Bret BakerBret Baker, CRPC®Vice PresidentBusiness Management Specialist
About Bret
Bret Baker is a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management.
Bret spearheads the operations for The Soja West Group, contributing to a high-touch experience for clients and colleagues alike. He offers the insights he has gained from more than two decades in the investment and wealth management fields.
Bret holds a number of responsibilities within the team. His areas of focus include portfolio management, trading execution and 10b5-1 trading plan development. Bret also serves as the team's business practice manager, allocating workflow and overseeing consistent processes and routines. He has worked alongside Steve Soja for over two decades.
Prior to moving to J.P. Morgan Wealth Management with his team in 2023, Bret spent more than eight years at First Republic Private Wealth Management, where he was a Director and Investment Specialist. Earlier, he served for more than nine years with Credit Suisse, where he was an Assistant Vice President. He has worked in financial services since 2000.
Bret earned his B.A. in Political Science from California State University—Sacramento and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation.
Bret and his wife, Jennifer, live in Contra Costa County and have two adult daughters and one adult son.
Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM or CRPC® are registered trademarks owned by the College for Financial Planning and may not be used without the express written consent of the College.
Insights
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Using donor-advised funds to create college scholarships
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September 2, 2026U.S.–Canada tariffs may have limited near-term economic impacts, but a further shift in policy – especially in autos or energy – could complicate the inflation and growth outlook.Read Now
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Should you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?
September 1, 2026Converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a significant decision that requires careful planning. Here are some things to consider.Read Now5 generational shifts reshaping family wealth planning today
September 10, 2026From supporting adult children to hiring health concierges, broad societal changes are changing how some families think about wealth management. Here’s how to adapt to today’s shifting landscape.Read NowA historical look at the giving season
September 9, 2026The end of the year, also called giving season, is a big driver of charitable donations in the U.S. This practice dates back many years and comes with notable financial benefits.Read NowKevin Warsh says there's still 'work to do' to fight inflation. Will the Fed hike rates at the September meeting?
September 9, 2026The next Fed meeting on September 15–16 comes with a big question: Hike or hold rates? The decision ultimately hinges on inflation and the labor market.Read NowUsing donor-advised funds to create college scholarships
September 8, 2026A donor-advised fund can help you support students’ education in a way that reflects your values and honors your legacy.Read NowBusiness succession planning: Valuing your business
September 8, 2026Understand the basics of business valuation and how it can help you make better-informed decisions as your company grows and you get closer to succession.Read NowToto, I don’t think it’s the Fed anymore
September 3, 2026Bond yields are rising, but not for the reasons many expect. Energy markets and term premiums are connected in a way they haven’t been before.Read NowUS-Canada trade escalation: Why autos and oil matter more than today’s tariffs
September 2, 2026U.S.–Canada tariffs may have limited near-term economic impacts, but a further shift in policy – especially in autos or energy – could complicate the inflation and growth outlook.Read NowNew York estate tax planning considerations
September 2, 2026When creating an estate plan, you and your tax and legal advisors should consider state laws as well as federal rules. Here are key items for people with New York State ties.Read NowShould you convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA?
September 1, 2026Converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a significant decision that requires careful planning. Here are some things to consider.Read Now