Influence of Financial Literacy and Military Culture on Soldiers’ Financial Planning, Mediated by Retirement Awareness

Authors

  • Mohd Yusof Ahmad Faculty of Management and Defence Studies, National Defence University of Malaysia, 43000 Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Hafizah Mat Nawi Faculty of Management and Defence Studies, National Defence University of Malaysia, 43000 Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Mohd Abdullah Jusoh Faculty of Management and Defence Studies, National Defence University of Malaysia, 43000 Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Zailin Zainal Ariffin Faculty of Management and Defence Studies, National Defence University of Malaysia, 43000 Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI37.7624

Keywords:

Financial literacy, military culture, retirement awareness, theory of planned behaviour

Abstract

This study examines the influence of financial literacy and military culture on the financial planning of Malaysian Armed Forces personnel, with retirement awareness as a mediating factor. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour and the life-cycle consumption model, financial planning is conceptualised as a behavioural outcome shaped by knowledge, attitudes, and military norms. A quantitative cross-sectional design using PLS-SEM is proposed to test these relationships. Results show that both factors significantly predict financial planning, with retirement awareness partially mediating the effects. The study offers insights into MINDEF, LTAT, and AKPK in strengthening soldiers’ financial readiness and retirement planning.

References

Ahmad, M.Y., Nawi, H. M., Abdullah, M. N. & Ariffin, Z. Z. (2025). Financial Planning of Malaysian Military Households: The Mediating Role of Retirement Awareness. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. 15(10). 1480-1496.

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179-211.

Atkinson, A., & Messy, F. A. (2012). Measuring financial literacy: Results of the OECD/International Network on Financial Education (INFE) pilot study. OECD Working Papers on Finance, Insurance and Private Pensions, No. 15. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/measuring-financial-literacy_5k9csfs90fr4.pdf

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1986(23-28), 2.

Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021).Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using R: A workbook. Springer Nature.

Hershey, D. A., & Mowen, J. C. (2000). Psychological determinants of financial preparedness for retirement. The Gerontologist, 40(6), 687-697.

Jaffar, N., Mohd Faizal, S., Selamat, Z., Awaludin, I. S., & Sulaiman, N. A. (2024). Financial literacy and financial well-being of low-income women in Malaysia: a capability view. Cogent Social Sciences,10(1), 2388826.

Khan, M. T. I., Liew, T. W., & Lee, X. Y. (2023). Fintech literacy among millennials: The roles of financial literacy and education. Cogent Social Sciences,9(2), 2281046.

LTAT. (2023). Annual Report 2023.https://www.ltat.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LTAT_AR2023.pdf. (accessed on 13 September 2025)

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence.American Economic Journal: Journal of Economic Literature,52(1), 5-44.

Modigliani, F. (1966). The life cycle hypothesis of saving, the demand for wealth and the supply of capital. Social research, 160–217.

Nawi, H. M., Ahmad, M. Y., Tanaraj, K., Ismail, A., Abdullah, M. N., & Jusoh, M. A. (2025). Financial Readiness, Combat Readiness: Factors Influencing the Financial Planning of Military Personnel.Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review,5(3), e05140-e05140.

OECD. OECD/INFE 2020 International Survey of Adult Financial Literacy. 2020. Available online: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2020/06/oecd-infe-2020-international-survey-of-adult-financial-literacy_bbad9b27.html (accessed on 5 October 2024).

Opoku-Okuampa, I. Y. (2024). The influence of cultural factors on financial decision-making in Ghana. International Journal of Finance and Banking Research, 10(6), 118-125.

Sen, A. K. (1985), Commodities and Capabilities, Oxford: Elsevier Science Publishers.

Soeters, J. (2020).Management and military studies: Classical and current foundations. Routledge.

Topa, G., Segura, A., & Pérez, S. (2018). Gender differences in retirement planning: A longitudinal study among Spanish Registered Nurses. Journal of Nursing Management, 26(5), 587-596.

Xiao, J. J., & Porto, N. (2017). Financial education and financial satisfaction: Financial literacy, behavior, and capability as mediators.International Journal of Bank Marketing,35(5), 805-817.

Yeo, K. H. K., Lim, W. M., & Yii, K. J. (2024). Financial planning behaviour: a systematic literature review and new theory development.Journal of Financial Services Marketing,29(3), 979-1001.

Published

2025-12-02

How to Cite

Ahmad, M. Y., Mat Nawi, H., Jusoh, M. A., & Ariffin , Z. Z. (2025). Influence of Financial Literacy and Military Culture on Soldiers’ Financial Planning, Mediated by Retirement Awareness. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 10(SI37). https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI37.7624