Zimbabwe civil servants ill-prepared for retirement

A majority of Zimbabwean civil servants are reportedly ill-prepared for life after retirement, prompting the Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish a dedicated department to guide public sector workers on retirement planning.

The announcement came during a three-day Public Service Retirement Conference, which concluded in Bulawayo on Friday. PSC chairman, Dr Vincent Hungwe, highlighted research conducted by the Commission that revealed a worrying lack of preparedness among civil servants as they approach retirement.

"In response to this trend, the Public Service Commission has established a stand-alone department within its secretariat tasked with retirement planning, programming, and implementation management to make retirement preparation a sustainable process," Dr Hungwe said.

He explained that the PSC will conduct educational programmes across sectors to equip workers with skills and opportunities to strengthen their income base and ensure a smooth transition into retirement. The initiative will leverage a Retirement Module developed last year and will introduce continuous retirement education at all career stages, including induction, mid-career, and pre-retirement levels.

Dr Hungwe also announced that efforts are underway to develop a comprehensive retirement policy to provide a guiding framework for the public service. The policy will be shaped through consultations with stakeholders to address challenges posed by early onset of chronic diseases, outward migration of skilled workers, substance abuse, and changing retirement ages.

He emphasized that macro-economic conditions and fiscal constraints significantly impact retirement planning, affecting the government's ability to meet retirement benefits. "The future we envision is one where every public servant retires with dignity, security, and hope, supported by sound policies, sustainable initiatives, and opportunities to thrive beyond the workplace," he said.

The PSC initiative underscores a growing recognition of the need to mainstream retirement planning in the public sector, ensuring that teachers, healthcare workers, security personnel, and other civil servants are adequately prepared for life after service.