Elena Benussi, CAP®
Associate Vice President, Wealth Management,
Financial Advisor,
Portfolio Manager
My Mission Statement
To foster long-term client relationships by providing personalized financial planning strategies with a commitment to excellence, integrity and transparency.
My Story and Services
Drawing on over two decades of financial industry experience, Elena Benussi pledges commitment to clients in delivering comprehensive and sophisticated wealth management advisory services and liability management, addressing both sides of the balance sheet for high-net worth families, professionals in practice, entrepreneurs and retired individuals. Client relationships often begin during times of change and disruption. Managing wealth, family, careers and businesses impact the future. Elena coaches clients through demanding financial decisions with a process to address portfolio construction, wealth, retirement, business succession and legacy planning. She works assiduously to ensure a seamlessly enriched client relationship to the next generation.
Elena has a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation. As a former Board Leader for the American Lung Association in New York, she is compassionate about ending pulmonary disease and is also concerned with children’s cancer, brain aneurysm prevention, human rights, animal welfare and the environment. She volunteers as a judge for the SIFMA foundation Invest Write organization, sponsoring national student essay competitions and strives to raise financial literacy and social impact for the next generation. Her passions include reading, cooking, photography and community service.
Elena has a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation. As a former Board Leader for the American Lung Association in New York, she is compassionate about ending pulmonary disease and is also concerned with children’s cancer, brain aneurysm prevention, human rights, animal welfare and the environment. She volunteers as a judge for the SIFMA foundation Invest Write organization, sponsoring national student essay competitions and strives to raise financial literacy and social impact for the next generation. Her passions include reading, cooking, photography and community service.
Services Include
- Wealth ManagementFootnote1
- Financial PlanningFootnote2
- Retirement PlanningFootnote3
- Professional Portfolio ManagementFootnote4
- Business Succession PlanningFootnote5
- Executive Financial ServicesFootnote6
- Estate Planning StrategiesFootnote7
- Cash Management and Lending ProductsFootnote8
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote9
- Philanthropic Services
- 401(k) Rollovers
Securities Agent: MA, WA, WI, TX, PA, OR, NY, NJ, KS, FL, CT, CA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1308285
NMLS#: 1308285
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Asset Allocation and Portfolio Planning
I will work with you using a process that focuses on you and your goals, integrating investment decisions with your immediate financial needs and desired aspirations. This process encompasses four steps:
1 Personal Review
Before I can advise you, I must understand you and your goals. I will guide you through an extensive discovery process to identify your objectives, time horizon, tolerance for risk and other considerations that may play a role in shaping your investment strategy.
2 Asset Allocation and Portfolio Planning
Your input drives the development of a personalized financial strategy. Designed to help you meet your specific needs, it addresses areas such as retirement, education expenses, and tax minimization potential. When my analysis is complete, I will present to you an investment strategy that helps to identify appropriate diversification for your portfolio.
3 Implementation
After I have discussed and refined your strategy, I will work closely with you to bring the elements to life. Should we decide that outside money managers are appropriate for you, I will help you select from the hundreds of investment management firms available to you. If you prefer to invest in individual securities, I can help identify specific stocks, bonds and other securities that may be suitable for your portfolio.
4 Ongoing Communications and Reporting
I view ongoing communication as the foundation of our successful collaboration with you. I will make every effort to keep abreast of your changing financial needs and provide viable strategies to help you meet them. This means reviewing your portfolio together at your request. When your circumstances change, I will work with you to revise your strategy and reposition your assets to reflect your new needs and goals.
Client Committment
Being proactive in anticipating your life transitions to be prepared for them.
Working together to help you make the best life possible.
Keeping you accountable with your goals and on track to achieve them.
Striving for excellence in serving clients.
Whether you are starting or selling a business or practice, engaging in multigenerational planning or retiring, I work with clients at all stages of life.
Working together to help you make the best life possible.
Keeping you accountable with your goals and on track to achieve them.
Striving for excellence in serving clients.
Whether you are starting or selling a business or practice, engaging in multigenerational planning or retiring, I work with clients at all stages of life.
My clients include:
- Individuals near or in retirement
- High-net-worth families and next generation
- Business owners (including family businesses)
- Corporate executives
- Start-Up Entrepreneurs
- Physicians
- Mid-career professionals and their families
- Nonprofit organizations
Media and Research
Morgan Stanley seeks to make complex financial ideas more digestible so that our clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future, and why. The links below provide in-depth analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the worlds of business and finance not only now, but in the future.
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
Total Tax 365
Taxes can be a substantial drag on investment returns. Morgan Stanley Total Tax 365 offers access to a broad range of tax-efficient strategies to help you integrate tax planning into your investment process all year long, maximize portfolio after-tax return potential and help keep more of what you earn.
Learn More
Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
A solution that may help you execute planned giving, offer an efficient way to donate complex and illiquid assets, and simplify charitable giving reporting while potentially mitigating taxes. Bring philanthropy into your wealth plan and help amplify the impact of your giving through the Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust (MS GIFT).
MS GIFT
529 Education Savings Plans
529 plans offer a flexible, tax-advantaged way to invest for education expenses while helping to improve estate planning. Gain fiduciary oversight of your education funding strategy within the context of your broader portfolio through the exclusive Morgan Stanley National Advisory 529 Plan.
529 Plan Options at Morgan Stanley
Socially Responsible Investing
Our Investing with Impact platform has designed a proprietary process to identify your impact priorities and match them with one of our 360+ investment strategies or customizable portfolio solutions across asset classes, to tailor your portfolio and monitor both financial and impact results over time.
Morgan Stanley Investing with ImpactModern Wealth Tools
Morgan Stanley's suite of Modern Wealth Management Tools allows advisors to offer more customized and comprehensive advice than anywhere else. These tools' ease of use allows for a more in-depth view of a client's financial life to be taken, resulting in better service and more well-rounded advice.
Morgan Stanley Online (MSO)
Allows you to conveniently and securely manage your account online or on your mobile device.
To learn more, and to log in click here
Morgan Stanley Mobile App
Access your account wherever, whenever using the Morgan Stanley Mobile App. It gives you the same capabilities as Morgan Stanley Online from the convenience of your phone.
To learn about the mobile capabilities and how to get the app, click here
E-Authorization
With E-Authorization, you no longer need to sign a paper Letter of Authorization (LOA) to authorize a wire transfer request.
To sign up for E-Authorization log into MSO
E-Sign
E-Sign is a digital, paperless alternative to the traditional means of obtaining signatures from clients on paperwork. There is no registration process for you to begin using E-Sign - all you need is a valid email address and phone number.
Click here to learn how to sign up
E-Delivery
E-Delivery allows you to securely save, print, send, and receive documents at any time from both Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App.
To learn more, click here
Digital Vault
The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
To learn more, watch this video
Total Wealth View
The ability to view all of your assets and liabilities together, whether held at Morgan Stanley or elsewhere, enables us to advise with your entire financial picture in mind.
To learn more, click here
Goals Planning System
GPS helps clients define what they want out of life, and then creates a financial framework to bring these goals to life.
To learn more, watch this video
Security Center
Learn about our latest security measures, how we are safeguarding your assets and personal information and find actionable insights and resources on important cybersecurity topics to enhance your own online security.
Visit our Security CenterLocation
55 East 52nd Street
6th Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Wealth Management
From My Desk
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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.
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
LifeView® Goal Analysis Client Questionnaire
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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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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
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
Overcoming Your 5 Biggest Retirement Challenges
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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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Ready to start a conversation? Contact Elena Benussi today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
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.
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.
4Morgan 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.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
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 and other legal matters.
8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
9Alternative 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.
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
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.
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.
4Morgan 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.
5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or 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 legal matters.
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 and other legal matters.
8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.
Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
9Alternative 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.
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)
