Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi

“Are you afraid? You tend, in your last three articles, to place all blame on retirees, none on government, companies or society,” protested my retired friend. “Just have a look at the salaries they give us! In return for a lifetime service, I only get part of my last salary. It doesn’t increase with cost of life. There is no medical insurance, no discount stores and services, no clubs and association. In America they have Social Security benefits that covers all basics. Here, we feel like we lose our safety network when we need it most. Write about that if you dare!”



T. Tawfiq agrees: “You presented a very rosy picture of a retirement life that every one should live, but the majority cannot afford it. Many could not manage to save a penny. Why? Think of cost of living! When they retire, their pension can hardly pay for their very basic needs! So, the alternative is to continue working, somehow, to make ends meet, and the rosy picture suddenly becomes very bleak!”



Both men are right. What we are providing our retirees is not even close to being fair to their service or adequate to their needs.



Professor Omar Almershedi (Alfaisal University) explains: “My case is the other side of the moon ( to quote the late Teddy Pendergrass). I retired about three years ago from a university-government teaching position. Funny is my post-retirement work schedule... I’m working more hours: teaching, doing consultations, co-managing a private investment fund, painting and, no less important, making more money and spending more time with the lady.



“I think government jobs, no matter where located, are a graveyard! Thank God some among us discover it before they go on the No U-Turn. How about if we offer the option of contractual employment even in the public sector? How about legally allowing public sectors’ employees to start their own business, as single proprietors or some form of partnerships? How about it if we make exceptions for the newly-weds to work part time and explore other self-employment options?



“As recent studies show, public sector worker productivity is between 25 percent to 30 percent. Is it still rational, let alone economic, to continue pressuring the government for more jobs in light of our current population growth rate? Go figure!”



Amr Khashoggi advises: “I recommend you read a book titled ‘Don’t Retire, Rewire!’ It fits perfectly with your article.”



And finally, Prof. Rashied Small (Prince Sultan College) drawing on his rich experience, writes:



“Retirement is treated by many employers as replacing old furniture with modern one. It is like putting the old cow to die a slow death. A retired elderly lady, once told me "retirees often feel like a freshly squeezed orange, drain from its life juices and then left to dry and crumble in the hot sun". People are often retired based on age rather than their ability or inability to perform their work tasks or their physical and mental condition. This is often considered by the retiree as being stripped of his/her dignity and worth.  Is there something wrong with society or has our social values been eroded by the capitalist structure and mentality?



“Human resource practices focus on the principles of attraction and retention and very seldom incorporate the philosophy or principles of retirement. What they claim is a personal matter and has nothing to do with the business. HR managers will confess that they focus on succession plans. On further investigation it is discovered that the succession plan was to secure the continuity of the function which you have fulfilled with great integrity and competence, and the well being of the retiree was not considered. 



“The situation can easily be addressed if they develop exit strategies with the staff at least 3-5 years before their retirement.  This can be incorporated into the succession plan developed over a 3-year rolling plan by conducting personal financial planning training for employees.



“When I started working, my father ordered me to attend informal sessions with the community elders.  The most important lesson were (i) you will most properly outlive your working life, so do not depend on a lifelong salary, and (ii) start from day one for planning for your life after work by saving money for those sunny days.



“Numerous research have highlighted the skills educated young employees are lacking which often has negative effects on businesses performance. When businesses send seasoned campaigners into retirement, what they do not realize is the fact that they discarded the competence and experience of retirees.



In South Africa, I was involved in designing and implementing a “Legacy Program” which involved retired business people and people with vast business experience to mentor young entrepreneurs. The wisdom transferred during these mentoring sessions was unbelievable. This made retirement to the retiree even more enjoyable as they were involved in empowering and naturing budding future business people."