IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v9y2025issue-8p2884-2893.html

Determinants of Financial Retirement Planning in Malaysia: A Conceptual Paper

Author

Listed:
  • Mohd Sufian Ab Kadir

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka Branch, KM26, Jalan Lendu, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Maimunah Johari

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka Branch, KM26, Jalan Lendu, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Ngau Duo Seng

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka Branch, KM26, Jalan Lendu, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Nor Balkish Zakaria

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka Branch, KM26, Jalan Lendu, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia)

  • Norlinda Tendot Abu Bakar

    (Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka Branch, KM26, Jalan Lendu, 78000 Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia)

Abstract

This study aims to develop a conceptual framework that explores the determinants of financial literacy and their influence on financial retirement planning among Malaysians. In light of increasing life expectancy, rising medical costs, and economic uncertainties, effective retirement planning has become a critical concern for individuals and policymakers alike. The framework focuses on three primary determinants: education level, income level, and medical costs. Education level shapes an individual’s capacity to understand and apply financial concepts, thereby influencing their planning behavior. Income level affects one’s ability to save and invest for retirement, while escalating medical costs represent a major financial risk that can undermine retirement preparedness. The interplay of these factors highlights the need for a holistic approach to improving financial literacy to ensure adequate retirement planning. This framework contributes to the existing literature by providing a basis for future empirical research and offering insights for policymakers to develop targeted financial education and retirement readiness programs tailored to Malaysia’s socio-economic context.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohd Sufian Ab Kadir & Maimunah Johari & Ngau Duo Seng & Nor Balkish Zakaria & Norlinda Tendot Abu Bakar, 2025. "Determinants of Financial Retirement Planning in Malaysia: A Conceptual Paper," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(8), pages 2884-2893, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-8:p:2884-2893
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-9-issue-8/2884-2893.pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/determinants-of-financial-retirement-planning-in-malaysia-a-conceptual-paper/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S Mitchelli, 2007. "Financial Literacy and Retirement Preparedness: Evidence and Implications for Financial Education," Business Economics, Palgrave Macmillan;National Association for Business Economics, vol. 42(1), pages 35-44, January.
    2. Jere R. Behrman & Olivia S. Mitchell & Cindy K. Soo & David Bravo, 2012. "How Financial Literacy Affects Household Wealth Accumulation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(3), pages 300-304, May.
    3. Maarten C.J. van Rooij & Annamaria Lusardi & Rob J.M. Alessie, 2012. "Financial Literacy, Retirement Planning and Household Wealth," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 122(560), pages 449-478, May.
    4. Vivekananda Das, 2025. "Financial Literacy and Financial Well-Being Amid Varying Economic Conditions: Evidence from the Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking 2017–2022," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-39, May.
    5. Nurul Jannah Fatehah Kamarul Zaman & Shafinar Ismail & Khairunnisa Abd Samad, 2025. "Financial Planning for Retirement among Gig Workers in Peninsular Malaysia: A Proposed Conceptual Framework," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 17(1), pages 117-125.
    6. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia Mitchell, 2006. "Financial Literacy and Retirement Preparedness: Evidence and Implications for Financial Education Programs," Working Papers wp144, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center.
    7. Mahfuzur Rahman & Che Ruhana Isa & Muhammad Mehedi Masud & Moniruzzaman Sarker & Nazreen T. Chowdhury, 2021. "The role of financial behaviour, financial literacy, and financial stress in explaining the financial well-being of B40 group in Malaysia," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Annamaria Lusardi, 2008. "Household Saving Behavior: The Role of Financial Literacy, Information, and Financial Education Programs," NBER Working Papers 13824, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell, 2014. "The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 52(1), pages 5-44, March.
    10. repec:eme:mfppss:mf-09-2021-0466 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. repec:ecj:econjl:v:122:y:2012:i::p:449-478 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cai, Dongsong & Kou, Junhao & He, Yao, 2025. "The impact of digital finance on households’ financial literacy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 687-704.
    2. Shen, Chung-Hua & Lin, Shih-Jie & Tang, De-Piao & Hsiao, Yu-Jen, 2016. "The relationship between financial disputes and financial literacy," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 46-65.
    3. Noviarini, Jelita & Coleman, Andrew & Roberts, Helen & Whiting, Rosalind H., 2021. "Financial literacy, debt, risk tolerance and retirement preparedness: Evidence from New Zealand," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    4. Lin, Chaonan & Hsiao, Yu-Jen & Yeh, Cheng-Yung, 2017. "Financial literacy, financial advisors, and information sources on demand for life insurance," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 218-237.
    5. Aishwarya Mitra & Seba Mohanty & Sugyanta Priyadarshini, 2025. "Financial well-being in the IT sector: investigating the role of financial behaviour and planning," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 30(4), pages 1-18, December.
    6. Azra Zaimovic & Anes Torlakovic & Almira Arnaut-Berilo & Tarik Zaimovic & Lejla Dedovic & Minela Nuhic Meskovic, 2023. "Mapping Financial Literacy: A Systematic Literature Review of Determinants and Recent Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-30, June.
    7. Florian Deuflhard & Dimitris Georgarakos & Roman Inderst, 2019. "Financial Literacy and Savings Account Returns," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 17(1), pages 131-164.
    8. Gathergood, John & Weber, Jörg, 2017. "Financial literacy, present bias and alternative mortgage products," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 58-83.
    9. S. Ananda & Raghavendra Prasanna Kumar & Tamanna Dalwai, 2024. "Impact of financial literacy on savings behavior: the moderation role of risk aversion and financial confidence," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 29(3), pages 843-854, September.
    10. Silvia Mariela Méndez-Prado & Vanessa Rodriguez & Kevin Peralta-Rizzo & Patricia Everaert & Martin Valcke, 2023. "An Assessment Tool to Identify the Financial Literacy Level of Financial Education Programs Participants’ Executed by Ecuadorian Financial Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, January.
    11. Jiang, Jinglin & Liao, Li & Wang, Zhengwei & Xiang, Hongyu, 2020. "Financial literacy and retail investors' financial welfare: Evidence from mutual fund investment outcomes in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    12. Zaheer Ahmed & Umara Noreen & Suresh A.L. Ramakrishnan & Dewi Fariha Binti Abdullah, 2021. "What explains the investment decision-making behaviour? The role of financial literacy and financial risk tolerance," Afro-Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(1), pages 1-19.
    13. Heenkenda, Shirantha, 2016. "The Determinants of Dropouts from Voluntary Pension Scheme: Evidence from Sri Lanka," MPRA Paper 72481, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Lührmann, Melanie & Serra-Garcia, Marta & Winter, Joachim, 2015. "Teaching teenagers in finance: Does it work?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 160-174.
    15. Bechly, Paul, 2018. "An Examination of Demographic Differences in Obtaining Investment and Financial Planning Information," EconStor Theses, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 233014, March.
    16. Steven Malliaris & Daniel A. Rettl & Ruchi Singh, 2022. "Is competition a cure for confusion? Evidence from the residential mortgage market," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 50(1), pages 206-246, March.
    17. Ruiting Sun & Huanhuan Zhang & Calum G. Turvey & Xueping Xiong, 2021. "Impact of Financial Literacy on Retirement Financial Portfolio: Evidence from China," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 35(4), pages 390-412, December.
    18. Raquel Fonseca & Simon Lord, 2020. "Canadian Gender Gap in Financial Literacy: Confidence Matters," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 235(4), pages 153-182, December.
    19. Christi R. Wann & Lisa A. Burke-Smalley, 2023. "Attributes of Households that Engage in Higher Levels of Family Financial Planning," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 98-113, March.
    20. Yang, Junhong & Wu, Yu & Huang, Bihong, 2023. "Digital finance and financial literacy: Evidence from Chinese households," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-8:p:2884-2893. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.