Kaviveterue Virere
The finance ministry, in collaboration with the Financial Literacy Initiative (FLI) and the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), yesterday launched the ‘RetireWise’ booklet.
The practical guide is designed to help Namibians plan for a financially secure and dignified retirement. The book was launched on 25 September 2025.Speaking at the event, finance minister Ericah Shafudah emphasised the value of early retirement planning.
She said retirement should not be viewed as a destination but as a new stage of life requiring thorough emotional and financial preparation.
She added that retirement is a time of opportunity rather than uncertainty.
“This booklet is more than just a publication. It is an empowerment tool created to assist Namibians in making wise financial decisions at every stage of their lives,” she said.
The ‘RetireWise’ booklet covers essential topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, pension benefits, estate planning and protection from scams and fraud.
It is part of the broader Financial Literacy Initiative, which aims to equip citizens with knowledge to reduce poverty, increase savings and strengthen household financial security.
Josef Ihemba, FLI secretariat manager, said the booklet was developed to address common misconceptions about retirement planning. Too often, individuals delay preparing until they are close to retirement age, only to realise that their pension benefits are insufficient to maintain their standard of living.
“You must have a plan for how you will live when you stop working as soon as you enter the workforce. The booklet offers guidance to help you, regardless of your age. Even if retirement is only a few months away, it provides advice to help you get ready,” Ihemba said.
He stressed the importance of avoiding rash purchases after receiving a pension payout.
Adding to the conversation, GIPF general manager of stakeholder engagement Edwin Tjiramba cautioned that pension benefits alone are often insufficient to sustain most retirees. He urged Namibians to diversify their savings and take advantage of financial advisory services.
“Believing that our GIPF pension is sufficient is the biggest mistake many of us make,” Tjiramba said. “All too frequently, people go into retirement without a retirement home, with unpaid car loans or with mortgages. Limited pension incomes are under tremendous strain as a result,” he noted.
Tjiramba added that GIPF is working to make retirement services more accessible.
The fund has begun rolling out handheld verification devices at constituency offices nationwide.
This will enable pensioners to prove their existence without travelling long distances to GIPF offices.
Forty devices have been deployed so far, with the remaining 20 expected by November.
The ‘RetireWise’ booklet will be distributed across the country through FLI partner institutions, including banks, pension funds and community organisations.
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