Jason Moss is an Independent Financial Adviser at Harvest Associates and writes a regular column for Altrincham Today on pensions, investment planning and making the most of your money.
Last summer I was lucky enough to get tickets to the first of Oasis's Manchester homecoming gigs. It was fantastic - but one thing stuck with me more than the music: seeing so many different generations in that crowd, from teenagers to people in their seventies, all singing the same words.
It reminded me that I never want to stop doing the things I love. In fact, one of my own retirement goals is to go to more gigs, not fewer.
Happy New Year
Some of you will know me from my regular columns here in Altrincham Today, where I write about pensions, investment planning and making the most of your money.
Reflecting on 2025, our family grew from three to four with the arrival of our second daughter. Moments like that put everything into perspective - they remind you what's truly important. (They also bring back the sleep deprivation, but hey, more chaos equals more love.)
We only have one life, and we don't know how long we're here for. That's why I always try to remind my clients: make the most of it. Enjoy it. Live your best life.
Why Retirement Feels So Daunting
For lots of people, the idea of retirement is genuinely frightening. Two things tend to hold people back:
The money question. Moving from a regular income to living off savings and pensions feels uncertain. Will it be enough? How do I actually turn a pension pot into money I can live on? When can I afford to stop working?
The identity question. For some people, their career is a huge part of who they are. The thought of stepping away - of being outside their comfort zone - can be just as daunting as the financial side.
I spend a huge amount of time helping clients navigate these roadblocks, sometimes starting years before they actually retire. My role is to do the heavy lifting: help you understand, simplify, and - most importantly - give you peace of mind and clarity so you can live your best life.
Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
When clients come to me for the first time, these are the things I hear most often:
"I've got pensions I haven't looked at in years - I don't know where to start."
"I've no idea how my pensions are invested, or whether they're actually performing well."
"Will my pensions give me the income I need in retirement?"
"How do I turn this pot of money into something I can actually live on?"
"When can I afford to retire?"
If any of that resonates, now is the time to get in touch.
Your Free Financial Health Check
Not sure whether your current finances will give you the retirement you're hoping for? Get in touch for a free financial health check.
It's a 30-minute conversation to help you understand whether you're on track - or whether there are steps you need to take. Afterwards, I'll let you know if there are areas where professional advice could help. No obligation, just clarity.
Three Things You Can Do Today
1. Don't ignore your pensions. They may not be working as hard as they could be for you.
2. Make sure your will is up to date. Life changes - make sure your wishes still reflect your circumstances.
3. Put Lasting Powers of Attorney in place. Nobody wants to think about it, but having them gives real peace of mind.
As an Independent Financial Adviser, I help clients with pensions, investment planning, inheritance tax, financial protection, and life planning — everything you need to be best placed for your future.
If there's anything I can help with, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch:
Email: jmoss@harvestassociates.co.uk
Mobile: 07703 341 285
Harvest Associates is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA registered number is 629749. The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
