My Story and Services

Based in New York, Sam McCormick is an experienced financial advisor focused on building strong, trusting relationships with high-net-worth clients and families. He has spent his entire financial career at Morgan Stanley, since joining the firm in 2014.

Sam is highly regarded for his ability to develop customized financial plans and investment strategies. Sam’s extensive knowledge of various investment products allows him to create tailored solutions specific to his client’s goals and interests.

“Every person, family, and small business is in a unique circumstance. Each will have their own set of objectives and complexities, there isn’t one answer for all. This requires me to problem solve in the most personalized way.”

Sam is adept at utilizing Morgan Stanley’s immense research, premier trading platform, and full spectrum of investment choices to give his clients access to a diverse range of opportunities.

Sam values building long lasting relationships with his clients “The more I get to know them, the better I am positioned to give sound advice and add significant value.” He paused then continued: “I want clients to feel as enthusiastic working with me as I am with them.”

Sam is proud to work alongside the other members of the Pelican Bay Group to give clients the level of experience they deserve. “We really have an unrivaled team of professionals that strive to give clients extraordinary service and support.”

A graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in history, Sam holds Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and a Life, Accident & Health Insurance license. A native New Yorker, Sam and his wife spend time on the weekends taking advantage of the city, exploring parks, restaurants, and museums. When the time permits, Sam enjoys staying active by playing tennis, golf, and basketball.
Services Include
Securities Agent: PA, TX, NC, MI, NM, MS, WI, NY, VI, MD, NJ, CT, WY, OK, OR, VT, VA, SC, SD, RI, TN, WV, KS, WA, NH, UT, ND, NE, PR, LA, ME, OH, MN, NV, MO, KY, HI, IA, ID, GA, MT, FL, MA, CO, IN, IL, DE, CA, DC, AZ, AR, AL, AK; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1482033
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

My Services, Explained:

I am committed to providing advice to help you achieve your financial goals.

My goal is to fully understand your finances so I can help customize a wealth plan that proactively aligns your finances and investments. My objective is to earn your confidence not only through the quality of solutions I provide to you, but also through the excellence with which they are delivered.
    Icon Image
    Workplace Advisors - Equity Compensation
    As the administrator of your company's equity
    compensation plan, we pride ourselves on helping you manage your awards effectively. We are here to provide
    easy access to your account, answer questions about your awards and handle your transactions accurately and
    conveniently. We help build financial confidence through
    insightful advice, thoughtful education end cutting-edge
    technology across a suite of workplace solutions.
    Learn More About Our Financial Wellness Program
    Icon Image
    Wealth Management
    At Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, exclusive access
    to vast resources, combined with our unique capabilities,
    gives us the means to support your goals at every life
    stage. We provide a range of solutions to meet you where
    you are—no matter your starting point or preferred
    investing approach. We understand that as family or
    institutional wealth increases, the implementation of
    investment strategies becomes increasingly complex end
    portfolios require close monitoring to remain within
    intended parameters.
    Learn More About Our Wealth Management Services
    Icon Image
    Risk Analysis
    We take a holistic approach to managing your finances by
    identifying risk outliers and understanding the Impact of
    market scenarios. We leverage Morgan Stanley's Portfolio
    Risk Platform and the risk analytics integrated to
    understand risk insights across thousands of risk
    factors. We can instantly analyze an entire portfolio,
    including assets held elsewhere, which helps identify and
    mitigate your risk.
    Introducing the New Portfolio Risk Platform
    Icon Image
    Portfolio Management
    We study investment trends and leverage the global
    resources of the firm to help you develop a personalized
    investment strategy. We'll develop a customized portfolio
    to meet your requirements for growth, income and wealth
    conservation within your risk constraints. Our experience,
    training and investment philosophy offer guidance—both
    in ongoing portfolio management decisions end
    understanding investment risk while keeping your long-
    term goals in view.
    Icon Image
    Retirement Planning
    We are here to help you create a well-rounded planning
    approach for retirement and create your estate planning
    strategy designed to preserve, manage, and distribute
    your assets during and after your lifetime, while helping
    to minimize taxation. We are here to help manage your
    employer's retirement plan (i.e. 401(k) plan), identify your
    personal goals, track your progress toward achieving
    them and work together to create a customized plan.
    View Insights on Retirement Planning
    Icon Image
    Cash Management & Lending
    As a client, you will have access to a suite of cash
    management solutions as a competitive alternative to a
    traditional bank. Through your Morgan Stanley Active
    Assets Account or CashPIus Brokerage Account, you can
    access a full suite of Cash Management Solutions to help
    you manage your everyday finances. Additionally, we're
    able to provide qualified clients with financing solutions
    for almost any personal or business need using the
    eligible securities in your brokerage account as collateral
    for a flexible line of credit.

Our Ultra-High Net Worth Clients

Everyone with investable assets requires the fundamentals of wealth management – financial planning, an investment portfolio, and management of a personal balance sheet.

These are services we provide to every client, however; individuals and families with $10 million or more in assets (which we define as “ultra-high net worth”) have additional considerations, which are an important part of our service. See a handful of resources for these clients below.
    Icon Image
    Wealth Transfer
    Taking care of future generations is a core objective of many clients. Our advice on the most effective way to structure wealth transfer can make a meaningful difference in terms of taxes, control and family dynamics.
    Icon Image
    Philanthropy
    Our clients often have a cherished institution or cause to which they want to make a lasting contribution. We help clients sort through the many ways to structure philanthropic plans to maximize the value of their gift.
    Icon Image
    Legacy Planning
    How do you want to be remembered? Many clients come to us with general ideas, but without a specific, defined strategy to accomplish their legacy goals. We work with them to create a plan.
    Legacies That Last
    Icon Image
    Endowments & Foundations
    Many clients with substantial wealth choose to create an endowment at an institution, or a foundation with a defined charitable goal. Our team, plus top professionals at Morgan Stanley, have the necessary experience and specialized knowledge to manage this task.
    Icon Image
    Tax-Efficient Portfolios
    Morgan Stanley Portfolio Solutions/Parametric Tax
    Efficient Portfolios are designated for high-net-worth
    investors seeking a tax-managed, diversified portfolio.
    Portfolios are monitored, evaluated, and rebalanced to
    maintain diversification and react to changing market
    conditions.
    Tax-Efficient Strategies
    Icon Image
    Signature Access
    Signature Access, the highest tier of Morgan Stanley's
    complimentary loyalty program Reserved Living & Giving.
    gives clients with $10 million or more in assets at the firm
    access to world class services such as Private Health
    Advisory, Personal Cybersecurity Services, Aircraft
    Management and more in addition to all the discounts
    and content available through Reserved Living & Giving.
    MS Reserved Living & Giving
    Icon Image
    Family Office Cybersecurity
    Family Offices can be quite vulnerable to cyber threats
    and the dangers of ransomware are real. Consider these
    best practices to protect your information and assets in
    an increasingly complex digital world.
    Family Offices & Cybersecurity
    Icon Image
    Family Limited Partnership
    Leverage your lifetime gift tax exemptions by making gifts of limited partnership interests, in trust or outright, to your family members on a discounted basis. Train younger generations to manage assets and limit outside ownership to easily facilitate estate planning. Enjoy estate and gift tax, income, and management benefits if a FLP is right for you.

GENERATIONAL WEALTH

Managing significant family and generational wealth is complex and often raises difficult questions. See the resources below for more information about managing and preserving significant family wealth.

    Icon Image
    Family Governance and Wealth Education Fact Sheet

    Our mission is to help clients maximize the value of their family capital through the transfer and preservation of the family's shared values, and the creation of an enduring family legacy.

    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Opening Pandora's Box: 10 Rules for Talking to Kids About Money

    Discussing family wealth and financial matters with children can be daunting for families. Read the linked article from Glenn Kurlander, Head of Family Governance & Wealth Education at Morgan Stanley, for more information about navigating this delicate subject.

    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Wealth Education Development Plan

    The Family Governance & Wealth Education group helps ultra high net worth families strive to maximize the value of their human capital by driving family wealth education, making it more likely that all members of the family will have the foundation they need to lead meaningful, fulfilled and engaged lives.

    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Your Guide to Life and Money Playbook

    Our goal is to help prepare the next generation of leaders, parents, philanthropists, innovators, trustees, executors, board members, and investors by empowering you with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve your goals.

    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Estate Planning Strategies

    Tax, Trust & Estate (TTE) strategy has the potential to be incredibly powerful if executed effectively. For a successful TTE plan, it is critical to create a TTE implementation in combination with a TTE strategy.

    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Importance of a Holistic Approach to Your Wealth Video

    Watch the below video from Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources to learn how Morgan Stanley FOR can help integrate family values, philanthropy, and legacy into your unique wealth plan.

    Learn More Here

High Net Worth Estate Planning

Everyone with investable assets requires the fundamentals of wealth management – financial planning, an investment portfolio, and management of a personal balance sheet.

These are services we provide to every client, however; individuals and families with $10 million or more in assets (which we define as “ultra-high net worth”) have additional considerations, which are an important part of our service. See a handful of resources for these clients below.
    Icon Image
    Our Estate Planning Toolkit
    View our Estate Planning Toolkit to learn more about the estate planning process and how we can help.
    Read Here
    Icon Image
    Wealth Transfer Brochure
    Learn more about Wealth Transfer Planning by viewing the Wealth Transfer Brochure below.
    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Gifting the Estate Tax Exemption While Maintaining Access
    The gift and estate tax exemption amount is $12.92 million in 2023. Many clients wish to use the exemption but are concerned with maintaining control of the funds and maintaining access should they need it.
    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Concentrated Position Toolkit
    The concentrated position toolkit assists in curating and navigating an expansive suite of extensive resources to address concentrated positions.
    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Equity Compensation Can Have Complex Implications
    Your Compensation Package may Include an Equity Plan. Learn more about various equity compensation forms.
    Learn More Here
    Icon Image
    Helping Maximize Your Equity Compensation
    Learn how executives can define a strategy that efficiently navigates the complexities of equity awards to help achieve their personal financial goals.
    Learn More Here

Location

55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 230-3592(212) 230-3592
Fax:
(240) 392-4476(240) 392-4476
Wealth Management
From My Desk

The Pelican Bay Group Q2 2024 Market Commentary


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
Article Image

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
Article Image

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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
Article Image

Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

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

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 
Article Image

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.

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
Article Image

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.

Mosaic

Explore ideas and inspiration with captivating, original lifestyle stories created exclusively for Morgan Stanley clients.
A Change of Greenery
Article Image

A Change of Greenery

Houseplants add oxygen, flair, and warmth year-round, and the right one in the right space can do just as much for a room as any painting or side table.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Sam McCormick today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

Back to top



2When 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.

Back to top



3Morgan 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.

Back to top



4Alternative 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.

Back to top



5When 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 always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

Back to top



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.

Back to top



7Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

Back to top



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)