Gbs Retirement Services is a dual-registered firm based in Rolling Meadows, IL, that holds a 83.3/100 Fidelon TransparencyScore (19th percentile among state-registered advisers), with 8 registered advisors. Score based on public SEC and FINRA filings.
Gbs Retirement Services
Gbs Retirement Services, INC. · CRD #34889
A dual-registered firm offering both advisory and brokerage services with a clean record.
Fidelon Fact Sheet
Gbs Retirement Services, INC. is an investment adviser and broker-dealer in Rolling Meadows, IL. It used to be called Gallagher Benefit Services Of New York, INC. It has 8 registered advisors. It can earn commissions when it sells you a product. When it gives advice, it must put your interests first. When it sells products, it only has to pick ones that are suitable for you. Its services include investment newsletters. Its record shows no customer complaints, regulatory actions or fines.
Peer Context
12,764th of 15,825
state-registered advisers
Bottom 19%
474th of 590
state-registered advisers in IL
Bottom 20%
1st of 2
state-registered advisers in Rolling meadows, IL
#1 ranked
How This Firm Works
Registration & Standard of Care
Dual-Registered — this firm operates as both an investment adviser (fiduciary) and a broker-dealer. Some services come with fiduciary protection, while brokerage services may involve commissions.
How This Firm Gets Paid
- Representatives can earn commissions on product sales
Specializations
Extracted from Form ADV Part 2A brochure
Key Findings
Strengths
- Registered as investment adviser with fiduciary obligation
- Clean regulatory record — no disclosures, arbitrations, or fines
Things You Should Know
- Also operates as a broker-dealer — may not always be required to put your interests first
- Its brochure says its people can earn commissions on securities, but it does not say that earning commissions is a conflict of interest, you can buy the same products elsewhere, or commissions can shape what they recommend. Ask whether anyone at the firm earns a commission on anything they recommend to you.Item 5.E
- Its brochure describes its fees, but it does not list the other costs you pay, like fund and custodian fees, say whether the fee comes out of your account or gets billed, or say how often you're charged. Ask what you will pay beyond the advisory fee, in dollars, over a typical year.Item 5
Conflict Audit
Multiple structural conflicts identified in regulatory filings. These are disclosed business arrangements — worth asking about, not disqualifying.
Source: Form ADV Part 1, Items 6-8; Part 2A, Items 10-14
Regulatory Track Record
0
Disclosures
Clean record — no disclosures found
$0
Total Fines
Clean record — no fines found
Regulatory Events
TransparencyScore Dimensions
Disclosure Record
Customer complaints, arbitrations, and fines. Frequency and recency matter.
92/100
Strong
Avg for dual-registered firms: 66.8 | Top 10%: 97.2
Filing Quality
How clearly the firm describes services, fees, and investment approach in regulatory filings.
83/100
Strong
Avg for dual-registered firms: 70.4 | Top 10%: 80.7
Conflict Disclosure
How openly the firm explains who pays it and what it's paid to sell. The conflict isn't the problem — hiding it is.
56/100
Weak
Avg for dual-registered firms: 62.2 | Top 10%: 79.3
Enforcement History
Past actions taken by the SEC, FINRA, or state regulators, and how well the firm supervised its people.
87/100
Strong
Avg for dual-registered firms: 59.6 | Top 10%: 86.5
What their brochure tells you
The firm must give you this brochure, Form ADV Part 2A, before you sign. We read it against the SEC's own instructions, item by item. Quotes are the firm's own words; page numbers refer to the filed brochure. What is in a brochure?
Can you tell what you'd pay and when?Brochure Fee Clarity41/100
The SEC asks every brochure to spell out the fee schedule, whether fees can be negotiated, how and when you are billed, the other costs you pay, and refunds.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
- Can you tell what you'd pay?CoveredItem 5.A
Without a fee schedule you cannot compare this firm with any other.
All fees are subject to negotiation.p. 4
- Does it say whether the fee can be negotiated?CoveredItem 5.A
If fees are negotiable, other clients may be paying less than you for the same service.
All fees are subject to negotiation.p. 4
- Does it say whether the fee comes out of your account or gets billed?Not found in the brochureItem 5.B
A fee taken straight from your account is easy to stop noticing.
What to askAsk whether fees are taken from your account automatically, and how you will see each charge.
- Does it say how often you're charged?Not found in the brochureItem 5.B
Monthly, quarterly, in advance or in arrears changes what you owe when you leave.
What to askAsk how often you are billed and whether you pay before or after the service.
- Does it list the other costs you pay, like fund and custodian fees?Not found in the brochureItem 5.C
The advisory fee is rarely the whole bill; fund, trading and custody costs come on top.
What to askAsk what you will pay beyond the advisory fee, in dollars, over a typical year.
- Does it say how you get money back if you leave mid-period?Does not applyItem 5.D
If you pay in advance and leave early, the refund rule decides what you get back.
Does it explain each conflict of interest and what it could cost you?Brochure Conflict Specificity50/100
The SEC asks the brochure to name each way the firm gets paid besides your fee, what that tempts the firm to do, and what it can cost you.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
If it uses an affiliated broker-dealer, does it explain what that means for you?
An affiliated broker-dealer
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
GBS RS is also registered as a broker dealer firm and is a licensed insurance agency.p. 4
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
What to askAsk what this arrangement gives the firm a reason to recommend, and how often that happens.
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
What to askAsk how much the firm or its people receive from this arrangement in a typical year.
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
What to askAsk what the firm gains from this arrangement beyond fees.
- Does it say what it can cost you?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
What to askAsk what this arrangement can cost you, in fees, returns or choices you do not get.
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk whether your trades or products go through a company the firm owns or is tied to, and what that costs.
If it has an affiliated insurance agency, does it explain what that means for you?
An affiliated insurance agency
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
GBS RS is also registered as a broker dealer firm and is a licensed insurance agency.p. 4
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
What to askAsk what this arrangement gives the firm a reason to recommend, and how often that happens.
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
What to askAsk how much the firm or its people receive from this arrangement in a typical year.
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
What to askAsk what the firm gains from this arrangement beyond fees.
- Does it say what it can cost you?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
What to askAsk what this arrangement can cost you, in fees, returns or choices you do not get.
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk whether insurance recommended to you is sold by a company tied to the firm, and who earns what.
If it has an affiliated adviser or private fund, does it explain what that means for you?
An affiliated adviser or private fund
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors, LLC is an affiliate of GBS RS and is also a subsidiary of Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc.p. 4
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
What to askAsk what this arrangement gives the firm a reason to recommend, and how often that happens.
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
What to askAsk how much the firm or its people receive from this arrangement in a typical year.
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
What to askAsk what the firm gains from this arrangement beyond fees.
- Does it say what it can cost you?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
What to askAsk what this arrangement can cost you, in fees, returns or choices you do not get.
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk whether any fund or adviser recommended to you is owned by or tied to the firm, and what fees that adds.
If its people earn commissions on securities, does it explain them?
Securities commissions
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
GBS RS provides employee benefits consulting services and marketing assistance services for employer sponsored retirement plans receiving overrides on commissions for transactions coordinated by Triad Advisors, LLC, an unaffiliated broker-dealer firm.p. 4
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
What to askAsk what this arrangement gives the firm a reason to recommend, and how often that happens.
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
What to askAsk how much the firm or its people receive from this arrangement in a typical year.
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
What to askAsk what the firm gains from this arrangement beyond fees.
- Does it say what it can cost you?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
What to askAsk what this arrangement can cost you, in fees, returns or choices you do not get.
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk whether anyone at the firm earns a commission on investments recommended to you, and whether it lowers your fee.
Do they earn commissions on products, and do they say so?Brochure Sales Compensation0/100
When a firm or its people sell products for a commission, the SEC asks the brochure to say so, name the pull, and tell you whether you could buy elsewhere.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
- Does it say that earning commissions is a conflict of interest?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.1
A firm paid to sell a product has a reason to recommend it that has nothing to do with you.
What to askAsk whether anyone at the firm earns a commission on anything they recommend to you.
- Does it say commissions can shape what they recommend?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.1
Naming the pull is the first step to controlling it; silence leaves it working on you.
What to askAsk how the firm keeps commissions from steering the advice you get.
- Does it say you can buy the same products elsewhere?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.2
You may be able to buy the same product for less somewhere else.
What to askAsk whether you could buy any recommended product through another broker or insurer.
- Does it say whether commissions lower your advisory fee?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.4
If the firm earns a commission and the full advisory fee, you pay twice for one recommendation.
What to askAsk whether any commission the firm earns is credited against your advisory fee.
Do they get free research or services from brokers, and does it affect you?Brochure Soft DollarsNot applicable
Not applicable: the brochure describes no research or services from brokers
A point not found is not a finding against the firm; many points apply only when the firm has that arrangement, and state-registered firms file the same brochure form.
Next Steps
Advisor Roster
8 advisors
| Advisor | CRD | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Amaya | 4519000 | — | — |
| Jason Albino | 2891263 | — | — |
| Dominic Russo | 5204522 | — | — |
| Jacqueline Neer | 4834727 | — | — |
| Michele Kathleen Laponte | 4963449 | — | — |
| Elizabeth Marren O'Reilly | 5094459 | — | — |
| Paul Edward Corbley Jr | 5896316 | — | — |
| Dennise Marie Felix - Thompson | 4934940 | — | — |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TransparencyScore measure?
The TransparencyScore measures how clearly and completely an advisor or firm discloses important information in their regulatory filings — things like fees, conflicts of interest, disciplinary history, and business practices. A higher score means better disclosure quality, not better investment performance.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from public regulatory filings: SEC Form ADV (Parts 1, 2, and 3), FINRA BrokerCheck, and the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database. These are official filings that firms and advisors are legally required to submit.
Does a low score mean they're a bad advisor?
Not necessarily. A low score means the firm's public filings are less transparent — they may use vague language about fees, skip details about conflicts, or have a more complex regulatory history. Some excellent advisors work at firms with poor disclosure practices. The score measures the filing, not the person.
What does dual registration mean for me?
It means your advisor can act as a fiduciary (putting your interests first) for some services and as a broker (suitability standard) for others. The key question to ask: 'For this specific recommendation, are you acting as my fiduciary?' Get the answer in writing.
How often is this data updated?
Fidelon refreshes data from SEC and FINRA sources on a regular schedule. Form ADV filings are updated annually by firms (with amendments throughout the year), and BrokerCheck data is updated as events are reported. Scores are recalculated after each data refresh.
Can an advisor or firm improve their score?
Yes. Scores are based on what's in public filings. A firm that rewrites its ADV brochure in clearer language, discloses conflicts more specifically, or resolves outstanding regulatory issues will see its score improve at the next refresh. The incentive structure is intentional.
Data Sources
Scores are generated using Fidelon's published scoring methodology and reflect the quality of public disclosures, not the quality of investment advice. A firm that improves its disclosures will see its score improve. Fidelon does not provide investment advice.
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Last scored: · Score version: 3.15 · CRD #34889