Sunlit Path Retirement Partners

Sunlit Path Retirement Partners is a financial planning business operating under the trading name of The Trustee for Mino Family Trust, led by Authorised Representative Simon Pederson (AR 000341008). They specialise in pre-retirement planning, superannuation advice, retirement income strategies, and Centrelink Age Pension management across the Sunshine Coast, including Mooloolaba, Buderim, Maroochydore, Noosa, and Caloundra. The firm offers flexible consultations either in-person at The Mooloolaba Wharf office, via phone or video call, or through home visits.

The process begins with a 30-minute 'Fit Check' conducted by phone or video call, which is general information rather than personal advice. During this session, Simon walks clients through a simple retirement checklist to determine if they are a good match before any fees are agreed upon or work starts. This step ensures there is no sales pressure and allows clients to understand where they stand before committing to a plan.

Fees for a one-off Statement of Advice start from $3,300, with the exact amount confirmed in writing before any work begins based on the complexity and scope of the situation. There is no separate implementation fee for putting the plan into action, which includes setting up accounts and consolidating super. Ongoing advice fees also start from $3,300 a year and can include amounts based on the funds advised on, all detailed in the Financial Services Guide.

The firm provides tailored advice for planning to retire, pre-retirement planning, and retirement income streams including turning super into regular income. They also assist with life changes such as divorce, losing a partner, or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD), as well as entering aged care involving RAD or DAP fees and the family home. Each stage is explained step by step to ensure decisions are made at a pace that suits the client.

The business operates out of The Mooloolaba Wharf office on the Sunshine Coast, but clients are not required to visit in person for initial meetings. Consultations can be conducted via phone or video call, or through home visits, making it accessible for those in Caloundra, Mooloolaba, and beyond. The office location serves as a base for their operations while maintaining flexibility for remote interactions.

Simon Pederson holds the qualifications M.Fin and B.Bus (FP) and operates as an Authorised Representative (No. 000341008) of Spark Advisors Australia Pty Ltd, which holds AFSL 380552. The corporate entity Sunlit Path is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 001320149) and the firm itself is a trading name of The Trustee for Mino Family Trust. Clients can verify these details on the Financial Advisers Register via Moneysmart.

The business is open for consultations Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, with Saturday and Sunday closed. These hours apply to their office at The Mooloolaba Wharf and the times during which they accept bookings for phone or video calls. Clients outside these hours must wait until the next business day to schedule a session.

Some reviewers praise Simon Pederson for listening and explaining things in language clients can understand, noting a straightforward approach. Others express absolute faith in his ability and gratitude for his experience over many years. The firm states that individual experiences vary, but selected reviews from 2020 and 2026 reflect positive engagement with the process.

When giving personal advice, the law requires Simon to act in the client's best interests in relation to that advice under Corporations Act 2001, section 961B. The firm's Financial Services Guide sets out how they are paid, their licensing, and the steps involved in the engagement process. This compliance is a core part of their stated approach to financial planning.

The Path to Prosperity approach involves looking at super, retirement income, the Age Pension, and tax together as one plan rather than in isolation. Simon explains how most decisions in retirement affect each other, such as how a change to super can impact tax and the Age Pension. This holistic method ensures that aged care and the family home are also considered within the single plan.

The FSG outlines the fees, licensing, and how the firm is paid, ensuring transparency before any work starts. It details ongoing fees, life insurance commissions, and the steps of the engagement process, including the retirement checklist. Clients are encouraged to read the FSG to understand the costs and structure of the advice they receive.

Once the Statement of Advice is agreed upon, the fee covers putting the plan into action without a separate implementation charge. This includes opening accounts, consolidating super, and arranging income payments, though brokerage may apply to share trades as set out in the FSG. The goal is to get the plan in place efficiently so clients can move forward with their retirement strategy.

The firm specifically serves Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Maroochydore, Noosa, and the broader southern Sunshine Coast region. They tailor their advice to local needs, acknowledging that questions change as life does from Caloundra to Mooloolaba and beyond. This geographic focus allows them to provide relevant context for retirement planning in these specific communities.

For aged care, they cover RAD or DAP, the associated fees, the family home, and the Age Pension by working through the rules and paperwork with the client and their family. This ensures that the impact of aged care on the overall financial plan is understood before making decisions. The firm integrates this into the broader plan to avoid isolated decisions that could affect other areas.

You can reach Sunlit Path Retirement Partners by phone at +61 7 5327 3495.