Carol L. Passalaqua

I have dedicated my practice helping businesses and individuals develop and implement comprehensive wealth plans for over 40 years.

I joined Morgan Stanley in 1995 after becoming a financial advisor at Prudential Securities in 1993. I began my career in financial services as a bank trust officer in 1981 and spent the next 12 years in the trust industry administering personal trusts and corporate pension plans. 

I am among a select few of Financial Advisors at Morgan Stanley qualified to earn the Corporate Retirement Director designation.  I am also a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Investment Analyst.
Services Include
Securities Agent: TX, PA, GA, FL, RI, IL, ID, WA, WI, OH, MN, IN, NJ, MI, CA, NM, TN, MA, KY, OR, MD, CO, AZ; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1272856
CA Insurance License #: 0C05279
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Education, Awards, Licenses, and Certifications

Education
• Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist Designation Program, College for Financial Planning, Denver, CO (2007)
• Certified Investment Management Analyst Program, Wharton School of Business (2003)
• Certified Financial Planning Education Program, College for Financial Planning, Denver, CO (1991)
• M.B.A. - Keller Graduate School of Management, 1987, Lake Forest, IL (1987)
• B.A. - Southern Illinois University, 1981, Carbondale, IL (1981)
• Associates of Arts - College of Lake County (1979)
Awards
• NAPA (National Association of Plan Advisors - Top Women Advisors 2015
• Chicago Magazine Top Wealth Advisors 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,2022,2023,2024
Associations
• Lake County Estate Planning Council
• Chicago Estate Planning Council
Certifications
• Corporate Retirement Director Designation
• Certified Financial Planner
• Certified Investment Analyst
Disclosures
• 2015 NAPA's Top Women Advisors Source: napa-net.org (Oct 2015) Data compiled by NAPA based on time
• 2013-2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award Source: fivestarprofessional.com (Awarded 2013-2024) The award was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Five-Star Professional based on objective criteria. The award was not based on a specific time period.

Valuable Tools and Resources

We believe financial education leads to better insights into our investment strategy and discipline, and ultimately, better long-term decisions. As a result, we are committed to providing you with important information about managing your wealth more effectively in today’s global markets.
We have assembled the following resources that reinforce the fundamental investment strategies and concepts of our practice. We’ve provided links to these materials, where available, and hope you’ll return often to learn more about the topics that impact your overall wealth.
Thoughts on the Market Podcast
With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Morgan Stanley's Chief Investment Officer and Chief US Equity Strategist as he and his colleagues discuss their viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
Check out the latest episode

Giving Back

Charitable giving is a priority of mine and of my practice. Listed are a few organizations I support:
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    Save-A-Pet
    Save-A-Pet offers rescued dogs and cats the greatest opportunity for a second chance. They are a nonprofit organization and one of the largest no-kill cat and dog rescues in Lake County that operates a full-time adoption center. They provide a safe haven for abused, neglected, injured, lost, or animals that have escaped euthanasia.
    Click here to learn more
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    Paws INC
    Their Mission: is to build No Kill communities – starting with a No Kill Chicago – that respect and value the life of every cat and dog. To end the overpopulation of homeless animals through solutions, practices and education. To transform animal welfare by setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based mode
    Click here to learn more
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    BraveHearts
    BraveHearts brings hope, joy and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse.
    Click here to learn more
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    Lake County Honor Flight
    Lake County Honor Flight is an independent hub of the Honor Flight Network. They work diligently to raise funds in order to provide trips to our veterans at no cost
    Click here to learn more

MODERN WEALTH MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.
    Morgan Stanley Online (photo) - DO NOT EDIT CONTENT - MUST USE AS IS
    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online allows you to seamlessly and securely manage your investments and everyday finances in one place.
    Register for Morgan Stanley Online Today
    Portfolio Risk Platform (photo) - DO NOT EDIT CONTENT - MUST USE AS IS
    Portfolio Risk Platform
    Our Portfolio Risk Platform, backed by institutional-caliber analytics, assesses thousands of risk factors using a holdings-based approach to assess a portfolio’s exposures, analyze how securities behave together across portfolios and forecast how they influence risk and return moving forward.
    Portfolio Risk Platform

Client Service Team

    Carousel Associate Image
    Traci Pepevnik - Senior Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (847) 504-2933(847) 504-2933
    Email:traci.c.pepevnik@morganstanley.com
    Traci Pepevnik is a Senior Client Service Associate.  She joined Morgan Stanley in 2001 and began her career in financial services in 1995.  Traci has a B.A. from Roosevelt University.  Her direct phone number is 1-847-504-2933.
    Carousel Associate Image
    Joni Spungen
    Phone:
    (847) 480-5406(847) 480-5406
    Email:Joni.R.Spungen@morganstanley.com

Location

111 S Pfingsten Rd
Ste 200
Deerfield, IL 60015
US
Direct:
(847) 480-5442(847) 480-5442
Toll-Free:
(800) 543-3623(800) 543-3623
Fax:
(847) 498-1546(847) 498-1546
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
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

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
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

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
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

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
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

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 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Retirement for Plan Sponsors

End-to-End Services, Made Simple:
We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
  • Plan Evaluation
  • Investment Management
  • Plan Management Support
  • Plan Participant Education
State of the Workplace Study 2023
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State of the Workplace Study 2023

Explore Morgan Stanley at Work’s State of the Workplace III Financial Benefits Study results. Discover workforce challenges and how to stay competitive.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Carol L Passalaqua today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan 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.

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2Morgan 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.

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3When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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.

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4When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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.

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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)