Social Support and Livelihood of Retired Civil Servants in Lagos, Nigeria

Retirement is a significant milestone for government officials who have committed their careers to public service. Adjusting to life after retirement presents several obstacles, including financial adaptations, identity transformations, and changes in social relations. Understanding the impact of social support throughout the transition is crucial for establishing tailored interventions to improve the welfare of retired federal personnel. Having understood the numerous challenges that come with being a retired civil servant and the importance of social support in mitigating these challenges, the study was commissioned to identify the socio-demographic factors that influence the livelihood of retired civil servants, evaluate the quality of livelihood enjoyed by retired civil servants, assess the forms of social support available to retired civil servants, examine the correlation between social support and the overall livelihood of retired civil servants and investigate the barriers to accessing social support for retired civil servants in Lagos State. A qualitative approach method was adopted using in-depth interviews, which were administered among 32 retired civil servants based in Lagos, Nigeria. The findings shed light on the specific types of social support, such as family relationships, friendships, and community ties, that contribute to a pleasant post-retirement experience. The study highlights the significance of strong social support networks in easing the transition into retirement for government personnel. This result established a favorable relationship between social support and mental well-being, uncovered the absence of government interventions, the primacy of finances in retirement lives, and strong informal social support among respondents. The study recommended strong government interventions to improve the overall quality of life for retired government officials, the need for early retirement planning, and policy intervention to give financial guidance and mental support to retirees.