Why Work with a CFP®?

CFP® professionals meet rigorous education and ethical standards. They're trained in 72 areas of financial knowledge, and must accrue thousands of hours of experience prior to earning their certification. Additionally, CFP® professionals are committed to serving their clients' best interests at all times.

Putting your entire financial life into a clear picture isn't easy. CFP® professionals are skilled at doing this, including how to balance your short-term goals with your long-term objective of retirement security. That's why working with a CFP® professional can be so valuable for individuals seeking comprehensive financial planning.

Retirement FAQs

The topic of retirement generates a lot of questions. We've included some of the most common ones we receive, along with a couple of uncommon ones you should be asking. Whether you're a pre-retiree or already retired, we look forward to addressing your own questions, and navigating you through this complex stage of life.

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    Do I really need to have a retirement plan?

    Everyone should have a plan—or at the very least some key steps to follow for success. Keep in mind as you become older it's increasingly important to have a plan in place especially if you need some assistance or become completely incapacitated. It's also critical to have a will, power of attorney and beneficiaries on record, and periodically review this information to ensure it's current.

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    How should I change my investments to suit my new income needs?

    Focus on investing in strong, stable companies, creating a high-quality, fixed income portfolio to mitigate your market risk exposure and consider using dividends to fight inflation. Developing an emergency fund is a good idea, too.

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    When transitioning my savings into a paycheck in retirement, which account do I draw from first?

    That depends on your situation. We'll provide a thorough analysis to see which makes the most sense for you. Once we've put together a strategy, Morgan Stanley makes it simple to set up automatic payments to your local bank. We can also consult with your CPA to determine how to minimize your tax burden which can significantly impact your retirement income.

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    How much am I going to spend on healthcare? I’m not sure what to budget.

    We'll work with to better determine your budget, and leverage a tool from Morgan Stanley that reviews national cost data to estimate healthcare costs for individuals. As part of this discussion, we may discuss if original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan would be best for you.

    We'll also explore other potential ways to save on healthcare costs, such as trying to avoid the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount for Medicare. This is an additional amount above the standard Part B and D premiums you may need to pay if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

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    I might be underestimating or overlooking some expenses. What are my peers spending their money on during retirement?

    Obviously, your expenditures will be different from other retirees. But after advising retirees for many years, we've noticed two commonly overlooked expenses that cause clients to underestimate what they will really need.

    As an example, home repair expenses are often double what many retirees anticipate. Secondly, dental repairs typically become more frequent as you age—and the fees for these repairs are ballooning. For instance, dental implants cost thousands of dollars per tooth. Helping clients anticipate these types of common expenses is an important but often overlooked aspect of retirement planning.

Recent and Upcoming Events

Our group frequently hosts educational seminars regarding important financial planning considerations such as Social Security, Medicare, estate planning strategies and other matters that can significantly impact your financial security, especially later in life. We encourage you to attend these events, and look forward to meeting you

Location

61 South Paramus Road, 3rd
Fl
Paramus, NJ 07652
US
Direct:
(201) 967-6312(201) 967-6312

Meet South 61 Group

About Scott M Ashley

Securities Agent: KS, HI, VA, TX, NJ, NY, IN, DC, MD, CT, AZ, OR, MA, ID, FL, DE, VT, OK, NM, MO, KY, CA, WA, TN, NC, MI, IL, RI, MS, GA, SC, PA, NH; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1279335

About Eleanor E Galt-Lin

Securities Agent: MI, PA, NH, OK, NC, VA, SC, IL, RI, HI, MO, MA, TN, KS, VT, FL, NY, OR, TX, DE, GA, IN, MD, ID, CT, CA, KY, AZ, MS, WA, DC, NJ, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Kevin Howard

As a Registered Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley, I provide high-level support to financial advisors and clients, ensuring a seamless wealth management experience. With active Series 7, Series 66, and Life, Health, and Annuity Insurance licenses, I assist in executing investment strategies, managing client relationships, and navigating financial solutions.

I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a strong foundation in finance and client service. Outside of work, I enjoy golf and spending time with family.
Wealth Management
From Our Team

Are You Prepared for Tax Day?


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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
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Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

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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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact South 61 Group today.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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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.

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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.

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4Morgan 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.

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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.

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6Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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7Morgan 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.

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8When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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9Morgan 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

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10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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)