From Anxiety to Well-Being: Retirement Concerns and Gender Differences among Basic School Teachers in Ghana

This study examines the relationship between retirement anxiety and psychological well-being among Basic school teachers and the gender differences in retirement anxiety among male and female teachers. It adopted a positivist paradigm underpinned by correlational research design. 450 teachers from Nanumba North, Jasikan, and Effutu Municipalities were randomly sampled using multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected using Retirement Anxiety Scale and Psychological Well-Being Scale and analysed using correlation matrix and independent samples t-test. The findings revealed statistically significant association between retirement anxiety and psychological well-being. Also, the findings found that retirement anxiety varied significantly between genders, with male teachers experiencing more retirement anxiety than female teachers. The study recommends that Ghana National Association of Teachers and National Association of Graduate Teachers should organise workshops for teachers to meet and share their stories, accomplishments, and create avenues for teachers to engage in part-time teaching, set personal goals, and assist them to exploring post-retirement activities based on interests to alleviate retirement worry and allow teachers to retire with sense of purpose, fulfillment, and good mental health. Furthermore, the study recommends that Ghana National Association of Teachers and in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service should provide financial workshops for men on wealth management, investment strategies, financial controls, and health needs, and create opportunities for them to participate in group activities to foster social networks and alleviate anxiety. For women, Ghana Education Service should organise monthly health screening programmes and workshops on budgeting, caregiving, stress, and post-retirement financial management.