The Impact of Disability Onset Timing on Financial Retirement Preparedness of Older Adults with Disabilities: A Moderating Effect of Assets

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of disability onset timing on financial retirement preparedness, with a specific focus on the potential moderating role of assets. Leveraging data from the 4th wave of Disability and Life Dynamics Panel (2021), hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results indicated a prevalent inadequacy in financial retirement preparedness among older adults with disabilities. Furthermore, disparities in retirement preparedness levels were observed across different disability onset timings, suggesting a potential correlation with post-onset adjustment challenges and supplementary disability-related financial burdens that may impede retirement planning. Notably, it was found that older adults with disabilities possessing greater asset portfolios exhibited heightened prospects of retirement preparedness, thus highlighting the buffering effect of asset accumulation against the adverse consequences of disability onset on retirement readiness. This underscores the pivotal significance of financial resources in formulating effective retirement strategies. Consequently, urgent attention is warranted towards the development of comprehensive, targeted policies aimed at bolstering economic retirement preparedness support mechanisms tailored to the needs of older adults with disabilities. Moreover, there is a compelling imperative to expand initiatives aimed at facilitating asset accumulation to effectively mitigate the challenges posed by disability onset in retirement planning endeavors.