Main Article Content
Abstract
Retirement is an inevitable end for people engaged in full-time employment. But the quality
of life after retirement is a grave concern for many because retirement is not well prepared for.
Seventh-day Adventist Church pastors in Africa traditionally rely on church-sustaining benefits
for retirement. However, the inadequacy of such provisions has left many pastors in penury at
retirement. This study investigated the pre-retirement financial behaviorsand preparedness of
Seventh-day Adventist pastors in Africa. It focused on Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pastors
studying at the Theological Seminary of the Adventist University of Africa (AUA), Kenya. The
study adopted a descriptive, quantitative research design. A total of 105 pastors participated in
the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequency and percentage.
The findings revealed positive pre-retirement behaviour but low financial literacy and inadequate
financial preparedness for retirement. Therefore, activities and policies that can increase financial
education and pension scheme literacy should be implemented in the ministerial education.
Furthermore, ongoing educational initiatives and collaborations with financial experts to mentor
pastors are worthwhile and beneficial for enhancing pre-retirement behavior and financial
preparedness among SDA pastors in Africa.
Keywords
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2026 Angela Nwaomah, Prof. Sampson M. Nwaomah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
- Agabalinda, C., & Isoh, A. V. N (2020). The impact of financial literacy on financial
- Preparedness for retirement in the small and medium enterprises sector in Uganda. International Journal of Applied Behavioral Economics, 9(3), 26-41.
- Agnew, J., & J. Young (2007). Literacy, Trust, and 401(k) Savings Behavior. Boston: Center for Retirement Research.
- Ajemunigbohun S.S., & Azeez, R.A. (2023). Optimizing well-being at departure: Financial
- Literacy and retirement planning among lecturers in Lagos State-owned tertiary Institutions. Fuoye Journal of Accounting and Management, 6 (2),1-14.
- Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision
- Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
- Aluodi, E., Njuguna, A., & Ombo, B. (2017). Effect of financial literacy on retirement
- Preparedness among employees in the insurance sector in Kenya. International Journal of Business and Management, 12(10), 241-251.
- Angerer, M., Hanke, M., Shakina, E., & Szymczak, W. (2025). The Effect of Different Saving Mechanisms in Pension Saving Behavior: Evidence from a Life-Cycle Experiment. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(5), 240. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18050240
- Atchley, R. C. (1989). A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist, 29(2), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/29.2.183
- Barrafrem, K., Tinghog, G., & Vastfjall, D. (2024). Behavioral and contextual determinants of
- Different stages of saving behaviour. Frontiers in Behavioral Economics. 1-6. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioraleconomics/articles/10.3389/frbhe.2024.1381080/p
- Behrman, J. R., Mitchell, O. S., Soo, C. K., & Bravo, D. (2012). The effects of financial
- Education and financial literacy: How financial literacy affects household wealth accumulation. The American Economic Review, 102 (3), 300–304. https://doi:10.1257/aer.102.3.300 PMID: 23355747
- Block, P. (1993). Stewardship: Choosing service over self-interest. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
- https://bkconnection.com/books/title/stewardship.
- Bruinsma, R. (2012). The joys (and challenges) of retirement. Ministry: International Journal for
- Pastors, (January), 20-23.
- Bucher-Koenen, T., & Lusardi, A. (2011). Financial literacy and retirement planning in
- Germany. Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, 10(4), 565–584. https://doi:10.1017/S1474747211000485
- Clark, R.; Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. (2017). Employee financial literacy and retirement plan
- Behavior: A Case Study. Economic Inquiry, (55), 248-259
- Day, D., & Gemmell, D. (2017). “The current state of Adventist pastors: A report from the
- North American Division Offices”, Prepared by the Office of Strategy & Research.
- Dauda, S., Tolos, H., & Ibrahim, Y. (2017). The direct predictors of retirement planning
- Behavior: A study of Nigerian workers. Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 19(12), 41-49.
- General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (2019). Working Policy (2019-2020 ed.) Pacific
- Press. https://www.congressomv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GC-Working-Policy-2019-2020.pdf
- Gummell, D. (2022). How some Adventist pastors are retiring as millionaires.
- https://nadministerial.com/stories/2023/1/12/why-some-adventist-pastors-may-retire-as-millionaires.
- Hayes, A. (2025). What Is the Life-Cycle Hypothesis in Economics? Investopedia / Zoe Hansen. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/life-cycle-hypothesis.asp
- Hitchings. R (2022). The pastor and retirement. Social Issues Bulletin, 50 (July), 21-26.
- Isaiah, S. A. (2016). Indicators of perceived readiness and attitude of near-retirement
- apostolic church clergy in South-South, Nigeria” Education & Science Journal of Policy Review and Curriculum Development, 6 (1), 218-231
- Keizi, L. K. (2006). Barriers to pension scheme participation by workers in the informal
- economy. International Organisation of Pension Supervisors, (1) 12-20
- Kofarmata, I., & Adhama, H. D. (2024). Financial literacy, pension awareness, and retirement
- Planning in Nigeria. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(2), 377-391
- Knapp, James & Pruett, Charlie. (2016). Retirement among members of the clergy: Findings
- From a protestant fellowship. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, (29), 1-14
- https://doi.14.10.1080/15528030.2016.1252824.
- Law, K. W. K., Wan, P., & Wong, T. K. Y. (2006). Retirement planning, in “Indicators of
- Social Development: Hong Kong, eds. S. W. Leung, P. Wan, and S. L. Wong (Hong Kong: Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies.
- Lee, W.K. M., & Law, K. W. K. (2004). Retirement planning and retirement satisfaction: The
- need for a national retirement program and policy in Hong Kong." Journal of Applied
- Gerontology, 23 (3), 212-233.
- Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2006). Financial literacy and planning: Implications for
- Retirement wellbeing.Working Paper No. 1, Pension Research Council, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from
- https://pensionresearchcouncil.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PRC-WP-2006-1.pdf
- Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2007a). Baby boomer retirement security: the roles of planning,
- Financial literacy and housing wealth. Journal of Monetary Economics, 54, 205-224.
- Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2007b). Financial literacy and retirement preparedness: Evidence
- And implications for financial education. Business Economics (Cleveland, Ohio), 42(1), 35–44. https:// doi:10.2145/20070104.
- Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2009). How ordinary consumers make complex economic
- Decisions: Financial literacy and retirement readiness. National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper No. 15350. Retrieved
- from https://www.nber.org/papers/w15350.pdf.
- Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2011). Financial literacy and planning: Implications for
- Retirement wellbeing. Working paper. National Bureau of Economic Research, https://doi:10.3386/w17078.
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
- Maobe, A. (2020). The overlay between demographic characteristics, spirituality, and
- retirement planning in Kenya is exposed. Cogent Social Sciences, (6), 1-18.
- Mndzebele, Z. W. S., & Kwenda, F. (2020). The effects of financial literacy on
- Financial preparedness for retirement among academic staff in higher learning institutions in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Acta Universitatis Danubius ,16 (5), 253-268.
- Mullock, K., & Turcotte, J. (2012). Financial literacy and retirement saving. Working Paper, 1,
- Department of Finance, Canada.
- Muchiri, C.M., & Muathe, S.M. (2024). Strategic Orientation and Organizational Performance:
- Evidence from Rotary Clubs in Kenya. Journal of Business and Management Sciences, 12(2), 99-110. https:// doi/10.12691/jbms-12-2-3
- Muratore, A. M., and Earl, J. K. (2015). Improving retirement outcomes: the role of resources,
- Pre-retirement planning and transition characteristics. Ageing Soc. 35, 2100–2140. https://doi: 10.1017/S0144686X14000841
- North America Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (2022). Planning for Retirement:
- The Seventh-day Adventist Retirement Plans of the North American Division. Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD.
- Nyoro, K. N. & Otieno, O. J. (2016). Predictors of employee preparedness for retirement in
- public institutions within Mombasa county, Kenya “International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 3 (1), 136-145
- Peeters, M., van Emmerik, H., Anne Taylor, M., Goldberg, C., Shore, L. M., & Lipka, P. (2008).
- The effects of retirement expectations and social support on post-retirement adjustment: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Management Psychology, (23), 458–470. https:// doi: 10.1108/02683940810869051
- Petkoska, J & Earl, J. K. (2009). Understanding the influence of demographic and psychological
- Variables on retirement planning. Psychology and aging, 24 (1), 245-251. https:// doi: 10.1037/a0014096
- Reitzes, D. C., & Mutran, E. J. (2004). The transition to retirement: stages and factors that
- Influence retirement adjustment. International Journal of Aging Hum. Dev., (59), 63–84. doi: 10.2190/NYPP-RFFP-5RFK-8EB8
- Rostamkalaei, A., Nitani, M., & Riding, A. (2022). Self-employment, financial knowledge, and
- Retirement planning. Journal of Small Business Management, 60(1), 63–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2019.1695497.
- Shim, S., Barber, B. L., Card, N. A., Xiao, J. J., & Serido, J. (2010). Financial socialization of
- First-year college students: The roles of parents, work, and education. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(12), 1457-1470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9432-x
- Singh, A.S & Masuku, M.B. (2014). Sampling techniques & determination of sample size in applied statistics research: An overview. International Journal of Economics, Commerce
- and Management, II (11), 1-22.
- Singleton, J., & Keddy, B. (1991). Planning for retirement. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, (16),
- 49-55.
- Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (2016). The current state of retirement: A
- compendium of findings about American retirees.
- www.transamericacenter.org/docs/default-sou
- Topa, G., Moriano, J. A., Depolo, M., Alcover, C.-M., & Morales, J. F.
- (2009). Antecedents and consequences of retirement planning and decision making:
- A meta-analysis and model. Journal of Vocational Behavior (75), 38–55. https:// doi:
- 10.1016/j.jvb.2009.03.002
- Van Rooij, M. C., Lusardi, A., & Alessie, R. J. (2012). Financial literacy, retirement planning
- And household wealth. The Economic Journal, 1(22), 449–478. https://doi: 10.1111/j.1468- 0297.2012.02501.
- Wang, M., & Bodner, T. E. (2007). Growth mixture modeling: identifying and predicting
- Unobserved subpopulations with longitudinal data. Organizational Research Methods, 10 (4), 635–656. https://doi: 10.1177/1094428106289397
- World Economic Forum. (2019). World Economic Forum Pension Report.
- https://www.weforum.org/minding-the-400-trillion-pensions-gap.
- Yeung, D. Y. (2013). Is pre-retirement planning always good? An exploratory study of
- Retirement adjustment among Hong Kong Chinese retirees. Aging Mental Health, (17), 386–393. https://doi: 10.1080/13607863.2012.732036
- Yayeh, F. A. (2014). The Impact of Religion on Household Saving Behavior: A Survey Of Religious People In West Amhara National Regional State. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2518129
References
Agabalinda, C., & Isoh, A. V. N (2020). The impact of financial literacy on financial
Preparedness for retirement in the small and medium enterprises sector in Uganda. International Journal of Applied Behavioral Economics, 9(3), 26-41.
Agnew, J., & J. Young (2007). Literacy, Trust, and 401(k) Savings Behavior. Boston: Center for Retirement Research.
Ajemunigbohun S.S., & Azeez, R.A. (2023). Optimizing well-being at departure: Financial
Literacy and retirement planning among lecturers in Lagos State-owned tertiary Institutions. Fuoye Journal of Accounting and Management, 6 (2),1-14.
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision
Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Aluodi, E., Njuguna, A., & Ombo, B. (2017). Effect of financial literacy on retirement
Preparedness among employees in the insurance sector in Kenya. International Journal of Business and Management, 12(10), 241-251.
Angerer, M., Hanke, M., Shakina, E., & Szymczak, W. (2025). The Effect of Different Saving Mechanisms in Pension Saving Behavior: Evidence from a Life-Cycle Experiment. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(5), 240. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18050240
Atchley, R. C. (1989). A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist, 29(2), 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/29.2.183
Barrafrem, K., Tinghog, G., & Vastfjall, D. (2024). Behavioral and contextual determinants of
Different stages of saving behaviour. Frontiers in Behavioral Economics. 1-6. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioraleconomics/articles/10.3389/frbhe.2024.1381080/p
Behrman, J. R., Mitchell, O. S., Soo, C. K., & Bravo, D. (2012). The effects of financial
Education and financial literacy: How financial literacy affects household wealth accumulation. The American Economic Review, 102 (3), 300–304. https://doi:10.1257/aer.102.3.300 PMID: 23355747
Block, P. (1993). Stewardship: Choosing service over self-interest. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
https://bkconnection.com/books/title/stewardship.
Bruinsma, R. (2012). The joys (and challenges) of retirement. Ministry: International Journal for
Pastors, (January), 20-23.
Bucher-Koenen, T., & Lusardi, A. (2011). Financial literacy and retirement planning in
Germany. Journal of Pension Economics and Finance, 10(4), 565–584. https://doi:10.1017/S1474747211000485
Clark, R.; Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. (2017). Employee financial literacy and retirement plan
Behavior: A Case Study. Economic Inquiry, (55), 248-259
Day, D., & Gemmell, D. (2017). “The current state of Adventist pastors: A report from the
North American Division Offices”, Prepared by the Office of Strategy & Research.
Dauda, S., Tolos, H., & Ibrahim, Y. (2017). The direct predictors of retirement planning
Behavior: A study of Nigerian workers. Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), 19(12), 41-49.
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (2019). Working Policy (2019-2020 ed.) Pacific
Press. https://www.congressomv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GC-Working-Policy-2019-2020.pdf
Gummell, D. (2022). How some Adventist pastors are retiring as millionaires.
https://nadministerial.com/stories/2023/1/12/why-some-adventist-pastors-may-retire-as-millionaires.
Hayes, A. (2025). What Is the Life-Cycle Hypothesis in Economics? Investopedia / Zoe Hansen. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/life-cycle-hypothesis.asp
Hitchings. R (2022). The pastor and retirement. Social Issues Bulletin, 50 (July), 21-26.
Isaiah, S. A. (2016). Indicators of perceived readiness and attitude of near-retirement
apostolic church clergy in South-South, Nigeria” Education & Science Journal of Policy Review and Curriculum Development, 6 (1), 218-231
Keizi, L. K. (2006). Barriers to pension scheme participation by workers in the informal
economy. International Organisation of Pension Supervisors, (1) 12-20
Kofarmata, I., & Adhama, H. D. (2024). Financial literacy, pension awareness, and retirement
Planning in Nigeria. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(2), 377-391
Knapp, James & Pruett, Charlie. (2016). Retirement among members of the clergy: Findings
From a protestant fellowship. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, (29), 1-14
https://doi.14.10.1080/15528030.2016.1252824.
Law, K. W. K., Wan, P., & Wong, T. K. Y. (2006). Retirement planning, in “Indicators of
Social Development: Hong Kong, eds. S. W. Leung, P. Wan, and S. L. Wong (Hong Kong: Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies.
Lee, W.K. M., & Law, K. W. K. (2004). Retirement planning and retirement satisfaction: The
need for a national retirement program and policy in Hong Kong." Journal of Applied
Gerontology, 23 (3), 212-233.
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2006). Financial literacy and planning: Implications for
Retirement wellbeing.Working Paper No. 1, Pension Research Council, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved from
https://pensionresearchcouncil.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PRC-WP-2006-1.pdf
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2007a). Baby boomer retirement security: the roles of planning,
Financial literacy and housing wealth. Journal of Monetary Economics, 54, 205-224.
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2007b). Financial literacy and retirement preparedness: Evidence
And implications for financial education. Business Economics (Cleveland, Ohio), 42(1), 35–44. https:// doi:10.2145/20070104.
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2009). How ordinary consumers make complex economic
Decisions: Financial literacy and retirement readiness. National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper No. 15350. Retrieved
from https://www.nber.org/papers/w15350.pdf.
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2011). Financial literacy and planning: Implications for
Retirement wellbeing. Working paper. National Bureau of Economic Research, https://doi:10.3386/w17078.
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
Maobe, A. (2020). The overlay between demographic characteristics, spirituality, and
retirement planning in Kenya is exposed. Cogent Social Sciences, (6), 1-18.
Mndzebele, Z. W. S., & Kwenda, F. (2020). The effects of financial literacy on
Financial preparedness for retirement among academic staff in higher learning institutions in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Acta Universitatis Danubius ,16 (5), 253-268.
Mullock, K., & Turcotte, J. (2012). Financial literacy and retirement saving. Working Paper, 1,
Department of Finance, Canada.
Muchiri, C.M., & Muathe, S.M. (2024). Strategic Orientation and Organizational Performance:
Evidence from Rotary Clubs in Kenya. Journal of Business and Management Sciences, 12(2), 99-110. https:// doi/10.12691/jbms-12-2-3
Muratore, A. M., and Earl, J. K. (2015). Improving retirement outcomes: the role of resources,
Pre-retirement planning and transition characteristics. Ageing Soc. 35, 2100–2140. https://doi: 10.1017/S0144686X14000841
North America Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (2022). Planning for Retirement:
The Seventh-day Adventist Retirement Plans of the North American Division. Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD.
Nyoro, K. N. & Otieno, O. J. (2016). Predictors of employee preparedness for retirement in
public institutions within Mombasa county, Kenya “International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 3 (1), 136-145
Peeters, M., van Emmerik, H., Anne Taylor, M., Goldberg, C., Shore, L. M., & Lipka, P. (2008).
The effects of retirement expectations and social support on post-retirement adjustment: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Management Psychology, (23), 458–470. https:// doi: 10.1108/02683940810869051
Petkoska, J & Earl, J. K. (2009). Understanding the influence of demographic and psychological
Variables on retirement planning. Psychology and aging, 24 (1), 245-251. https:// doi: 10.1037/a0014096
Reitzes, D. C., & Mutran, E. J. (2004). The transition to retirement: stages and factors that
Influence retirement adjustment. International Journal of Aging Hum. Dev., (59), 63–84. doi: 10.2190/NYPP-RFFP-5RFK-8EB8
Rostamkalaei, A., Nitani, M., & Riding, A. (2022). Self-employment, financial knowledge, and
Retirement planning. Journal of Small Business Management, 60(1), 63–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2019.1695497.
Shim, S., Barber, B. L., Card, N. A., Xiao, J. J., & Serido, J. (2010). Financial socialization of
First-year college students: The roles of parents, work, and education. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(12), 1457-1470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9432-x
Singh, A.S & Masuku, M.B. (2014). Sampling techniques & determination of sample size in applied statistics research: An overview. International Journal of Economics, Commerce
and Management, II (11), 1-22.
Singleton, J., & Keddy, B. (1991). Planning for retirement. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, (16),
49-55.
Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (2016). The current state of retirement: A
compendium of findings about American retirees.
www.transamericacenter.org/docs/default-sou
Topa, G., Moriano, J. A., Depolo, M., Alcover, C.-M., & Morales, J. F.
(2009). Antecedents and consequences of retirement planning and decision making:
A meta-analysis and model. Journal of Vocational Behavior (75), 38–55. https:// doi:
10.1016/j.jvb.2009.03.002
Van Rooij, M. C., Lusardi, A., & Alessie, R. J. (2012). Financial literacy, retirement planning
And household wealth. The Economic Journal, 1(22), 449–478. https://doi: 10.1111/j.1468- 0297.2012.02501.
Wang, M., & Bodner, T. E. (2007). Growth mixture modeling: identifying and predicting
Unobserved subpopulations with longitudinal data. Organizational Research Methods, 10 (4), 635–656. https://doi: 10.1177/1094428106289397
World Economic Forum. (2019). World Economic Forum Pension Report.
https://www.weforum.org/minding-the-400-trillion-pensions-gap.
Yeung, D. Y. (2013). Is pre-retirement planning always good? An exploratory study of
Retirement adjustment among Hong Kong Chinese retirees. Aging Mental Health, (17), 386–393. https://doi: 10.1080/13607863.2012.732036
Yayeh, F. A. (2014). The Impact of Religion on Household Saving Behavior: A Survey Of Religious People In West Amhara National Regional State. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2518129
