Retirement Steps in Pakenham | Plan4wealth

At retirement · Pakenham

The day you retire, handled.

Retiring isn't one decision — it's a handful of moving parts that all land at once: turning your super into an income, claiming what you're entitled to, and getting your affairs in order. We walk you through each step, in the right order, and take the paperwork off your hands.

Book a chat Or call (03) 5941 5955

Sound familiar?

The questions we hear at this stage

“When do I actually press go?”

The number stacks up on paper, but committing to the date feels like a leap. We help you take it with confidence.

“How does my super become an income?”

Going from a balance to a regular payment is the part people find most unfamiliar. It's the part we set up for you.

“Am I entitled to the Age Pension?”

Maybe more than you think — and the rules are fiddly. We work it out and deal with Centrelink for you.

How we help

The steps we take together

We walk you through each one in the right order — and the paperwork's on us.

Make the most of super, while you can

The run-up is full of once-only moves — final contributions, reshaping what's inside your super, deciding how much shifts into the tax-free retirement phase. Done in the right order, they pay off for years.

Set up your retirement income

Turning your super into a steady, reliable income — with a cash reserve to draw from, so a wobbly market never dictates your pay.

Choose how it's invested

Settling how your money's invested for the years ahead, sense-checking how much risk feels right now you're living off it, and weighing options like annuities and lifetime, index-linked income.

Claim your Age Pension

Working out what you're entitled to and dealing with Centrelink for you — the part that trips most people up.

Structure for your entitlements

Sometimes a little reshuffling — between you and your spouse, or across the right structures — can lift what you're entitled to. We look for it before you claim.

Get your affairs in order

Super nominations, your will and Powers of Attorney, reviewed at the milestone where they matter most.

Ready to make the move?

Book a complimentary, no-obligation 15-minute phone chat and we'll talk through where you're up to and what your first steps look like. We'll quote any fees up front, so you know exactly where you stand. (It's general information, not personal advice.)

Book your chat

Or call us on (03) 5941 5955 · Mon–Thu, 8:30am–5:00pm

Plan4Wealth

5.0

Based on 43 reviews

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Elaine Dickson

1 month ago

Very happy with how everything is followed thru

Dale Jamieson

3 months ago

Best advice we have had in regards to our personal finances.
Recommended to lots of friends who have all been equally impressed with the knowledge and personal attention they have received.
Well done to you all and thanks again

Karly Theodore

4 months ago

Mary was so lovely and great to chat to. She gave me all the information I needed to plan accordingly. Highly recommend the team at Plan4Wealth.

Roslyn Smith

8 months ago

I am so pleased that a friend put me on to plan4wealth in Longwarry,
Mary and Aiza are amazing with fantastic financial guidance, thanks to them I’m living my best life,
Thank you very much

Carole Davis

9 months ago

Mary and her staff are always attentive and wonderful to deal with...

Tracey Tabinor

11 months ago

I had my 15 minute (40mins) free chat with Mary, and I have to say, she was very approachable, spoke in language that was easy to understand, no finance jargon, and gave me some tips to put into place straight away, without any obligations. However, I went back to them with about 4 questions, and didn’t get a response. I followed up a week later and still no response. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Response from the owner 11 months ago

Sorry Tracey, mums in palliative care. I’ll reply when I can x

Darren Hnatiw

12 months ago

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Outstanding support and guidance

Mary from Plan4Wealth went above and beyond to help me understand exactly what I should be doing and why. She explained everything clearly and made the entire process easy to follow. I truly felt supported and informed every step of the way. Highly recommend Mary at Plan4Wealth to anyone looking for trusted financial guidance!

Sam B

12 months ago

Spoke with Mary to get a sense of our hopes for retirement in a couple of years and if we were on track. I’ve been avoiding researching retirement as it was confusing, scary and contradictory when I did look online. Mary was lovely to talk with, extremely knowledgeable, explained in a way I understood, and took all the confusing parts out, leaving me with the utmost confidence in our retirement plans. We will definitely reconnect with Mary when we are ready. Highly recommend! Thank you Mary 😊 Sam & Dean

ashlee dow

1 year ago

Mary was excellent to talk to about our finances and investments. She had great advice and was very down to earth without being pushy. We will definitely be back in touch with her when we are nearing retirement to help us manage our retirement portfolio. Highly recommend getting in touch with her if you are wanting honest advice around your finances.

Sharon Bowman

1 year ago

What can I say, Mary is so easy to talk with she listens to my wishes then plans to make them happen. The whole team at Plan 4 Wealth are just amazing.
Thank you so much

Katherine Henry

1 year ago

Mary Benton gave me the time I needed to explain my circumstances and guidance where needed. I felt confident and capable of following her recommendations and reassured about some things I already had in place. Highly recommend Mary, she was great to talk to

Nicolette Backman

1 year ago

Mary is PHENOMENAL. In one short meeting she has helped to guide me through the set up of my business, what to prioritise with my goals and also forward planning out the next steps in my financial journey. Thank you! So excited to work with you.

Michael Milligan

1 year ago

Over many years we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Mary, Azia, Cathy and the team at Plan for Wealth both on a business and personal level. Our catch ups, be they by telephone, video or face to face, continue to be very professional, informative relaxed and enjoyable. The advice and support given by Mary and her team has always been second to none.
We have complete faith in their level of expertise and ability in this field and would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them as the go to professional and sound advisory consultancy.
Michael and Glenda Milligan

Hiran Rathnayaka

2 years ago

Initial consultation with Mary re:our finances were a huge success. She was able to advise us on things (at no cost)we can do to accomplish our finance goals and guide us on our retirement plans. Looking forward to working with Mary and her team soon again. Highly recommended.

Narelle Burdett

2 years ago

Fantastic chatting with Mary. Very easy to relate too and most helpful for my requirements and put me on the right track. Highly recommended from me. Thank you.

Karen Lucas

2 years ago

I was feeling very nervous about my upcoming retirement, but after speaking with Mary and implementing her advice, lm now looking forward to my future

G Tamilan

2 years ago

Had a chat with Mary about my finances. She is wonderful explaining each and every option I have. And her guidance/ assistance is crystal clear, lovely to chat with her. I'm looking forward to working with her in the future.

Sophie Leete

3 years ago

I can not speak highly enough of Mary and Plan4Wealth. During my initial (free) consultation with Mary, she provided advice which I could action straight away and did not require her services. In addition, Mary was very knowledgable on other more complicated matters and I will have no hesitation in utilising her services to progressing those investment options down the track. I highly recommend.

Lucon Foster

3 years ago

We have benefited greatly from the advise Mary gave us. She listened to our views and our plans for retirement and understood with compassion and empathy. She has laid out a simple yet effective plan we are now following in order to meet our financial goals for retirement. There's still loads for us to do but Mary has set us on our way with some clear and achievable milestones to reach these goals.
Very professional.
Very understanding.
Very clear with the direction given.

Karen Dart

3 years ago

Im very happy with Plan For Wealth, Mary was able to help me sort through how to best secure/use my assets and made me feel comfortable enough to ask questions 😊

Bec Potalej

3 years ago

I received such helpful advice and offered insight into options I didn’t know were accessible for me. I’m super grateful for my call! Thank you!

Lara Murray

3 years ago

Had a 1 hr session, received property financial advice for the present and for the future that made sense and I liked how personable Mary was. Easy to talk to. Have already highly recommended her to others!

Daniel Fowler

3 years ago

Had a 30 minute chat with Mary this afternoon about my finances. Im looking forward to working with her in the future.

Great guidance and assistance, and lovely to chat with and have already put the wheels in motion for stage 1 of our plans

Highly recommend

Dr John Stewart

3 years ago

My wife, Sue and I have been using the services of financial planner Mary Benton for 20+ years now. I have two adult children who both use Mary Benton.
Mary is skilled as a financial planner and has a good way with people.
Cathy Lizza is the person in the plan for wealth team, who handles insurances. Likewise, I can say that Cathy is very skilled having worked in this area for 20+ years and is a nice person with efficiency.
Aiza is the face of the business. You will speak with her when you phone.
again a person who is good at her job and efficient.
I am happy to recommend Mary, Cathy and Aiza

AnneGee - Yellow Hat Education

4 years ago

Mary, Aiza and her team are always so helpful and make suggestions that we may not be aware of. They know the investment and Centrelink landscape so well. Thanks to Aiza for all the help with forms and centrelink. We have been with Plan 4 Wealth for around 2 decades and feel we have a great relationship. Would highly recommend the team. Just amazing!!

Katrina Kennedy

4 years ago

I had a preliminary chat with Mary yesterday.
I found her very friendly and helpful and more importantly easy to understand.
I have no hesitation in recommending Plan4wealth and will be returning to use their services in the future.

Ron Steinwall

7 years ago

Mary has been a big help over the years and has a great command of all things financial. She is kind, and friendly. She will help you with investment planning, super portfolio construction and wealth building. Mary also has great knowledge of all Centrelink rules and regulations and the whole super, retirement, SMSF, tax and compliance related issues. Mary’s staff: Aiza and Cathy are also a great support for most and any back office related issues and provide a good interface between you and any service providers you might use, such as fund managers, insurance companies and the like.

Marcus Adams

7 years ago

Mary has assisted a number of my clients. Not only is she very caring, her strategic recommendations have proven to be invaluable for them.