--- title: "Plan4wealth – Financial Planning Service in Pakenham" description: "Retirement advice for over-60s in Pakenham & South-East Melbourne — income, Centrelink, investments and the big decisions, handled with care." featured_image: "https://plan4wealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Google-my-Business-Banner-1.png" url: "https://plan4wealth.com.au/" date_modified: "2026-08-28T13:27:02+10:00" --- ## Pakenham · South-East Melbourne financial planning # LIVE THE RETIREMENT ## you’ve Always Dreamed of! with Plan4wealth — specialising in retirement planning in Pakenham for over 20 years. [Book a free call](https://p4w.as.me/preliminary-chat) [Download our Retirement Guide](https://plan4wealth.myflodesk.com/diyretirementplanning) --- ## ⭐️ 5.0 from 40+ Google reviews ## Helping retirees since 2005 ## Pakenham & South-East Melbourne ## 40+ years in financial services --- ## Wherever you're up to ## There's a plan for this stage of life The smartest moves often start the day you turn 60 — however many years that leaves before you actually stop work. ### Thinking about retiring #### Retirement's on the horizon It might be a few years off, but this is the time to plan tax smartly, pay down debt, and work through the big question: when can you comfortably stop? [Pre Retirement Planning](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/pre-retirement-planning/) ### You've got a date in mind #### The finish line's in sight We get you retirement-ready — your income organised, your entitlements claimed and the paperwork handled, so the switch from working to retired is calm, not daunting. [Retirement-ready steps](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/retirement-steps/) ### Already retired #### Making it last and stay simple We look after the ongoing picture: your investments, your Centrelink, downsizing decisions and inheritances as life unfolds — leaving you free to focus on enjoying yourself. [Investment management](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/investing-through-retirement/) --- ![A broken piggybank with coins for a financial emergency](http://plan4wealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/P4wealth-banner-Blog-Graphic-2-1.png) ## Don't get stuck ### Beware of financial noise --- **Are you ready to make the right financial steps towards living ****a life you love?** Endless, conflicting retirement information is enough to freeze anyone — and “paralysis by analysis” quietly costs people the retirement they’d pictured. You’ve done the hard work of saving. Our job is simply to cut through the noise, so the way forward is clear and the decisions stay yours. --- ## Sound familiar? ## The questions we hear most Every situation is different. These are the worries our clients arrive with — and the ones we’re here to take off your shoulders. #### “Will the money last?” You’ve saved hard. Now you want to know it will see you through — and still let you enjoy the years ahead. #### “How will this affect my pension?” Nearly every decision seems to come back to Centrelink. We help you understand the impact before you act — and make sure you’re not missing anything you’re entitled to. #### “Should we downsize?” Whether to move, what it means for your pension, a granny-flat arrangement with the kids — we think it through with you. #### “An inheritance has landed” An inheritance usually arrives wrapped in loss. When you’re ready, we sit beside you, handle the paperwork, and help you work out what it means, including for your pension. #### “It's all on me now” Facing retirement on your own — widowed, separated, or happily single — doesn’t mean working it all out alone. You’ll have someone steady to lean on.   #### “I just want someone to handle it” The forms, the phone calls, the worry about markets — that’s our job. You take the advice and get on with your life.   --- ## How we work ## Simple, and at your pace Three clear steps — no jargon, and you decide when you’re ready. ## 1 ## A no-obligation chat A no-obligation phone chat to understand where you’re up to and what matters to you. We’ll quote any fees up front, so there are no surprises. ## 2 ## A plan made for you If we’re a fit, we build a clear plan around your goals — written in plain english, with the reasons spelled out, so you always know the why behind the what. ## 3 ## We put it in motion — together We handle the paperwork, the Centrelink and the fund managers, and keep you informed without the heavy lifting. You stay in control; we do the legwork. --- ## What we help with ## The things that keep retirees up at night All part of what we do — tap any one to learn more. #### [Centrelink and Age Pension](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/retirement-steps/centrelink-age-pension/) Applying, understanding the rules, and staying on top of how decisions affect your entitlement. #### [Winding up an SMSF](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/winding-up-an-smsf/) Tired of running your own fund? We wind it up properly — often saving the higher accounting fees that come with it. #### [Downsizing in retirement](https://plan4wealth.com.au/downsizing-in-retirement/) Should you move, what it does to your pension, and granny-flat arrangements — thought through with you. #### [Receiving an inheritance](https://plan4wealth.com.au/receiving-an-inheritance/) Gentle, unhurried guidance on what to do next — and what it means for your pension and your family. #### [Debt-free by retirement](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/pre-retirement-planning/debt-free-by-retirement/) A step-by-step, tax-effective plan to clear what you owe within your timeframe and means. #### [Investing through retirement](https://plan4wealth.com.au/retirement-planning-services/investing-through-retirement/) Income designed to last and keep pace with rising costs — managed so you don’t have to watch the markets. --- ## In our clients' words ## From overwhelmed to at ease A few words from people who were once exactly where you might be now. Plan4Wealth 5.0 Based on 48 reviews powered by G o o g l e review us on Ann Murray 1 week ago Mary’s explanation of complicated financial issues was easy for us to understand & gave us confidence in her ongoing planned management of our retirement funds. Lindy Cavanagh 2 weeks ago I recently had an initial consultation with Mary from Plan 4 Wealth and was genuinely impressed. What was meant to be a quick 15‑minute chat turned into a much longer conversation simply because she took the time to understand my situation and talk things through properly. Mary was incredibly supportive, generous with her time and genuinely encouraging. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mary and Plan 4 Wealth to anyone looking for thoughtful, client‑centered financial guidance. John Collins 3 weeks ago Plan4Wealth have been our financial advisors for 20 years. Mary's advice and investment strategy have meant we have been able to retire comfortably and with financial 'peace of mind'. Also Aiza's help with questions, advice and liaising with Centrelink has been amazing. Tracy Autard-Barry 2 months ago Mary gave me some great advise and future planning. Jenni Dowell 2 months ago Mary & her team are fantastic. They know what they are talking about and give great advice *& guidence. I thoroughly recommend their services (function(p){if(!p)return;let w=p.offsetWidth,m=function(a,b){return Math.min(a,b)===a};p.querySelector('.grw-row').classList.replace('grw-row-m','grw-row-'+(m(w,510)?'xs':m(w,750)?'x':m(w,1100)?'s':m(w,1450)?'m':m(w,1800)?'l':'xl'))})(document.currentScript?.parentElement) --- ![Mary-Benton-Financial-Planner-Pakenham Australia-retirement-planning-Plan4wealth](https://plan4wealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mary_120218-scaled-1.jpg) ## Meet your adviser ## Hi, I'm Mary Benton I’ve spent more than 40 years in financial services, and the past two decades helping people around Pakenham retire well. My job is to cut through the financial noise and jargon, do the heavy lifting, and help you feel calm and confident about your money. You won’t be dealing with me alone, either: Aiza looks after you on the phone and through the paperwork, so there’s always someone who knows your situation. We’re currently in Longwarry while our new Pakenham home and office is built, and we’ll be settled there by late 2026. **— Mary** --- ![An old couple going to the beach to enjoy their retirement](http://plan4wealth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Plan4wealth-ebook-1.png) DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE GUIDE! Get started on your optimal plan for the retirement you’ve always dreamed of and subscribe to our newsletter! First name Email address DOWNLOAD Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for your free Guide!. --- ## LATEST ARTICLES Learning Something New in Retirement: The Pleasure of Being a Beginner Again Learning Something New in Retirement: The Pleasure of Being a Beginner Again Mary Benton • 22 July 2026 • Healthy Habits for Seniors, Within Retirement - Guides Learning something new in retirement is learning as it should always have been — no exams, no career ladder, nobody marking you. … The Centrelink Loop: Why Capable People Give Up on the Age Pension The Centrelink Loop: Why Capable People Give Up on the Age Pension Mary Benton • 17 July 2026 • Within Retirement - Guides Giving up on the Age Pension is rarely a decision. It’s an exhaustion — and it costs retirees entitlements they spent forty … Decluttering in Retirement: Sorting and Sharing Decluttering in Retirement: Sorting and Sharing Mary Benton • 24 June 2026 • Within Retirement - Guides Decluttering in retirement is one of those jobs we all mean to get to. Whether you’ve finally found the time, someone’s started … --- ## Let's have a chat Book a complimentary, no-obligation 15-minute phone chat. We’ll talk through where you’re up to, what you’d like retirement to look like, and how we can help. We’ll quote any fees up front, so you know exactly where you stand. (It’s general information, not personal advice.) [Book your Chat](https://p4w.as.me/preliminary-chat) Or call us on [(03) 5941 5955](tel:+61359415955) · Mon–Thu, 8:30am–5:00pm