Our Story and Services

As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
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ABOUT PWM
Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:

• Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
• Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
• Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control

CLIENTS WE SERVE

UHNW | Entrepreneurs | Executives | Family Offices | Business Owners

We have the good fortune of working for clients who make our jobs interesting. They are all accomplished people who have great stories to tell and unique challenges to address. Some are families who have built and sold successful businesses, creating multigenerational wealth in the process. Others are highly successful hedge fund or private equity partners, including some of the most sophisticated investors we have ever met. Their financial success has afforded them a comfortable life, empowered them to make a difference in their communities, and added a considerable degree of complexity to their wealth planning. They have chosen to work with us because we have decades of experience working with families who have faced similar challenges. They understand that we are completely committed to helping them protect their assets, support their ambitions and simplify their financial lives.
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    Nagarjan Team Difference
    We limit our practice to a select clientele of highly sophisticated families. This affords us the time to develop a deeper understanding of each family's needs and aspirations. It enables us to constantly review every client portfolio to make sure their strategies are on track with their goals. We can respond quickly to all requests and be available at all times to help them think through any financial decision.
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    Multigenerational Wealth
    Our mission to serve your family never stops. We are committed to an ongoing assessment of your family's portfolio and wealth management needs. The team's strategic asset allocation tailored to your personal needs and objectives has built multigenerational trust over the years.
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    Next Generation Wealth
    Coming into liquid wealth at a young age is both a great opportunity and a challenge. Our team will work with you to maximize your opportunities. Throughout our professional career, we have developed the emotional perspective that comes along with a new financial position, and will be there ready to help at any moment.
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    SWAT Team Approach
    We are able to utilize our expertise and resources to solve unique problems. Our team has direct access to ultra-high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra-high net worth families.
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    Corporate Executives
    Senior executives have significant responsibilities to customers, colleagues, board of directors, shareholders, and members of the community in which they do business. Learn more about how we can help corporate executives address their financial and family needs.
    Corporate Executives Brochure
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    Entrepreneurs
    Establishing a strong advisory team that provides legal, accounting, investment banking and financial advice allows business owners to rely on professional experience and expertise working in a coordinated manner to help the entrepreneur.
    Entrepreneur Toolkit
When managing wealth, there are many aspects that must be covered in order to get a complete plan. Take a deeper look into what we can provide you and your family:
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    Retirement Planning
    Retirement Planning is a core component of wealth management. Taking into consideration potential future costs such as living expenses, travel costs, and education funding is crucial in developing an effective retirement plan. By quantifying your financial needs, creating an action plan, and tracking progress, I can assist you in implementing a plan tailored to you and your goals.
    Planning Your Retirement
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    Family Office Resources
    When it comes to Ultra High Net Worth, wealth management becomes quite complex with many unique variables to consider. Check out how at Morgan Stanley we care for your UHNW goals and concerns.
    Family Office Resources
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    Estate Planning
    When it comes to leaving your legacy to your loved ones, effective and proactive estate planning is essential. From receiving beneficial tax treatment and avoiding legal burdens to streamlining the inheritance process, estate planning makes this possible. I can help with this process and make sure that you are up-to-date when hitting milestones in your life.
    Estate Planning Brochure
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    Tax Management
    Taxes are a relevant part in everyone's life, but taking the necessary steps to optimize your tax situation are oftentimes ignored. Building a tax efficient plan helps you in preserving your wealth and preparing you for the tax liabilities you may encounter.
    The Tax Smart Portfolio
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    Portfolio Management
    Managing your portfolio can be very complex and time consuming. In order to make sure it is getting the attention and service it needs, partnering with an experienced professional may be necessary. Take a look into how I can help manage your assets.
    Portfolio Management Brochure
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    Business Planning
    From starting your business, to getting established, and eventually passing it on, business planning is a crucial part of any business owner’s journey. Just like an individual, a business needs a monitored plan to ensure that they are on the right track towards success.
    How to raise Capital

Team Awards & In The Press

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    2022 & 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Kamesh Nagarajan was named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list in 2022 and 2023.

    2022, 2023 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors
    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022, 2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
    Click to View
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    Morgan Stanley President's Club 2015-2023
    Kamesh Nagarajan was named to Morgan Stanley's President's Club from 2015-2023.

Location

1290 Avenue Of The Americas
Fl 12
New York, NY 10104
US
Direct:
(212) 492-6750(212) 492-6750

Meet The Nagarajan Group

About Kamesh Nagarajan

Kamesh Nagarajan is an Managing Director, and Senior Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley with over 27 years of experience. He focuses on helping corporate executives with their overall wealth planning, including integrating corporate benefits and concentrated stock planning, and in advising physicians and entrepreneurs on holistic wealth management issues.  He is also an International Client Advisor (ICA), working with Indian citizens and/or residents who want their wealth management portfolio based in the United States.

Mr. Nagarajan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Vassar College and a Juris Doctor with honors from Syracuse University College of Law. He is a national speaker on various financial topics and has written many finance articles for various publications. In addition, he has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business News, CBS and Forbes.com speaking on various financial topics. At Morgan Stanley, Mr. Nagarajan is a member of The Morgan Stanley President’s Club (2015-2023) for top advisors at the firm. Mr. Nagarajan was also a panelist at the 2013 Barron’s Top Advisor Diversity Summit. 

Kamesh lives in Upstate New York with his wife, Jamie, and their son, Arjun. Kamesh also has 15 year old twins, Anya and Prem.

Disclaimer:
Not all products and services are available in all jurisdictions or countries
Securities Agent: KY, IA, AR, AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WY, WV, SD, PR, MT, MS; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1279157

About Peter Knowles

Peter R. Knowles is a First Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and a partner of The Modern Heritage Group in Garden City, NY.  He began his career at Merrill Lynch after graduation from Fairleigh Dickinson University where he was Captain of the Men’s Lacrosse Team.  At Merrill Lynch, he served high net worth clients to create financial plans and strategies.

Peter is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and he has been a guest on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ to discuss his team’s and Morgan Stanley’s opinions on the current markets.

Peter resides on Long Island, NY with his wife, who is Chair of a local high school Science Department, and their three daughters.  He is active in many organizations including Fairleigh Dickinson Alumni Association, Board Member of The Jillian E. Daly Foundation, and Bulls Men’s Lacrosse Club.  On weekends he enjoys spending time with his family playing golf, fishing, skiing and travel.
Securities Agent: AR, CT, VI, MD, MI, CA, NJ, NC, LA, VT, SC, MA, DE, ME, GA, NY, OR, AZ, VA, UT, TN, IA, WI, KS, OH, ID, WA, HI, TX, RI, NV, NH, MO, IN, IL, FL, MN, PA, NE, AL, CO, DC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1393553

About Kelly Bensel

Working closely with the team’s advisors, Kelly Bensel focuses on both the daily operations and long-term strategic initiatives of The Nagarajan Group to contribute to the delivery of a superb client experience.

Prior to joining The Nagarajan Group in 2021, Kelly worked as an assistant on the Investments and Investor Relations teams for global investment firm Atlas Merchant Capital. There she helped in managing relationships with existing and prospective investors, and with fundraising efforts for two Private Equity funds and a Credit Opportunities fund.

Kelly graduated from Rutgers University, where she majored in Political Science, with a minor in Urban Planning and Public Policy. Originally from Bergen County, NJ, she now resides in NYC.

About Emily Stark

Emily has previously worked in the Margin Operations division here at Morgan Stanley. During her time spent here, Emily fostered client relationships and gained exposure to the firms’ lending operations. Emily has a background in relationship management with existing and prospective clients as she began her career at JP Morgan Private Bank as a Client Service Associate.

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 AccountsLink Opens in New Tab
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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 GrowthLink Opens in New Tab
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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
Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a SpouseLink Opens in New Tab
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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 BusinessLink Opens in New Tab
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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 Link Opens in New Tab
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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 WorkforceLink Opens in New Tab
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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 Nagarajan 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 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.
Morgan 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, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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

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2Morgan 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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3Alternative 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.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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6Morgan 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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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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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 DisclosuresLink Opens in New Tab
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)