Matt Sommer, PhD, CFA, CFP®
Matt Sommer is Interim Head of Specialist Consulting Group at Janus Henderson Investors. His team consists of various subject matter experts across several disciplines including retirement planning, wealth advisory, practice management, and investment strategies. They provide clients actionable insight and expertise they can implement into their business practice to retain and gain clients. Before assuming his current role in 2023, Matt was head of the firm’s defined contribution and wealth advisor services team and lead behavioral finance researcher and wealth strategist. Prior to joining Janus in 2010, Matt spent 17 years at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and its predecessors, Citi Global Wealth Management and Smith Barney, during which time his roles included director of financial planning and director of retirement planning.
Matt received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Pace University, Lubin School of Business. He received a doctorate degree (dissertation: Three Essays Investigating the Bequest Intentions and Expectations of Older Adults) from Kansas State University. His doctoral candidacy research was selected for publication in the Journal of Financial Planning and the Journal of Personal Finance. Matt is a frequent guest on CNBC and Bloomberg TV, a regular contributor to Kiplinger’s Building Wealth column, and has been extensively quoted in various industry publications including the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s and Investment News. He has 30 years of financial industry experience.
Articles Written
Retirement Confidence Report: Opportunities to strengthen client relationships
How findings from Janus Henderson’s 2022 Retirement Confidence Report can help financial professionals guide clients through a challenging market environment.
Do investors care about top advisor lists?
A new study found evidence that being named a top financial advisor can lead to increased assets under management.
How clients’ personality traits can influence bequest decisions
A new study examines the relationship between parents’ personality traits and leaving unequal bequests to children.
Has the Time Come to Simplify Foreign Equity Offerings in 401(k)s?
Recent changes in the capital markets offer plan sponsors a timely opportunity to rationalize their 401(k) lineups.
The Father of the 4% Retirement Spending Rule Has Moved to Cash. Should You?
Why taking proactive action regarding your household’s cash management can be a more effective strategy for weathering a bear market than moving to cash.
The Value of Financial Advice in Turbulent Times
Financial professionals can be instrumental in boosting clients’ investing confidence and helping them stay focused on long-term goals.
Does Gender Matter in the Selection of a Financial Professional?
Understanding investor perceptions is key to addressing gender inequality in the financial services industry.
Timely Tips for Investors to Deal with Today’s Worst Challenges
In unpredictable times, it helps to have a few well-respected investing rules of thumb to fall back on for reassurance.
Financial Knowledge, Investment Advice and Trading Discretion: New Research
A new study explores the relationship between financial knowledge and the decision to seek investment advice and grant trading discretion.
How to Use Behavioral Finance to Help Clients Navigate Volatility
How financial professionals can help clients cope with market volatility by incorporating behavioral finance techniques.
Time for an IPS Refresh: Incorporating Emerging Trends into Your Plan Design
Three areas where well-intentioned but unclear or outdated IPS language can create problems for plan sponsors.