Our Story and Services

The Brehne Team was founded on something we believe is essential to great advice: family. We’ve built our practice around the same values that shape strong families—confidence, shared purpose, collaboration, and a commitment to showing up for one another. That perspective influences how we work with clients every day: as long-term relationships, across generations, through every stage of life.

At the center of our practice is proactive, personalized planning. We work closely with you to uncover what matters most—your needs today, your goals for the future, and the experiences you want to make possible. From there, we build a strategy that works for your unique needs.

Because we’re a multigenerational team, we’re equipped to support clients of all ages through a wide range of milestones—whether you’re early in your career, preparing for marriage, purchasing your first home, approaching retirement, or living comfortably in retirement—providing structure for key decisions and confidence in your next steps as your plan evolves alongside changing priorities and market conditions. We help parents, children, and even grandchildren align around shared objectives, plan for legacies, and navigate the complexities of wealth transfer thoughtfully; these conversations often extend beyond investments, and we aim to help families stay organized, intentional, and prepared for what’s next.

A cornerstone of our process is a tax-aware, planning-oriented mindset. We focus on helping clients understand how taxes may impact financial decisions, and we prioritize clear education and practical guidance—simplifying complex concepts into actionable steps. Our goal is for you to understand your options, the trade-offs, and the “why” behind the plan—and to build it together through an ongoing, collaborative process that leverages the comprehensive resources available through Morgan Stanley.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Confidence Through Transparency

Rather than guessing how taxes may impact your strategy, we incorporate tax considerations into the planning process from the start. Our goal is to make complex topics easier to understand and help you make informed decisions for the best outcome.

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    Your Guide to Tax-Efficient Planning

    The tax choices you make today can have a lasting impact on your long-term goals. Explore tax-smart strategies that can help support a more efficient financial plan over time.

    Get started with the tax-efficient planning guide
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    Reducing Tax Liabilities

    A tax-aware approach to investing can help improve after-tax outcomes over time. Strategies such as tax-loss harvesting may help offset capital gains, while federal estate and gift tax exemptions can support more strategic wealth-transfer planning.

    Learn about the 7 steps you can take to help reduce tax liabilities
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    Retirement Focused Strategies

    Thoughtful tax planning may help you arrive at retirement with more—by supporting tax-efficient saving and helping manage taxes on distributions. Review the retirement-focused strategies to help keep more of what you've built.

    6 tax-smart strategies for retirement here
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    Key Tax Questions to Ask

    The right tax questions can help uncover opportunities to improve after-tax outcomes and avoid surprises. Review investor-friendly prompts to discuss with your advisor as you evaluate strategies, timing and account choices.

    Get question ideas to help guide a tax-efficient planning discussion
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    Tax Tables

    The 2026 tax tables can be a helpful reference as you evaluate withholding, estimated payments and year-end planning moves. Use this resource to better understand the brackets and rates that may affect your after-tax outcomes.

    See the 2026 tax tables for tax-planning support
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    How to Access Tax Forms (1099)

    To access tax documents, including 1099s, through the Morgan Stanley portal, you can either use the Morgan Stanley Online platform or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. Here are the steps for each method:

    Morgan Stanley Online

    1. Log in.
    2. Go to Accounts > Documents.
    3. Filter to Tax Documents and select the tax year to find your 1099.

    Morgan Stanley Mobile App

    1. Log in.
    2. Tap Documents.
    3. Use Filter > Tax Documents and choose the tax year.
    Access the Morgan Stanley Online platform here

A Team Approach To Your Plan

We take a truly collaborative approach to financial planning—partnering with you and working as one coordinated team to understand what matters most. Through structured conversations and ongoing check-ins, we help clarify your priorities, define the goals behind the numbers, and surface key trade-offs so decisions feel purposeful and aligned with your life.

Our team brings shared expertise and multiple perspectives to each relationship, allowing us to connect the dots across your financial picture and coordinate next steps in a deliberate, organized way. We translate complex decisions into a clear planning playbook with actionable milestones, accountability, and consistent communication—so you always know where you stand, what's changing, and what we recommend next. As your circumstances evolve, we revisit and refine the plan to help ensure it remains tailored to you and designed to support confident decision-making over time.

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    Financial Planning Insights

    Whether you have an established financial plan, are curious about the benefits of implementing one, or are considering changes to your current plan, we have all of the information you may need to stay informed throughout your decision-making.

    Dive into some financial planning insights here
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    What Is a Financial Plan?

    Managing your financial life can feel complex. A financial plan helps connect today's decisions to your longer-term goals, offering a clear roadmap to stay on track and move forward with greater confidence. Explore the basics of a financial plan and how it can help provide structure.

    Learn how you can plan with purpose here
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    What To Do If You Are Off Track

    If your goals feel farther off than expected, you're not alone—and you may have more options than you think. When savings, markets or life changes shift your timeline, we can help you adjust course, prioritize next steps and realign your plan with renewed confidence.

    Learn how to get back on track with confidence
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    Women & Wealth

    Thoughtful financial planning helps women define success, achieve their goals and build a strong future. As key family decision-makers with unique needs, women benefit from candid money conversations—learn how planning can help empower that journey.

    Explore how to build the future you desire
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    Planning After a Loss

    Navigating finances after the loss of a spouse can be difficult, but we're here to help make the transition more manageable—offering tailored strategies and support to help you regain clarity and take control as you move forward.

    Review this guide for women to help navigate this new chapter
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    Mobile Capabilities: Manage Your Finances in One Place

    Manage your finances in one place, 24/7—on desktop, tablet or phone. Enjoy the flexibility to stay on top of your full financial picture from your own device while collaborating seamlessly with our team, so you can remain informed, organized and in control.

    Learn how to stay connected to your plan from anywhere

Location

340 Mount Kemble Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960
US
Direct:
(973) 539-6700(973) 539-6700

Meet The Brehne Team

About Paul Brehne

PAUL BREHNE KNOWS – if you're faced with a problem, one of the most helpful perspectives you can get is from someone who has been there themselves. When his father's financial mismanagement rippled into his life as a college student, he developed a calling to work with people to help them avoid the same financial pitfalls in their lives. Over the course of his career, Paul has developed and refined a process that puts together key elements of his clients’ financial picture as their lives unfold and their needs evolve.

Paul began his 30+-year career at Dean Witter Reynolds and its successor Morgan Stanley before realizing his dream of opening his own independent financial services practice, Brehne Financial Partners. Always striving, he joined forces with his colleagues at Silver Spring Capital to deliver an even higher standard in comprehensive planning to his clients. Part of Paul's responsibility to his clients involves working to stay ahead of the curve and to be in the best position to set his clients up for the highest probability of success. With this in mind, Paul felt that coming back to Morgan Stanley in 2024 was the right fit for his practice, his clients, and his son Matthew, who also joined the planning practice. Paul felt that the technology, intellectual capital, investment capabilities, and progressive client services offered by Morgan Stanley gave he and his son the most efficient platform to run their practice and better serve clients, both now and well into the future.

A lifelong learner, Paul has earned respected industry designations like the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner, Retirement Income Certified Professional®, and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® to help his clients address the bumps in the road that can impact their lives - and the lives of their families. He graduated from Rutgers College at Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1988.

Outside of his career, Paul is all about his family. He and Natalie, his college-sweetheart-turned-wife of over 30 years, can often be found at Broadway shows, walking in the local park, attending New York Rangers games at MSG, and relaxing on the beach at Long Beach Island. They are extremely proud of their adult children Matthew & Gabrielle, and emphatic fans of the New York Rangers, NY/NJ Giants, and NY Yankees. When Paul does get some time to himself, he's either on the tennis court, pickleball court, running, fitness training, reading a book, or playing with his dog, Zibby the Pomsky!
Securities Agent: OR, VT, PA, ID, GA, TX, LA, CO, SC, FL, DC, RI, OK, NY, NC, MT, MI, CT, CA, NJ, VA, MA; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2637409

About Matthew Brehne

Matthew Brehne is a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley who works alongside his father in a family-focused practice built on long-term relationships, thoughtful planning and attentive service. Having grown up surrounded by conversations about markets, saving, investing and the real-world decisions families face, Matthew developed an interest in finance and the role it plays in helping people protect what they’ve built and pursue what matters most. That upbringing shaped a client-first mindset and a respect for the trust clients place in an advisory relationship.

Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2024, Matthew spent several years in fintech and related client-facing roles, where he supported customers and teams in fast-moving, technology-driven environments. His experience strengthened the skills that now inform his advisory work: listening closely, communicating clearly, staying highly responsive and helping clients navigate complex processes with confidence.

Matthew’s approach is grounded in open communication and customized planning. He takes time to understand each client’s priorities, time horizon and comfort with risk, then works to align strategies with those goals—whether the conversation centers on retirement planning, investment allocation, tax-aware strategies, education funding or building a more comprehensive financial plan. He focuses on clarity and practicality, aiming to translate complex financial topics into straightforward next steps so clients can make informed decisions.

Since entering the financial services industry in 2016 and later joining Morgan Stanley in 2024, Matthew has been committed to delivering a high-touch client experience—one that is organized, proactive and tailored to the needs of individuals and families. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in French from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and enjoys practicing the language at French meet-ups in New York City.

Outside the office, Matthew is an avid traveler who has visited more than 20 countries, a passionate foodie and a devoted fan of New York sports. He enjoys spending time with friends and family and staying active by playing tennis, hiking, and running. He also looks forward to giving back locally, with an interest in volunteering to support English education and basic financial literacy in the community.
Securities Agent: IL, CA, NE, SD, PA, NY, NV, MS, ME, HI, VI, PR, GA, DC, WV, WA, RI, NM, ND, AR, VT, OK, KS, VA, NJ, MD, LA, FL, CO, WI, UT, KY, ID, IA, AZ, NH, MI, CT, AK, WY, TX, TN, OH, MT, MO, IN, DE, AL, SC, OR, NC, MN, MA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1888799
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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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
Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty
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Rational Investing in an Age of Uncertainty

When it comes to investing, even the most savvy of us fall prey to bias and emotional trades. So what triggers should you watch for?

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
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

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 The Brehne Team 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.

1Morgan 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.

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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4Alternative 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.

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5Morgan 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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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.

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7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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8Morgan 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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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:
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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)