Janus Capital has added Matthew Sommer to its Retirement Strategy Group as director and senior retirement specialist.

Prior to joining Janus, Sommer was executive director of thought leadership and professional development at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. In his 17 years with the company, he served in leadership roles with the global wealth management, professional development and retirement planning groups.

In his new role Sommer will be responsible for enhancing Janus' services to clients in the tax-advantaged marketplace, the company said in a statement. He will also serve as a resource and advocate for retirement issues across the firm. Sommer will report to Russ Shipman, the senior vice president and managing director of the retirement group.

"As more and more Americans enter retirement each year, this role allows me to do what I enjoy most, help clients successfully transition into their second act in life," said Sommer.

Janus Capital is a global investment firm that operates via three investment boutiques: Janus Capital Management, INTECH Investment Management, and Perkins Investment Management. The group recorded $165.5 billion in assets under management as of March 2010.