Abstract

DE BEER, E.J.. A theological-ethical judgement of retirement. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.45, n.4, pp.803-823. ISSN 2305-0853.

Although retirement is a relatively new phenomenon on the labour scene, it is a phenomenon that is generally accepted. Retirement is only possible when people live long enough to retire and when there is enough financial provision to live without having to work. Older-growing populations coupled with a shortage of finances has in recent times led to a re-evaluation of retirement. In this article, retirement is judged theological-ethically with the aim to give biblical guidance to different role players on what their attitude toward retirement should be. Firstly, the historical development of retirement is explored after which the reasons why people retire are discussed. This is followed by an exploration of biblical principles regarding work and retirement. The most important principle is that God has created man as an ever-working being. The reasons why people retire are judged in the light of the set principles. The fall of man and the resulting consequences offer numerous reasons why people have to retire. The point of reference, however, should always be that man should work as long as his abilities allow him to.

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