Welcome

For our team, retirement planning means more than providing our clients with investment advice. It means helping them maintain the financial independence they've worked their whole lives to achieve. It means striving to ensure they have the means to pursue what is most important to them. And it means understanding them as people with unique goals, values and circumstances that determine the strategies we develop on their behalf. Our consultative process begins with an in-depth discussion of your current finances and future objectives. We'll address issues you might have overlooked that can have a significant impact on your ability to retire as planned. Finally, we'll determine how we can help you adjust your investment strategy as necessary to accommodate changing conditions and meet any unforeseen expenses and income demands that may arise during retirement.

2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Digital Resources

Our goal is simple: “To be the firm where the most talented, trusted advisors in the industry leverage cutting-edge technology and deliver customized wealth management solutions to their clients and their families to enable them to achieve their life goals.” The Firm strives to ensure it serves clients on market-leading technology platforms that are resilient, safe, efficient, smart, fast and flexible.
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    Morgan Stanley Online
    Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App provide clients with access to their account information, enriched reporting tools, several cash management solutions and robust market research. The Morgan Stanley Mobile App provides clients with access to their accounts in just a few taps.
    View Account
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    Strategy- Intelligent Withdrawals
    Building wealth is a means to an end. Taxes can eat up a significant portion of your assets upon withdrawal. This is why it's vital to look at your entire portfolio and coordinate liquidation to help reduce the impact of taxes and potentially improve investment results.

    The decisions your make today can help you save for years to come. Use the resources found in the link below to help get started.
    View Tax-Aware Strategies Here
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    Digital Vault
    Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one of the best gifts you can give those you love in the event of a catastrophe or serious illness, disability, or death. Your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital and timely information to both your family and professional advisors. The Digital Vault can be accessed both via Morgan Stanley Online and the Morgan Stanley Mobile App, allowing you to construct a central, shared document library where all documents can be stored using encryption.
    Log into your Digital Vault
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    Spending and Budgeting Tool
    One way to manage savings is by using Morgan Stanley’s Spending and Budgeting tool. These tools help advisors monitor client cash flows across both internal and external accounts. It also tracks spending patterns and produces an income and expense analysis to help clients achieve their goals by adjusting their spending behavior when necessary.
    Start Using the Tool Today
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    MS Reserved
    Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards clients with over one million dollars in assets and liabilities invested at the firm. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
    Learn More About MS Reserved
    A $695 Annual Engagement Bonus
    A $695 Annual Engagement Bonus
    For eligible Platinum CashPlus brokerage account clients with The Platinum Card® from American Express, exclusively for Morgan Stanley. Certain Morgan Stanley Debit Cardholders may also qualify. Terms apply.
    Click Here to Learn More
    eDelivery
    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.
    Enroll Today
    Portfolio Risk Platform (icon) - 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
    Total Tax 365
    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
    Security Center
    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 Center

Comprehensive Financial Planning

Regardless of what stage your life is in - moving ahead in your career, enjoying retirement, or somewhere in between - as your Financial Advisors, we can help you achieve your financial goals.

Using a suite of tools that includes goal-specific analysis, we can work with you to create a realistic, holistic strategy that integrates the various aspects of your financial life, including your investments and cash management needs.

We can create your personal roadmap to help achieve and protect your goals — a framework that makes the connection between your life goals and your financial resources, and provides a baseline for future discussions.
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    2023 Tax Reminders
    With the new year comes New Year’s resolutions. One you may want to consider this year is filing your income tax returns in advance of Federal Tax Day.
    Access the checklist
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    Manage Debt
    We thoroughly review your mortgage, car loans, credit cards, and any other debts that you may have in order to help determine where you can save on interest and create a timeline for your debt payments by prioritizing which ones should be paid off first.
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    Insurance
    We take an extremely close look at your financial profile to decipher what type(s) of insurance most fit your needs, and determine if your current insurance policies are best suited for you and your goals.
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    Retirement
    Leading up to and through retirement, Cornerstone Capital helps you identify the most appropriate ways to obtain the income you need and help ensure that you are on track to achieve for financial goals.
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    Estate Planning Strategies
    Regardless of your current financial circumstances, it is crucial to have a backup plan for your money. We regularly review your finances with you and coordinate with your estate attorney to help ensure that your wishes are met in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
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    Managing Investments
    We take care of your retirement accounts and other investments based on your comfort level with risk and your current tax circumstances, tailoring your financial strategy to your unique situation, needs, and goals.
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    Total Wealth View
    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your external account information, you will benefit from more informed and comprehensive wealth planning, and convenient connectivity.
    Learn More

Market and Research

We strive to make complex financial ideas more digestible so that my clients understand what is being done on their behalf to plan for their financial future. The links below provide detailed analysis on interesting topics that are affecting the finance and business worlds.
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    GIC Weekly Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance, and fixed income.
    Read the Latest Report
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    On The Markets Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy, and more.
    Read The Latest Report
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    Thoughts on The Market Podcast
    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
    The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology, and beyond.
    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    Understanding Your Retirement Plan Options When You Leave a Job
    You have several choices for what to do with your qualified retirement plan when you leave a job. Deciding among them is an important step in managing your retirement savings over time.
    View Here
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    What's Your Relationship with Wealth? For Many, It's Complicated.
    If they are going to be successful, family conversations about wealth often require us to engage in deep, introspective analysis to understand our own personal values and opinions, as well as what drives and motivates us.
    View Here
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    Your Guide to Tax-Efficient Planning
    The tax decisions you make today can help you save for years to come. Consider these smart tax strategies for your financial plan.
    View Here
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    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
    When market volatility arises, checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense. Use this article to see if you are on track.
    View Here
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    Thinking About Your Legacy? You May Need A Trust.
    You can’t take it with you, but through a trust, you can define how you want your life’s work and wealth to continue to benefit the people and causes you love and care for.
    Read Here
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    Taking Control of Your Finances After Divorce or Death of a Spouse
    Divorce or the death of a spouse can turn the best laid financial plans upside down. An income stream dries up; assets may be divided; in short, where life had a feeling of certainty, you may now be standing on shifting ground.
    Read Here

Annuities & Insurance

A sound wealth plan involves more than just seeking returns. It also involves mitigating and managing risks, helping clients when the unexpected occurs. Insurance and annuities are often used to help clients plan for and guard against life’s hidden curves—helping protect their assets and their family’s well-being.
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    How To Plan for Hidden Risks
    Hidden risks abound. For affluent families, this can mean unwanted financial exposure. A simple risk assessment can go a long way to closing these gaps.
    View Here
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    Planning for the Rising Costs of Health Care
    Health care costs are rising—especially for retirees, and some may need long-term care. Learn the moves you can make to help prepare yourself.
    View Here
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    You're Ready for Retirement. Is Your Portfolio?
    The market can influence your decision on when to retire. Learn how to help protect your nest egg, including the potential role of annuities in retirement.
    View Here
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    Insured Solutions: Protection for the Unexpected
    At Morgan Stanley, we offer a robust suite of insurance and annuities solutions backed by its licensed insurance agency affiliates that can aid in safeguarding you and your loved ones.
    View Our Insured Solutions Hub

Location

3800 Glenwood Ave
Ste 500
Raleigh, NC 27612
US
Direct:
(919) 971-8860(919) 971-8860

Meet The Aggarwal Group

About Aman Aggarwal

Aman is responsible for overlooking our clients’ retirement years. He helps to forecast cash flows, creates plans to help grow wealth and oversee the transfer of it from one generation to the next.

With The Aggarwal Group at Morgan Stanley since 2009, Aman has brought his critical thinking background to help solve our clients’ complex issues. He holds a BBA from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MBA from Duke University.

Outside of work, Aman enjoys spending time with his wife Emily, and their three sons Zayn (born in 2020), Luka (born 2021), and Asher (born 2023). They enjoy social events as well as traveling to exotic destinations.
Securities Agent: AR, SC, OH, TN, MO, MA, CT, CA, WV, GA, NJ, AL, OR, MS, DC, KY, VA, PA, NY, MI, MD, IL, AZ, TX, WA, VT, NV, NC, MN, FL, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1414677

About Arjun Aggarwal

Arjun is responsible for the building, management and continual monitoring of our client portfolios—with the goal of helping grow and preserve wealth for the long term.

Arjun began his financial career as a financial analyst with Morgan Stanley in 2007—one month after his college graduation. He joined The Aggarwal Group in 2012 and holds a BBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Outside of work, Arjun enjoys playing tennis and golf, and traveling with his friends and family.
Securities Agent: MO, IL, CT, CO, VA, MD, AZ, AL, TX, WV, OR, NY, MI, KY, DC, SC, NJ, NC, MN, OH, FL, CA, WA, NV, TN, PA, MS, MA, GA, AR, VT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Transactional Futures/Commodities; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1435709

About Ashwin Aggarwal

Ashi is responsible for the day-to-day operations, helping to ensure things run smoothly and seamlessly for the team and our clients. He is the door to the team helping clients with everything from cash management and account questions.

Ashi has been with The Aggarwal Group at Morgan Stanley since 2004. He holds a BA from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as the Certified Financial Planner designation. Ashi was recently promoted to First Vice President.

When Ashi isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Puja, and their two young sons, Ayaan and Avir. He also loves playing golf, traveling and spending time with friends.
Securities Agent: NY, FL, TX, PA, OR, MI, VT, SD, OH, KY, IN, WA, NJ, MO, MN, LA, IA, NV, WV, VA, DC, CT, TN, MS, IL, GA, AZ, AL, SC, NC, MD, CO, CA, AR, MA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Tracy Varner

In her role as Client Service Associate, Tracy is responsible for helping with all aspects of client service. She answers client queries and takes client requests, while providing the team with the support necessary to maintain top client service.

Tracy has been with The Aggarwal Group at Morgan Stanley since 2013. She holds a BS in Marketing from the State University of New York at Oswego.

Tracy moved from upstate New York to Raleigh in 2006. And when she isn't working, she spends time with her fiancé, her daughter Maya and her two dogs.

About Brooke Rudolph

In July of 2019, Brooke joined Morgan Stanley as a Client Service Associate. Brooke performs daily operational and administrative activities for the team. She works with the team to ensure that client requests are met with efficiency, personalized service and informed professionalism.

Brooke graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 where she earned a B.A. in International/Global Studies and a B.S. in Agricultural Business Management. She is originally from the Midwest, but has lived all over the US and internationally before settling down in Eastern North Carolina. Brooke currently lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband, Perry, and their Irish Setter, Weller. Outside of work Brooke enjoys travelling, cooking, baking (desserts and bread), and spending time with friends and family. She is also a member of Vintage Church in downtown Raleigh.
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.

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.

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 The Aggarwal Group 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’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.

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2Annuities are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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3Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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4Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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5Structured Investments are complex and not appropriate for all investors. An investment in structured investments involves risks. These risks can include but are not limited to: fluctuations in the price, level or yield of underlying asset(s), interest rates, currency values and credit quality, substantial loss of principal, limits on participation in appreciation of underlying asset(s), limited liquidity, credit risk, and/or conflicts of interest. Many structured investments do not pay interest or guarantee a return above principal at maturity. Investors should read the security’s offering documentation prior to making an investment decision.

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6Morgan 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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7When 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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8When 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.

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9Morgan 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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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)