Retirement perception and workers’ behavior: a comparative study between workers of the public and private sectors of some selected enterprises in the Bamenda Municipality

Many employees often approach retirement with mixed feelings as they exit service. To many, it represents a transition from the known to the unknown. After retirement, income becomes irregular and financial expectations become less visible. This is because policies are not well implemented to the letter, leaving retirees’ lives hanging in the balance in their old age. Management of life after retirement entails planning for the unpredictable and unavoidable new lifestyle when one is still in active service. This study was aimed at assessing the retirement perception of workers of the public and private sector in Bamenda Municipality and their consequent economic and social behavior towards the concept of retirement.The study employed an Ex post facto research design with a sample of 400 working individuals ranging from the ages of 30 to 60 years that were randomly selected. A questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used to collect data for the study. Responses revealed that retirement age perception (F =32.56, df=398, P<0.01), pre- counselling (F =46.64, df=398, P<0.01) and post counseling services (F =36.13, df=398, P<0.01) significantly predicted workers’ behavior. The findings revealed an important level of misunderstanding of what retirement is all about. Potential conflict in retirement, knowledge, planning, attitude toward retirement and retirement goal clarity are the significant predictors of retirement social and economic behavior. Key words : Retirement, pre-retirement, post-retirement, perception, workers’ behavior, enterprises, post counselling services. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-27-16 Publication date: September 30 th 2020