Jane Moffett on Redefining Retirement - how to find the right path for you

In this episode, Emma welcomes Jane Moffett, a coach and author who specializes in helping women navigate the transitions in their careers and lives. Jane is the founder and director of Kangaroo Coaching, a company that works with organisations who are committed to creating progressive workplace cultures. She runs coaching programmes for new parent employees and their line managers, offers 1:1 and group coaching, and is a researcher and writer. Her most recent work is with women who are navigating their way out of work and into their next stage of life. She regularly runs her ‘Empowered Women’ courses aimed at the late-career stage, and her book ‘What next? The savvy woman’s guide to redefining retirement’ is out on 9th September.

 

Key Points & Takeaways

• Postmenopausal Zest: coined by Margaret Mead, this concept refers to a renewed sense of purpose and clarity that many women experience after menopause. Jane emphasizes the importance of authenticity during this stage, encouraging women to pursue what truly lights them up.
• The Third Stage of Women’s Careers: This stage is characterized by a shift from “work you need to do” to “work you want to do.” Jane highlights the importance of leveraging past experiences and networks when transitioning into new ventures.
• Entrepreneurship Among Women: The fastest-growing cohort of entrepreneurs is women in their fifties. Jane encourages bravery and proactivity, urging women to draw on their strengths and reach out to their networks.
• Navigating Empty Nest Syndrome: Acknowledging the psychological transition when children leave home can help women focus on their own identities and aspirations.
• Investing in Intangible Assets: Jane discusses the concept of investing in productive, vitality, and transformational assets to enhance longevity and fulfilment in life. Self-knowledge and community involvement are crucial for successful transformation.
• Finding Purpose: The Japanese concept of "Ikigai" is introduced as a framework for finding purpose by combining what you love, what you’re good at, and what contributes to others. Jane shares practical exercises like free writing to help individuals discover their purpose.
• The Gender Pension Gap: Women often retire with significantly less in pension savings compared to men, primarily due to salary disparities and career breaks. Jane stresses the importance of considering pension wealth in life planning, especially during major life transitions like divorce.
• Redefining Retirement: The traditional binary view of work and retirement is evolving; people are exploring varied paths that may include part-time work, entrepreneurship, or new hobbies. Planning for retirement should focus on creating a fulfilling and personalized experience.

Resources

• Jane’s Website: Kangaroo Coaching – where you can find resources and a workbook for self-reflection: https://kangaroocoaching.net/from-retired-to-redefined 
• Jane’s Book: What Next? The Savvy Woman's Guide to Redefining Retirement – available from September 9, 2025
• Exploratory Writing by Alison Jones – a resource for reflective writing practices.

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