While most people find themselves lonely during their retirement, Manna Fourie of Featherbrooke Estate say it’s a different case for him.
Retired for nine years now, Fourie explains that he knew within himself that he had to find something that will keep his mind and body active.
As a retired bank employee, he joined the Financial Institutions Pensioners Society, previously known as the Bank Pensioners Society.
Fourie reckons it is beneficial to be part of the society.
“This helps us as retired people who worked in the financial sector to get together and keep in touch,” he said.
The society’s main objective is to look after the interests of its members and provide them with support when needed.
According to Fourie, who is currently the chairperson of the West Rand branch, the society negotiates special deals and discounts on behalf of their members – among other things.
He cautions that retirement can get very lonely.
“You’ve been working for the better part of your life then retirement comes and you are all alone,” Fourie said, reflecting on his own experience.
He said the first three months weren’t too bad as colleagues kept in touch.
“Colleagues will call and pop an email from time to time, but as time went by the whole communication stopped. I guess it is a case of out of sight, out of mind.”
Alice Ball of Bromhof says she’s been retired for 14 years – also a previous bank employee.
She currently serves as the secretary for the West Rand branch of the society.
“The society holds social gatherings every three months and we always have a guest speaker who shares valuable information on a specific topic.”
Ball added that this helps them with keeping up with the times.
“Things are forever changing, so we invite guests to discuss issues that we feel will benefit our members.”
At their last quarterly member’s meeting, they had a guest speaker who spoke to them about the importance of wills and estate planning.
The society has 400 members on the West Rand and Fourie believes that there are more pensioners in the area who can join the society.
Membership is open to any retired persons who previously worked in the financial sector.
Details: Alice Ball, Secretary for the West Rand Branch of Financial Institutions Pensioners Society balletjies@telkomsa.net 083 253 7278; 011 791 4827; www.bps-fips.co.za
