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International Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Research (IJBR) ISSN 0976-2612, Online ISSN 2278–599X, Vol-8, Special Issue-3, 2017, pp377-384 http://www.bipublication.com
Research Article
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, PhD.1
1Technological University of the Philippines;
kevien_cabarrubias@tup.edu.ph
ABSTRACT
The House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines proposed a bill [House Bill 242] that the
compulsory retirement age of Filipino government workers would be changed from 65 to 55 years of age. The
study intended to find out the attitudes of government employees of the Technological University of the
Philippines- Manila on early retirement. This study focused on three aspects of retirement which are the
government employee’s concept of retirable age, their attitudes towards early retirement, and the perceived
psychological consequences of early retirement as in family relation, social relation, and economic status. Finding
shows that the government employee-respondents want to retire at 55 years of age rather than 65. The most
dreaded fear after retirement is the reduction in the cost of living allowance. Results also revealed that the
involvement of the respondents in social organization contributes greatly to their adjustment to retired life. The
family and the respondents’ relationship with them contribute to the success of one’s retirement. A positive
attitude towards retirement would enable the retiree to cope up with problems of retirement. The ability of the
respondents to maintain good relationship with former co-workers creates a satisfactory retirement life.
Furthermore, gender, civil status, highest educational attainment, and length of service did not show a significant
correlation in the concept on retirable age; only the profile variable age shows a significant correlation in the
concept of retirable age.
Keywords: early retirement, retirable age, psychological consequences of early retirement
INTRODUCTION
The House of Representatives of the Republic of
the Philippines proposed a bill [House Bill 242]
that the compulsory retirement age of Filipino
government workers would be changed from 65
to 55 years of age. This proposed bill is
based on the data from the Philippine Statistics
Authority (2011) that shows the average life
span for males is 72 years old and for females is
75 years old of which there is a minimal of
seven years for male and ten years for female to
live and enjoy life after retirement. Some
[government] employees want to retire at the
age 55. They are the employees who spent the
best years of their lives in [public] service. Now,
they want to diversify their interests. Some
would like to engage in business or in some
other profitable enterprise which they have not
done so while still in the government service.
Some would want to just enjoy the remaining
years of their lives (Zamora, 2011). Retirement
is a time when responsibilities are reduced and
replaced by different kinds of outlets, but it does
not logically match with the retirement age.
Retirement is very much looked forward to by
people who look at it as a period of potential
enrichment which will provide freedom to
pursue meaningful hobbies of interest kept long
in abeyance (Benjamin, 1989).
Thus, leaving the workforce may change the
whole outlook of the individual towards life and
living it, this may be detrimental to the
psychological make-up, more so if the change
comes ten years earlier. In addition to that, at
such age range many set ways have already
come and changes become harder to cope with.
And to top it off, in the Philippine society
retirement may be a strange idea where millions
of old men and women are forced to work hard
well beyond 65 mainly to survive, economic
necessity makes it impossible for them to retire
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, et al. 378
and many continue to work until they drop dead
(Hernando,1990; Waldron,2001). The bill must
be studied thoroughly first before any decisions
are made. Hence, this is the reason for this
research study.
Background of the Study
Attitude and perception are considered as
pivotal elements in the process of making a
decision or choice. It is through perception that
individuals give meaning to the objects and
events in their environment. As Huse and
Bowditch (2007) put it, each of us sees the
world differently and acts on those perceptions
in ways that makes sense to us. Attitudes that a
retiree must hold on to is that to look at
retirement from a forward-looking position and
by considering it as a beginning rather than an
end. With this attitude, studies show that
adjustment would be easier.
The concept of retirement may differ for
different individuals; some prefer to hold on the
present retirement age or at times would even
want to retire a little later. They defend their
stand by saying that they are still capable of
effective performance. However, studies also
show that an increasing number of individuals
are starting a trend towards early retirement.
Whichever their stand may be, one thing
remains, that the workers must feel ready and
willing to retire when they do. Psychological
consequences of retirement as a whole should be
positive. The family relations dictates the
satisfaction in retirement since not only the
family members are the most affected in the
process, but it is also true that they will be the
ones supporting the retiree in this transition.
Being cut from the people who constitute the
bulk of social acquaintances may cause shook to
some retirees but studies suggest that a good
way to socialization is to join social
organizations. For those who had been
economically independent for forty-five to fifty-
five years, retirement may be frightening
because of the possibility of not being able to
sustain oneself and one’s family. Thus, stability
of status is a factor in the adjustment of retired
life (Osborne, 2007). Consequently, the above-
mentioned aspect of retirement influences
retirees on decision making on retirement. It is
hoped that through this study, a more positive
attitudes towards retirement may produce that
will finally achieve a more productive
retirement life.
Statement of the Problem
This study attempted to find out the attitudes of
government employees of the Technological
University of the Philippines- Manila on early
retirement.
Specifically, this study aimed to answer the
following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the
respondents in terms of age, gender, civil
status, highest educational attainment, length
of service, and position designation?
2. What are the attitudes of the respondents on
early retirement?
3. What are the psychological consequences of
early retirement as perceived by the
respondents in the following areas: family
relations, social relations, and economic
status?
4. Is there significant relationship between the
respondents’ concept on retirable age and
their demographic profile- variables?
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
To discover the concept of retirable age among
the Technological University of the Philippines
(TUP) employees, the attitudes they have on
early retirement, and their perceived
consequences of it, the researcher used a
descriptive method of research, employing the
questionnaire and interview method. Out of the
209 retirable employees of Technological
University of the Philippines, using the Slovin
with 0.075 margin of error, there were 90
retirable-employees who served as respondents
to the study. Those respondents were randomly
selected, were still working in the said
institution and their age ranges from 45 to 65.
The main data gathering tool used in this study
was the questionnaire, a written instrument
which contains a series of questions where
individuals respond. This was designed to
answer the problem set forth in the study and
consists of several parts. All questions were
formulated with reference to different sources of
related literature. The questionnaire has three (3)
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, et al. 379
parts. The first part covers the profile of the
respondents in terms of age gender, civil status,
highest educational attainment, length of
service, and position designation. The second
part is the attitudes of the respondents on early
retirement. Lastly, the third part is the
psychological effects of early retirement focused
on the three (3) areas, namely, family relations,
social relations, and economic status. The
respondents were asked to describe the
psychological consequences of early retirement
of each area. Data gathered from the
respondents were carefully compiled, tabulated,
analyzed and interpreted through statistical
tools. Statistical instruments were used in
analyzing and evaluating the data according to
the research questions and hypothesis. To
describe the profile of the respondents, the
researcher used frequency and percentage and
arithmetic weighted mean. Chi-Square was used
in the correlation between the respondents’
concept on retirable age and the demographic
profile- variables. As to the ranking and scoring
of the fears on retirement, possible fears were
ranked as one (1) as the most and 10 as the least
dreaded fear.
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of
Data
Profile of the Respondents
The typical retirable respondents are a female,
50-59 years old, married, master’s degree holder
and have served the institution for more than 25
years.
Stand Regarding Early Retirement
Majority of the retirable employee-respondents
were in favor of the bill on early retirement
having a frequency of 59 or 66%. This indicates
that early retirement is very much looked
forward to by the respondents. This implies that
majority of the respondents would like the
legislators to pass the bill in Congress.
Table 1: Stand Regarding the Proposed Bill
According to Respondents
Respondents’ Stand Frequency Percentage
Yes 59 66
No 31 34
Total 90 100%
Concept of Retirable Age
It could be gleaned from Table 2 that the 55
years old emerge as what ideal retirable age is to
be from the point of view of respondents,
garnering a frequency of 51 or 57 percent. On
the other hand, 39 or 43 percent of the
respondents opted to choose the 65 years old as
the ideal age for retirement. The result can be
construed that the ideal age of retirement is 55
years old according to the retirable which is the
retirement age of the proposed bill.
Table 2: Ideal Age of Retirement
Ideal Age of Retirement Frequency Percentage
65 39 43
55 51 57
Total 90 100%
Reasons on the Perceived Ideal Age for
Retirement
The reasons of respondents for on the perceived
ideal age for retirement are presented in Figure
1. When the 90 retirable respondents were
asked as to what will be their reasons for retiring
at age 65, many of them which comprised of 15
or 38 percent stated that they will retire from the
service because they want to give/spend more
time with their family. Nine (9) of the
respondents wanted to retire at 65 because they
would like to engage in a more
profitable/financially rewarding ventures ,while
five (5) respondents would like to have an
opportunity to share their expertise in the chosen
career through consultancy or as a volunteer;
four (4) would retire because of failing health;
three (3) of the respondents want to engage in
civic/religious/community activities ; another
reason is because of being tired of working that
was according to the two (2) respondents and
one (1) respondents wants to fulfill other things.
The findings of the study collaborate with
research by Jex and Grosch (2012) who stated
that positive aspects that may lead an individual
to retire voluntarily because of the need to spend
more time with one’s spouse or family.
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, et al. 380
Fig 1: Reason on the Perceived Ideal Age for
Retirement According to the Respondents
Attitude Towards Early Retirement
Figure 2 shows the reasons of respondents for
availing early retirement. When the 90 retirable
respondents were asked as to what will be their
reasons for availing early retirement, majority of
them stated that health reason is the main reason
for retiring early followed by tired of going to
work (burn out) which has a frequency count of
37 and 17 respectively. Other reasons are
conflict with superiors/coworkers which
comprised of 11 respondents; compulsory
(offered due to redundancy) with a frequency
count of seven (7) and one (1) respondent would
like to retire early because s/he wants to avail of
early financial reward.
The health of the individual is also a significant
determinant of early retirement intentions. There
is a large volume of literature that suggests that
older workers who are in poor health are more
likely to retire earlier than older workers who
have reasonably good health (Feldman, 1994;
Wang and Shi, 2014; Topa et.al., 2009).
Fig 2: Reasons for Availing Early Retirement
Fears on Retirement
Table 3 presents the rank of the possible fears of
the respondents after retirement as perceived by
the respondents. First on the rank is the
reduction in the cost of living allowance which
counted to 234 or 7.82%. The last on the rank is
death which counted to 441 or 14.74%. As
revealed in the table, the reduction in the cost of
living allowance is the most feared by the
respondents while death is the least dreaded.
As income from employment comes to the end,
the retirees face new experience of life difficulty
resulting into failure to meet normal life
requirements as active employee (Oburu, 2011).
Kapuya (2003) indicated that human being is
vulnerable to risk, contingencies and
uncertainties with respect to income as a mean
of life sustenance.
Table 3: Rank for Respondents’ Fears after
Retirement
Fears on Retirement Sum of
Ranks % Rank
Reduction in the cost of
living allowance 234 7.82 1st
Feeling of alienation 235 7.85 2
nd
Disengagement (people
are less interested in
having social contacts) 255 8.52 3rd
Meaninglessness 266 8.89 4
th
Failing health 276 9.22 5
th
Build up anxieties and
depressions 285 9.52 6th
Financial Difficulty 288 9.63 7
th
Powerlessness 302 10.09
8th
Affect sexual functioning
(lesser sexual activity) 410 13.70 9th
Death 441 14.74 10
th
Psychological Effects of Early Retirement as
Perceived by the Respondents in the
Following Areas: Family Relations, Social
Relations, and Economic Status
Family View of Retirement
The finding of how the families of the
respondents view their retirement is presented in
Table 4. Admittedly, there was a strong
response as an acceptable option which counted
a frequency of 42 or 46.68 percent and the
family were in favor which was stated by many
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, et al. 381
of the respondents which exhibited a frequency
of 40 or 4.44% while eight (8) of the
respondents or 8.90% opted not to give their
perceived family point of view on retirement.
It is noteworthy to mention that the family view
of the retirement is important and must be
considered as well since the family members
were the ones most affected by the retirement of
an individual. The relationship of a retiree with
his family is greatly indicative of how well an
individual would adjust to retired life. Family
members are those who could most likely
support the retiree in his old age (Brubaker,
1999; Sass, et.al., 2009).
Table 4: Family View of Retirement
Family View Frequency Percentage
in favor 40 44.44
acceptable option 42 46.67
against it 0 0
No response 8 8.89
Implications of Retirement for the Family
Table 5 shows the result of retirement for the
family according to the retirable respondents. A
closer look at the table shows that most of the
retirable employee-respondents see themselves
that they have more time to spend and take care
of the family members with a frequency of 42 or
29.37 percent while there were respondents
echoed that they were contented, they have a
closer relationship with the family as a result of
retirement and happy which counted 35 or
24.48%, 33 or 23.08% and 28 or 19.58%
respectively.
Table 5: Implications of Retirement for the Family
Implications of
Retirement Frequency Percentage
More time to spend and
take care of the family
members 42 29
Closer relationship 33 23
Same/no concern 3 2
Happy 28 20
Contented 35 25
Others 2 1
Relationship with Co-Workers After
Retirement
Table 6 presents the relationship of the
respondents with co-workers after retirement as
perceived by respondents. It shows that many of
the respondents disclosed that their friendly
relations with their co- workers/friends will still
remain, but their official relation would subside
after they retire with a frequency count of 40 or
44 percent. Interestingly to note, that
respondents claimed that they will have a better
social relationship, relationship with co-worker
will still be same with a frequency of 18 ( 20%)
and 17 ( 18.89%) respectively. In the contrary,
13 respondents (14.44%) perceived that they
will have no more time to spend with them.
There were 2.22 percent or two (2) employees
have no concern on their relationship with co-
workers even if they retired.
It is expected that the more the retirees’ social
networks the easier adjustment to retirement will
be. The higher the social support available to
retirees, the better their psychological well-
being is. It is an aspect of well-being due to the
feeling of being superior to others in the view of
relevant others and oneself (Van Solinge and
Henkens, 2005).
Table 6: Relationship with Co-workers after
Retirement
Social Relations Frequency Percentage
the same/no changes 17 19
no more time to spend
with them 13 14
no concern 2 2
better social relationship 18 20
friendly relation remain
but official relation
subside
40
45
Total 90 100
Social Life After Retirement
Table 7 pictured the social life after retirement
of the respondents as perceived by the
respondents. Table 7 shows that most of the
respondents echoed that they have more time
now with their family and to social works and
activities which counted a frequency of 50 or
equivalent to 55.56 percent. According to the 33
respondents or 36.67%, their social life after
retirement is still the same but seven (7) of the
90 respondents perceived that they will have less
contact with people. The group who were best
adjusted to a retired lifestyle showed high
involvement in community organizations and
activities. Social participation seems to be not
only a sign of good adjustment, it also adds to
life quality after retirement. It enhances
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, et al. 382
cognitive functioning and functional ability
(Avlund et al., 2004; Lee, 2000;) and perceived
life quality (Bowling et al., 2004). The
involvement of the respondents in social
organization contributes greatly to their
adjustment to retired life (Cabarrubias, 2006).
Apart from being good for the individual, older
citizens’ social participation is a valuable asset
to the community. Many retirees continue in
paid employment part-time; some provide
educational networks locally or nationally; some
keep communities alive by organizing events,
and participating in local political decision-
making. An increasing number of active older
people use their energies on trips and travelling
around the world instead (Feldman and
Oberlink, 2003).
Table 7: Social Life after Retirement
Social Life After Retirement Frequency Percentage
the same
33
36.67
more involvement in social
work 50 55.56
less contact with people 7 7.78
Total 90 100
Economic Status After Retirement
The pictured financial standing of the retirable
respondents is presented in Table 8 below.
Undoubtedly, 30 respondents or 33.33% echoed
that their financial status is stable and the 22
respondents also echoed they will depend on
pension or support or their children. It is
therefore implied that the economic status of the
retired respondents is stable, a good indicator in
the adjustment of retired life since retirement
may be frightening because of the possibility of
not being able to sustain oneself and one’s
family. On the other hand, 18 respondents or
20% viewed that there will be no changes on
their economic status after retirement. Seven (7)
of the respondents viewed their financial status
after retirement as unstable. It is noteworthy to
mention that one’s financial situation is one of
the most important factors in the adjustment to
retirement since income provides a picture of
how retirees adjust to retirement and that
financial matters preoccupy many people of
post-retirement age.
Table 8: Economic Status after Retirement
Economic Status Frequency Percentage
same/no changes 18 20
Stable 30 33.
Unstable 7 8
no monthly income 13 14
depends on
pension/support of
children 22 25
Total 90 100
Correlation between the Respondents’
Concept on Retirable Age and Profile
Variables
Gender, civil status, highest educational
attainment, and length of service did not show a
significant correlation in the concept on retirable
age. This was attested by the chi-square value
of the said variables: 0.0099, 1.79, 3.88, 3.82
and 5.17, respectively which did not exceed the
critical value of 3.841, 5.991, 9.488, 9.488, and
7.815, respectively, thus the null hypothesis is
accepted. Only the profile variable age shows a
significant correlation on retirable age which
was attested by the chi-square value of 8.67
which exceeds the critical value 5.991, thus the
null hypothesis is rejected. According to Duque
(2013) if we lower the retirement age, people
may enjoy their retirement benefits for a longer
period. Some (government) employees want to
retire at the age 55 because they want to enjoy
the remaining years of their lives. They want to
diversify their interests. Some would like to
engage in business or in some other profitable
enterprise which they have not done so while
still in the government service (Zamora, 2011).
Furthermore, government mentors can enjoy the
remaining years of their lives or explore other
pursuits (Bello III, 2011). Retiring at a younger
age would increase a retiree’s economic value as
this would provide more time to venture into the
private sector or set up his or her own
business (Piñol, 2008). More retirees will enjoy
many more good and healthy years remaining in
them to enjoy the fruits of their labor, go
overseas or spend more time with their families,
or go for other pursuits. They can even go to
private institutions as consultants if they so
desire, where their experience can be harnessed
(Bello III, 2011).
Attitudes of Government Employees towards Early Retirement
Kevien P. Cabarrubias, et al. 383
Table 8: Correlation Data on Demographic Profile-
Variables and the Concept on Retirable Age
CONCLUSION
From the aforementioned findings, the following
conclusions were drawn: The typical retirable
respondents are a female, 50-59 years old,
married, master’s degree holder and have served
the institution for more than 25 years. Filipino
local government respondents want to retire at
55 and 60 years of age rather than 65. The most
dreaded fear after retirement is the reduction in
the cost of living allowance. The involvement of
the respondents in social organization
contributes greatly to their adjustment to retired
life. The family and the respondents’
relationship with them contribute to the success
in adjusting of one’s retirement. A positive
attitude towards retirement would enable the
retiree to cope better with problems of
retirement. The ability of the respondents to
maintain good relationship with former co-
workers creates a satisfactory retirement life.
There is no significant correlation in the concept
of retirable age when grouped according to
gender, civil status, highest educational
attainment, length of service, and position
designation. There is a significant correlation in
the concept of retirable age when grouped
according to age.
Recommendations
The following recommendations are being
offered in the light of the findings and
conclusions drawn: There shall be wide
information dissemination on the retirement
benefits provided by law and under what age
one has to retire. The better they understand the
requirement for retirement under each of the
retirement laws, the more employees would take
advantage to retire under normal conditions.
The provisions of the bill on early retirement
should be known to the public for them to be
acquainted and consider very seriously the
advantage as well as the disadvantages offered
on the proposed bill before enacted into a law.
Retirement counseling programs that will
involve leisure time activities (participation in
community works) and vocational issues
(developing skills for survival and self
employment) should be designed to improve
transition to retirement and enhance adjustment
to life transition. The counseling programs
should also monitor changes in lifestyles and
help retirees to re-evaluate their values and goals
to be congruent with current experience of
retirement. With early retirement interventions,
adjustment problems in retirement could be
prevented thereby paving way for improved life
satisfaction and decreased depressive symptoms.
A similar study should be conducted in the
future using additional variable like religion,
interest, leisure activities, and salary. Other
influential factors or fears related to retirement
can be compared to see the possible similarities
and differences in retirement life. Parallel
studies should be conducted in the following
areas:
A comparative study on early retirement as
perceived by the retirable and retired Employees
Study on the psychological well-being of
retirees after retirement. Study on effects of
retirement among teachers, local and national
government employees. Impact of early
retirement on employees of other government
sectors, e.g. military, elderly, etc.
Comparative study on retirement policies of
public and private employees.
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