Charles Bergamo
Wealth Management Advisor|J.D., ChSNC®, CDFA®, ChFC®, WMCP®
Diverse Needs Specialist- from Alzheimer's to Zoster.
A little about me and my life of advocacy
My journey as an advocate began not with a job title, but with love-- love for someone with special needs and a determination to ensure they received the care, dignity, and opportunities they deserved. I am Charles Bergamo. I am a descendent of Italian immigrants, born and raised in New Jersey, father of four adult children, former trial lawyer and tax court consultant. Over the years, I have walked alongside families navigating complex diagnoses, shifting systems, and emotional crossroads. I have learned firsthand that advocacy is more than speaking up--it's listening, learning and standing in the gap when others feel overwhelmed or unheard.
Whether it is helping families access vital resources, understanding their rights, or simply being a compassionate voice in the midst of chaos, I have dedicated my life to making sure no one has to walk this road alone. This work is deeply personal to me. It is not just what I do -- it is who I am.
Currently I am actively involved in the area of planning for individuals with special needs. I serve as Vice Chair of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities and formerly as Chairperson to the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services West Regional Advisory Council. These are voluntary advisory positions. I strive to be actively involved in my youngest daughter's disability organization (Syn-gap 1).
In addition, I have had the honor of speaking to national groups on the issues surrounding planning for individuals with special needs. As a parent of a child with special needs, one of my goals and passions is to pass that knowledge along to help those families with a disabled child, provide for and take care of the person they love.
For your convenience, I have offices in New Haven and West Hartford.
Professional connections
I am committed to helping you get closer to your dreams. When you partner with me, you can expect a judgment-free, pressure-free environment where our conversations are open and supportive. Do you have any questions? I'm here for you. My goal is to provide you the best experience possible by truly listening to your needs and guiding you every step of the way to navigate the systems.
Associations and Memberships
- Chairperson of the Department of Disability Services (DDS) Advisory Council Western Region
- former Member of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners
- Connecticut Bar association
- Syn-GAP 1 Facebook group
- Lutheran and Assembly of God church affiliations
- Connecticut counsel for non-adversarial divorce
Designations
- CLU® - Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
- ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
- ChSNC - Chartered Special Needs Consultant™
- CDFA® - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®)
- WMA - Wealth Management Advisor
- JD - Juris Doctor-graduate of Fordham School of Law
Lending support in the community is my passion
As part of Northwestern Mutual, I'm proud to help accelerate the search for better childhood cancer treatments while supporting families undergoing treatment, and survivors from late effects. I also assist several other non-profit organizations with resources for special needs and other challenges. Here are some of the organizations we partner with:
Different religious dominations
Syn-GAP1 support and Facebook groups
Connecticut Bar Association
Connecticut counsel for non-adversarial divorce
🌟Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
🌟Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF) is a cause close to my heart. They fund critical childhood cancer research, raises awareness, and support families navigating the unimaginable journey of a child with a cancer diagnosis. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual, its employees, and financial professionals like me have donated more than $20 million to support ALSF and fund over 400,000 research hours to fight childhood cancer. For our family, this mission is personal. We've experienced firsthand the trials of childhood Leukemia, and I know how vital these resources and research advancements are for families walking that difficult road. 💛Every dollar makes a difference. Every hour of research brings hope.💛
My areas of expertise are at your disposal
My heart goes out to everyone walking the difficult path of supporting a loved one with multiple diagnoses and special needs. I see you. I understand the weight of uncertainty, the emotional toll, and the tough decisions you face regarding your loved one's care, health, and daily life.
You do NOT have to go through this alone. I am here to help you understand your options, navigate available resources, and make informed decisions that honor your loved one's unique needs. Please allow me to walk alongside you.
Together, we can move forward with compassion, clarity and hope.
Planning for Special Needs
Financial Planning
Life Insurance Strategies
Retirement Planning & Income Strategies
Disability Planning
Multigenerational Planning
Long-Term Care Planning
Estate Planning
How Northwestern Mutual helps you live the life you want.
When people feel better about their money, good things happen—they become more confident and feel more secure. For more than 160 years, Northwestern Mutual has helped people achieve the financial flexibility they need to live more and worry less.
Being a mutual company means Northwestern Mutual reports to its clients, not Wall Street. They don't believe in chasing fads or taking undue risk for short-term gains. Instead, they take a long-term approach—both in the way we help people plan to reach their goals, and in the way they do business. This has served their clients (and mine) well through all kinds of economic ups and downs, including wars, recessions, even the recent pandemic.
It's why I'm happy to be part of a company that's in it for the long-haul and prioritizes clients over profit.
