Our process begins and ends with listening. We ask questions about what is important to you, your family and your legacy...and then we listen. Through each step, we provide objective advice and investment insights to construct a wealth management plan that is uniquely yours.
While each client has a unique set of goals and circumstances, they all have one thing in common: They need help simplifying their finances and developing a comprehensive and cohesive wealth strategy. The Liff Team's objective is to serve as your personal CFO, simplify your life, and help you effectively manage and protect your assets, so you may enjoy your wealth and leave the legacy you desire.
We begin with an informal discussion to understand your financial concerns and determine how we can add value. This is your opportunity to interview us, as we get to know you. If we agree to move forward, we'll schedule our next meeting and request important financial information.
We continue the dialogue by fostering an in-depth conversation where we learn about the values that shape your decisions and identify any unique circumstances. We also review the documents you've prepared and begin to define your priorities.
Here, we utilize proprietary financial planning tools to develop a personalized and detailed strategy with recommendations to help you grow, preserve and transfer your wealth. This serves as the foundation for building your initial plan, as well as future investment decisions.
In this step, we present appropriate investment options that, once executed, are designed to work together to achieve your goals. Upon your approval, we execute the investment recommendations and begin to implement the additional wealth management strategies we've discussed. These often encompass risk management, as well as estate, trust and philanthropic planning.
Committed to premium service, we focus on developing a relationship that provides special value to you and your family. As we begin to execute each strategy, we'll set up tools so you have immediate access to your account information. And because markets and personal needs evolve over time, we set up ongoing meetings to help ensure your plan remains designed to achieve your goals.
The 454 Group, formerly known as "The Liff Backer Team", has been named to Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams for 2025.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based for the period 3/31/23–3/31/24.
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
Daniel Liff named a 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for New York.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/22 - 6/30/23.
Daniel Liff named a 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for New York.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22.
Daniel Liff named a 2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for New York.
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Apr 2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/21.
Individuals certified by the CFP® board have taken the extra step to demonstrate commitment and professionalism by voluntarily submitting to the rigorous CFP® certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience, and ethical requirements. These four cornerstones set the foundation for the CFP® professional's ability in helping clients achieve their goals. Gary's diverse skillset can help clients navigate the complicated financial factors in their life. See below for more information about the CFP® designation and how we can help:
In the last decade, there has been an increase in allocation of assets towards alternative investments due to the lowered barriers of entry for investors and the ability for clients to invest through Morgan Stanley platforms. The 454 Group has extensive experience in Alternative Investments. We provide individuals and institutions access to world-class investment strategies spanning private equity, real assets, private credit, hedge funds, and digital assets. These strategies may deliver differentiated sources of return relative to traditional equity and fixed-income investments, as well as offer the potential for tax efficiency. The many potential benefits that alternatives can provide you include:
• Diversification of holdings, you would not be heavily exposed in any one risk area
• Volatility reduction
• Mitigation of tax liabilities
• Cash flow and income benefits
With over 45 years of experience and $180 billion in client assets invested in alternatives, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a renowned industry leader in this asset class. Individuals and institutions have access to exclusive offerings, preeminent fund managers, and creative investment opportunities spanning:
• Private Equity
• Private Credit
• Real Estate / Real Assets
• Hedge Funds
• Digital Assets
• Tax-Advantaged Strategies
Alternatives are investments that go beyond traditional stocks and bonds. What this means to you is they can open doors for additional and exclusive investment opportunities, lower volatility, and advantages for greater yields and returns. This includes:
• Expanding your wealth-building opportunities
• Portfolio diversification
• Lower Volatility
• Potential for greater tax-efficiency
Alternative strategies, such as those focused on hedge funds, private capital, and real assets, have long been appealing as a potential source of higher yields, lower volatility, and returns uncorrelated with stocks and bonds. Still, such strategies are typically reserved for institutional and ultra-high-net-worth investors, which have been out of reach for many individuals. The good news is working with Morgan Stanley, you have access to a host of these innovative investment vehicles.
In today's environments where traditional investing can be very standardized, alternative investments can play an important strategic role in certain portfolios. They can help diversify a portfolio and serve as an inflation hedge, as well as provide potential income. Here are six strategies that can guide your thinking on alternative investing in the near to intermediate term.
Morgan Stanley's suite of Modern Wealth Management Tools allows advisors to offer more customized and comprehensive advice than anywhere else. These tools' ease of use allows for a more in-depth view of a client's financial life to be taken, resulting in better service and more well-rounded advice.
At The 454 Group, we want your financial journey to be as streamline as possible. If you should have any questions about the usage, enrollment, benefits, or functionalities involved with any of the below tools, please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our staff. We look forward to speaking with you.
Our digital experiences make it easy to manage your money 24/7, from your desktop, tablet or phone. Clients with a Financial Advisor can enjoy the freedom to manage their wealth on their own devices while collaborating with their Morgan Stanley team. It's accessibility at its finest.
Managing multiple financial accounts across different firms can be complicated. With Morgan Stanley Online, you can link your non-Morgan Stanley accounts and analyze your cash flow all in one place.
Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
eAuthorizations allows you to approve transactions electronically and securely on Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
Because you manage your investments with Morgan Stanley, you now have a better way of managing your cash needs with a CashPlus Brokerage Account.
As a Morgan Stanley client, you have access to Spending & Budgeting tools to help you manage your cash flow across all of your accounts at Morgan Stanley, as well as those held at outside financial institutions. These tools, available on MSO and the Morgan Stanley App, allow you to track spending patterns using cash flow, income and expense analysis.
