Perceived Problems and Coping Strategies of Retirees in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on some perceived problems of retirees in the Nsukka local government area of Enugu state and the strategies they adopted in coping with retirement. A descriptive survey was the design of the study. The population of the study comprised 3,000 retired males and females from nine towns that make up the Nsukka local government area, while the sample was 132 males and 148 females totaling 280 retirees as the sample. A simple random sampling technique was adopted with 31 from each of the nine towns except Nsukka town with 32 retirees. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses for the study were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The instrument for data collection was a researchers’ designed rating titled “retirees’ related problems and coping strategies rating scale”. The instrument was in three clusters to elicit information from the retirees on perceived problems they face and strategies they adopt to cope with the retirement problems to generate data analyzed using simple percentage mean and t-test statistics. Findings among others, showed that retirees in the Nsukka local government area have problems with low savings to sustain themselves after retirement. They also suffer problems of low self-esteem, being insulted by members of society, being deserted by old friends and non-payment of retirement benefits by the government. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there should be adequate information concerning the utilisation of available coping strategies for retirees. It was also recommended that the Nigerian government pay attention to the plight of retirees and pay them regularly their retirement benefits.