It’s Not Where You Start—It’s Where You Finish: Participant Education & an Unexpected Secret to Retirement Readiness | Mark Forbes

In this episode of Gray to Great, Host Dan Dal Degan sits down with Mark Forbes of Strategic Retirement Partners to discuss what drives measurable retirement outcomes. Mark addresses the most common barriers he has seen in his more than 30 years of experience: intimidating around investing in participant behavior. He provides practical advice to approach these conversations, from simplifying the message, automating what can be automated, and reinforcing small increases in deferrals to consistently connect today’s decisions to tomorrow’s income. 

Key Insights from Mark’s Conversation

Mark explains why the “descent down the mountain” requires careful planning around spending patterns, tax coordination, and portfolio adjustments. Budgeting is not treated as a side conversation, but as a core input into allocation and income strategy. Participants nearing retirement need clarity on where they stand, what their income realistically supports, and what adjustments are still within reach.

One-on-one guidance plays a central role. Mark outlines how direct participant conversations help establish a clear starting point, define the destination, and build confidence in the path between the two. For advisors, the episode also reinforces the importance of fiduciary discipline: maintaining a documented process, proactively identifying issues, and designing plans that pull structural levers in favor of participants.

Mark reflects on the value of learning more from mistakes than wins, developing habits that reinforce discipline, and tuning out the constant noise that can distract from long-term growth. In a profession centered on outcomes measured decades into the future, he emphasizes that consistency, humility, and steady execution are what ultimately separate sustainable careers from short-term success.

More 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 University and holds the Series 66 license.

Outside of the office, Mark enjoys golf, biking, following his favorite sports teams, and spending time with his family. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Aquarium and currently serves on the University of Iowa Parent and Family Council.

Disclosures:

This material has been prepared solely for informational purposes and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of any investment, strategy or CIT by Great Gray. This material is not intended to provide legal, tax, fiduciary, or investment advice. For legal, tax, fiduciary, or investment advice, please consult your own consultant, advisor or lawyer as appropriate. 

Investment advisory services are offered through WELLth Advisory Services, LLC, dba Strategic Retirement Partners (SRP), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. WELLth Advisory Services, LLC, Strategic Retirement Partners (SRP), and Great Gray Group are separate entities.