John Bartlett

PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and how you contribute to its growth and progress. How did you end up there?

Bartlett: I’m the director of retirement services at CFS Investment Advisory Services. My role is to help plan sponsors build successful retirement plans—from design to investment oversight to employee education—with the goal of helping participants achieve financial independence. I started at CFS in 2010 as an intern while attending Rutgers University. At the time, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but CFS gave me the opportunity to explore wealth management from the ground up. Over time, I gravitated toward working with plan sponsors, drawn to the impact we can have on employees’ lives. Being part of a small, tight-knit team, I learned by listening, asking questions and staying curious. My grassroots training taught me that details matter and doing the right thing always wins. That’s still how I approach each plan sponsor and every employee interaction—lead with integrity and provide plan sponsors with the tools to build an effective plan and give employees the tools to build financial freedom.

PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future?

Bartlett: Education is still the most powerful lever we have. Automatic features have made a real difference, but financial literacy is the missing link. Employees need more than access—they need understanding. At CFS, we help plan sponsors build a system around financial wellness. That means more than a one-off webinar. It takes a coordinated effort between adviser, plan sponsor and staff to build a program in which employees feel empowered, not overwhelmed. I’m excited about how retirement income strategies are evolving, though I admit I’m still skeptical. True progress will come when income solutions are portable, accessible across platforms and free from conflicts. If we can help participants manage sequence-of-return risk and avoid unsuitable products, we can build real, lasting retirement outcomes.

PLANADVISER: What have you done that you are most proud of at work? Personally?

Bartlett: Professionally, I’m proud of growing from intern to a leadership role. I started with no experience, just a willingness to learn and work hard. Over the years, I’ve built relationships, earned trust and helped shape how we support plan sponsors and their employees. Personally, I’m proud of creating a strong foundation for my family. It wasn’t always easy—there were plenty of mistakes—but I took control of my future. Now, our focus is on happiness, growth and sharing that with others. Whether it’s through financial education or personal training—which I’ve done for over a decade—it’s deeply rewarding to help someone become a better version of themselves.