“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago” – Warren Buffett

The California Generations Group helps high net worth families and individuals manage their wealth. The investments decisions you make today can have meaningful impacts on your lifestyle in the future and the legacy you leave for others. Our team relies on a process based on decades of experience so our clients don’t have to make those decisions alone.

Financial transitions such as the sale of a business, the passing of a loved one, the birth of a child or retirement after a successful career are all examples of situations where clients have relied on our sophisticated strategies. Our ability to provide our wealth management expertise in a trusting, compassionate environment has allowed us to build relationships with clients that have lasted across multiple generations.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
“Work with people you like. Work for a company you respect. Invest in strategies you would implement for yourself. Morgan Stanley has helped me check each box for over 30 years.” – Ken Brozki, Executive Director
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    1. Clients First
    a. Our meetings are about you, your family and your goals. What do you want this wealth to accomplish? How do you envision your life in retirement? What does financial freedom mean to you? Understanding your “Why” will help us develop your “How”.
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    2. Investing 101
    How can you participate in your financial plan if you do not understand the universe of investments? Our commitment to financial education empowers our clients to better understand the capital markets and adhere to our disciplined rules of investing.
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    3. Crafting your strategy
    Are your portfolios positioned for growth or income? Do your investments line up with your time horizon? Have you sold a business? Have you just inherited assets form a loved one? Based on the intersection of your current financial situation and future financial goals, we create a custom plan to help you reach your destination.
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    4. Monitoring for Today, Preparing for Tomorrow
    Markets are unpredictable. Life can and will surprise us. We emphasize consistent communication with our clients to ensure our financial plans are aligned with the changes in your life. We also integrate with your team of other professional advisors to review your estate plan, insurance needs and optimize your tax efficiency.
“The kind of advice required when working with High-Net-Worth Families and Individuals cannot be scaled. Putting clients first means believing in our process but customizing our advice to each client’s unique needs.” – Rances Sainz, Vice President, CFP, CPWA
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    Multi-Generational Families
    Many families are faced with the difficult questions that come from a desire to have their wealth last multiple generations. The millionaire next door wants to see their children benefit from opportunities they didn’t have. The ultra-high net worth families and individuals have more complex needs as they seek to protect and preserve assets as their wealth is distributed to heirs, designated beneficiaries or charities. Our team works with you to create strategies focused on family wealth education, wealth transfer, and tax minimization to ensure your assets are distributed in a manner that matches your goals.
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    Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
    Personal financial planning for Business owners, Founders and entrepreneurs often takes a backseat to the singular focus required to create a highly successful company. Successful business owners come to us so that we can give their long-term financial goals the same attention to detail that they give to their businesses.

    As the premiere wealth management firm in the industry, Morgan Stanley offers strategies focused on the protection of your assets, access to capital, retirement planning and succession planning. Morgan Stanley offers our clients an unparalleled breadth and depth of resources and expertise.
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    Corporate Executives, Managers and Directors
    The skills required in becoming a successful executive at a publicly traded company are not often the same skills required in understanding and managing the intricacies of stock based compensation. As a leader in the world of corporate stock plans, Morgan Stanley has developed tools to help our clients visualize and manage the implications of their stock-based compensation decisions.

    Vesting schedules, trading restrictions, tax implications and concentration risks are all major focal points for you. We can streamline your decision-making process and help you focus on what matters most.
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    Retirees
    “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” – Lewis Carroll

    Retirees are often faced with many of the same questions. Do I need to be conservative now that I’m not working? How can I ensure my assets will continue to grow in case I live longer than I expect? Where will I find Income? How can I fund my goals and lifestyle in a way that allows me to manage my taxes as efficiently as possible?

    Our team has been helping clients navigate the road to and through retirement for decades. We work closely with our clients to create investment strategies balancing the needs for short term protection and long-term growth. We help our clients create comprehensive financial plans so they can gain the peace of mind required so make decisions to reach their goals.

THE CFP® PROFESSIONAL

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. The California Generations Group's diverse skillsets 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:
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    Education
    The CFP® professional must develop theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing 2 to 3 years of comprehensive coursework at an institution of higher learning approved by the CFP® Board. Once obtaining the CFP® trademark, their education does not stop, as continued education is part of the recertification process.
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    Examination
    The CFP® professional must pass the 7 hour comprehensive Certification Exam, which tests abilities to apply financial planning knowledge to real-life situations. The exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance.
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    Experience
    All CFP® professionals are required to complete several years of experience related to financial planning services prior to earning the right to use the CFP® trademarks.
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    Ethics
    The CFP® professional is obligated to uphold the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence as outline in the CFP® Board’s Code of Ethics. The Rules of Conduct require the CFP® professional to put the client’s interest first at all times.

Our Collection of Wealth Tool and Seasonal Resources

Our comprehensive suite of digital tools are designed to help enhance every aspect of your financial life. Here are a few of the technologies we have to offer our clients as well as timely seasonal resources:
    Market and Timely Resources:
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    2024 Tax Tables
    Prepare for this year's taxes with the 2024 tax tables.
    View 2024 Tax Tables
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    2025 Tax Tables
    Prepare for next year's taxes with the 2024 tax tables.
    View 2025 Tax Tables
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    2025 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
    The link below summarizes the retirement plan contribution limits for 2025.
    2025 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
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    Market Essentials Q1 2025
    This quarterly resource is intended to break down market movements and trends in a digestible way. The content in these decks is tailored to the everyday investor who wants to stay informed about what is driving markets.
    Read the Report
    Modern Wealth Tools:
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) has a variety of features beyond viewing your account balance and activity that you should take advantage of. They include:

    - eAuthorizations, an enhanced way to authorize transactions with one click on Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
    - eDelivery, which reduces paper documents sent by mail and can protect your personal information from getting into the hands of identity thieves.
    - Managing your everyday finances such as paying bills online, sending money or transferring funds.
    Learn More About MSO
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    Total Wealth View
    We've launched a new tool that allows you to link information from your accounts at other financial institutions directly to your Morgan Stanley Online or Morgan Stanley Mobile App profile.

    The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.

    Completing your financial picture with Total Wealth View gives our clients the benefit of more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.
    Learn More About Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault
    Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one of the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors.

    The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows clients and their families to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
    Learn More About Digital Vault
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    Online Security Center
    At Morgan Stanley, our highest priority is keeping your information protected. Morgan Stanley dedicates significant resources to protecting your assets and personal information.

    - Strong encryption protocols designed to protect your data.
    - Continuous monitoring to help detect and prevent fraud.
    - Routine testing of our systems and security protocols.
    - Independent review by outside security firms.
    Learn More About Our Online Security

Location

15260 Ventura Blvd
Ste 1900
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
US
Direct:
(818) 788-2800(818) 788-2800

Meet The California Generations Group

About Ken Brozki

Ken Brozki is an educator to his clients. Using his 2-pyramid diagram, Ken’s goal is to teach his clients everything they need to know about investing, providing them with a framework to develop an appropriate investment strategy as well as understand their investments.

Ken passed his Series 7 exam just one month prior to the October, 1987 market crash. He joined a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in November, 1988. For the next 22 years, Ken worked at the Glendale branch, moving to his current location in Sherman Oaks in February, 2011.

Born in Israel, Ken moved to the United States with his parents at the age of 12. He quickly learned English and went on to receive his B.A. in Urban Studies from Cal State Northridge, the first in his family to go to college. Family is the most important part of Ken’s life. He and his wife Sherry, who recently completed her master’s degree in psychology, have three children: Gil graduated from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, Ari has graduated from University of Arizona, and their daughter Mia is in the seventh grade.
Ken loves to travel and has visited 50 countries. He also enjoys basketball (with a full court in his backyard) and skiing, as well as gardening, arts and crafts.
Securities Agent: AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WY, CA, AL; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1326779
CA Insurance License #: 0K97704

About Rances Sainz

Rances Sainz is a Morgan Stanley Vice President and co-founder of the California Generations Group at Morgan Stanley. As a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional, Rances has developed a unique expertise required to deliver sophisticated advice to his clients. His passion for problem solving and his desire to put his clients first shines through as he crafts customized investment portfolios and strategies for his team.

The California Generations Group was founded by Rances Sainz, his partner Executive Director Ken Brozki, and their Wealth Management Associate Gabriela Garcia. The team strives to create the feel of a boutique advisory team within the structure of a world class firm in that of Morgan Stanley. The focus on combining concierge level service with in-depth strategies and solutions has fostered close client relationships for many years. The California Generations Group name was chosen to highlight the fact that a very high percentage of the team’s clientele consists of second and third generation family members.

Rances works with successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives and high net worth families. He has experience working with concentrated stock positions, stock-based compensation and stock options, business sales and retirement planning. His professional designations require a commitment to continuing education which keeps him on the cutting edge of investment, tax and estate planning strategies.

Rances and his parents emigrated to Miami shortly after his birth in Cuba. In 2012, he moved to Los Angeles where he currently resides with his wife Tana and their three rescue dogs. Rances loves sports, mostly his Miami Dolphins, Heat and Hurricanes. He also loves the diversity of the Los Angeles community.
Securities Agent: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 995031
CA Insurance License #: 0I98231

About Gabriela Garcia

Gabriela is a Wealth Management Associate who is always working to stay one step ahead of her clients’ needs and keeping them abreast of all service requests. She joined Ken Brozki at Morgan Stanley in 2007 after having previously worked for over ten years at a registered investment advisory firm. With over 25 years of investment industry experience, she has encompassed both client servicing as well as compliance roles. She received her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

In her free time, Gabriela enjoys reading, travelling, hiking, walking on the beach, and just about anything outdoorsy. The most important use of her free time is to spend it with her family, friends, and her Siberian husky, Kodiak.

About Mercedes Guevara

Mercedes Guevara is a Registered Client Service Associate that recently joined the California Generations Group at Morgan Stanley. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude (“With Highest Distinction”) from California State University Northridge, receiving her B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Finance. As the newest team member, Mercedes is ready to service clients’ needs with diligence.

Mercedes grew up in the San Fernando Valley. She enjoys staying active through pilates, spending time with her family and close friends, and is an avid reader.
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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The California Generations 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.

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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 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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5Alternative 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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6Morgan 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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7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.

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8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.

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9Insurance 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)