Vertex Planning Partners provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, pension consulting, selecting other managers, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and tax planning. Financial planning was provided to 550 clients last fiscal year.
Vertex Planning Partners reports 843 clients. They include 552 individual clients, 284 high-net-worth individuals, and 4 pension and profit-sharing plans. Of its assets, 99.8% ($1.01B across 2,565 accounts) are managed with discretion; $2.5M across 15 accounts are not. A wrap fee program the firm both sponsors and manages holds $854M. Of its clients, 1% are outside the U.S. It advised 3 clients without assets under management last fiscal year.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 65% | 23% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 34% | 76% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | <1% | <1% |
| Charitable organizations | <1% | <1% |
| Corporations and other businesses | <1% | <1% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 552 | $236M | 23.3% | $428K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 284 | $771M | 76.2% | $2.71M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | Fewer than 5 | $3.65M | 0.4% | $911K |
| Charitable organizations | Fewer than 5 | $26 | 0.0% | $26 |
| Corporations and other businesses | Fewer than 5 | $1.14M | 0.1% | $568K |
| Total | 843 | $1.01B | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 552
- Regulatory AUM
- $236M
- AUM share
- 23.3%
- Avg. per client
- $428K
- Clients
- 284
- Regulatory AUM
- $771M
- AUM share
- 76.2%
- Avg. per client
- $2.71M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $3.65M
- AUM share
- 0.4%
- Avg. per client
- $911K
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $26
- AUM share
- 0.0%
- Avg. per client
- $26
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $1.14M
- AUM share
- 0.1%
- Avg. per client
- $568K
Total
- Clients
- 843
- Regulatory AUM
- $1.01B
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 1%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 3
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 550
Vertex Planning Partners charges 0.30%–2.00% a year for its Investment Management Fees. The fee is billed in advance and is negotiable. The brochure also prices 2 other services, listed under fee details.
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Financial Planning and Consulting
- Stand-alone fixed or hourly fees, negotiable, ranging from $500 to $15,000 depending on scope and complexity.
- Retirement Plan Consulting
- Fixed project-based fee, individually negotiated, up to $15,000 per annum depending on services provided.
Gregory Benner owns 25% to 50% of Vertex Planning Partners. The leadership team of Vertex Planning Partners includes Chief Compliance Officer Gregory Benner. It has 20 employees, 13 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
- Gregory BennerChief Compliance Officer / Managing Member
- Scott SandeeMember
- Steven FranzenManaging Member
- Michael BellisManaging Member
- Christopher HustonMember
Investment adviser representatives
14 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
- Peter Matthew Babilla
- Michael David Bellis
- Ryan Michael Bellis
- Gregory Paul Benner
- Tammy Talya Billadeau
- Justin John Dagostino
- Steven Paul Franzen
- Julie Ann Hupp
- Christopher Charles Huston
- Megan Nicole Micek
- Cynthia J Mittlestaedt
- Scott Andrew Sandee
- Edward Kyle Smith
- Igor Yukhvidin
Staff
- 20 employees
- 13 in advisory functions
- 13 state-registered reps
- 9 broker-dealer reps
- 5 insurance agents
- Owns 25% to 50% of Vertex Planning Partners, LLC
Gregory Benner
Control person · since September 2021
- Owns 25% to 50% of Vertex Planning Partners, LLC
Michael Bellis
Control person · since September 2021
- Owns 5% to 10% of Vertex Planning Partners, LLC
Steven Franzen
Control person · since September 2021
- Owns 5% to 10% of Vertex Planning Partners, LLC
Christopher Huston
since March 2022
Vertex Planning Partners’ regulatory assets grew 2.1× from $479M (May 2022) to $1.01B (March 2026); clients rose from 641 to 843 and employees from 13 to 20.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | $1.01B | 843 | 20 | 2 |
| March 2025 | $828M | 819 | 20 | 2 |
| March 2024 | $671M | 774 | 14 | 2 |
| March 2023 | $481M | 672 | 14 | 1 |
| May 2022 | $479M | 641 | 13 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Vertex Planning Partners has 1 office, with 2 listed addresses in Illinois.
Illinois · 2 listed addresses
- 3000 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 100, Downers GroveHQ
- 960 Harris Road, Grayslake
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Vertex Planning Partners, LLC
- Headquarters
- 3000 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515
- Website
- vertexplanningpartners.com
- Phone
- 630-836-3300
- @vertexplanningpartners
- SEC file
- 801-122980
- Structure
- Illinois LLC
- Fiscal year end
- December
Vertex Planning Partners uses LPL Financial ($569M, 56%) and Charles Schwab ($443M, 44%) as custodians for its separately managed accounts. Vertex Planning Partners has custody of $419M in client assets for 512 clients.
- LPL FinancialLPL Financial LLC · Fort Mill, SC · $569M56%
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Westlake, TX · $443M44%
At year end, Vertex Planning Partners’ separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (77%) and stocks (18%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $673M across 158 positions; the largest are SPDR Series Trust (16.1%), J P Morgan Exchange Traded F (7.4%) and Wisdomtree TR (5.8%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks18%
- Exchange-traded equities17%
- Non-exchange-traded equities1%
- Funds77%
- Bonds2%
- State and local bonds1%
- Investment grade corporate bonds1%
- Cash3%
Reported 13F holdings
- $673M
- Reported 13F value
- 158
- Positions
- 57.3%
- In the 10 largest
- +30.8%
- Value vs. prior quarter
- SPDR Series Trust · ST Str P500etf16.1%
- J P Morgan Exchange Traded F · US Qualty Fctr7.4%
- Wisdomtree TR · Floatng Rat Trea5.8%
- iShares TR · Trs Flt RT BD5.7%
- Blackrock ETF Trust · iShares US Equit4.8%
- State Str SPDR SP 500 ETF T · TR Unit4.2%
- Apple Inc.4.0%
- SPDR Series Trust · ST Str P500grw3.4%
- J P Morgan Exchange Traded F · U S Tec Lea ETF3.0%
- Blackrock ETF Trust · iShares Intl Div2.8%
Together, the ten largest are 57.3% of reported value.
How many clients does Vertex Planning Partners have?
Vertex Planning Partners has 843 clients and manages $1.01 billion for them, as of March 2026. They include 552 individual clients, 284 high-net-worth individuals, and 4 pension and profit-sharing plans.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 30 March 2026
What services does Vertex Planning Partners offer?
Vertex Planning Partners provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, pension consulting, selecting other managers, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and tax planning.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file; Part 2A brochure, Item 4
How much does Vertex Planning Partners charge?
Vertex Planning Partners charges 0.30%–2.00% a year for its Investment Management Fees. The fee is billed in advance and is negotiable.
Source: DISCLOSURE BROCHURE FOR VERTEX PARTNERS, filed 30 March 2026
Which custodians does Vertex Planning Partners use?
Vertex Planning Partners’ separately managed account assets are held at LPL Financial LLC (Fort Mill, SC), with $569M and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Westlake, TX), with $443M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 30 March 2026
How many financial advisors does Vertex Planning Partners have?
Vertex Planning Partners has 13 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 20 employees, and 13 perform investment advisory functions. 9 employees are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and 5 employees are licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Vertex Planning Partners invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Vertex Planning Partners’ separately managed accounts held 77% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 17% exchange-traded equities, 3% cash and equivalents, 1% non-exchange-traded equities, 1% state and local bonds and 1% investment grade corporate bonds.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns Vertex Planning Partners?
Vertex Planning Partners’ direct owners are Gregory Benner, Steven Franzen, Michael Bellis and Christopher Huston, each holding 50% or less.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 30 March 2026
How does Vertex Planning Partners get paid?
Vertex Planning Partners is paid through a percentage of assets under management and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Is Vertex Planning Partners registered with the SEC?
Yes, Vertex Planning Partners has been registered with the SEC as an investment adviser since 3 January 2022. Its CRD number is 316839 and its SEC file number is 801-122980.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 1, filed 30 March 2026; IAPD firm record
How do I contact Vertex Planning Partners?
Vertex Planning Partners’ main office is at 3000 Woodcreek Drive, Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Its phone number is 630-836-3300. Its website is vertexplanningpartners.com.