Modern Wealth Acquires KCM

Modern Wealth Management this week announced an asset purchase agreement of El Segundo, California-based Kaye Capital Management (KCM), a fee-only RIA with over $700 million in assets under management (AUM) and an additional $300 million in assets under advisement (AUA).

KCM offers financial planning and investment management services, along with a dedicated institutional retirement planning business. With this transaction, Modern Wealth surpasses $8.5 billion in AUM and completes its fourth acquisition of 2025.

“KCM joining Modern Wealth marks another significant milestone as we deepen our reach in California, strengthening our ability to deliver comprehensive wealth and retirement solutions for individuals and corporations in one of the nation’s most sophisticated markets,” said Jason Gordo, co‑founder and president of Modern Wealth. “David and Ken have built an exceptional firm with deep community roots and real expertise across both personal wealth management and institutional retirement planning. Their leadership and local presence sharpens our bench in Los Angeles and contributes to our growing national presence.”

Established in 2000, KCM provides wealth management services to corporate executives, public servants, physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, film directors, writers and retirees across California and beyond. The firm also offers institutional retirement planning services for corporations and nonprofit organizations. Led by Ken Watten, CFP, and David Hilton, AIF, both of whom join Modern Wealth as managing directors, KCM manages more than $300 million in assets for over 200 households through its individual advisory business and more than $400 million in retirement plan assets for over 400 companies ranging from 50 to 1,000 employees.

“As KCM grew, so did the complexity of running the business. David and I found ourselves spending more time managing the firm and less time doing what we’re most passionate about – serving clients,” said Watten. “Modern Wealth provides the scale and support we need to help our clients navigate the complexities of their financial lives, within a team that shares our values and is working toward a common goal. Joining Modern Wealth gives us the opportunity to continue growing both personally and professionally.”

Modern Wealth will integrate KCM’s specialized retirement plan services across the firm, providing access to consulting and co-fiduciary services for a range of qualified retirement plans, including 401(k), profit sharing, 403(b), 529 plans and more. These capabilities build on the firm’s growing retirement plan advisory business, launched in March 2024 through the asset purchase of Beltz Ianni and led by Michelle Cannan, CPFA, QKA, QKC, managing director and head of Company Retirement Plan Services.

“Michelle and the Modern Wealth retirement plan services team bring a distinct level of depth and expertise that elevates our offerings for corporations and nonprofit organizations,” added Hilton. “Their acumen in plan design, compliance and administration will enable us to better serve the sophisticated needs of this client base, delivering institutional-caliber solutions for employers in Southern California and beyond.”