By Jon Chown
If you’re heading to the beach, you know to bring sunscreen and shorts. If you’re going for a hike in the redwoods — walking shoes and some water. But how do you prepare for life’s journey when you don’t exactly know where the road will take you? How do you invest and get ready for retirement in times like this?
Erik Hanson, financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Scotts Valley, has answers. Hanson has been providing rock-solid advice to his clients since 2002, providing service and advice to clients on 401(k) rollovers, 529 plans, alternative investments, annuities, asset management, commodities, corporate retirement plans, education planning, estate planning strategies, life insurance, long-term care insurance, wealth management and much more.
“The newest challenge is how we deal with rising interest rates in a slow-growing economy. Interest rates have been decreasing for a long time, so what does this mean going forward? How do we invest for the future when we are facing circumstances that nobody has really seen since the ‘70s or early ‘80s?” Hanson said. “It’s affecting conservative and aggressive investors. It’s going to be a challenge that will be with us for a while.”
“Especially for our retired clients,” said Hanson’s business partner, Jessica Hawkins, Financial Advisor. “Strategies will change; we will have to adapt, and we have to be careful. We’ll have to be more tactical.”
But it’s a challenge you don’t have to face alone. Hanson and Hawkins give their personal attention to their clients, helping them reach their goals. Hanson said a financial advisor has to really know and understand what a client is striving for in life.
“It’s good to go through that interview process. It’s more than just the return you are getting, but are you achieve your goals?” he said.
Hawkins joined Hanson’s office two years ago. You might have seen her riding her horse in town. A Texas girl who rides competitively, she came to the region to attend UC Santa Cruz because she liked the small-town atmosphere. After graduation, she started working in a local credit union before becoming a financial advisor for Morgan Stanley.
“I made the move to Morgan Stanley because I am seeking to provide more solutions and be able to help my clients with more complicated issues. I was very limited in retail banking in what I could do and how I could help,” she said.
“Having Jessica work with me has allowed me to provide the service level that I expect and our clients expect,” Hanson said. “Good local service is really important to us.”
Located at 6004 La Madrona Drive in Scotts Valley, Hanson said most of his clients are within an hour’s drive – the Bay Area to Pebble Beach.
“We keep in touch because we like to have that one-on-one attention that keeps us on top of everything, not only the markets, but their life and what is going on. It’s nice that we can have the technology and resources of Morgan Stanley, but we are right here. Whether I’m playing golf or Jessica’s out on a ride, this is where we live. We are out here helping our friends.”
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Call Erik Hanson at (831) 440-5297 or drop by his office at 6004 La Madrona Drive in Scotts Valley.
The investments listed may not be suitable for all investors. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment will depend upon an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.
Life insurance, disability income insurance, and long-term care insurance are offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
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Erik Hanson/Morgan Stanley, 6004 La Madrona Drive in Scotts Valley (831) 440-5297. Website: www.morganstanleyfa.com/erik.hanson