This archive report was first published on 15 July 2021.
Edith Tendwa, a seasoned HR consultant, knows firsthand the challenges of transitioning to retirement. After working as the regional HR manager for Engen Kenya, she retired at 55 in 2019.
As she navigated this new chapter, Tendwa was met with negative narratives about retirement, suggesting that her best years were behind her and that she wouldn't be able to maintain her pre-retirement lifestyle. However, she refused to accept this mindset.
Two years before her retirement, Tendwa took proactive steps to secure her financial future. She sought the guidance of a retirement planning consultant and a coach, and began organizing her finances and adopting a retirement mindset.
One of the key decisions she made was to establish her own human resource consultancy, Exceliq HR Solutions. This move not only provided her with a sense of purpose but also allowed her to continue contributing to her community.
Looking back, Tendwa regrets not starting to save for retirement earlier in her career. She also wishes she had taken out a mortgage while employed, which would have given her a steady income stream in retirement.
Despite these regrets, Tendwa is grateful for the pension she received and the ability to buy a house with her husband's contribution. Her advice to women, whether employed or self-employed, is to start preparing for retirement as early as possible and to think about their desired lifestyle after retirement.
As Tendwa emphasizes, 'Time sure flies by so fast.' She encourages women to be intentional about their finances and to consider self-employment or a new career path after retirement, as there is always more to give as long as they are alive.
– Edith Tendwa is a HR consultant with Exceliq HR Solutions.
