Our Story and Services

The strength of the Zins-Shlaferman Group comes from our cohesive team approach leveraged by experience. Collectively the teams’ four financial professionals—Judy Zins, Joseph Shlaferman, Rachel Zins Heimann, Juan Vasconez—have over 100 years of combined experience. In 1986 Judy not only became a Financial Advisor who concentrated on fundamental analysis but she met Joseph, an Advisor who focuses on in technical analysis at a competing firm. Romance and then marriage led to their professional alliance when Joseph joined Judy at Morgan Stanley in 1991. Juan joined Judy and Joseph in 2001 providing a depth in client service that is unsurpassed. In 2015 Rachel became the second generation of the Zins-Shlaferman family devoted to guiding you through the process of your accumulation, preservation and transfer of wealth.

The Zins-Shlaferman Group loyalty to one another is rooted in a combination of family ties, professional respect and a like-minded mission: to hold your interests and financial goals as paramount in our daily lives. All Group members work hard on your behalf to help you create the future you want for yourself and your family.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Full Suite of Offerings-Tailored To You

Our team utilizes the full suite of offerings from Morgan Stanley to serve our clients. Using this suite of services, we are able to work with our clients on their many goals and in many aspects of their lives.
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    Financial Planning
    - Retirement Income Planning
    - Saving and investing strategies
    - Multi-generational planning
    - Tax minimizing strategies
    - Net worth analysis
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    Cash Management & Lending
    - Active Asset Accounts
    - Online Bill Pay
    - Direct Deposit and Check Writing
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    Retirement Planning
    - Cash Flow Management & Budgeting
    - Adaptive Withdrawal Strategies
    - Traditional IRAs
    - Roth IRAs & Roth Conversions
    - IRA rollovers
    - Required minimum distributions (RMD)
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    Investment Management
    - Asset allocation
    - Traditional investments
    - Alternative investments
    - Sustainable investments
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    Insurance Services
    - Permanent life insurance
    - Term life
    - Long term care
    - Disability

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.


    Since life insurance and long term care insurance are medically underwritten, you should not cancel your current policy until your new policy is in force. A change to your current policy may incur charges, fees and costs. A new policy will require a medical exam. Surrender charges may be imposed and the period of time for which the surrender charges apply may increase with a new policy. You should consult with your own tax advisors regarding your potential tax liability on surrenders.


    Guarantees and contractual obligations are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
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    Trust & Estate Planning Strategies
    - Wealth transfer strategies
    - Inter-generational needs
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    Risk Management
    - Hedging strategies
    - Interest rate risk management
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    Philanthropy Management
    - Charitable lead trusts
    - Family foundations
    - Donor-advised funds
    Disclaimers
    Financial Planning: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 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 visit us at http://www.morganstanleyindividual.com or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences.

    Trust & Estate Planning: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third‐party corporate trustee.

Location

7500 Old Georgetown Rd
10th Fl
Bethesda, MD 20814
US
Direct:
(301) 657-6347(301) 657-6347
Toll-Free:
(800) 455-6622(800) 455-6622
Fax:
(301) 760-3704(301) 760-3704

Meet The Zins-Shlaferman Group

About Judith E Zins

Judith Zins, Senior Vice President is the founding member of the Zins-Shlaferman Group at Morgan Stanley. She focuses on investment research, portfolio management, and developing holistic comprehensive financial planning strategies. As a licensed financial advisor for over 35 years Judy has dedicated herself to listening to and learning about individuals to better understand their financial needs. In addition Judy strongly believes in coordinating with client’s CPA and Estate Attorney.

She is one of only several advisors in the DC metropolitan area that holds Morgan Stanley's Investing with Impact designation. One of Judy’s strong interests is to help those who interested in philanthropy to make sure their philanthropic dollars are managed at the same high quality level as the rest of their wealth. With this in mind Judy provides educational insight as to how Donor Advised Funds and Qualified Credit Distributions can help clients achieve their philanthropic goals.

Judy has been married to Joseph since 1989 and they have a daughter, Rachel mentioned above and another daughter Hannah, who is a litigation lawyer. When Judy isn’t in the office you might find her visiting the Smithsonian Museums or reading historical biographies. Additionally, Judy is a strong supporter of Doctors Without Borders and her alma mater, Cornell University.
Securities Agent: PA, VA, DC, ID, MT, NJ, WV, WA, VT, UT, TX, SC, OR, OH, NY, NE, ND, NC, MN, MI, ME, MD, MA, KY, IL, IA, FL, DE, CT, CO, CA, AZ, AR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1278802

About Rachel Heimann

Rachel has 10 years of experience in the financial service industry. Rachel joined her family practice, The Zins-Shlaferman Group at Morgan Stanley in 2015. Rachel’s main focus is on creating comprehensive financial plan and individual customized wealth management strategies for all of her clients. It is her priority to help clients achieve their financial plan and investment goals through conducting a five step planning process which include:

• Gathering client information including goals
• Analyzing and evaluating client’s financial status including their budget
• Developing and presenting recommendation that tailor to the client’s goals/needs
• Implementing recommendation
• Monitoring the implemented recommendation for necessary changes which include meeting on an ongoing basis

She currently resides in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband Andrew and their dog Moose.
Securities Agent: WV, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IA, ID, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1231447

About Juan Vasconez

Juan Vasconez is a Portfolio Associate for the Zins-Shlaferman Group at Morgan Stanley. He has over 20 year of experience in the financial services industry. As a performance driven individual, Juan is often the first point of contact on a wide array of requests. He effectively delivers support in maintaining client accounts and servicing client request and inquires. Juan duties expand beyond the daily activities of helping clients. As a registered team member holding both his Series 7 (General Securities Representative license) and Series 66 (Uniform Combined State Law license) Juan also helps in the execution of client trade request. Outside of the office, Juan and his family, including wife, Leticia and two daughters, Natalie and Gigi are active members of their church.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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.

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.

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 The Zins-Shlaferman Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Investors should consider many factors before deciding which 529 plan is appropriate. Some of these factors include: the Plan’s investment options and the historical investment performance of these options, the Plan’s flexibility and features, the reputation and expertise of the Plan’s investment manager, Plan contribution limits and the federal and state tax benefits associated with an investment in the Plan. Some states, for example, offer favorable tax treatment and other benefits to their residents only if they invest in the state’s own Qualified Tuition Program. Investors should determine their home state’s tax treatment of 529 plans when considering whether to choose an in-state or out-of-state plan. Investors should consult with their tax or legal advisor before investing in any 529 Plan or contact their state tax division for more information. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Investors should review a Program Disclosure Statement, which contains more information on investment options, risk factors, fees and expenses and possible tax consequences.

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2Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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3The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

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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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5Morgan 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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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 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 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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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)