Coping with retirement among retired teachers in Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

Retirement has been given different meaning by different people; it is a period that has been associated with a myriad of problems ranging from physical, psychological to socio- economic ones. A number of researches in Kenya have focused on the challenges of retirement. Few studies have examined how retirees contend with retirement. This study focused on how retirees cope with retirement: specifically, it sought to find out how retired teachers in Makueni County were adjusting to life in their retirement in spite of the challenges associated with this period. The study was guided by the following objectives: To analyse the retirees’ social construction of retirement; to examine their experiences in retirement; and to analyse the coping strategies employed. Some of the literature reviewed dealt with the types of retirement in the world, experiences of retirees and their coping strategies. The study was guided by Social Construction Theory by Peter Berger, Disengagement Theory by Cumming and Henry, and Life Cycle Perspective by Glen Elder Jr. The Social Construction Theory stipulates that people give meanings to the world around them through their consciously lived experiences. Disengagement Theory posits that people disengage from their role and other social relationships as their abilities deteriorate in old age while the Life Cycle Perspective indicates that people are free to make choices and act per their decisions in every stage of their lives. The research sample consisted of 249 respondents; 173 males and 76 females. The sample was selected through qualitative research methods, that is, purposive and snow ball sampling techniques. In addition, questionnaires, face to face interviews, focus group discussions and key informants were used to collect data. Qualitative data was thematically coded and analysed through content narrative analysis while Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was used in getting simple tables and percentages on the views of the respondents concerning various issues in accordance with the research objectives. The findings of this research show that the retirees had divergent views on their retirement construction and experiences which were both negative and positive. For example, retirement was seen as a time of freedom to engage in other socio-economic activities and at the same time it was viewed as a time of social ridicule and financial disgrace. Similarly, the research shows that adaptive strategies such as farming, business, joining development groups, and maladaptive strategies such as drinking, selling off family property and running away from one’s responsibilities were some of the ways the retirees coped with the retirement phase. The research concludes that retirement is a time of freedom when retirees can invest their time, wealth and energy constructively in ways that bring prosperity to themselves and the society. This study recommends that employers need to prepare workers by continuously training them in preparation for retirement. In addition, pension should be paid in time to avoid financial frustrations that retirees go through in the event that their payments are delayed. The study recommends similar research involving retirees from other professions and regions in Kenya.