Abstract:
This study examined the factors that determining the choices of retirement age among
government schoolteachers in Valikamam educational zone of Jaffna district in Sri Lanka.
Primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires to select the sample during the
period of 2019/ 2020 and those sample consists of 160 teachers who were selected randomly
from 05 schools located in the above study area. Frequency analysis, chi- square and
independent sample t – test were used to explain the basic characteristics of the teachers who
chose mandatory and early retirement decisions. Frequency results showed that, 64% of them
prefers to early retire whereas 36% of them prefers to retire at mandatory age. The results of
chi-square implied that there is a significant association between the choices of retirement age
and personal, income, family and work related characteristics in the study. Further, independent
sample t – test suggested that average retirement age is differ across health conditions of the
teachers and their family, availability of other income sources, status of work attachment and
dual role problems. Personal, income, family and work related characteristics are taken into
account in the probit model that explain the choices of retirement age decision whether they
chose mandatory or early. The study found that the teachers who have health problems and
poor health conditions in their family are more likely to retire early than others. Similarly, the
teachers who are not facing dual problems and who don’t have other income sources, more
probability to choose mandatory than their counterparts. The teachers who have more attached
with their job and less unpaid responsibilities are less likely to choose early retire than other
teachers. Findings of the study may help to the policy makers to proposed reforms on social
security system as well as pension programs for the teachers in future.
