Jane Moffett: an uplifting guide to retirement

As wealth managers, we focus on the financial side of retirement planning, but the more personal aspects are no less important. Indeed, leaving full-time work can be the start of an exhilarating new chapter. Executive coach Jane Moffett explores how to find fresh purpose and meaning in her book, What Next? The savvy woman’s guide to redefining retirement. Though aimed at women, it makes inspirational reading for anyone thinking about that next life stage.

Moffett provides a practical framework for retirement, as well as exploring how the landscape around retirement has changed, along with stories of women who have found retirement to be a journey of discovery. In this article, she shares some key messages from her book.

Craft the retirement you want

Moffett (pictured) was 50 when she did an MSc in Coaching and Behaviour Change at Henley Business School, and later set up her company, Kangaroo Coaching. Now 61, researching her book has changed how she sees her own future.

‘I’ve spoken to so many people doing different things,’ she says. ‘It’s opened up the idea that I can craft the shape of my next stage. I’m going to take charge and make it the way I want. And yes, I might choose to have more free time at that point.’

She’s also begun to focus on the elements of her work life that are too important to leave behind. ‘It would be a massive loss if I wasn’t able to discuss and debate and feel ‘current’.’

Focus on how you find fulfilment

Retirement can seem more daunting for those who don’t have a particular hobby or interest to pursue. However, fulfilment can come from many different sources – for some it might be mentoring, volunteering or learning a new skill.

‘It’s about finding the things that will give you a sense of purpose,’ says Moffett, who lives with her husband, Will Barker, in Winchester, Hampshire. ‘While researching the book, I spoke to a lot of inspiring people with a real zest for life. Some have learnt new skills that they can integrate with their past experience. They may have stepped away from huge jobs, but are doing stuff that they’re really invested in, which they can do on their own terms.’

Retirement could be one third of your life!

Increased life expectancies mean that the whole landscape around retirement has changed. Once considered a short final chapter, retirees might now have 30 plus years ahead of them. This is one of many interesting nuggets in the book: if you’re 60 currently, you’ve got a 50% chance of living to over 90.

‘It’s a long time ahead, so living it well is important,’ says Moffett. ‘We know from research that there’s a link between decreased wellbeing and stopping work.’

For those seeking new opportunities, it may be heartening to know that a recent study, published in the academic journal Intelligence, found that our overall mental functioning peaks between 55 and 60. The work by researchers at the University of Western Australia and the University of Warsaw may change how we view age.

Why retirement is different for women

A conversation with friends inspired Moffett to write What Next? It dawned on her that the first large cohort of professional women in the UK are at, or nearing, retirement and have no blueprint for the unchartered waters ahead. It became clear that many professional women were apprehensive about this next life stage. Some feared losing their identity and sense of purpose.

‘There’s a growing percentage of women who don’t have children, and their career shape might be similar to what has previously been the career shape of a man,’ Moffett points out. In her book, she also explores how life has changed for women over recent decades. For example, the marriage bar (restricting the employment of married women) was only made illegal in the UK in 1975.

When should you start planning for retirement?

The book talks about how we build up ‘intangible assets’ over the course of a lifetime, such as friendships, fitness and interests outside of work. Just as you will rely on financial savings and investments accumulated over years, these intangible assets will bring richness to the retirement years. In that sense, you start shaping your retirement many decades in advance. Greater detail will come into focus much later.

‘It’s hard to create the time and the headspace,’ says Moffett. ‘I’ve heard people saying that they’re worried they’ll have so much time on their hands in the future, but don’t have time to plan right now. I’d say start planning two or three years in advance. That way, there’s time for ideas to emerge and evolve.’

Find others in your situation

Retirement group coaching sessions led by Moffett have sparked valuable friendships amongst like-minded people as they contemplate retirement.

‘It’s important to find other people who were going through the same thing at the same time,’ she says. ‘That way, it’s less isolating and you can have honest conversations. We all know the power of groups of people going through the same thing at the same time – think of antenatal classes.’

Be prepared to experiment

‘There’s no one-size-fits-all. It really is different for everyone and it’s a process, not a quick fix,’ says Moffett. ‘It could take quite a long time to get used to this new way of being. It’s important to try new things to find out what will work for you but not to rush into things too much and just fill up your time.’

Final words

‘I firmly believe that having a better understanding of yourself opens up more choices. My aim is that by the end of the book, the reader will have designed their own unique map of their future.’

A good wealth manager will always consider the wider picture in order to achieve the best outcome for a client.

‘Jane’s book and outlook on life is truly inspiring and illustrates that life planning is just as important as financial planning,’ agrees Paul Willans, Managing Director of AJB Wealth. ‘By ensuring that you invest in both, you can achieve not only financial security but contentment.’

Jane Moffett will be talking about her book at October Books in Southampton, Hampshire, at 10.30am on 6 December 2025.  Book here.  (Her event at P&G Wells bookshop in Winchester at 6.30pm on 18 November 2025 has a waiting list.) 

For those wishing to discuss the financial aspects of retirement and lifestyle planning, please contact the AJB Wealth team. You can call us on 01428 774 070 or simply book a meeting online.