{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Gray to Great","title":"15. It’s Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish: Participant Education & an Unexpected Secret to Retirement Readiness | Mark Forbes","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/9be0baa1\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1329,"description":"In this episode of Gray to Great, Dan Dal Degan speaks with Mark Forbes of Strategic Retirement Partners about helping participants cross the retirement finish line with confidence. Mark draws on more than 30 years in the industry to explain why intimidation around investing is often the biggest barrier and how small, consistent actions, supported by compounding and automation, can meaningfully improve outcomes.This conversation explores why retirement is a marathon rather than a sprint and how budgeting decisions connect to allocation and long-term outcomes. It also addresses the emotional side of retirement, including finding purpose beyond the workplace. Mark also shares insights on tax planning and preparing for what he calls “the descent down the mountain,” along with the importance of personalized guidance and fiduciary discipline. The episode closes with practical advice for the next generation of advisors and a clear reminder that long-term retirement outcomes are shaped less by initial conditions and more by disciplined guidance, sound process, and consistent execution over time. Connect with Us on LinkedInMore About Mark Forbes: Mark Forbes has spent more than 30 years working alongside retirement plan sponsors and participants, helping them navigate fiduciary responsibility and the real-world decisions that shape long-term retirement outcomes. At Strategic Retirement Partners, Mark is known for his process-driven approach, bringing structure and discipline to plan oversight while helping employers manage risk and giving participants a clearer path toward retirement readiness. His work consistently centers on practical education, meaningful one-on-one conversations, and keeping the fiduciary process clean and well documented.Mark holds the C(k)P designation from The Retirement Advisor University at UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education, as well as the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation. He earned his BBA from Drake...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/d11tL9YS7YTdJCNiX0hxLiUgeRszqDe6XetqSX9znJo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80NWM3/OWQwZmRkM2EwNTY1/Njk2OTYyZWFjYjAx/Y2ZkMi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}