Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
PUBLIC sector employees have been urged to guard against the trap of office comfort and title and start planning for their retirement.
Speaking at the 3rd Public Service Retirement Conference currently underway in Mutare, human and institutional capacity development expert, Mr Andrew Marisa said employees must value their families, social circles, health and have a retirement plan to avoid leading miserable lives after work.
He said retirement planning is life planning that must be financed and cost, warning that time is limited and titles are temporary.
“Retirement planning is life planning which is financed. Plan and cost your life. Time is not unlimited, it flies and it is not yours. Your final destination should be sustainable. Beware of comfort zones which come with titles at the workplace. Identities have given us false comfort zones. Most people do not know who they are. Identities sometimes take away our ability to plan but those identities will go away one day. Have a good relationship with your family, social networks and prioritise your health. Retirement is from employment, not from life,” said Mr Marisa.
Mr Marisa said many workers derive their identity and sense of worth solely from their positions, offices and institutional privileges, creating a false sense of security that collapses at retirement.
He said without deliberate investment in family, social networks, health and personal projects, retirees risk isolation, financial stress and loss of purpose.
The conference, which has drawn Government officials, pensioners’ associations, private sector representatives and development partners, is focusing on financial planning, health and wellness, and active ageing.
Several panellists from different sectors are leading discussions, sharing experiences and generating practical solutions to strengthen retirement outcomes for current and future generations of public servants.
