My Story

Athletes training for a marathon seek out a coach with the knowledge and expertise to offer the professional guidance and support needed to not only run the race, but run it faster and more efficiently.

The same is true for managing wealth in today’s complex global markets.

Comprehensive wealth management takes a unique set of skills that goes beyond general financial planning. It takes a seasoned advisor who has the wisdom, knowledge and access to specialized resources that are designed to tackle today’s fierce challenges.

As an experienced financial advisor with more than 32 years of experience, I know what it takes to achieve results. My consultative approach covers the full spectrum of customized solutions for financially successful individuals and families planning for retirement and other long-term goals. What’s more, my emphasis on education and commitment to outstanding service allows me to take the emotion out of important decision making to bring a disciplined process to smart money management. 

As we begin to work together, you will experience a forward-thinking approach that focuses on achieving your particular goals and becoming financially independent. Serving as your financial coach, I will review all aspects of your financial life to create a tailored strategy that is designed to help ensure financial success over multiple generations.
Services Include
Securities Agent: MO, CA, DC, WA, FL, OH, NJ, ID, AR, SC, OR, IN, NV, GA, CT, TX, PA, NY, MA, CO, VA, MD, KS, RI, NC, MT, TN; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1395602
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Clients

My clients are much more than a portfolio of assets – they are families with active lives, who seek a seasoned advisor who will provide them with thorough, unbiased and carefully considered guidance on a full range of financial topics. When you work with me, you will be treated with respect, care and an unwavering commitment to you and your family.

Since 1991, I have developed a strong and active practice that includes a broad range of clients who need professional guidance with the following activities:

Saving effectively so children can attend the colleges of their choice
Planning for a successful retirement
Managing a life-changing event with confidence, such as a divorce, the loss of a spouse or a large inheritance
Financing a major acquisition, including the purchase of a second home
Minimizing taxes through advanced asset management solutions
Achieving long-term charitable and philanthropic goals

My clients include:

Retirees and individuals planning for retirement
Professionals, including lawyers, teachers and professors
Small business owners
Multi-generational families

While each client has unique personal and professional circumstances, they all have one thing in common: They are focused on achieving very specific financial goals, so they may secure their family’s financial future and pursue their personal passions.

To that end, I have assembled the following articles, white papers and financial tools about many of the concepts that support my wealth management philosophy and investment strategies.

Working With You

As a CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNERTM (CFP®), I believe planning is a “living” process that must be diligently reviewed and cultivated. My goals-based approach identifies and implements appropriate solutions to empower you to achieve – and maintain – financial success. Ultimately, goals-based investing empowers you to be more confident in your investment decisions now and in the future.
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    Step 1: Get to Know You
    I begin with an in-depth conversation where I listen carefully to understand what is important to you and your family. I learn about the values that shape your decisions and identify any challenges and circumstances unique to your personal situation.
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    Step 2: Analyze and Assess
    Next, I review your current and future financial situation, determine the likelihood of reaching your goals and address the impact of unexpected life events. With attention to detail and utilizing a proprietary financial planning tool called LifeView®, I determine an appropriate asset allocation mix, select investments and identify specific tax-efficient strategies.
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    Step 3: Present Your Personalized Plan
    In this step, I present a comprehensive and customized plan with strategies designed to achieve your particular goals in today’s economic environment. Upon your approval, I set into motion a course of action that strives to align your vision with your personal definition of financial success.
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    Step 4: Implement
    Once I activate your plan, I set up a number of meetings to ensure your account is set up properly and you have convenient access to your account information.
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    Step 5: Keep You on Track
    I monitor your progress and review the performance of your plan through regular calls and meetings. I may recommend adjustments over time, due to changing market conditions or changes in your life, to help keep you on track towards achieving your goals.
The best relationships are built on trust, understanding and shared values. I strongly believe a disciplined philosophy and process are critical to achieving your goals. To that end, I am committed to the following tenets that serve as the foundation of my practice:
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    A clear path to your goals
    Money is merely a tool that can help you live the life you desire. I work with you to define and articulate your goals, then create a comprehensive financial plan that can help reach them.
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    A disciplined approach to investing
    Reaching your goals requires more than a hot investment tip. I focus on proven concepts and avoid recommendations based on fear or greed.
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    Access to top professionals
    You are entitled to the best advice possible. As a result, I often collaborate with colleagues from across the Morgan Stanley network, as well as other professionals within the industry who are considered experts in their field. I also work in tandem with your accountant, attorney and other trusted advisors to gain the precise knowledge needed to effectively manage all aspects of your wealth.
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    Highly personalized service
    I focus on building deep and longstanding relationships. I do this by working with a select group of individuals and families. This enables me to dedicate the time, attention and personalized service each deserves.
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    A clear understanding I work for you
    While I value my relationship with Morgan Stanley as a top purveyor of global financial services for 80 years, I value my relationship with you even more. I am committed to developing a relationship that provides special value to you and your family. When you succeed, we all succeed.
Todd has dedicated his entire 32-year career to providing highly customized advice and strategies to individuals and families. He guides them through a personalized approach that includes a thorough planning process and a commitment to outstanding service. To Todd, the cornerstone of comprehensive wealth management begins with a solid financial plan focused on achieving each client’s unique goals.

Todd learned first-hand the power of financial planning. At age ten, his mother became a single parent. This experience had a profound impact on Todd, teaching him many lessons and inspiring him to pursue a profession that could help people like his mother gain the confidence needed to make sound financial decisions. With hard work and determination, Todd earned an academic scholarship to Elmira College, earning his Business Administration degree in International Business and minoring in Spanish. He joined Morgan Stanley in 1995 and has been a valued advisor ever since.

Throughout his career, Todd has remained committed to professional development. He earned the distinguished CFP® designation in 2007, was named a Financial Planning Specialist at Morgan Stanley in 2004 and achieved the firm’s Investment Management Consultant certification in 1999. These designations demonstrate Todd’s dedication to remaining on the forefront of the most effective financial strategies available.

A firm believer in giving back, Todd is an active member of the Jamestown Rotary Club and the Southwestern Central School Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Todd is also a former President of the Jamestown Rotary Club and Board of Directors for the Jamestown Community Learning Council.

Originally from Franklinville, NY, Todd currently lives in Lakewood. Favorite leisure activities include spending time with his four nephews, fishing, target-shooting, skiing and cooking.

Location

202 West State Street
Olean, NY 14760
US
Direct:
(716) 375-8211(716) 375-8211
Toll-Free:
(800) 999-9995(800) 999-9995
Fax:
(716) 342-3567(716) 342-3567

Meet My Team

About Vicky Steffenhagen

Drawing on more than 20+ years of administrative and customer service experience, Vicky is committed to the highest level of personal service. Her primary responsibilities include onboarding new clients, day-to-day account management, transferring assets and delivering the world-class services of the firm to every client. Vicky strives to ensure a stress-free experience by creating streamlined processes and leading a coordinated effort to provide thoughtful and thorough solutions.

Vicky is a 1992 graduate of State University of New York at Fredonia, where she earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Communications. She joined Todd R. Allen at Morgan Stanley in 2012 and has been an invaluable member of the team ever since. Vicky maintains her FINRA Series 7 and 66.

Originally from Portville, Vicky now lives on a 300+ acre, 100+ year-old family farm, outside of Ellicottville, where she and her family raise bison and elk. Outside of the office, she is very active in her daughters’ busy lives, supporting them in their many activities. Favorite leisure activities include gardening, reading historical fiction, hockey and football!

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.

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.

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.

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 Todd R Allen today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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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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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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6Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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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 (“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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9Morgan 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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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.

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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 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)