Planning for the Future: How ICT Professors Approach Retirement and Post-Career Life

Context: Professors' attitudes toward retirement vary widely, ranging from enthusiasm to reluctance. Some see it as a new beginning, while others perceive it as an intensified continuation of their academic efforts. As an evolving process, professor retirement is becoming increasingly relevant due to the aging academic workforce in higher education institutions worldwide.  Goal: This study aims to investigate the human, organizational, legal, and regulatory factors that may affect the retirement process of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professors.  Method: We conducted a survey with 176 ICT professors from various universities across the country to gather data on their perceptions and preparations for retirement.  Results: Our findings reveal that most professors begin to consider retirement early (31.3%) or mid-career (21.6%). Over 64% plan to engage in leisure activities and travel after retirement, while continuing to contribute to academic research. Additionally, many reported building a financial reserve during their active professional life to supplement their income and maintain their standard of living.  Conclusion: ICT professors are increasingly aware of the importance of retirement planning, with many adopting strategies to ensure a comfortable future and continue their academic contributions. Financial reserves and post-career activity planning are key aspects of this process. However, most universities do not offer training courses to prepare them for retirement.

Keywords: Retirement, ICT Professors, Post-Career Life