Facing Retirement? Here is what no one tells you

Let’s Talk Real Life

If you are like most working Zimbabweans, making ends meet can sometimes feel like a full-time job on its own. We have daily expenses, family needs, and unexpected costs and that is why retirement planning often takes a back seat.

However, there is one thing we cannot run away from and that is RETIREMENT and this will come, whether you are ready or not. When it does your paycheck will stop but the bills will always be with you.

Let us have an honest chat about what retirement really looks like, why it is important to prepare now, and how even small steps today can make a big difference down the road.

Many people wish someone had told them the truth earlier on: after retirement, you will not have as much money as when you had a salary. That reality hits hard. For some, it is a shock that turns what should be a restful season into a struggle.

We see it every day, people working hard all their lives, only to face difficulties making ends meet when their regular income stops. It is a reality no one talks about enough.

Planning for retirement is more than just relying on your NSSA pension because it is just a safety net designed to augment other savings. It is also about finding ways to support yourself financially once your formal job ends.

One way many Zimbabweans are doing this is by starting a side hustle. This does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. It could be as simple as:

• Running a small poultry project selling chickens and eggs

• Selling homemade snacks or vegetables in your community

• Offering services like tailoring, hairdressing, or repairs

• Farming small plots or keeping poultry

• Teaching extra lessons or tutoring

Whatever your side hustle or savings plan looks like, the key is to start now. Your future self will thank you for every effort you make today. If you are still working, take this to heart: the salary ends, but the bills will always be with you. The time to prepare is today.

NSSA Is Here to Help

Remember, NSSA is here to support you with your pension benefits but your full retirement picture includes more than just a payout, it includes the choices you make now.

We encourage you to stay informed about your pension, ask questions, and think about how you can create a secure and fulfilling future.

Preparing for retirement is not easy, it is okay to feel overwhelmed but there is wisdom in preparing for it. You do not have to do it alone. Talk to family, friends, and financial advisors; share ideas about side hustles or savings.

Taking small steps today will help make your retirement years a time of peace, purpose, and dignity.

Your future is worth the effort. Start today.