The belief that “My child is my retirement plan” is common, even if not often voiced. However, this approach frequently falls short of expectations. Many of us have seen or heard of people who, despite having earned a decent income during their working years, find themselves unhappy and struggling in retirement.
Retirement Planning
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Leshan, now in their golden years, who find themselves struggling to make ends meet. At 72 and 68 years old respectively, they had worked hard throughout their lives, with Mrs. Leshan serving as a nurse in Narok town from age 23 to 60, and Mr. Leshan as a legal officer from age 25 to 60. However, their failure to prioritize retirement planning during their working years has now come back to haunt them.
During their employment, the Leshans were enrolled in their employers’ pension schemes, but they never realized that these benefits would be inadequate to maintain their pre-retirement lifestyle. They were so focused on the present that they never considered how their needs and expenses might change as they aged. As they entered their 60s and retired, they found themselves facing unexpected medical expenses that their limited retirement funds could not cover.
Desperate to generate additional income, the Leshans turned to side hustles and sought other forms of employment. However, their advancing age and declining health made it increasingly difficult for them to keep up with the demands of the job market, which had changed dramatically since their early 20s. Their retirement years, once filled with dreams of leisure and travel, have now become a constant struggle for survival.
The Leshans’ woes were compounded by their poor money management skills and their susceptibility to scammers who promised quick and lucrative returns on their retirement benefits. Instead of securing their financial future, they lost a significant portion of their savings to these fraudsters.
The story of the Leshans serves as a cautionary tale for all of us. Retirement planning is not something that should be put off until it’s too late. By starting early and making it a priority, we can ensure that our golden years are filled with the peace of mind and financial security that we deserve. The Leshans’ experience is a reminder that the decisions we make today can have a profound impact on our future well-being.
With a personal retirement plan like that of ICEA LION, we can start planning for retirement, no matter our age. This retirement plan offers flexible saving options with variable contributions, making it accessible to a wide range of income levels, starting from just KES 500. Its efficient online signup – https://pensions.icealion.co.ke/ and document processing take only 10-15 minutes, promoting digital engagement.
With a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 4% and historical bonus returns averaging 10% per annum compounded, the personal retirement scheme provides attractive returns. Additionally, contributions attract tax relief, reducing the tax burden on savers, and those who have changed employers can consolidate their pension at ICEA LION.
Notably, this plan is also inclusive of those in the informal sector, ensuring that a broader population has access to savings and retirement benefits. This inclusivity promotes financial security and stability across diverse economic backgrounds.
#WhatsYourPlan #PlanYourRetirement #LifeBeginsWhenYouRetire
