Retirement is an inevitable activity in the lives of workers. All workers must retire at
one time or the other in their lives. Unfortunately, the thought of retirement to some
workers breeds anxiety, apprehension and disillusionment attitude towards retirement
needs not be this negative, counsellors and other helping professionals need to address
this recurring and debilitating problem. This paper thus examines the nature,
sources, causes and effects of pre-retirement anxiety and recommends Rational-
Emotive Behaviour and Reality therapies as strategies for managing pre-retirement
anxiety among workers.
Psychological effects of pre-retirement anxiety:
i. anxiety level unknown previously become very high as from 55 years of age;
ii. there is increased incidence of stress because of stressful feelings;
iii. emotional balance is difficult to achieve;
iv. there are feelings of nostalgia;
v. depression is common;
vi. incidence of cardiovascular disease is seen occasionally; and
vii. future plans are uncertain.
one time or the other in their lives. Unfortunately, the thought of retirement to some
workers breeds anxiety, apprehension and disillusionment attitude towards retirement
needs not be this negative, counsellors and other helping professionals need to address
this recurring and debilitating problem. This paper thus examines the nature,
sources, causes and effects of pre-retirement anxiety and recommends Rational-
Emotive Behaviour and Reality therapies as strategies for managing pre-retirement
anxiety among workers.
Psychological effects of pre-retirement anxiety:
i. anxiety level unknown previously become very high as from 55 years of age;
ii. there is increased incidence of stress because of stressful feelings;
iii. emotional balance is difficult to achieve;
iv. there are feelings of nostalgia;
v. depression is common;
vi. incidence of cardiovascular disease is seen occasionally; and
vii. future plans are uncertain.
