

The Becker Group at Morgan Stanley
Direct:
(312) 648-3472(312) 648-3472
Toll-Free:
(800) 621-5231(800) 621-5231

Our Mission Statement
To play an active role in your financial success and share in the joy of your accomplishments.
Our Story
Through decades of advising individual and institutional clients, we have learned something that might not be readily apparent.
They have much in common.
Both have specific financial goals. An individual might be concerned about retiring in comfort and leaving a meaningful legacy without family conflict or excessive taxation. A corporation may be seeking to improve employee loyalty and satisfaction by helping them prepare for life after work. A non-profit institution has a mission to accomplish and expenses that must be matched by donations and investment returns.
None has ever told us that their primary goal was to beat a market index.
The Becker Wealth Management Group is a team of experienced financial professionals who are dedicated to helping clients meet the goals most important to them, no matter how complex. Bruce Becker, the founder of the team, is one of the relatively few Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors to have earned the firms Family Wealth Director designation. He has helped numerous clients transition from their businesses, plan their estates and prepare their families for the complexities that often accompany substantial wealth. Jeremy Piwnicki is a Morgan Stanley credentialed Corporate Retirement Director who works closely with business owners, executives and corporations to enhance their financial plans, fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and prepare employees for the next chapter in their lives. Michael Bernhard is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) who helps provide clients with comprehensive plans that encompass not only their investments, but virtually every aspect of their financial lives.
Together we offer the guidance to help you identify and surmount the obstacles standing between you and your goals. And we also offer our commitment to remember that being included in our clients’ lives is a privilege that we will work tirelessly to earn and deserve.
They have much in common.
Both have specific financial goals. An individual might be concerned about retiring in comfort and leaving a meaningful legacy without family conflict or excessive taxation. A corporation may be seeking to improve employee loyalty and satisfaction by helping them prepare for life after work. A non-profit institution has a mission to accomplish and expenses that must be matched by donations and investment returns.
None has ever told us that their primary goal was to beat a market index.
The Becker Wealth Management Group is a team of experienced financial professionals who are dedicated to helping clients meet the goals most important to them, no matter how complex. Bruce Becker, the founder of the team, is one of the relatively few Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors to have earned the firms Family Wealth Director designation. He has helped numerous clients transition from their businesses, plan their estates and prepare their families for the complexities that often accompany substantial wealth. Jeremy Piwnicki is a Morgan Stanley credentialed Corporate Retirement Director who works closely with business owners, executives and corporations to enhance their financial plans, fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and prepare employees for the next chapter in their lives. Michael Bernhard is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) who helps provide clients with comprehensive plans that encompass not only their investments, but virtually every aspect of their financial lives.
Together we offer the guidance to help you identify and surmount the obstacles standing between you and your goals. And we also offer our commitment to remember that being included in our clients’ lives is a privilege that we will work tirelessly to earn and deserve.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Preparing for Retirement
“Am I going to have enough money to last for the rest of my life?”
That is the question asked by many of our clients as they begin their relationship with us. Sometimes the answer is exactly what they want to hear but unfortunately, not always.
We don’t shy away from the truth when advising our clients. Our planning process looks at your spending habits and projected expenses, as well as your savings and any resources available to you in the future like Social Security and pension payments.
With Morgan Stanley’s state-of-the-art financial planning platform, we are able to determine where you are on your journey to retirement and whether you’ll be able to arrive at your destination on time and as planned. If not, we will create strategies for you that are designed to help fill the gap between your resources and the cost of the retirement you envision for yourself. Once you do retire, we will continue to refine those strategies in an effort to provide you with the income you need to meet both day-to-day and unforeseen expenses.
One more important point – if you participate in your employer’s 401(k) plan, you’ve made a great start toward planning for retirement. But planning requires more than ongoing contributions. We’ve worked with numerous plan participants to advise them on issues that are equally important. These include:
Rolling Over Retirement Plan Assets...Or Not
Too many executives make an avoidable mistake when they retire or leave their employer for another firm: They roll over all their 401(k) or other retirement plan assets to an IRA.
Ordinarily, this is a sound strategy that can help you eliminate immediate tax liability and continue accumulating assets on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, an IRA can provide your heirs with greater flexibility down the road and less estate tax liability. Shares of any employer stock that you’ve acquired in your retirement plan, however, should probably not be rolled over with the rest of your assets. By pursuing this strategy, you will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates when you eventually sell your shares and withdraw the proceeds. Fortunately, there are strategies you can apply to avoid unnecessary tax erosion. We can show you what’s involved and whether it is a suitable choice for you
Separating from Service
Different companies have different policies about stock options, restricted stock units and other equity compensation programs once you retire or leave the company. If you’re leaving your employer to take another job or if you’ve been laid off or downsized, chances you will forfeit any equity compensation in which you are not vested. If you’re retiring, policies may be more lenient.
We understand that you may not be able to choose the exact date you leave your company for another job, but you may have considerably more latitude when it comes to your retirement. Before you choose a retirement date, we’ll help you determine when you have the best chance of maximizing the options and shares that are available to you.
Disclosure:
Typically, a retirement plan participant leaving an employer's plan has the following four options (and may be able to use a combination of these options depending on their employment status, age and the availability of the particular option):
1. Cash out the account value and take a lump sum distribution from the current plan subject to mandatory 20% federal income tax withholding, as well as potential income taxes and 10% early withdrawal penalty tax, or continue tax deferred growth potential by doing one of the following:
2. Leave the assets in the former employer’s plan (if permitted)
3. Roll over the retirement assets into the new employer’s qualified plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted, or
4. Roll over the retirement savings into an IRA
Other factors to consider when making a rollover decision include (among other things) the differences in: (1) investment options, (2) fees and expenses, (3) services, (4) penalty-free withdrawals, (5) creditor protection in bankruptcy and from legal judgments, (6) required minimum distributions or “RMDs,” (7) the Tax Treatment of Employer Stock, and (8) the availability of plan loans (e.g., loans are not permitted from IRAs, and the availability from an employer’s qualified retirement plan will depend on the terms of the plan.)
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. 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.
That is the question asked by many of our clients as they begin their relationship with us. Sometimes the answer is exactly what they want to hear but unfortunately, not always.
We don’t shy away from the truth when advising our clients. Our planning process looks at your spending habits and projected expenses, as well as your savings and any resources available to you in the future like Social Security and pension payments.
With Morgan Stanley’s state-of-the-art financial planning platform, we are able to determine where you are on your journey to retirement and whether you’ll be able to arrive at your destination on time and as planned. If not, we will create strategies for you that are designed to help fill the gap between your resources and the cost of the retirement you envision for yourself. Once you do retire, we will continue to refine those strategies in an effort to provide you with the income you need to meet both day-to-day and unforeseen expenses.
One more important point – if you participate in your employer’s 401(k) plan, you’ve made a great start toward planning for retirement. But planning requires more than ongoing contributions. We’ve worked with numerous plan participants to advise them on issues that are equally important. These include:
Rolling Over Retirement Plan Assets...Or Not
Too many executives make an avoidable mistake when they retire or leave their employer for another firm: They roll over all their 401(k) or other retirement plan assets to an IRA.
Ordinarily, this is a sound strategy that can help you eliminate immediate tax liability and continue accumulating assets on a tax-deferred basis. In addition, an IRA can provide your heirs with greater flexibility down the road and less estate tax liability. Shares of any employer stock that you’ve acquired in your retirement plan, however, should probably not be rolled over with the rest of your assets. By pursuing this strategy, you will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates when you eventually sell your shares and withdraw the proceeds. Fortunately, there are strategies you can apply to avoid unnecessary tax erosion. We can show you what’s involved and whether it is a suitable choice for you
Separating from Service
Different companies have different policies about stock options, restricted stock units and other equity compensation programs once you retire or leave the company. If you’re leaving your employer to take another job or if you’ve been laid off or downsized, chances you will forfeit any equity compensation in which you are not vested. If you’re retiring, policies may be more lenient.
We understand that you may not be able to choose the exact date you leave your company for another job, but you may have considerably more latitude when it comes to your retirement. Before you choose a retirement date, we’ll help you determine when you have the best chance of maximizing the options and shares that are available to you.
Disclosure:
Typically, a retirement plan participant leaving an employer's plan has the following four options (and may be able to use a combination of these options depending on their employment status, age and the availability of the particular option):
1. Cash out the account value and take a lump sum distribution from the current plan subject to mandatory 20% federal income tax withholding, as well as potential income taxes and 10% early withdrawal penalty tax, or continue tax deferred growth potential by doing one of the following:
2. Leave the assets in the former employer’s plan (if permitted)
3. Roll over the retirement assets into the new employer’s qualified plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted, or
4. Roll over the retirement savings into an IRA
Other factors to consider when making a rollover decision include (among other things) the differences in: (1) investment options, (2) fees and expenses, (3) services, (4) penalty-free withdrawals, (5) creditor protection in bankruptcy and from legal judgments, (6) required minimum distributions or “RMDs,” (7) the Tax Treatment of Employer Stock, and (8) the availability of plan loans (e.g., loans are not permitted from IRAs, and the availability from an employer’s qualified retirement plan will depend on the terms of the plan.)
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. 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.
Community Involvement
Bruce is on the board of the new charitable organization COCE, Children Outreach & Community Empowerment, an organization that is committed to increasing childhood literacy in Tanzania. COCE has already built a high school that has graduated ten classes and has recently focused its efforts on establishing learning centers for grades 1-3.
Jeremy is an active member of his community. He serves as a board member and Treasurer at Deerhaven Home, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build a campus for families in crisis in McHenry County, Illinois.
Michael is an active in his church and volunteers with Safe Families, an organization committed to mentoring children who are aging out of the foster care system.
Jeremy is an active member of his community. He serves as a board member and Treasurer at Deerhaven Home, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build a campus for families in crisis in McHenry County, Illinois.
Michael is an active in his church and volunteers with Safe Families, an organization committed to mentoring children who are aging out of the foster care system.
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund
Please take a moment to view a short video regarding our partnership and involvement with the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund!
Click Here to Watch!Location
227 West Monroe St
Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60606
US
Direct:
(312) 648-3472(312) 648-3472
Toll-Free:
(800) 621-5231(800) 621-5231
Meet The Becker Group
About Bruce M Becker
Founder of The Becker Wealth Management Group, Bruce brings more than 35 years of financial services experience to every client he advises. Those clients include affluent individuals and their families, business owners hoping to create a viable succession strategy, non-profit institutions and companies seeking to attract and retain valuable employees with meaningful benefits.
Bruce is one of the relatively few Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors to have earned the firm’s Family Wealth Director designation. This credential reflects his ability to help substantial clients address the complexities that almost invariably accompany significant wealth. In addition, Bruce has been recognized by Barron’s as a Top 1000 Advisor in the US.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Finance, Bruce joined a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in 1988. Three years later, he established the Financial Advisor team that would eventually become The Becker Wealth Management Group. Bruce believes that collaboration among knowledgeable professionals is critical to the success of his clients. He takes great satisfaction in helping people progress toward their goals with the confidence that they will achieve them without compromise.
An inveterate traveler, Bruce has visited Africa numerous times, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and helped start Children Outreach Community Empowerment (COCE), an organization that is committed to increasing childhood literacy in Tanzania. COCE has already built a high school that has graduated ten classes and has recently focused its efforts on establishing learning centers for grades 1-3. Bruce is also an enthusiastic birdwatcher who admits that he is addicted to exercise. He and his wife Patty recently celebrated their 32nd anniversary and love spending time at their vacation home in Sturgeon Bay with their two adult children, Fulton and Ellie.
2021-2022 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2021-2022). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Bruce is one of the relatively few Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors to have earned the firm’s Family Wealth Director designation. This credential reflects his ability to help substantial clients address the complexities that almost invariably accompany significant wealth. In addition, Bruce has been recognized by Barron’s as a Top 1000 Advisor in the US.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Finance, Bruce joined a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm in 1988. Three years later, he established the Financial Advisor team that would eventually become The Becker Wealth Management Group. Bruce believes that collaboration among knowledgeable professionals is critical to the success of his clients. He takes great satisfaction in helping people progress toward their goals with the confidence that they will achieve them without compromise.
An inveterate traveler, Bruce has visited Africa numerous times, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and helped start Children Outreach Community Empowerment (COCE), an organization that is committed to increasing childhood literacy in Tanzania. COCE has already built a high school that has graduated ten classes and has recently focused its efforts on establishing learning centers for grades 1-3. Bruce is also an enthusiastic birdwatcher who admits that he is addicted to exercise. He and his wife Patty recently celebrated their 32nd anniversary and love spending time at their vacation home in Sturgeon Bay with their two adult children, Fulton and Ellie.
2021-2022 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2021-2022). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Securities Agent: IL, HI, WA, TN, IN, CO, WV, VA, OR, IA, CA, AR, MN, MI, GA, DE, DC, CT, WI, SD, MD, KY, UT, TX, OH, MO, NY, NJ, NE, MA, KS, AZ, SC, NV, NC, FL, ID, VT, PA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1272951
NMLS#: 1272951
About Jeremy J Piwnicki
.As a Financial Advisor nearing 20 years of industry experience, Jeremy relishes complexity. In fact, he thrives on it. “When clients tell me that their financial situations are complicated,” he explains, “I view it as an opportunity to help them develop solutions, understand their options and make more informed decisions.”
Jeremy plays a major role in The Becker Wealth Management Group’s client interactions, engaging in intergenerational planning for wealthy families and advising institutions on how to better position their finances for the missions they hope to accomplish. In addition, Jeremy is a Morgan Stanley-credentialed Corporate Retirement Director who has worked with numerous companies to help them attract and retain key employees through effective retirement plans and other meaningful benefits.
A native Chicagoan, Jeremy understands the value of hard work. As a student at DePaul University, he interned with a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm where he worked 40 hours a week while attending classes at night. After graduating with a degree in Finance, he joined the firm full-time, and in the years that followed, he interacted with clients during the bursting of the tech bubble of the early 2000s, the subsequent market upturn and the great recession of 2008. These experiences helped Jeremy understand how to help clients navigate the uncertainty of financial markets while always keeping their long-term goals in clear focus. Jeremy never forgets that clients are placing their faith in him and cherishes the relationships he’s formed throughout his career. Nothing is more gratifying to him that watching his clients progress toward their goals and realizing that he has played a role in their financial success.
Jeremy is an active member of his community. He serves as a board member and Treasurer at Deerhaven Home, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build a campus for families in crisis in McHenry County, Illinois. Additionally, Jeremy and his wife Beth have been foster parents, caring for more than a dozen children who have touched their lives for various periods of time in recent years. Jeremy and Beth are also the proud parents of Kelan, Patricia and James. The family resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois…the same town where Jeremy and Beth met in high school.
Jeremy plays a major role in The Becker Wealth Management Group’s client interactions, engaging in intergenerational planning for wealthy families and advising institutions on how to better position their finances for the missions they hope to accomplish. In addition, Jeremy is a Morgan Stanley-credentialed Corporate Retirement Director who has worked with numerous companies to help them attract and retain key employees through effective retirement plans and other meaningful benefits.
A native Chicagoan, Jeremy understands the value of hard work. As a student at DePaul University, he interned with a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm where he worked 40 hours a week while attending classes at night. After graduating with a degree in Finance, he joined the firm full-time, and in the years that followed, he interacted with clients during the bursting of the tech bubble of the early 2000s, the subsequent market upturn and the great recession of 2008. These experiences helped Jeremy understand how to help clients navigate the uncertainty of financial markets while always keeping their long-term goals in clear focus. Jeremy never forgets that clients are placing their faith in him and cherishes the relationships he’s formed throughout his career. Nothing is more gratifying to him that watching his clients progress toward their goals and realizing that he has played a role in their financial success.
Jeremy is an active member of his community. He serves as a board member and Treasurer at Deerhaven Home, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build a campus for families in crisis in McHenry County, Illinois. Additionally, Jeremy and his wife Beth have been foster parents, caring for more than a dozen children who have touched their lives for various periods of time in recent years. Jeremy and Beth are also the proud parents of Kelan, Patricia and James. The family resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois…the same town where Jeremy and Beth met in high school.
Securities Agent: NE, IA, CA, MO, AZ, AK, IL, GA, WV, SD, OH, MA, CT, CO, DE, PA, NC, HI, VA, UT, TX, SC, MN, FL, AR, NY, NM, KY, KS, IN, TN, MI, MD, DC, VT, NJ, ID, WI, OR, WA, NV; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1272757
NMLS#: 1272757
About Michael Bernhard
Michael understands that money is emotional to many of his clients. For some, it represents what they have done with their lives. For others, it represents a means to the ends they hope to achieve someday. As a CERTIFED FINANCIAL PLANNER(CFP®), Michael focuses on educating clients about the choices they must make to progress toward their goals. Clients often ask him to consult with their children and help them understand the basics of investing and the responsibilities that come with the wealth they will inherit someday. Michael also works closely with participants in 401(k) plans to help them make more informed choices and prepare for the next stage of their lives.
A graduate of Olivet Nazarine University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, Michael interned at a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm while still in school. He joined the firm full-time in 2009 and focused on evaluating third party investment managers, monitoring client portfolios and developing performance reporting tools. In 2011, he joined The Becker Group and now plays a key role in the team’s planning and client education efforts.
An Illinois native, Michael grew up in a farming family and understands the importance of hard work and giving back to his community. He is active in his church and volunteers with Safe Families, an organization committed to mentoring children who are aging out of the foster care system.
Michael resides in Elwood with his wife Abigail and their three young children.
A graduate of Olivet Nazarine University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, Michael interned at a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm while still in school. He joined the firm full-time in 2009 and focused on evaluating third party investment managers, monitoring client portfolios and developing performance reporting tools. In 2011, he joined The Becker Group and now plays a key role in the team’s planning and client education efforts.
An Illinois native, Michael grew up in a farming family and understands the importance of hard work and giving back to his community. He is active in his church and volunteers with Safe Families, an organization committed to mentoring children who are aging out of the foster care system.
Michael resides in Elwood with his wife Abigail and their three young children.
Securities Agent: DC, CT, CA, TN, MN, IN, ME, UT, SD, TX, NC, PA, OR, NY, NV, NE, MO, MD, MA, KS, GA, CO, WI, NJ, DE, WV, VT, MI, AR, WA, VA, LA, IA, FL, SC, NM, KY, AZ, AL, AK, ID, OH, IL, HI; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1920554
NMLS#: 1920554
About Brandon Denker
Brandon is the newest financial advisor to The Becker Group. He joined the team in April of 2024 with a prior background in financial analysis, venture debt and middle market lending. Prior to graduating from the University of Utah in 2019 with a degree in Finance Brandon was a professional skier on the North American Freestyle Tour. While skiing professionally and returning to college he worked full time to support himself in some of the finest restaurants in Park City, Utah.
Brandon’s discipline gained from athletics and his commitment to exceeding expectations equips him to offer well rounded financial strategies tailored to client’s unique needs and experiences. Brandon is committed to building quality relationships and helping clients achieve long-term financial success through goal setting, planning and proactive management.
Born in Minnesota, growing up in Colorado and having spent most of his adult life in Park City, Utah, Brandon has a true passion for the mountains and the outdoors. Brandon now resides in Minneapolis with his wife Eleanor and first child Beau. He continues to share his passion for skiing, hockey, golf, and fishing with others and is excited to contribute to the continued growth of the and success of The Becker Group.
Brandon’s discipline gained from athletics and his commitment to exceeding expectations equips him to offer well rounded financial strategies tailored to client’s unique needs and experiences. Brandon is committed to building quality relationships and helping clients achieve long-term financial success through goal setting, planning and proactive management.
Born in Minnesota, growing up in Colorado and having spent most of his adult life in Park City, Utah, Brandon has a true passion for the mountains and the outdoors. Brandon now resides in Minneapolis with his wife Eleanor and first child Beau. He continues to share his passion for skiing, hockey, golf, and fishing with others and is excited to contribute to the continued growth of the and success of The Becker Group.
Securities Agent: ME, CO, AZ, AR, PA, MI, HI, GA, CT, MD, DC, CA, WI, LA, KS, IA, ID, SD, SC, NJ, MO, TX, NC, KY, IN, WV, VT, UT, TN, NV, MN, FL, DE, WA, OR, NY, IL, VA, OH, NE, MA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2645484
NMLS#: 2645484
About Lynn Stryck
Lynn Stryck is a 40+ year veteran of the investment industry. Lynn joined Smith Barney, a predecessor firm of Morgan Stanley, in 1982 and joined the Becker Group at Morgan Stanley in 1991. Lynn is responsible for coordinating all administrative responsibilities for the Becker Group. Lynn is both Series 7 and Series 66 licensed.
About Denise Arnashus
Denise has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years. She started on the CBOE and worked in options trading, and shifted to a client service associate role for 10 years prior to joining our service team in 2024.
Denise has deep experience in serving clients throughout her career. She values providing high quality service and support to our clients so they have an outstanding overall experience with the team. She holds her Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 licenses.
Denise is married with two teenage sons. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, playing board games and trivia, and watching her son play lacrosse. Denise also supports diabetes research, having started a JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) One Walk Team to help find a cure for those who live with diabetes, including her son with Type 1.
Denise has deep experience in serving clients throughout her career. She values providing high quality service and support to our clients so they have an outstanding overall experience with the team. She holds her Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 licenses.
Denise is married with two teenage sons. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, playing board games and trivia, and watching her son play lacrosse. Denise also supports diabetes research, having started a JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) One Walk Team to help find a cure for those who live with diabetes, including her son with Type 1.
About Duke Lin
Duke is a registered client services associate at the Becker Group. He has worked for Morgan Stanley since 2023 and is Series 7 and Series 66 licensed. His primary focus for the team includes managing client accounts, money movements, trades, and portfolio analytics. Duke brings a strong academic background to his role, having graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in economics and legal studies. Initially pursuing pre-med and biology in college, he ultimately shifted his focus to finance, where he has found his passion.
Duke grew up in three different countries and is a native speaker of four languages. Currently, he resides in the Loop and enjoys exploring downtown Chicago with his friends, making the most of the vibrant city life.
*Disclaimer: This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice.
Duke grew up in three different countries and is a native speaker of four languages. Currently, he resides in the Loop and enjoys exploring downtown Chicago with his friends, making the most of the vibrant city life.
*Disclaimer: This role cannot solicit or provide investment advice.

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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
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.
2Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
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.
4Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.
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 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.
6Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
7The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.
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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)