Carmen B Torruella
Financial Advisor,
Wealth Advisor
Direct:
(212) 893-6459(212) 893-6459
My Mission Statement
My goal is to help you maximize your control over the financial future for yourself and your family. I pay meticulous attention to a plan that takes into account the appropriate investment plan for your life goals, estate plan and any charitable objectives using my extensive knowledge across various asset classes.
My Story and Services
Carmen B. Torruella has worked in finance for more than 30 years. She has been in Private Wealth Management since 2012, currently at Morgan Stanley and prior to that at J.P. Morgan.
Carmen’s clients are varied. They range from financial executives in the U.S. to family offices in Puerto Rico. In the marital area, Carmen consults on financial strategy for individuals going through divorce or planning to marry. Carmen also helps her clients with trust accounts, philanthropic management, and alternative investments.
Prior to her time in Private Wealth, Carmen covered Latin American infrastructure stocks and was top-ranked for five years by Institutional Investor Magazine, including as the No. 1 Team. Carmen also covered U.S. Healthcare Services and U.S. Strategy & Quantitative Research and earlier worked in Emerging Markets Fixed Income and Municipal Interest Rate Swaps.
A graduate of Harvard University, Carmen earned an A.B. in Philosophy in 1987 and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1991. She was awarded a Harvard College Scholarship and an Elizabeth Agassiz Certificate of Merit for academic achievement. She also served as a member of the Student Advisory Committee of the Institute of Politics at the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government. Carmen was a 1983 Presidential Scholar.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Carmen is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, as well as conversant in French. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Carmen’s clients are varied. They range from financial executives in the U.S. to family offices in Puerto Rico. In the marital area, Carmen consults on financial strategy for individuals going through divorce or planning to marry. Carmen also helps her clients with trust accounts, philanthropic management, and alternative investments.
Prior to her time in Private Wealth, Carmen covered Latin American infrastructure stocks and was top-ranked for five years by Institutional Investor Magazine, including as the No. 1 Team. Carmen also covered U.S. Healthcare Services and U.S. Strategy & Quantitative Research and earlier worked in Emerging Markets Fixed Income and Municipal Interest Rate Swaps.
A graduate of Harvard University, Carmen earned an A.B. in Philosophy in 1987 and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1991. She was awarded a Harvard College Scholarship and an Elizabeth Agassiz Certificate of Merit for academic achievement. She also served as a member of the Student Advisory Committee of the Institute of Politics at the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government. Carmen was a 1983 Presidential Scholar.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Carmen is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, as well as conversant in French. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Services Include
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote1
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote2
- Trust AccountsFootnote3
- Philanthropic ManagementFootnote4
- Financial PlanningFootnote5
- Wealth Management & Divorce
- Access to Lending Services
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote6
- Endowments and FoundationsFootnote7
- Donor Advised Funds
- Long-term Care InsuranceFootnote8
- Municipal BondsFootnote9
- Life InsuranceFootnote10
Securities Agent: AL, AR, AZ, DE, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MT, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, RI, VT, WI, WV, NY, WA, SC, ME, WY, VA, TX, SD, PR, PA, OH, NJ, NC, MI, MA, IL, GA, FL, DC, CT, CO, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 975664
NMLS#: 975664
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
HELPING ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
Our disciplined process begins and ends with listening. We ask questions about what is important to you, your family and your future . . . and then we listen. Throughout each step of the process, we provide objective advice and investment insights to construct a wealth management plan that is uniquely yours.
Step 1: Introductory Call
We begin with an informal conversation to understand your financial concerns and determine how we can add value. If you agree to move forward, we will schedule our next meeting and request copies of important financial documents.
Step 2: Face-to-Face Meeting
We continue the dialogue with started with a more in-depth discussion that usually takes place at your home or place of business. This “discovery” session gives us the opportunity to understand the values that shape your decisions and identify any circumstances unique to your situation. We will also review the documents you have prepared and begin to define your priorities.
Step 3: Analysis & Strategy Development
Here, we utilize a variety of financial planning and investment tools to develop a detailed strategy with recommendations to help you achieve the priorities we’ve outlined. This serves as the foundation for building your initial plan, as well as future investment decisions.
Step 4: Investment Proposal
In this step, we present an investment proposal and asset allocation strategy that aligns your goals with your time frame and risk level. we also share samples of a typical performance reports, so you can review the types of reports you will receive from us on a regular basis.
Step 5: Implementation
Once you approve our recommendations, we will begin to implement your plan. We establish any necessary new accounts, initiate the account transfer process and provide online account instructions so you always have secure access to your accounts and information.
Step 6: Ongoing Stewardship
Committed to first-class service, we focus on developing longstanding relationships that can help provide value to you and your family. We are dedicated to delivering premium service through our signature care that emphasizes ongoing communication throughout the year.
Separation and Divorce
My own experience has taught me that divorce can be not only emotionally challenging but also more destructive of wealth than even a major market correction.
Don't let the ordeal of divorce prevent you from confronting important financial issues that will affect you and your children's economic future. Often money matters have been handled in the past by the soon to be ex-spouse and a transition can be challenging.
I advise during and after the process to help avoid pitfalls and to aid clients securely enter a new chapter of their lives.
Don't let the ordeal of divorce prevent you from confronting important financial issues that will affect you and your children's economic future. Often money matters have been handled in the past by the soon to be ex-spouse and a transition can be challenging.
I advise during and after the process to help avoid pitfalls and to aid clients securely enter a new chapter of their lives.
I can help you:
- Gather, organize, analyze and present financial data
- Develop a budget and project future expenses
- Establish short and long term goals for you and your children
- Assess whether you will have enough income to live on now and in the future
- Determine options regarding your home
- Decide which assets to sell or keep
- Address implications for health, life, homeowners, and other insurance plans
- Access extra liquidity if needed during and after the process
- Reshape investment plans in accordance with new financial objectives
- Revise estate plans
WELCOME TO OUR LIFE NAVIGATOR
One of our goals is to help our clients navigate different life events. Here you will find a wide range of content and materials covering a variety of life events and milestones that you might face.
Birth
Welcoming a child into the family is a joyous occasion for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins and other extended family members. As a trusted advisor to our clients, we play a critical role in helping you plan and prepare for the financial components that a new child introduces into your lives. Everything from planning for the costs associated with birth, adoption or surrogacy; anticipating unexpected medical expenses; understanding gifting requirements; preparing for child care and planning for educational expenses.
Click here for more information on preparing for educational expenses
Education
Education is a major investment and expense for most of our clients, one that often requires years of careful, advanced planning. As educational costs continue to rise for primary education through undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. We can help you approach the range of educational expenses, such as tuition, extension programs and advanced professional training, with appropriate funding strategies for your particular situations.
Click here for Morgan Stanley's Insights
Business/Work
Many of our clients have complex business arrangements, from executive-level employment situations to various levels of investment in a multitude of business ventures from startups to established enterprises. As their Financial Advisor, we play a critical role in helping them navigate the complexities of business ownership, investment and associated activities such as selling, divesting or planning for succession.
Learn More
Marriage
There are few events more exciting than when our client decides to align their life with the person they love. Of course, there are conversations you should have with your partner before tying the knot. One of the most important is about money — how you will make it, save it, spend it and invest it. In addition, helping fund an adult child’s wedding is a goal for many parents (and grandparents). As your Financial Advisor, we can play an important role in helping you plan for these milestones and guiding your conversations.
Learn More
Post-Career
Today's 65-year-olds have a high likelihood of living until their mid-80s, and it's not uncommon anymore to reach substantially beyond that. That means you need to plan for a retirement that will span two decades and potentially much more. Longer retirements are great outcomes, but also place a great deal of stress on a household’s finances. As your Financial Advisor, we make sure to put a plan in place so that you are able to take on any curveball retirement may throw at you.
Learn More
Caregiving
Health care costs are rising, especially for retirees, and many will need long-term care. Learn the moves you can make to help prepare yourself.
Learn More
Death
Dealing with death is never easy. Aside from coping with the loss of a loved one, legal matters also require immediate attention, including administration of the estate. Though it may be hard for individuals to talk about estate planning because of the heartache, addressing it promptly is crucial to saving both time and money, and to minimizing family conflict or confusion. Passing away without a will, known as intestacy, means the state determines how the deceased’s assets will be distributed, and this may not be consistent with the family’s wishes. Proceedings can also be painful and costly for the family.
Learn MoreResource Guide
Below are a few of the products and services that you will have at your disposal as as client.
Morgan Stanley Online
Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
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Alternative Investments
Our leading alternatives platform offers 200+ third-party and proprietary funds, including first look and exclusive opportunities, that may help qualified investors enhance returns, reduce volatility, manage taxes and generate income—while maintaining a goals-based approach for asset allocation.
Morgan Stanley Alternative Investments
Digital Vault
Digital Vault lets you easily and securely manage and share important documents such as account statements, authorizations, tax filings and other relevant documents with your Financial Advisor.
Get Started Today
Financial Planning
Morgan Stanley Financial Planning can show you a single, comprehensive snapshot of your finances. We can help you create a wealth plan that’s adaptable to the different stages of your life using our award winning tools- Goals Planning System (GPS) and LifeView.
Morgan Stanley Goals-Based Wealth Management
Morgan Stanley Portfolio Solutions
Portfolios that harness Morgan Stanley's industry-leading advice, resources and risk management—calibrated to your specific goals.
eDelivery
Sign up for eDelivery today and start receiving email notifications as soon as your account documents are available on Morgan Stanley Online or the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It's quick, convenient & secure.
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399 Park Ave
12th Fl
New York, NY 10022
US
Direct:
(212) 893-6459(212) 893-6459
Fax:
(718) 514-9484(718) 514-9484
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
Article Image
Philanthropy
Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
Article Image
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Carmen B Torruella today.
1Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
4Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
6Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
9Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.
10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures
For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.
2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
3Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.
4Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
6Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.
8Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
9Municipal bonds may not be appropriate for all investors. Income generated from an investment in a municipal bond is generally exempt from federal income taxes. Some income may be subject to state and local taxes and to the federal alternative minimum tax. Capital gains, if any, are subject to tax.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and its Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide any tax/legal advice. Consult your own tax/legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.
10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.
The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)
