Welcome

Thank you for considering our services. For over 30 years we have focused on delivering first class consulting services to the region's corporate retirement plans and affluent investors. What makes us unique is the process-based approach to everything we do, and our commitment to our community.
Services Include
  • Institutional ServicesFootnote1
  • Corporate Retirement PlansFootnote2
  • Wealth Consulting
  • Financial PlanningFootnote3
  • Asset Management
  • Corporate Trust Services
  • Endowments and FoundationsFootnote4
  • Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote5
  • Philanthropic Services
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Working With You

Michael Okby and Stephen Aguglia were hand-picked out of a select group of Financial Advisors to be Corporate Retirement Directors. The team’s experience and knowledge coupled with Morgan Stanley’s vast resources give them the ability to help companies like yours create and maintain a corporate retirement plan that is in the best interest of your employees.

The Okby Group can provide you with a reliable process to create and regularly update your plans by:
• Helping you develop an Investment Policy Statement
• Choosing and monitoring the plan’s investments
• Conducting service provider searches
• Providing customized benchmarking reports
• Sharing best practices in working with an investment committee

Our goal is to help you deliver a robust set of investment choices and a first-class experience to plan participants. The process we have refined over many years of experience supports you in fulfilling the extensive responsibilities of a fiduciary, maximizing your resources and, most importantly, helping employees retire with dignity. We look forward to working with you to create a customized strategy for your plan.

We know you are busy managing your business, and that you may not have the time to do the necessary research to make informed investment decisions. The Okby Group has the tools and expertise to help you make the right investment decisions for your plan and manage your responsibilities.

Community Involvement

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    Philanthropy Organizations
    American Cancer Society & Coaches for Cancer
    • The American Cancer Society & Coaches for Cancer are nationwide voluntary health organizations dedicated to eliminating cancer.

    Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
    • JDRF is a nonprofit 501 organization that funds type 1 diabetes research.

    Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York
    • Dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy and seizure disorders.

    Saratoga Hospital Foundation - Mollie Wilmot Radiation and Oncology Center
    • Raising awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer.
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    Philanthropy Organizations
    Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
    • Saratoga County Association created to protect and promote the interests of the businesses in the local community.

    B.P.O.E. Saratoga & Wilton Lodge #161
    • Non-profit organization dedicated to community service, veterans service, and youth activities.

    Run for the Roc
    • 5K & 10K Run to raise funds for local charities.

    Leadership Saratoga Class
    • Dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future. Michael was a part of the inaugural first class of 1984 and Zach recently graduated in 2019.

Morgan Stanley at Work

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Utilizing the powerful Morgan Stanley at Work platform, we at The Okby Group are able to help build financial confidence through insightful advice, thoughtful education and cutting-edge technology across a suite of modern workplace solutions.
At Work Solutions
Innovative workplace offerings for companies and employees which include Shareworks by Morgan Stanley, our global equity plan management solution, Financial Wellness and Retirement solutions.
Corporate Retirement Solutions
Comprehensive solutions to effectively maximize and customize retirement benefits, so managers can help employees make the most out of retirement.
Financial Wellness
At The Okby Group we understand that when employees thrive, companies thrive. We are proud to offer a customizable solution for organizations to empower their employees by making their finances a source of wellness – and not a source of stress.

Investor Resources

If you're looking for educational pieces on investing, planning, and more, you've come to the right place.
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    First Quarter Financial Bulletin
    The Okby Group provides quarterly financial bulletins to their clients. This edition will feature a recap of what we saw in the markets during the first quarter of the year, how to maximize your 401k benefits, 7 ways to conquer stress, and some exciting news about events happening in Saratoga.
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    Financial Literacy
    Financial literacy means being equipped with the knowledge to make smart financial decisions during every stage of your life.
    Make Financial Literacy a Family Affair
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    Social Security
    Maximizing your Social Security retirement benefits can help you achieve other financial goals.
    Social Security Benefits: It Can Pay to Wait
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    Education Planning
    They're tax friendly, flexible and available to anyone. Yet, 529 education savings plans are still underused. Here are five things that parents, grandparents and anyone hoping to get a leg up on college costs need to know.
    5 Things You May Not Know About 529s
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    Planning for Retirement
    While saving for a retirement is an important topic, it’s at least as important as what comes next: Your plan of action once you enter retirement.
    Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Retirement Challenges
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    Saving for Retirement
    It’s important to determine how much money you may need to save for a comfortable retirement. Here are three strategies that can help you optimize your 401(k) plan.
    You Work Hard, Make Your 401(k) Plan Work Harder
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    Healthcare
    Health care costs are rising—especially for retirees, and some may need long-term care. Learn the moves you can make to help prepare yourself.
    Planning for the Rising Costs of Health Care

Location

340 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
US
Direct:
(518) 583-5601(518) 583-5601
Toll-Free:
(888) 503-7125(888) 503-7125

Meet The Okby Group

About H Michael Okby

As the senior member of The Okby Group, Michael brings over 35 years of experience in serving the investment needs of local and regional Corporate Retirement Plans and their participants, Foundations, Taft-Hartley Plans and high net worth families.

In 2013, Morgan Stanley recognized Michael and his group for their ability to help retirement plan sponsors manage their fiduciary responsibility in today’s challenging retirement environment. Michael was selected to be among approximately 2% of Morgan Stanley's Financial Advisors to receive the prestigious Corporate Retirement Director Designation.

Michael holds general securities licenses: Series7, Series 8, Series 31, Series 63 and Series 65 as well as Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses.

In 1984 Michael was instrumental in opening the EF Hutton office in Saratoga Springs. In 1990 he joined Morgan Stanley and opened the Saratoga Springs office in 1997 as Vice President/Branch Manager.

Out of the office, Michael is an alumnus of the inaugural Leadership Saratoga Class of 1986. He has served on boards of numerous community and civic organizations in the past and currently sits on the board of directors of The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern NY.

Michael attended Michigan State University and in 2003 he received The Senior Financial Advisor designation from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania.

Michael and his wife Marlene love living in Saratoga Springs and always look forward to spending sunny days on beautiful Lake George.
Securities Agent: PA, IA, NC, MI, MA, CT, AZ, MD, FL, CO, WI, DC, NJ, VT, NY, CA, AK, VA, TX, OR, NH, GA, SC; BM/Supervisor; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 161121

About Stephen Aguglia

Stephen joined Morgan Stanley in 2011 and is a Financial Advisor with The Okby Group at Morgan Stanley. Stephen’s focus is providing disciplined guidance to help local businesses and non-profits improve processes and drive efficiencies for their retirement benefit plans. He also provides employers with resources, including hands-on support, to help improve their employees’ financial literacy and wellbeing.

Stephen holds the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist® designation through The College for Financial Planning and the Qualified Plan Financial Consultant designation from the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). Additionally, he holds general securities licenses: Series 7, Series 31, Series 63, and Series 65, as well as Life, Accident & Health insurance licenses.

Stephen is a graduate of the State University of New York at Plattsburgh where he was also recognized as a New York State Collegiate All-star on the rugby pitch and as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society.

Stephen currently resides in Malta with his wife, three young children and their two dogs. In addition to spending time with friends and family, his interests include sports, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Securities Agent: AK, MA, CA, AZ, VA, NH, NC, PA, NY, FL, MT, MD, IN, VT, NJ, IA, CO, SC, WI, GA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1582738

About Zach Zaloga

Zach Zaloga joined Morgan Stanley in 2015 and is a Financial Advisor and Financial Planning Specialist with The Okby Group in the Saratoga Springs office. Zach utilizes proprietary Morgan Stanley software to focus on constructing holistic financial plans; he believes that the basis of every investment decision should be thought out within the constructs of a financial plan.

Prior to joining the Okby Group, Zach served as a Wealth Advisor Associate for Morgan Stanley where he worked with over 150 advisors across 15 offices. In this role, Zach was asked to assist Financial Advisors in adding financial plans to their established practice. Zach enjoys providing informational seminars for the local community which relay the importance of investing and planning for financial goals. Zach also conducts 1-on-1 financial education meetings with participants in retirement plans on how to save and plan for retirement.

Zach holds general securities licenses: Series 7, Series 66, as well as Life, Accident & Health insurance licenses. He was named to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s Pacesetter’s Club consecutively from 2018-2023.

Zach holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY where he met his wife Kiana, and was a member of the Varsity football team. Zach is a native to Saratoga Springs where he is a board member of the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, a member of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, and a graduate of the 2019 Leadership Saratoga Class. In his free time Zach enjoys playing and refereeing basketball, physical fitness, golfing, traveling, and volunteering.
Securities Agent: CA, NH, HI, TX, SC, KY, UT, CO, VA, MO, ME, NC, MI, VT, FL, AK, RI, OH, MA, IA, NJ, MD, GA, AZ, WI, PA, NY; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1454863

About Kathleen O'Neill

Kathleen joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 as a Senior Client Service Associate for The Okby Group. She is responsible for overseeing the group’s daily administrative and operational procedures to efficiently address client requests and provide continuity of workflow. In addition, Kathleen provides exceptional quality customer service to the high-net-worth clients of The Okby Group.

Prior to joining The Okby Group, Kathleen was a Senior Client Service Associate at UBS and Wells Fargo Advisors and has been in the business for 38 years. Her primary responsibility was assisting top-producing advisors with managed account programs, assembling reports and asset data spreadsheets as well as answering client inquiries.

Kathleen currently lives in Queensbury, NY with her husband Ron and enjoys walking, and spending time with her grandchildren. She has had five successful fundraisers for The Saratoga Hospital Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center where she was a former patient.
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.

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.

Retirement for Plan Sponsors

End-to-End Services, Made Simple:
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
  • Plan Evaluation
  • Investment Management
  • Plan Management Support
  • Plan Participant Education
State of the Workplace Study 2023
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State of the Workplace Study 2023

Explore Morgan Stanley at Work’s State of the Workplace III Financial Benefits Study results. Discover workforce challenges and how to stay competitive.

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 Okby Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan 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.

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

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2When 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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3Morgan 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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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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan 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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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)