Our Story and Services

At The J Pittel Group, our goal is to prioritize what is most important to you, your family and your future. Here at Morgan Stanley, we provide the personalized service, problem-solving skills and world-class resources needed to help you make more informed and confident decisions about your wealth.

Above all, we commit to making a meaningful difference in your life through the delivery of five core values that have become the hallmark of our practice:

• Deep and caring relationships that span generations
• Competence through extensive experience
• Proven processes that help drive results
• A focus on education for ourselves and our clients
• A pledge to ongoing, proactive service

With or passion and perseverance, we deliver a client service model that puts you in the center of every decision. We are dedicated to earning your trust every day through a powerful combination of wisdom, knowledge and experience. Above all, we strive to ensure every client feels like our only client.

Getting started is easy. It begins with a conversation. As our name implies, we look forward to discussing how we can support and enhance the lifestyle and legacy you envision for you, your children and your grandchildren now and for years to come.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

PLAN YOUR FUTURE

We will work with you to understand what your priorities are during these crucial years and implement a customized strategy for you. Whether it is planning for retirement, transitioning into retirement, or already managing your assets in retirement, I am equipped with the resources and the knowledge to help you accomplish your personal and financial goals.
    Icon Image
    Understanding your Savings Vehicles
    When it comes to retirement savings, the most important thing is to get started—after all, time is one of your greatest assets. Although retirement may seem far for some, it is essential to get started on planning for future living expenses, potential education funds, or travel costs. Let us help you educate on ways to grow and preserve your wealth.
    Learn more about 401k Strategies
    Icon Image
    Impact of Taxes
    The strategies you use when drawing down your retirement savings can have a significant impact on how much you’ll pay in taxes and may help you keep more of the returns. Each retiree’s situation is different but establishing a tax management strategy for your investments can help you retain more of your investment returns.
    Tax-Smart Strategies
    Icon Image
    Risks to Your Retirement
    Once you determine what kind of retirement you want, we will work together to take a closer look at the risks that might be standing between you and your retirement goals. No matter how well you save during the accumulation phase, it’s critical to plan how you convert those assets to income. We can help you navigate the challenges that may arise.
    Log in to Your Account
    Icon Image
    The Psychological Transition into Retirement
    Most retirement preparations focus on financial planning, but it is equally crucial to look at personal considerations and help you with easing the fear of the unknown. Given that many people overlook the psychological adjustments of retirement, we can help you understand why it’s important to be emotionally (not just financially) ready for retirement.

CUSTOMIZED STRATEGIES

As your wealth grows, so does its complexities and the resources needed to manage it effectively. We leverage our experience and relationships to deliver innovative strategies that are tailored to help meet your needs. We look forward to speaking with you to understand your challenges, so we may map out a strategy to help achieve your particular priorities and goals.
    Icon Image
    Retirement Planning
    One of our key areas of strength is helping you prepare for and thrive in retirement. From IRAs to RMDs, we manage the complexities of your comprehensive retirement plan assets, helping you easily transition to the next phase of your life with confidence.
    Icon Image
    Wealth Management
    Wealth management brings all the dimensions of your life together. We listen carefully to understand the connections across your personal life, your family, your career, and your legacy goals to develop an integrated strategy that is uniquely yours.
    Icon Image
    Lending Solutions
    We believe it’s important to consider all aspects of your finances when building your plan for the future. We offer a broad array of lending solutions that work together to complement your existing investment strategy.
    Icon Image
    Estate Planning Strategies
    Delivering an estate to the next generation or favorite charity requires more attention than families often realize. We coordinate with your estate and tax professionals to align your legacy goals with the appropriate asset titling and beneficiary designation requirements, incorporating best practices to help enhance results.

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

There comes a point when managing one's assets turns into a full-time job. As your life evolves and grows more complex, your financial strategy- and the options for implementing that strategy- tends to grow in complexity as well. In such circumstances, it makes sense to work with an experienced professional who understands your financial needs and can dedicate the time and resources necessary to help you meet them.

Our team works closely with you to understand your needs while maintaining the focus and commitment necessary to guide your portfolio in the most challenging market cycles. Outlined below is our disciplined four-step investment process, which underpins our portfolio management program and helps develop a long-term perspective about building and managing wealth.
    Icon Image
    1: Establish Financial Objectives
    We begin our process by working with you to establish a realistic set of objectives based on your financial goals, time horizon, liquidity needs and tolerance to volatility and risk.
    Icon Image
    2: Define Investment Strategy
    Once we have a firm understanding of your objectives, we develop an investment strategy designed to help produce optimal portfolio performance: the highest return potential consistent with the strategy's level of risk
    Icon Image
    3: Evaluate and Select Investments
    Our goal is to construct a plan which encompasses every important detail of your life. Leveraging the global resources of Morgan Stanley, we begin selecting investments to implement your personal strategy.
    Icon Image
    4: Ongoing Review Process
    We meet regularly to make sure your plan remains current and to review your progress. We track your portfolio's performance relative to your stated objectives- and modify the portfolio on a discretionary basis as your needs and circumstances change overtime.

    Disclaimer:
    This material is intended only for clients and prospective clients of the Portfolio Management program. It has been prepared solely for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument, or to participate in any trading strategy.

    The individuals mentioned as the Portfolio Management Team are Financial Advisors with Morgan Stanley participating in the Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management program. The Portfolio Management program is an investment advisory program in which the client’s Financial Advisor invests the client’s assets on a discretionary basis in a range of securities. The Portfolio Management program is described in the applicable Morgan Stanley ADV Part 2, available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV or from your Financial Advisor.
    Icon Image
    Morgan Stanley Online
    MSO digital capabilities 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.
    Learn More
    Icon Image
    Total Wealth View
    The ability to view all of your assets together provides the opportunity to advise on your Morgan Stanley accounts with your entire financial picture in mind.
    Learn More
    Icon Image
    eDelivery
    eDelivery provides clients with the ability to view statements and other Firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.
    Learn More
    Icon Image
    Digital Vault
    The Digital Vault is a document delivery, storage and
    collaboration space for Morgan Stanley clients and
    Financial Advisor teams.
    Learn More
    Icon Image
    Goal Planning System
    Goals Planning System (GPS) is Morgan Stanley’s own integrated planning tool. Built on the Firm’s intellectual capital and capabilities, GPS is an intuitive and efficient platform used to quickly assess whether a client is “On Track” to achieving their financial goals.
    Learn More
    Icon Image
    Portfolio Risk Platform
    The Portfolio Risk Platform (PRP), powered by BlackRock's Aladdin, is a state of the art wealth management platform providing real time analytics that enable financial advisors to identify and better understand risks in their clients’ portfolios.
    Learn More

Location

40701 Woodward Ave.
Ste 200
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
US
Direct:
(248) 723-1829(248) 723-1829

Meet The J Pittel Group

About James R. Pittel

• Jim Sr. is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with The J Pittel Group at Morgan Stanley in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He has over 30 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. His area of focus is in the development and implementation of financial and estate planning strategies, wealth management investment strategies as well as corporate retirement plans. Jim Sr. has spent his entire career with Morgan Stanley and its predecessors.

• He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and subsequently earned his Series 7, 66, 31 and insurance professional licenses. Jim Sr. also has the distinction of being a Senior Portfolio Manager with Morgan Stanley.
Securities Agent: NY, IL, PA, AZ, WI, WA, FL, CO, GA, VA, MN, OH, IN, CA, NC, KS, MO, MI, MT, UT, TX, SC, MA, TN, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1288283

About James Pittel III

James Pittel III is a Financial Advisor with The J Pittel Group at Morgan Stanley located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His areas of focus within the group are financial planning, retirement planning, wealth management investment strategies, and client account servicing. He works with clients to aggregate all pertinent financial information to create a financial plan customized towards the clients’ goals and aspirations. James received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in finance from The Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State.
Securities Agent: MN, GA, TX, IN, UT, SC, PA, KS, IL, AZ, MT, MI, CA, WA, NY, NC, OR, MA, VA, OH, ME, MO, WI, FL, CO; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2278345
CA Insurance License #: NMLS#: 2278345

About Julie D. Luark

Series 7 Licensed
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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The J Pittel Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
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)