BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RETIREMENT is golden. It is usually anticipated with thoughts of reclining, spending time with loved ones and enjoying hobbies, but planning for retirement as a civil servant comes with a particular set of challenges.
Within four months, dozens of civil servants – some of whom spent most of their lives working for government – will have to make serious decisions in preparation for exit. In St. Kitts-Nevis the age of retirement is 55 but it has been typical for civil servants to retain their jobs for years after they reached the benchmark.
However, a recent announcement by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas has described the practise as “unsustainable”.
“All persons who have reached the age of retirement or who make a decision to take early retirement will be requested to utilize their services in a more productive manner by seeking alternative employment,” Douglas explained in the 2010 Federal Budget.
While some worry may have been felt throughout government ministries, those to be affected by the policy enforcement seem to have expected it and were already preparing themselves.
Since 1973 Edwin Warner has devoted his life to education and youth empowerment. He has served for years as head teacher at the Dieppe Bay Primary School and a trained senior teacher at the Sandy Point High School. His contribution to education is substantial, but after 37 years in the service Warner has met the shadows of his golden years.
“When you’re working all your life, to leave it’s not going to be easy because you are already accustomed to work and being in that system. It can be a bit traumatic but I think I would get used to it. I am going to miss the camaraderie and the involvement with the teachers and the students.
When you have been a part of a kind of group like that the friendships you make and see grow are numerous,” Warner said.
The strong bond built with the staff and alumni was not Warner’s major concern, however. If he had his way, Warner would not leave teaching at this point and he recognizes that retiring now would not be an easy thing to do.
“It’s a slight inconvenience because I have my mortgage to pay for about 10 more years, a car to pay for and other loans. It is not going to be easy. I will have to adjust myself and put the wheel in motion quickly. I am not going to wait until they tell me to go. I have a small business... but I have to make my plans now.
“The private sector will have to absorb those persons unless they start businesses of their own. I am planning to enter private education,” he added.
Until all his plans are set straight, his gratuity and pension are hoped to carry him without too much turbulence in this critical life transition.
Warner noted however that it is important that government considers implementing succession planning in every area of the civil service in order for trained and competent young individuals to fill the positions after retirees leave.
Growing attached to a job that was held for over 39 years must be difficult to part with. That is why Probation and Child Protection Service Director Maurice Williams has already begun the mental and psychological preparation for his leave.
The civil service is what he knows best; he has had no other employer. His years cover stints in the public library, the registrar of the Supreme Court, the Health Department and Education Department, and as he waves his experiences good bye Williams said he is hopeful for an enjoyable retirement.
PM Douglas’ announcement came as no surprise to Williams. It posed no inconvenience, as he said he was expecting it sooner rather than later. Luckily for him, there are many options open after retirement.
“I am looking forward to enjoying my retirement, to live a long and productive life. I want to get involved in various community activities in Sandy Point. I am also considering becoming involved in professionally assisting in matters relating to children. I have been around for some time and I have developed some experience in matters pertaining to youth development. I have been doing unpaid consultancy for various institutions and I believe I will continue in that regard,” he told SKNVibes.
Williams said he is optimistic that the department would continue smooth operations, as he made a point in ensuring that the employees in that office were able to carry on the work.
Williams’ model of retirement seems to have been adopted my many. A Molineux resident working in the SELF Unit of the Department of Education, who spoke to SKNVibes on the condition of anonymity, disclosed similar plans.
She has a 39-year history of committed service to education, making her mark on schools in Molineux, Tabernacle, Mansion and Lodge before climbing her way into the Department of Education. She has one more year in the system, but plans to continue her service in education and administration elsewhere.
“I must say I did enjoy my years working because I love the job, but I have been preparing to leave. I will have a smooth transition moving from here to somewhere else. I will miss the service but it will not grieve my heart because I have prepared to leave,” she said.
If possible, the civil servant of 39 years is looking to work in a financial institution or large firm where she can continue to sharpen her administrative skills. Preparations for this are already underway, she noted. She also pledged to continue helping in education as it was cited as her main passion.
She told SKNVibes that she is willing to train the staff in her final year and would be willing to assist the ministry in any area, even without pay. What keeps her going is not the money, but the love for St. Kitts-Nevis, she said.
Human resources expert and former Labour officer Leroy Richards said retiring from the civil service is “not easy”, arguing that it takes too long for trained individuals to ascend to high positions and when they are finally promoted there is a cap on payment.
“It is not easy planning retirement in the service. Even those in the high echelon, they are just breaking even; their salaries to their bills. How can they plan retirement? Once you get close to paying off your retirement, people opt for the lump sum, which will take care of their mortgage and they can go and live off their pension – that is usually the only way.
“But, in terms of having a reserve of funds to plan when and how I can retire, no, [that has] never happened,” Richards said.
After 25 years of work in the civil service, individuals claim a gratuity and their pension begins almost immediately. But to meet financial requirements and to live comfortable lives, detailed preparation for retirement is critical.
As the September deadline draws near, senior civil servants will have to find occupation elsewhere and many have already begun preparing for this departure.
