Planning to retire · Caloundra & the Sunshine Coast

Retirement planning for pre-retirees in Caloundra and on the Sunshine Coast

Retirement planning in the five to ten years before you stop work helps you choose a realistic retirement date, check how much income your super and the Age Pension could provide, and get debts and paperwork ready. Simon Pederson works through it with you in plain English. We work with people in Caloundra, Mooloolaba and across the Sunshine Coast.

Book a 30-minute Fit Check with Simon

Simon Pederson, M.Fin, B.Bus (FP), Founder and Lead Retirement Planner, over 15 years helping people plan for retirement

Walkers on a rainforest trail near a waterfall

Why start retirement planning before you finish work?

If you’re starting to picture life after work, the years before you retire are a good time to make a plan. Retirement planning helps you see how you’re tracking, choose a realistic retirement date and get your super, debts and paperwork ready.

Simon lives in Caloundra and works with people planning retirement across the Sunshine Coast. We work with people in Caloundra, Mooloolaba and across the Sunshine Coast.

“I went from head down thinking I would need to work for years to come to making the decision to go and enjoy my retirement.”
Kathy, Aug 2026Selected reviews. Individual experiences vary.

How much do you need to retire?

It depends on the life you want. Simon works out what your retirement income could be each fortnight, from super, the Age Pension and other savings, and compares it with what you actually spend. If there’s a gap, you’ll see the options for closing it, such as working a little longer, contributing more or spending differently.

Read How much money do I actually need to retire? for 2026 figures, or try our retirement ready checklist.

How can you build your super in the years before you retire?

Common options include:

Concessional (before-tax) contributions: up to $32,500 for 2026–27, including salary sacrifice and personal contributions you claim a deduction for. [1]
Non-concessional (after-tax) contributions: up to $130,000 for 2026–27, subject to other limits. [1]
Downsizer contributions: if you’re 55 or older, you may be able to contribute up to $300,000 from selling your home (each eligible spouse can contribute up to $300,000), if you’ve owned it for 10 or more years. You generally need to contribute within 90 days of receiving the proceeds. [2]

Which options suit you depends on your circumstances. Read Should I downsize my home for retirement? and see our superannuation advice page.

Is your investment mix right for your timeline?

A market fall just before you retire can have a bigger effect than one later on. Too cautious, and your savings may not keep up with inflation. Simon looks for a mix that suits your timeline and how you feel about market movements. See our investment management page and What happens to super in a market crash?

What needs to be in place before your last day of work?

Simon helps you plan:

whether and how to pay off any remaining mortgage or debts
when to start your retirement income payments from super
your Age Pension claim, if you may be eligible (Age Pension age is 67) [3]
the paperwork for your super fund and Services Australia.

The aim is for your first retirement payment to be organised before you finish, so the move from salary to retirement income is as smooth as possible.

What will you do with your time?

There’s more to retirement than money. Simon also talks through what you’d like your days to look like, where you want to live and the people and activities that matter to you. That’s part of our Path to Prosperity approach.

It starts with a 30-minute Fit Check. It’s general information, not personal advice. See Pricing, Our engagement process and retirement planning for every life stage.

Common questions about planning to retire

When should I start retirement planning?

Many people start five to ten years before they’d like to stop work. That leaves time to adjust super contributions, pay down debt and test a retirement date. It’s never too late to get a plan in place, even if you’re only months away.

How much do I need to retire on the Sunshine Coast?

It depends on the lifestyle you want, whether you own your home, and how much Age Pension you may receive. Simon works from what you actually spend, not an average. Our guide How much money do I actually need to retire? has 2026 figures.

Can I put money into super from selling my home?

If you’re 55 or older, you may be able to contribute up to $300,000 from the sale of your home into super as a downsizer contribution. For couples, each eligible spouse can contribute up to $300,000. The home must have been owned for 10 or more years, and you generally need to contribute within 90 days of receiving the proceeds.

What does a retirement planner do?

A retirement planner helps you work out when you can afford to retire, how your super and savings could provide an income, and how the Age Pension and tax fit in. Simon also talks through what you’d like retirement to look like, not just the numbers.

Want to see how you’re tracking?

Start with a 30-minute Fit Check with Simon, Founder and Lead Retirement Planner, by phone or video call.