Exploring Retirement Concerns of Basic School Teachers in Ghana

The study explored the retirement concerns of basic school teachers in Ghana. It employed a qualitative phenomenological research design. 24 teachers aged 50-55, who were in the pre-retirement stage and approaching statutory retirement of 60, were sampled using the maximum variation sampling technique and interviewed. In-depth semistructured interviews were used to gather data, which were then subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed financial concerns, healthcare issues and social isolation as retirement concerns. The study found that teachers' retirement concerns were centred around three main categories: psychological concerns resulting from anxieties and uncertainties about life after active employment, social concerns about evolving family and social relationships, and financial concerns about financial insecurity in retirement. The study recommends that Ghana Education Service collaborates with financial institutions to enhance teachers' budgeting, pension and savings skills. It suggests organising financial literacy programmes to promote savings and investment diversification. It recommends pre-retirement programmes to improve their emotional preparedness for retirement.