Paul Benson

Practice Principal, Financial Planner, Author, Columnist & Podcast Host

Paul Benson is the founder and principal financial adviser at Guidance Financial Services, and one of Australia’s trusted voices in financial advice and retirement planning. 

For more than two decades, Paul has helped Australians make confident decisions about retirement, superannuation, investing, inheritance, divorce, business succession and major life changes. 

When Paul’s grandfather gave him a small parcel of CSR shares as a teenager, he couldn’t have known how much that gift would shape his grandson’s life. What might have seemed an unusual present sparked an interest that became a career, helping others use what they’ve built to enjoy more of the life they’ve worked for.

He is the author of Financial Autonomy: The money book that gives you choice, host of the Financial Autonomy podcast, and the expert behind the Ask an Expert column published across The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald network every Sunday. Through his work, Paul has helped thousands of Australians better understand their money, their options and their future. 

A two-time finalist for Certified Financial Planner of the Year, Paul brings deep technical expertise without the ego. Clients come to him for straight answers, clear strategy and the confidence that someone experienced is helping them think through the decisions that matter. 

Outside of work, Paul is a Formula 1 fan, regular swimmer and runner, fly fisherman, and proud dad to two musician sons whose live gigs are a regular highlight.