Retirement without income: The Silent Struggle of Retired Men Without Income

Retirement Without a Safety Net: Marital Fallout and the Cost of Financial Unpreparedness

Retirement without income is a silent crisis affecting millions of aging men worldwide. While the golden years are often romanticized as a time of peace and leisure, the harsh reality for many is far from idyllic. For men who exit the workforce without a stable pension, savings, or secondary income, retirement can quickly spiral into a period of stress, shame, and strained relationships—especially within marriage. The consequences aren’t just financial; they seep deep into emotional health, identity, and social standing. In this article, we delve into how financial inadequacy in old age can erode marital harmony, fuel emotional distress, and even lead to premature death—while also exploring practical, systemic solutions to this deeply human issue..

The Scope of the Problem: Retiring into Poverty

A Global Snapshot

In many countries, particularly across Africa and parts of Asia and Latin America, formal pension systems cover less than 30% of the working population. In Kenya, for example, only 17% of workers are enrolled in a pension scheme, according to the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA, 2022). Informal sector workers, who make up a majority, often rely on inconsistent savings or family support—which may not materialize when needed most.

In the U.S., the Federal Reserve (2023) reported that 25% of Americans aged 60 and older had no retirement savings at all, while a similar study in the UK by Age UK noted that millions face old age without enough funds to cover basic living expenses.

Emotional and Psychological Toll on Retired Men

Men who retire without income often suffer in silence. Their inability to provide, especially in cultures where masculinity is tied to financial provision, can lead to deep emotional wounds.

1. Loss of Identity and Dignity

Men whose self-worth was tied to their careers or earning capacity experience a collapse of identity. They may feel emasculated, irrelevant, or burdensome.

2. Marital Strain and Abandonment

Financial strain is among the top predictors of marital conflict, and in retirement, this strain can turn into open hostility or neglect. Some women, particularly those still working or financially secure, may begin to view their husbands as liabilities rather than partners.

Case Example: A 2021 investigative report by The Standard (Kenya) detailed how a retired teacher was abandoned by his wife shortly after retirement. “She started treating me like a beggar in my own home,” the man recounted, noting that her small business gave her economic independence—and seemingly, emotional detachment.

3. Stress, Alcoholism, and Premature Death

Retirement without income is strongly linked to mental health decline. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that elderly men are at significantly higher risk of depression and suicide than women in similar age brackets. Addictions, particularly to alcohol, often develop as a coping mechanism.

A study published in The Journal of Gerontology (2019) found that men without post-retirement income had a 2.5 times higher risk of developing alcoholism, particularly if marital tensions were present.

Read Also: Are Partnership Agreements Taking Over Marriage? Why and How This Shift May Reshape Society

Marriage at the Mercy of Money: Shifting Gender Dynamics

In past generations, women relied heavily on their husbands for financial support. But the modern economy—where women increasingly out-earn their spouses—has flipped this script in some households.

The New Power Imbalance

While financial independence for women is a positive development, in marriages where emotional respect and commitment are lacking, it can lead to subtle or overt power imbalances. Men without income may face:

Loss of decision-making power
Disrespect or neglect
Social isolation
Passive or active divorce

In cultures where male provision is not just a duty but an identity, this reversal can be deeply humiliating.

Societal and Family-Level Impacts

The problem does not end with the individual. Families and communities are affected too:

Burden on children: Adult children often carry the financial load of aging parents without pensions, disrupting their own economic stability.
Intergenerational conflict: If in-laws perceive an elderly man as dependent or irrelevant, they may influence spousal attitudes toward him.
Strain on healthcare systems: The emotional and physical decline of impoverished retirees places added stress on public health and social care systems.

Solutions: Mitigating the Fallout of Financially Unprepared Retirement

1. Mandatory Retirement Planning Education

Governments and employers should institutionalize retirement planning as early as mid-career. Workers need to understand pensions, health insurance, and personal finance. In Kenya, organizations like the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) have launched awareness campaigns, but enforcement remains weak.

2. Micro-Pension Schemes for Informal Sector Workers

Platforms like Jubilee Pension’s Mazao Plan or Mbao Pension Plan in Kenya offer affordable, flexible pension options for informal workers. Scaling up such schemes and incentivizing enrollment through tax relief could dramatically reduce old-age poverty.

3. Community-Based Support Systems

Churches, welfare groups, and cooperatives can play a role in:

Offering mental health support
Organizing food banks for elderly individuals
Hosting workshops for older couples on navigating post-retirement life with dignity

4. Encouraging Late-Life Entrepreneurship

Retirement doesn’t have to mean economic inactivity. Elderly individuals with skills or networks can be empowered to:

Start small-scale businesses
Mentor the youth for a fee
Invest in low-risk income-generating assets (e.g., rental property, farming)

5. Relationship Counseling and Marital Coaching

Couples approaching retirement should attend pre-retirement counseling to align expectations. Emotional commitment—not just financial utility—should be the glue in later-life relationships. Marriage therapists and spiritual leaders can help older couples reframe the purpose of marriage beyond money.

6. Legal Protection Against Elder Abuse

Governments should strengthen legal protections for elderly individuals facing neglect or emotional abuse. Countries like South Africa have made strides with the Older Persons Act, but implementation remains inconsistent.

Redefining Retirement, Redefining Manhood

Retirement should be a celebration, not a sentence. But for many men, especially those without savings or a stable source of post-retirement income, it becomes a season of humiliation, loss, and sometimes abandonment. The breakdown of marriages in such contexts is a sad commentary on how conditional modern relationships can become when love is reduced to material utility.

Yet, this crisis is not irreversible. Through early financial education, robust pension systems, support networks, and a cultural reimagining of aging and masculinity, we can build a future where retired men live not in shame, but in dignity—respected by their partners and valued by their communities.

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