Are Hidden Fees Quietly Eroding Your Retirement? A California Fiduciary Explains | Marathon Capital Management
For California Pre-Retirees & Retirees With $250,000+ in Investable Assets

Hidden Fees Could Cost California Retirees Over $280,000 — Here's How to Check

An independent fiduciary exposes the overlooked fee structure many advisors never discuss.

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SEC Registered Advisor Fiduciary Standard Fee-Only, Zero Commissions 15+ Years Experience

No obligation • 45-60 minutes • For qualified pre-retirees & retirees

What You’ll Discover in the Next Few Minutes

Darren Crume, co-owner of Marathon Capital Management, reveals three critical things every California retiree needs to know.

The Overlooked Fee Structure

The fee structure quietly draining retirement accounts across California — and why many advisors rarely bring it up.

The Three Wealth Destroyers

Three industry practices that may be working against your financial goals while you’re paying full fees.

The Retirement Drag Detox™

Marathon Capital’s proprietary process designed to identify fee reduction opportunities and align your investment strategy with your retirement goals.

Your Personal CFO Advantage

Why an independent fiduciary structure may offer meaningful advantages over big-brand alternatives.

Three Wealth Destroyers Silently Costing California Retirees Hundreds of Thousands

These issues are often overlooked in traditional advisory relationships — and the financial impact compounds over time.

1

Wealth Destroyer #1: The Passive Trap

Most large firms use ”set it and forget it” strategies that can’t adapt to changing market conditions. Passive portfolios ride the waves up AND down with no active risk management — while you pay full fees.

2

Wealth Destroyer #2: The Junior Advisor Shuffle

At large wirehouses, your experienced advisor acquires assets while your money is managed by a separate department — or outsourced entirely. When markets shift rapidly, nobody who knows your situation is making adjustments.

3

Wealth Destroyer #3: The Conflict of Interest Problem

Many firms incentivize managers to use high-fee funds and sell commission-generating products. This creates a fundamental conflict between what’s best for you and what’s most profitable for them.

4

The Fee Impact Multiplier

A Forbes study reveals a seemingly small 1% additional fee on a $500,000 portfolio compounds to over $280,000 in lost wealth over 30 years. SmartAsset research shows the average all-in cost runs 1.65% annually — far more than most realize.

Your Complete Retirement Protection System

Four pillars of independent advantage that address every wealth destroyer simultaneously.

Independent Fiduciary Structure

No conflicts of interest. No commission incentives. As a registered fiduciary, we’re legally bound to act in your best interest — every single decision.

Active Risk Management

Real-time portfolio adjustments based on market conditions. No passive “set it and forget it” approach that may not adapt to changing market conditions.

Senior Advisor Access

You work directly with our co-owners — Darren and Kim — not junior staff or separate departments. Over 60 years of collective experience guides every decision.

Comprehensive CFO Coordination

We quarterback your entire financial life: investments, tax planning, estate planning, insurance, and retirement income strategies — all coordinated as one system.

How We Work to Optimize Your Portfolio for Long-Term Growth

1

Portfolio Audit & Fee Analysis

We analyze your current investment structure, calculate your total fee burden (visible and hidden), and show you exactly how much the current approach is costing you in lost compound growth.

2

Side-by-Side Comparison

We present a clear comparison of your current approach versus our active management system — real numbers, not projections based on hope.

3

Custom Optimization Strategy

We create a preliminary retirement income strategy tailored to your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance — identifying specific opportunities to reduce fees while improving outcomes.

4

Ongoing Active Management

Once you become a client, we actively monitor and adjust your portfolio as conditions change. Complete transparency at every step — you always know what we’re doing and why.

Select a Time for Your Free Strategy Session

Built for Investors Who've Outgrown One-Size-Fits-All Advice

Big-Box Firms & DIY Investing

Commission-based brokers with hidden conflicts of interest
Cookie-cutter portfolios built for the masses, not your goals
Advisors who rotate every 2-3 years — no long-term relationship
Sales quotas that pressure advisors to push proprietary products
Buried in bureaucracy — getting answers takes days, not hours
No proactive tax-loss harvesting or Roth conversion planning
Opaque fee structures that quietly compound over decades

Working With Marathon Capital

Fiduciary-only: legally required to act in YOUR best interest
Customized portfolios built around your specific financial goals
Long-term relationship with one dedicated advisor who knows your life
Zero sales quotas — our interests are aligned with yours
Direct access to your advisor — we prioritize same-day responses
Proactive tax strategy: loss harvesting, Roth conversions, RMD planning
Fully transparent fee-only structure — you always know what you pay

What People Ask Before Booking Their Session

We’ll review your current investments, analyze your total fee structure (including hidden fees), and show you specific opportunities for improvement. It’s purely educational with no pressure to become a client.

Absolutely none. This is a complimentary, educational consultation. We provide valuable insights whether you become a client or not. Your information remains completely confidential.

The strategy session takes approximately 45-60 minutes. We can meet in person at our Huntington Beach office or via secure video conference — whichever is more convenient for you.

You’ll work directly with Darren and potentially Kim — our co-owners and senior advisors. We do not hand you off to junior staff for consultations.

Our average all-in fee is 0.8% — significantly below the industry average of 1.65%. We require a minimum of $250,000 in investable assets. All fees are clearly disclosed during your consultation.

We are an independent registered investment advisor with no conflicts of interest. We actively manage portfolios, you work directly with senior advisors, and we act as your “Personal CFO” coordinating investments, taxes, estate planning, insurance, and retirement income — all in one place.

Yes. As a registered investment advisor, we are legally required to act in your best interest at all times. No commission incentives, no conflicts of interest. Our regulatory history is available through FINRA BrokerCheck.

We primarily serve Orange and San Bernardino Counties in California, with clients across the western US. Licensed in CA, TX, AZ, and OR. Remote consultations are available.

Complimentary Session • No Obligation • Completely Confidential

Stop Letting Hidden Fees Quietly Drain Your Retirement Wealth

Book your free “Live the Life You Planned” Strategy Session and discover exactly what you’re paying, what you’re getting, and how to protect the retirement you’ve worked your entire life to build.

Claim My Free Strategy Session
SEC Registered Advisor Fiduciary Standard Fee-Only, Zero Commissions 15+ Years Experience

For pre-retirees & retirees with $250,000+ in investable assets • Limited availability