“A new pace of life”: A mixed-methods exploration of retirement plans, preparations and experiences in middle-aged and older autistic and non-autistic adults

“A new pace of life”: A mixed-methods exploration of retirement plans, preparations and experiences in middle-aged and older autistic and non-autistic adults | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article “ A new pace of life ”: A mixed-methods exploration of retirement plans, preparations and experiences in middle-aged and older autistic and non-autistic adults Zuzanna Kowalczyk, Ahna Huwaida Ahmad Fadzil, Isabel Ward, Francesca Happé, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7721067/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Retirement is a major life change affecting routines, finances, and wellbeing. Autistic adults may face extra challenges during this transition due to employment barriers, limited support, and planning difficulties. However, little is known about their retirement experiences compared to non-autistic adults. Methods This mixed-methods study surveyed 517 adults from the UK (autistic n = 395), aged 40–90 years, about their retirement status, plans, experiences, employment history, income, and financial security. Results Actual or expected retirement ages were similar across groups, but autistic adults were less likely to have made plans and more likely to have plans disrupted by financial, health, or personal factors. They also reported lower rates of full-time work, reduced pensions, and lower pre-retirement income. Many highlighted a lack of information about pensions and lifestyle planning. Concerns included isolation, loss of routine, and financial worries, but some looked forward to more autonomy and time for self-care, leisure activities and interests. Conclusions While there were many similarities between the autistic and non-autistic groups, our study found that autistic adults may reach retirement differently due to unique work histories, health needs, and planning barriers. Tailored, accessible support is needed to help autistic adults plan for financial stability and meaningful post-retirement lives. Psychology Geriatrics & Gerontology Retirement Pension Financial Planning Autism Midlife Old Age LAY SUMMARY Retirement is a major life change, but very little is known about how autistic adults experience this transition. This study explored retirement experiences/expectations of both autistic and non-autistic adults, finding that retirement happened or was expected to happen at similar ages across groups. However, autistic adults were less likely to have made retirement plans and faced more challenges with work, income, access to pensions, and health problems. Many felt unsure how to prepare and wanted clearer information. While some had concerns about isolation and changes to routine, others looked forward to more freedom and time for hobbies. The findings highlight the need for better support to help autistic people plan for retirement. INTRODUCTION Retirement refers to the transition period and phase of life when an individual decides to leave regular employment (Ingale & Paluri, 2025 ). Many retired individuals opt to engage in leisure activities and travel, personal interest pursuits, and voluntary or flexible/part-time employment (Genoe et al., 2022 ). While retirement can occur at any age, it often takes place in later life, coinciding with reaching ‘retirement age’, or having financial means no longer requiring income from employment. In the context of the UK, retirement age is calculated based on an individual’s year of birth; while this age has gradually increased over time, currently c.2025, both men and women are eligible to retire with government assistance at age 66 years (Department for Work and Pensions, 2023 ; Pensions Act, 2007). The UK government currently offers a scaling ‘State Pension’ scheme, where an individual can receive up to £221.20 per week (£11,541.90 per annum) if they have contributed to paying 35 or more years of national insurance payments (i.e., a form of income taxation). If an individual does not satisfy this 35-year criteria, their State Pension is scaled accordingly, with a minimum of 10 years' worth of national insurance payments providing £63.20 per week (£3297.68 per annum). While some rely fully on their state pension as their only form of income when retired, many people supplement this income with private or workplace pensions or with additional government subsidies and payment schemes. For many people, retirement is viewed positively as something to look forward to. However, others may not have as favourable an outlook on the prospect of being retired. Given that retirement may involve changes to finances and routines, and requires advanced planning, some people, such as those on the autism spectrum, may struggle with the process of retirement (Ingale & Paluri, 2025 ). We know very little about autism in midlife and older age, with only 0.4% of indexed autism research since 1980 focusing on older adults (Mason et al., 2022 ). Also, given that many autistic adults are late diagnosed or undiagnosed (O’Nions et al., 2023 ) this may cause issues with forward planning for retiring. Furthermore, approx. 30% of autistic adults have been found to have poor normative outcomes (Mason et al., 2021 ) including higher rates of unemployment or under-employment (Buckland, 2024 ; Davies et al., 2024b ), which may result in additional difficulties with the retirement process. To date, retirement in autistic populations has been a largely neglected topic. To the authors’ knowledge, only two case studies (one published, Hodges et al., 2004 ; one included in a doctoral thesis, Mason, 2023 ) and one multi-participant study (Davies et al., 2024a ) have examined the retirement experiences of autistic people. Davies et al. ( 2024a ) conducted a qualitative study interviewing eight women and four men (retired n = 4, semi-retired n = 4, not-yet-retired n = 4) aged 56 to 70 years (mean age = 63 years) about their experiences of planning for and being retired. The researchers produced several themes, which indicated mixed experiences of the retirement process; some participants felt that being autistic (i.e., having good attention to detail, being a logical planner) were beneficial to the retirement planning process, while others found that retirement was something unexpected and involved complex planning and paperwork that was challenging. Others noted that disruptions in their employment history (which affects state pension) had caused issues with retiring, and that they had inadequate support with the planning process. Financial constraints and challenges of balancing care for children and older parents were also raised. Finally, participants highlighted both joy and concerns about the lack of day-to-day structure that being retired would result in, with some expressing worries about losing a sense of self and purpose associated with being employed. Although participants in this study voiced numerous concerns, particularly related to planning and the ‘unexpectedness’ of retirement, only one participant in the study retired at UK retirement age, with most retiring several years prior to this threshold due to ill health or unexpected changes/work-related disputes. The challenges associated with early/unexpected retirement described by Davies et al. are also found to be experienced in non-autistic populations (e.g., Clarke et al., 2012 ; de Wind et al., 2013 ; Schinkel-Ivy et al., 2017 ), suggesting these experiences are not specific to autistic people, and could be associated with early/unexpected retirement rather than retiring at a predetermined age. Given this, there is continued uncertainty about whether autistic people face additional difficulties with the process of retiring. Further research with larger groups of autistic people is necessary to clarify how widespread retirement-related challenges are within this population. Additionally, comparative approaches are needed to understand whether any difficulties are unique to autistic people, or if they are associated with other challenges, e.g., retiring unexpectedly/below retirement age. By doing so, it will provide further evidence for whether tailored retirement support is needed to ensure autistic people are prepared and supported during this important transition period in later life. The current study aims to examine the planning and retirement experiences of autistic and non-autistic adults using a mixed-methods approach. Given the dearth of information about retirement in autistic populations, this study is exploratory in nature. Comparisons will be made between the autistic and non-autistic groups on a range of topics, including 1) current/pre-retirement employment and financial stability, 2) retirement status, whether plans were made for retirement, and financial support, and 4) whether there are differences between those who have and have not-yet-retired in the affordability of their living expenses. METHOD Study Design This study uses cross-sectional data from the ‘Planning for Old Age’ study, an online survey exploring how autistic and non-autistic people plan for old age and retirement. Prior to the commencement of the study, steering conversations were held via video call with six older adults who have retired (two autistic men, one autistic woman, three non-autistic women) to identify questions that would be relevant for the survey. The research team then created the current study. Steering members were provided with £25 vouchers for their involvement in the steering activities. The ‘Planning for Older Age’ study was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025. Participants were recruited through study adverts to the ReSpect Lab Participant Database at King’s College London, Autistica’s Research Network, and the Cambridge Autism Research Database (CARD). Study adverts referred directly to retirement. The current study was not advertised on social media due to notable incidents of spam/imposters in autism research (e.g., Lo et al., 2025 ; Pellicano et al., 2024 ). Inclusion criteria for the study were: being 40 years of age or older, having access to an internet-enabled device, being able to read English, and living in the UK. The study had no specific exclusion criteria. Participants accessed the survey on Qualtrics. Before starting, participants read an information sheet outlining the study’s aims. Participants gave informed consent and were reminded of their right to withdraw at any time. Participants were then presented with 1) a demographic information questionnaire, 2) a series of standardised questionnaires related to traits of neurodivergence, mental health, social support, and quality of life [not included in this specific publication], and 3) bespoke multiple choice and open-text questions about their employment history, their retirement status and planning, income, and financial stability. All questions were optional but prompted a response if unanswered. Upon completion, participants received a debrief sheet with links to support services. Participants were entered into a prize draw to receive one of ten £25 gift vouchers. All responses were checked for possible spam. Full ethical approval was received for this study through the Health Faculties (Blue) Research Ethics Subcommittee at King’s College London (HR-23/24-45393). The study was not pre-registered. Participants In total, 596 survey responses were recorded, of which 80 (13.4%) were removed due to one or more of: not providing consent (n = 6, 1.0%); being flagged as duplicate responses by Qualtrics (n = 4, 0.7%); having short completion times (less than 10mins; n = 26, 4.4%); the survey being incomplete (n = 39, 6.5%); not meeting the minimum age requirement (n = 4, 0.7%), and living outside of the UK (n = 5, 0.8%). This resulted in a final total of 517 participants (86.6% of recruited total). Median completion time was 32.5 minutes. Participants were aged 40 to 90 years old. Those who disclosed that they had an autism diagnosis (n = 359) and those that self-identified as autistic (n = 36) were found to have similar endorsement of autistic trait scores and were combined to form the autistic group (total autistic n = 395). They were asked when they received their autism diagnosis/began to identify as autistic; responses ranged from the current year to 54 years ago as a child (mean years since diagnosis/identity = 10.6 years; four (1.1%) participants were diagnosed under 18 years of age). The remaining 122 participants formed a non-autistic comparison group. Groups were broadly matched on age (autistic mean age = 60.35 years; non-autistic mean age = 62.6 years), sex assigned at birth ratio (autistic men = 49.1%; non-autistic men = 47.5%) and living situation. However, some differences were found in other demographic characteristics; the autistic group were more often gender diverse (i.e., non-binary or trans), more likely to endorse a White European ethnicity, more likely to have a postgraduate level of education, more likely to be single or in a non-marital relationship, and more likely to live in a council/housing association rented home. See Table 1 for demographic characteristics of the autistic and non-autistic groups. Table 1 Demographic characteristics of the autistic and non-autistic groups. Autistic group (n = 395) non-Autistic group (n = 122) Group Difference Effect Size Age (years) M (SD) 60.35 (11.73) 62.60 (13.44) t (1,515)=-1.78, p = .075 g =-.38 [-.39, .02] [95% CI] [59.19–61.51] [60.19–65.01] Min-Max 40–89 40–90 Sex Assigned at Birth Male : Female 179 : 216 58 : 64 χ2 = 0.18, p = .666 v = .02 % 45.3% : 54.7% 47.5% : 52.5% Gender Identity Men : Women : NB/T 175 : 194: 26 58 : 64 : 0 χ2 = 8.46, p = .015* v = .13 % 49.1% : 44.3% : 6.6% 47.5% : 52.5% : 0% Ethnicity White 350 (88.6%) ǂ 96 (78.7%) ǂ χ2 = 19.84, p < .001*** v = .20 Black 13 (3.3%) ǂ 13 (10.7%) ǂ Asian 16 (4.1%) ǂ 12 (9.8%) ǂ All other ethnicities 16 (4.1%) 1 (0.8%) Highest educational qualification No formal qualifications 5 (1.3%) 0 - χ2 = 50.35, p < .001*** v = .31 School to 16 25 (6.3%) ǂ 2 (1.6%) ǂ School to 18 126 (32.0%) ǂ 80 (65.6%) ǂ Professional qualifications 27 (6.9%) 4 (3.3%) Undergraduate degree 86 (21.8%) 24 (19.7%) Postgraduate degree 125 (31.7%) ǂ 12 (9.8%) ǂ Marital status Married / civil partnership 205 (52.0%) 74 (60.7%) χ2 = 11.42, p = .022* v = .15 In a relationship 31 (7.9%) ǂ 3 (2.5%) ǂ Single 78 (19.8%) ǂ 13 (10.7%) ǂ Widowed 18 (4.7%) 8 (6.6%) Separated / divorced 62 (15.7%) 24 (19.7%) Living situation Spouse / partner 227 (57.5%) 77 (63.1%) χ2 = 1.22, p = .268 v = .05 Children 72 (18.2%) 14 (11.5%) χ2 = 3.06, p = .080 v = .08 Sibling 2 (0.5%) 1 (0.8%) χ2 = 0.16, p = .690 v = .02 Parent 8 (2.0%) 0 - χ2 = 2.51, p = .113 v = .07 Other family member 12 (3.0%) 3 (2.5%) χ2 = 0.11, p = .739 v = .02 Roommate / friend 2 (0.5%) 1 (0.8%) χ2 = 0.16, p = .690 v = .02 Supported housing 1 (0.3%) 0 - χ2 = 0.31, p = .578 v = .02 Alone independently 123 (31.1%) 37 (30.3%) χ2 = 0.03, p = .865 v < .01 Homeownership Own or family-owned home 322 (83.9%) 107 (88.4%) χ2 = 9.09, p = .011* v = .13 Privately renting 30 (7.8%) 13 (10.7%) Renting from council 32 (8.3%) ǂ 1 (0.8%) ǂ Autism Diagnosis Diagnosed 359 (90.9%) 0 - - - Self-identified 36 (9.1%) 0 - Years since Autism Diagnosis/Identity M (SD) 10.66 (8.21) - - - Min-Max 0–54 Note: NB/T = non-binary and trans; All other ethnicities = Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern/Arab, and Mixed/Multiple ethnicities. Effect size calculated using Hedge’s g and Cohen’s v. ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1 – DEMOGRAPHICS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Materials Demographic characteristics – Participants provided detailed demographic information including age, sex assigned at birth, gender, ethnicity, highest educational qualification, marital status, living situation, and homeownership (as a proxy for socio-economic status). Participants were also asked if they either 1) had an autism diagnosis (and at what age they received their diagnosis), 2) self-identified as autistic but did not (yet) have an autism diagnosis (and at what age they began to self-identify), or 3) were non-autistic. Employment History and Financial Stability – Participants were asked to provide an open-text response to describe their employment history, including the types of jobs they have held, whether they were full-time or part-time positions, whether they were supported roles, if they have had any periods of unemployment, and if they have had to stop working due to ill health. Participants were also asked if they receive(d) a range of employment-related support allowances, including: Access to Work, Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance. An open-text option allowed participants to add any other support provisions they may have received. Participants were also asked a multiple-choice question about whether they feel/felt financial stable prior to retirement (five-point response scale; strongly agree to strongly disagree). A second question asked if they are/were able to put money into savings prior to retirement (response options: no, occasionally, monthly). Retirement and Retirement Preparations – Participants were asked if they were retired (response options: fully retired, semi-retired, retiring within next 5 years, retiring in more than 5 years). An open-text option allowed participants to give an alternate response if the other response options did not fit their circumstances. Participants were also asked at what age they retired, or at what age they plan to retire. Participants were also asked if they have (or had) plans for retirement (response options: very detailed plans, somewhat detailed plans, no plans). Based on response, participants were presented with an open-text box asking either 1) when they began to make plans, if their plans had changed, and if they spoke to family/friends/colleagues/workplace advisors/financial advisors about their retirement plans, or 2) if there was a reason why they do not / did not have plans for retirement. Furthermore, participants were asked if they currently or will receive a range of different types of pensions (e.g., a full / partial UK State pension, a workplace pension, a private pension) and different types of pension top-up schemes (e.g., UK State Guarantee Credit, UK Housing Credits, etc.). An open-text option allowed participants to give an alternate response if the other response options did not fit their circumstances. Current Income and Affordability of Living Costs – Participants were asked what their annual income is (response options ranging from ‘£0 to £10,000’, with £5,000 increments up to ‘Over £35,000’ [UK median income]). A second question asked if they shared their living expenses with someone else, e.g., a partner or family member (response options: yes, no). An open-text option allowed participants to give an alternate response if the other response options did not fit their circumstances. Participants were also asked a series of questions (response options: all the time, most of the time, some of the time, no) about whether they could afford day-to-day living expenses (e.g., food, drink), monthly living expenses (e.g., mortgage/rent, utility bills), additional monthly expenses (e.g., telephone/internet bills, TV license fees), and occasional expenses (e.g., purchasing new clothes, gifts for special occasions). Views on retirement – Participants had the opportunity to respond to three open-text questions about 1) whether there are / were any lifestyle changes they look forward to when retired, 2) any they are worried about, and 3) if there is anything they wish they knew about retirement. Data Analysis All statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS (version 25.0; IBM Corp., 2017). Data were cleaned and checked for completeness. Open-text responses to the employment and retirement questions were recoded for consistency. Group differences (autistic vs. non-autistic) in demographics were tested using t -tests and chi-square (χ²) tests. Employment and retirement group differences were analysed with χ² tests, examining adjusted residuals for proportional differences. To compare income and living cost affordability by group and retirement status, χ² tests were conducted, with adjusted residuals identifying proportional differences between ‘retired’ and ‘not-yet-retired’ subgroups within the autistic and non-autistic groups. Open-text responses about retirement plans, hopes/worries, and desired information were analysed using content analysis; only results for the autistic group are reported due to word limits (see Supplementary Materials for non-autistic group content analysis). Multiple comparisons were controlled using the False Discovery Rate (Benjamini & Hochberg, 1995) with an initial α-value of .050. Adjusted α-values were applied by p-value rank; all significant results met this threshold. RESULTS Employment History and Financial Stability currently/prior to retirement The autistic group reported significantly lower rates of full-time employment and significantly higher rates of being unemployed or unable to work currently/prior to retirement when compared to the non-autistic group. The autistic group reported significantly higher rates of receiving Personal Independence Payments, Employment Support Allowances, and Universal Credit currently/prior to retirement when compared to the non-autistic group. Additionally, the autistic group were significantly less likely to claim no support allowances than the non-autistic group. The autistic group reported significantly higher rates of low financial stability currently/prior to retirement compared to the non-autistic group. Finally, no statistical differences were found in the ability to save money currently/prior to retirement between the autistic and non-autistic groups. See Table 2 . Table 2 Employment history and financial status (currently or prior to retirement) of the autistic and non-autistic groups. Autistic group (n = 395) non-Autistic group (n = 122) Group Difference Effect Size Employment (currently / prior to retirement) In full-time employment 286 (73.9%) ǂ 98 (82.4%) ǂ χ2 = 13.18, p = .010** v = .16 In part-time employment 29 (7.5%) 10 (8.4%) Employed, but disruptions due to health 19 (4.9%) 2 (1.7%) Unemployed or unable to work 44 (11.4%) ǂ 3 (2.5%) ǂ Homemaker 9 (2.3%) 6 (5.0%) Financial Support Allowances (currently / prior to retirement) Access To Work 18 (4.6%) 2 (1.6%) χ2 = 2.13, p = .144 v = .06 Personal Independence Payments (PIP) 58 (14.7%) 1 (0.8%) χ2 = 17.72, p < .001*** v = .19 Disability Living Allowance 19 (4.8%) 2 (1.6%) χ2 = 2.40, p = .121 v = .07 Employment Support Allowance 35 (8.9%) 0 - χ2 = 11.59, p < .001*** v = .15 Universal Credit 21 (5.3%) 0 - χ2 = 6.76, p = .009** v = .11 None 272 (68.9%) 110 ^ (90.2%) χ2 = 21.83, p < .001*** v = .20 Financial Stability (currently / prior to retirement) Low stability 173 (44.1%) 33 (27.0%) χ2 = 11.31, p < .001*** v = .15 High stability 219 (55.9%) 89 (73.0%) Able to save money (currently / prior to retirement) No 120 (30.6%) 33 (27.0%) χ2 = 4.61, p = .100 v = .09 Occasionally 143 (36.5%) 36 (29.5%) Monthly 129 (32.9%) 53 (43.4%) Note: ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. ^ 7 non-autistic participants did not disclose the type of financial support allowances they receive. Effect size calculated using Cohen’s v. * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2 – EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL STATUS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retirement Status, Plans and Preparations In total, 157 autistic participants (41.1%) and 51 non-autistic participants (41.8%) were retired (either fully retired or semi-retired), with the remaining participants being not-yet-retired. Our analyses found that the autistic and non-autistic group significantly differed in their current retirement status; although they had similar in rates of participants who were fully retired or planning to retire the autistic group reported significantly higher rates of being semi-retired and being of working age but with long-term illness resulting in early medical retirement when compared to the non-autistic group. No statistical difference was found in actual or planned retirement ages in the autistic and non-autistic groups. In total, 22.3% (n = 79) of the autistic group were diagnosed with autism or began to self-identify as autistic prior to their actual/planned retirement age. The autistic group reported significantly lower rates of having very detailed retirement plans and preparations, as well as significantly higher rates of not having retirement plans and preparations when compared to the non-autistic group. The autistic group reported significantly lower rates of being eligible to claim a full UK State pension and were significantly more likely to be eligible to claim only a partial UK State pension when compared to the non-autistic group. Additionally, the autistic group reported significantly lower rates of having workplace pensions than the non-autistic group. Comparable rates were found in private pensions, as well as pension top-up schemes in both groups. See Table 3 . Table 3 Retirement status, age of (planned) retirement, and preparations made by the autistic and non-autistic groups. Autistic group (n = 395) non-Autistic group (n = 122) Group Difference Effect Size Current Retirement Status Fully retired 134 (34.2%) 50 (41.0%) χ2 = 14.72, p = .012* v = .17 Semi-retired 23 (5.9%) ǂ 1 (0.8%) ǂ Will retire in next 5 years 56 (14.3%) 19 (15.6%) Will retire in more than 5 years 147 (37.5%) 51 (41.8%) Of working age but medically retired 22 (5.6%) ǂ 1 (0.8%) ǂ Does not intend to retire 10 (2.6%) 0 - Retirement age (actual or planned) Under 60 years old 72 (20.3%) 23 (18.9%) χ2 = 0.18, p = .913 v = .02 Between 60 to 65 years old 130 (36.6%) 44 (36.1%) Age 66 years or older 153 (43.1%) 55 (45.1%) Plans and preparations for retirement Very detailed plans 85 (21.7%) ǂ 51 (41.8%) ǂ χ2 = 38.51, p < .001*** v = .27 Somewhat detailed plans 146 (37.2%) 56 (45.9%) No plans or preparations 161 (41.1%) ǂ 15 (12.3%) ǂ Pension advice sources (among those who made plans) Friends 139 (60.2%) 97 (90.7%) χ2 = 73.79, p < .001*** v = .37 Family 167 (72.3%) 100 (93.5%) χ2 = 58.79, p < .001*** v = .33 Colleagues 32 (13.9%) 14 (13.1%) χ2 = 1.31, p = .253 v = .05 Workplace pensions advisors 31 (13.4%) 12 (11.2%) χ2 = 0.48, p = .487 v = .03 Trade union advisor 17 (7.4%) 10 (9.3%) χ2 = 2.85, p = .091 v = .07 A financial advisor 137 (59.3%) 82 (76.6%) χ2 = 40.39, p < .001*** v = .28 Government resources 5 (2.2%) 0 - χ2 = 1.60, p = .212 v = .05 What type of pension do you / will you receive? Full UK State pension 289 (73.2%) 117 (95.9%) χ2 = 28.58, p < .001*** v = .24 Partial UK State pension 58 (14.7%) 1 (0.8%) χ2 = 17.72, p < .001*** v = .19 Workplace pension 278 (70.4%) 116 (95.1%) χ2 = 31.37, p < .001*** v = .25 Private pension 122 (30.9%) 47 (38.5%) χ2 = 2.47, p = .116 v = .07 Housing credit 28 (7.1%) 9 (7.4%) χ2 = 0.01, p = .914 v < .01 Warm homes scheme credit 11 (2.8%) 2 (1.6%) χ2 = 0.50, p = .480 v = .03 Pension credit top-up 8 (2.0%) 1 (0.8%) χ2 = 0.79, p = .373 v = .04 Note: ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. Effect size calculated using Cohen’s v. * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 3 – RETIREMENT AND PLANS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Income and Affordability of Living Costs Among those who are not-yet-retired, the autistic group reported significantly lower annual income than the non-autistic group. No statistical differences are found in annual income in the retired autistic and non-autistic groups. The not-yet-retired autistic group were also significantly less likely to share their living expenses with someone else when compared to the not-yet-retired non-autistic group. No statistical difference was found in the rates of sharing living expenses in the retired autistic and non-autistic groups. For the affordability of living costs, no statistical differences were found between the retired/not-yet-retired autistic and non-autistic groups in day-to-day expenses (e.g., food, drink), monthly living expenses (e.g., rent/mortgage, utility bills), and optional monthly bills (e.g., TV license, phone and internet bills). However, the not-yet-retired autistic group and the retired autistic group reported being significantly less able to afford occasional expenses (e.g., new clothes, gifts for special occasions) when compared to their respective non-autistic groups. See Table 4 . Table 4 Pension and financial profile of the autistic and non-autistic groups, split into not-yet-retired and retired subgroups. Not-Yet-Retired Retired Autistic group (n = 235) non-Autistic group (n = 71) Autistic group (n = 157) non-Autistic group (n = 51) Group Difference Effect Size Annual Income Up to £10,000 40 (17.9%) ǂ 4 (5.8%) ǂ 21 (14.7%) 8 (16.7%) Not-Yet-Retired: χ2 = 19.96, p = .003** Retired: χ2 = 3.70, p = .717 Not-Yet-Retired: v = .26 Retired: v = .14 Between £10,001 - £15,000 23 (10.3%) ǂ 1 (1.4%) ǂ 18 (12.6%) 8 (16.7%) Between £15,001 - £20,000 21 (9.4%) 3 (4.3%) 16 (11.2%) 5 (10.4%) Between £20,001 - £25,000 19 (8.5%) ǂ 13 (18.8%) ǂ 25 (17.5%) 11 (22.9%) Between £25,001 - £30,000 25 (11.2%) 12 (17.4%) 16 (11.2%) 5 (10.4%) Between £30,001 - £35,000 27 (12.1%) 12 (17.4%) 12 (8.4%) 5 (10.4%) Over £35,000 68 (30.5%) 24 (34.8%) 35 (24.5%) 6 (12.5%) Do you share your living expenses with someone else? Yes 155 (66.5%) 65 (91.5%) 115 (77.2%) 41 (87.2%) Not-Yet-Retired: χ2 = 17.04, p < .001*** Not-Yet-Retired: v = .24 No 78 (33.5%) 6 (8.5%) 34 (22.8%) 6 (12.8%) Retired: χ2 = 2.22, p = .136 Retired: v = .11 Can afford day-to-day expenses (e.g., food, drink) All the time 96 (41.2%) 41 (57.7%) 92 (59.0%) 30 (58.8%) Not-Yet-Retired: χ2 = 7.28, p = .064 Retired: χ2 = 3.78, p = .337 Not-Yet-Retired: v = .16 Retired: v = .13 Most of the time 70 (30.0%) 18 (25.4%) 31 (19.9%) 15 (29.4%) Some of the time 54 (23.2%) 11 (15.5%) 27 (17.3%) 5 (9.8%) No 13 (5.6%) 1 (1.4%) 6 (3.8%) 1 (2.0%) Can afford monthly living expenses (e.g., rent/mortgage, water/gas/electric bills) All the time 119 (51.1%) 44 (62.0%) 92 (59.0%) 30 (58.8%) Not-Yet-Retired: χ2 = 6.58, p = .087 Retired: χ2 = 7.67, p = .053 Not-Yet-Retired: v = .15 Retired: v = .19 Most of the time 63 (27.0%) 21 (29.6%) 31 (19.9%) 14 (27.5%) Some of the time 43 (18.5%) 5 (7.0%) 31 (19.9%) 4 (7.8%) No 8 (3.4%) 1 (1.4%) 2 (1.3%) 3 (5.9%) Can afford monthly optional household bills (e.g., TV license, phone and internet bills) All the time 117 (50.2%) 39 (54.9%) 88 (56.4%) 28 (54.9%) Not-Yet-Retired: χ2 = 4.75, p = .191 Retired: χ2 = 4.45, p = .217 Not-Yet-Retired: v = .13 Retired: v = .23 Most of the time 67 (28.8%) 25 (35.2%) 37 (23.7%) 16 (31.4%) Some of the time 38 (16.3%) 5 (7.0%) 27 (17.3%) 4 (7.8%) No 11 (4.7%) 2 (2.8%) 4 (2.6%) 3 (5.9%) Can afford occasional expenses (e.g., buying new clothes, gifts for special occasions) All the time 77 (33.0%) ǂ 41 (57.7%) ǂ 82 (52.6%) 34 (66.7%) Not-Yet-Retired: χ2 = 21.21, p < .001*** Retired: χ2 = 10.51, p = .015* Not-Yet-Retired: v = .26 Retired: v = .23 Most of the time 57 (24.5%) 20 (28.2%) 33 (21.2%) 10 (19.6%) Some of the time 72 (30.9%) ǂ 8 (11.3%) ǂ 37 (23.7%) ǂ 3 (5.9%) ǂ No 27 (11.6%) ǂ 2 (2.8%) ǂ 4 (2.6%) 4 (7.8%) Note: ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. Effect size calculated using Cohen’s v. * p < .05, ** p < .01, *** p < .001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 4 – FINANCES AND AFFORDABILITY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contextualising Experiences using Content Analysis Participants were asked a series of open-ended questions to contextualise their experiences. Many similarities and shared experiences were found between the autistic and non-autistic groups, although some nuanced differences related to being autistic were raised by autistic participants. The content analysis of the responses provided by the autistic group are presented below, and content analysis of the non-autistic group are presented in Supplementary Material 1. Planning for Retirement in the Autistic group Of the 231 autistic participants who made retirement plans, 105 (45%) responded to the open-text question about when they began to plan for retirement, and 123 (53%) responded to the open-text question about whether their plans had substantially changed. In terms of when retirement plans were made: 55/105 (52%) described being ‘early planners’, i.e., making plans early in their careers or before the age of 30. 25/105 (23%) described being ‘mid-career planners’, i.e., beginning to make plans between the age of 30–45 or when their careers and families were established. 20/105 (19%) were ‘later planners’, making plans after the age of 45 or once retirement was in their nearer future. 65/105 (62%) participants mentioned that planning for retirement was a gradual process, with their plans developing as retirement approached. In terms of plans changing: 47/123 (38%) noted that their health problems and experiences of burnout had resulted in them changing their plans (e.g., “ I retired sooner than I anticipated. My health declined significantly even though I strove to lead a very healthy lifestyle, so I had to change my plans. ”). 36/123 (29%) mentioned that receiving their autism diagnosis had also influenced their plans; several participants reported that their self-understanding had shifted, which resulted in changes to their career and retirement plans (e.g., “ My autism diagnosis was a surprise… it’s made me think about long term career and older age plans. ”). 27/123 (22%) noted financial issues have changed or delayed their plans, including resulting in needing to work longer to ensure they have pension funds available (e.g., " I had to work longer because [we] didn’t save. "). 19/123 (15%) mentioned that caring responsibilities for children, parents, and partners have changed their plans (e.g., " My partner became severely unwell, and I became a carer... I burned out which impacted my employment prospects, so I left work. "). 18/123 (15%) noted that redundancies or job-related issues linked to COVID have also impacted (positively and negatively) their ability to retire when originally planned (e.g., " Redundancy during the pandemic meant I could afford to stop working and retire a few years early. " and “ Losing work during COVID caused debt and I am still making up for it now. My retirement will likely look very differently now. ”). 17/123 (14%) discussed how workplace disputes and bullying resulted in disrupted employment and/or needing to retire early (e.g., “ I accelerated my retirement plans due to bullying and abuse of power. ”). And 14/123 (11%) shared that bereavements and relationship breakdowns with their spouses also changed their retirement plans, often through altered financial circumstances, or changed housing/living arrangements (e.g., " My wife's death made me rethink how I live and what legacy I leave. "). Of the 161 autistic participants who did not make retirement plans, 144 autistic participants (89%) responded to an open-text question about why they did not / chose not to make plans. 95/144 (66%) noted they have financial constraints or job insecurity, which has impacted their ability to build their pensions (e.g., “ I couldn’t afford to save into a pension… ”). 55/144 (38%) described that the concept of planning for retirement was overwhelming, or that they did not know where to start their planning (e.g., “ Too much to think about, which is overwhelming. ”). Some also highlighted that their executive function issues or mental health conditions have been a barrier to making long-term plans (e.g., “ I have very poor executive function, and pathological avoidance disorder, and often experience autistic inertia. ”). 45/144 participants (31%) reported that they lack an understanding of pensions and/or financial planning (e.g., “ I have a number of pensions, but I don't really understand them. ”). 30/144 (21%) described how they feel it’s too late to begin planning, which was often linked to job instability (e.g., “ I feel I’m too far behind to catch up. ”). However, 20/144 participants (14%) expressed that they hope to never retire (e.g., “ I now have a part-time job I enjoy and find satisfying, so may not retire at 65 but may want to continue working as long as I can. ”). Hopes and Worries about Retirement in the Autistic Group When asked about what they are either looking forward to during retirement or enjoy about retirement, 191 autistic participants (48%) responded to the open-text question. 127/191 (67%) commented that they look forward to having more free time for relaxation and hobbies, and more time for themselves and family (e.g., “ It will be a new pace of life, which I am greatly looking forward to. Proper time to spend on hobbies and with family. ”). 52/191 (26%) believed that they would be in better control of their environment when retired (e.g., “ I won’t have to contend with noisy commutes anymore. ”). 46/191 (24%) hoped to use their time to benefit their local communities and for volunteering. 20/191 (10%) anticipated that retirement would benefit their physical and mental health (e.g., “ I’ll be able to reallocate all those work hours to more meaningful things, like spending time working on my mental health. ”). When asked if they either have any worries for retirement or about retirement, 263 autistic participants (66%) responded to the open-text question. 112/263 (43%) participants reported that they have concerns about their long-term financial security when retired (e.g., “ I don’t know how I will afford to rent my home and to live the life I live now while working when I am retired. ”). 101/263 (38%) expressed concerns about losing their sense of purpose, identity, and routine (e.g., “ I worry about the lack of structure, losing my routine, and my purpose in life. ”). 95/263 (36%) discussed concerns about isolation and loneliness. Some noted how stopping work would reduce their social contact, while others described the feeling of becoming socially invisible (e.g., “ I worry I will be more isolated than I am now, without work, who will see me. ”). 87/263 participants (33%) expressed concerns about ageing more broadly, for example changes to their health and loss of mobility and cognitive function (e.g., “ I worry I may lose my sight and my health... I may not be able to read, or run, or use my brain. ”). 29/263 (11%) expressed concerns about needing care, including the prospect of living in a care home (e.g., “ Being forced into care and support situations that don’t respect my gender or neurodivergence. ”). However, 48/263 participants (18%) described that they had no concerns or that they were already happily retired (e.g., “ No fears. Retiring has been a huge relief… there’s always a book to read, a film to watch, or something to do. ”). Desired Information about Retirement in the Autistic Group When asked if there was any information they wished they knew about planning for retirement and being retired, 212 autistic participants (54%) responded to the open-text question. 88/212 (41%) noted that they lack general understanding of what retiring involves, and how to prepare for it (e.g., " I don't know what my options are or what I'm supposed to do or who to ask. "). 72/212 (34%) participants described that they are unsure of how pensions work and would like additional information about the different kinds of pensions (e.g., " I didn’t know you had to pay into a pension to have income after retirement age. "). 31/212 (17%) mentioned they wish they had more autism-specific information about retirement (e.g., “ The information doesn’t seem relevant for me as an autistic person, like what support will be available. ”). However, 28/212 (13%) reported they feel satisfied with their understanding of retirement. DISCUSSION This mixed-methods study documents the experiences of planning for and being retired among a large group of autistic and non-autistic adults in midlife and older age living in the UK. Similarities were found between groups, such as comparable retirement ages that mirror the UK state pension age. However, there were also significant differences in retirement preparation, employment history, pension eligibility, and income. Qualitative responses contextualised these differences further, highlighting the impact of financial difficulties, health challenges, and disrupted employment that autistic participants experienced when planning for and transitioning into retirement with stability and confidence. When considering timing and preparations for retirement, findings from our large-scale quantitative study found no significant difference between autistic and non-autistic participants in actual or expected retirement ages. This is contrary to the qualitative findings of Davies et al. ( 2024a ). When considering why this difference could be, sampling approach could be an important factor. Our study included almost 400 autistic people who were recruited via established research participant databases, while Davies et al. was a smaller-scale qualitative study involving 12 autistic people who were recruited through social media. While both our study and Davies et al. mentioned retirement in the study adverts, our study had a broader focus about planning for older age, therefore we may have a broader representation of experiences in our sample. However, our study did have a minority of autistic participants who did retire early for similar reasons highlighted in Davies et al. (e.g., health and work-place related difficulties), suggesting that for some autistic people, early and/or unplanned retirement may be a necessity. Another finding of our study was that the pathway into retirement for autistic people may differ from their non-autistic peers, with our autistic participants having more varied levels of planning and preparedness for retirement than the non-autistic participants. Qualitative responses indicated that many autistic participants experienced more frequent changes to their retirement plans, most often due to health issues, financial strain, or shifting personal circumstances. The influence of a late autism diagnosis was also evident, with some participants describing it as a turning point that reframed their understanding of their own needs and future plans. These sentiments mirror findings from Davies et al., whose participants also reported changes to plans and the impact of a later life diagnosis. Moreover, autistic participants were significantly more likely to report having made no retirement plans at all. Qualitative responses described feelings of being overwhelmed by the process, unsure where to start, or excluded from the possibility of retirement due to financial barriers, which are also sentiments shared in Davies et al. ( 2024a ). Hershey et al. ( 2012 ) propose that effective retirement planning depends on three key components: capacity, opportunity, and willingness. When these components are compromised, planning may be impeded. While originally focused on finances, this framework may help explain barriers faced by autistic individuals in broader retirement planning, as challenges reported in this study and wider research may negatively impact its key components. For example, opportunity and capacity may be limited by financial insecurity linked to under-employment and employment challenges (Buckland, 2024 ; Davies et al., 2024b ), or higher rates of health problems and unmet health needs (Mansour et al., 2025 ; O’Nions et al., 2024 ). Executive functioning differences (Demetriou et al., 2018 ; Olde Dubbelink & Geurts, 2017 ; Stewart et al., 2018 , 2023 ), and social difficulties that limit support networks (Black et al., 2024 ; Charlton et al., 2023 ; Francis et al., 2025 ) and increased experiences of loneliness and social isolation (Stewart et al., 2024 ; Grace et al., 2022 ), may also make planning more daunting. While willingness is one of the three components in the model, it is important to note that planning avoidance should not be mistaken for a lack of motivation. Instead, it may reflect a rational response to the external barriers, uncertainty, or previous experiences of exclusion from financial and employment systems. This interpretation is supported in our study by qualitative accounts in which participants described feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from the concept of retirement, rather than disinterested in preparing for it. When examining the financial aspects of retirement (i.e., employment history, pension access, and income disparity), we found both similarities and differences between groups. Autistic participants reported significantly lower rates of full-time employment and higher rates of unemployment or being unable to work than non-autistic participants, reflecting broader employment challenges faced by autistic people (as reported in the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, 2024). These employment barriers have clear long-term impacts on financial security. Autistic participants were less likely to qualify for the full State Pension and more likely to receive a reduced rate. They also reported lower workplace pension participation than non-autistic participants and national averages (Department for Work and Pensions, 2024 ). These patterns highlight systemic issues: autistic workers tend to earn less, are more likely to be underemployed, and face persistent income gaps even with higher education (Vincent & Ralston, 2024). Barriers include inaccessible recruitment, inflexible workplaces, sensory challenges, and discrimination (Buckland, 2024 ; Davies et al., 2024b ). Many autistic workers are in non-permanent roles without pension benefits, and fear of stigma can discourage disclosing a diagnosis, limiting access to workplace adjustments and stable career paths. Income disparities were also reflected in our findings. Among non-retired participants, the autistic group reported significantly lower annual incomes and were less likely to share living expenses with others. Although both groups reported similar abilities to afford essential costs such as rent and food, autistic participants, regardless of retirement status, were significantly less likely to afford occasional or non-essential expenses such as gifts or new clothing. While individual circumstances such as location, outgoings, or dependents may affect living affordability, this finding could indicate reduced financial flexibility among autistic participants. The final findings extend beyond the logistical and financial aspects of retirement, highlighting hopes, concerns, and the need for more holistic, tailored resources. Many autistic participants looked forward to retirement as a chance for greater autonomy, comfort, and time for hobbies or volunteering, and as relief from stressful work environments, which were also views often shared by non-autistic participants. Some autism-specific points were also raised by autistic participants, such as having greater control over their environments to reduce their sensory overwhelm (Chen et al, 2024 ). However, many autistic participants also worried about losing daily structure and a sense of identity without work, and about increased loneliness, reflecting broader evidence that autistic people experience higher loneliness across the lifespan (Francis et al., 2025 ; Stewart et al., 2024 ; Grace et al., 2022 ). Financial insecurity was another common concern, supported by differences in employment and pension accrual found in this study. Furthermore, a key barrier to effective planning was the lack of accessible, relevant information. While some felt well-informed, many reported gaps in financial literacy and general retirement knowledge. These findings have important implications for ageing and retirement policies for autistic adults. To support positive retirement experiences, tailored, accessible, and affirmative resources are needed to address the specific retirement hopes and concerns of autistic people. Currently, UK retirement resources mostly focus on financial guidance (e.g., AgeUK, n.d.; UK Government, n.d.), which, while important, is insufficient on its own (a sentiment found in our study, as well as Davies et al., 2024a ). As such. a more holistic approach is needed, covering issues such as social connection, maintaining routines, and building identity and purpose beyond employment. When interpreting this study’s findings, it is important to consider its strengths and limitations. A key strength is the involvement of middle-aged and older autistic individuals in steering interviews during the design phase. Although full co-production would have been ideal, it was not feasible due to limited funding. Another strength is the large participant group, recruited through established autism research networks, reducing the risk of spam or imposters. We also limited participation to UK residents to ensure consistency in retirement context. Additionally, our mixed-methods approach combined quantitative and qualitative questions, enabling group comparisons while allowing participants to share their experiences in their own words. However, there are limitations. Conducting the study online may have excluded people not on the internet, as well as those with intellectual disabilities or higher support needs, limiting the diversity of perspectives. The sample was also predominantly white, well-educated and diagnosed/self-identified with autism later in life. While the UK-focus increased consistency, it limits generalisability to other countries. The study’s cross-sectional design means participants were at different stages of retirement: younger participants saw retirement as distant, while older participants may have recalled prior plans inaccurately. Both groups reported higher rates of full state pension eligibility than national averages (Department for Work and Pensions, 2025 ), suggesting that participants may have been more interested or engaged in retirement planning than the general population. Finally, as an estimated 90% of autistic adults over 40 are undiagnosed (O’Nions et al., 2023 ; Stewart & Happé, 2025 ), the experiences of undiagnosed individuals (who may have less access to support) are likely underrepresented in this study. Despite these limitations, this is the first large-scale study of retirement experiences in an autistic population using both quantitative and qualitative data. We recommend future research use longitudinal methods to examine how retirement planning and experiences develop over time for autistic adults, including those with high autistic traits who may be undiagnosed. This would help track changing plans in response to life circumstances and provide deeper insight into how factors like financial stability, housing, health, and location shape retirement over time. Given the complexity and variability of retirement, longitudinal designs are well-suited to capture this nuance. Additionally, future studies should consider whether experiences are specific to autistic populations, or neurodivergent populations, as well as account for potential confounding factors such as poor mental health. In conclusion, this large-scale mixed-methods study explored experiences of planning for and being retired in a large group of autistic and non-autistic adults in midlife and older age living in the UK. While retirement age did not significantly differ between groups, the pathways into retirement were notably different. Autistic participants reported lower rates of full-time employment, reduced pension access, and lower income prior to retirement. They were also less likely to have made retirement plans, and among those who had, plans were more likely to have been disrupted or changed. These findings highlight the need for more inclusive and accessible retirement resources that account for the realities of neurodiverse lives. With the right support, retirement can offer autistic adults’ greater autonomy and opportunities for meaningful, fulfilling activity. However, this potential can only be realised if planning resources and employment structures are designed to be responsive and attuned to autistic peoples’ needs. Declarations CONFLICTS OF INTEREST None to declare. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS GRS conceived the current study. GRS designed the online survey and selected materials. ZK, AHAF, IW and GRS recruited the sample. ZK and GRS conducted analyses. ZK wrote the manuscript under the supervision of GRS, with FH reviewing the final draft. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are grateful to the four autistic people who offered suggestions on content and provided feedback on the language-use and accessibility of the study materials. GRS is currently funded by a British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PFSS23\230043). FH is part-funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre and King’s College London (KCL). The funders have had no role in the data collection, analysis, interpretation, or any other aspect pertinent to the study. The authors have not been paid to write this article by any agency. 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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders , 47 (4), 1148–1165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-3013-0 O’Nions, E., Brown, J., Buckman, J. E. J., Charlton, R., Cooper, C., Baou, C. E., Happé, F., Hoare, S., Lewer, D., Manthorpe, J., McKechnie, D. G. J., Richards, M., Saunders, R., Mandy, W., & Stott, J. (2024). Diagnosis of common health conditions among autistic adults in the UK: Evidence from a matched cohort study. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe , 41 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100907 O’Nions, E., Petersen, I., Buckman, J. E. J., Charlton, R., Cooper, C., Corbett, A., Happé, F., Manthorpe, J., Richards, M., Saunders, R., Zanker, C., Mandy, W., & Stott, J. (2023). Autism in England: Assessing underdiagnosis in a population-based cohort study of prospectively collected primary care data. The Lancet Regional Health. Europe , 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100626 Pellicano, E., Adams, D., Crane, L., Hollingue, C., Allen, C., Almendinger, K., Botha, M., Haar, T., Kapp, S. K., & Wheeley, E. (2024). Letter to the Editor: A possible threat to data integrity for online qualitative autism research. Autism , 28 (3), 786–792. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231174543 Pensions Act 2007, c. 22. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/22/contents Schinkel-Ivy, A., Mosca, I., & Mansfield, A. (2017). Factors Contributing to Unexpected Retirement and Unemployment in Adults Over 50 Years Old in Ireland. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine , 3 . https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721417722709 Stewart, G. R., Charlton, R. A., & Wallace, G. L. (2018). Aging with elevated autistic traits: Cognitive functioning among older adults with the broad autism phenotype. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders , 54 , 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2018.06.009 Stewart, G. R., Corbett, A., Ballard, C., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A., Brooker, H., Charlton, R. A., & Happé, F. (2023). The cognitive profile of middle-aged and older adults with high vs. Low autistic traits. Autism Research: Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research , 16 (2), 429–440. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2866 Stewart, G. R., & Happé, F. (2025). Aging across the Autism Spectrum. Annual Review of Developmental Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-devpsych-111323-090813 Stewart, G. R., Luedecke, E., Mandy, W., Charlton, R. A., & Happé, F. (2024). Experiences of social isolation and loneliness in middle-aged and older autistic adults. Neurodiversity , 2 . https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330241245529 UK Government. (n.d.). Plan your retirement income . https://www.gov.uk/plan-retirement-income/get-financial-advice Supplementary Material The Supplementary Materials file is not available with this version. Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7721067","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":521068202,"identity":"1b532e6a-c4c4-4001-ae63-d4a788bdd501","order_by":0,"name":"Zuzanna Kowalczyk","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King’s College London","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zuzanna","middleName":"","lastName":"Kowalczyk","suffix":""},{"id":521068203,"identity":"a6dc581c-95ea-4ec1-afe2-6037c002fd76","order_by":1,"name":"Ahna Huwaida Ahmad Fadzil","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King’s College London","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahna","middleName":"Huwaida Ahmad","lastName":"Fadzil","suffix":""},{"id":521068204,"identity":"1cec9956-3a18-4f00-a3e8-521d5f132365","order_by":2,"name":"Isabel Ward","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King's College London","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Isabel","middleName":"","lastName":"Ward","suffix":""},{"id":521068205,"identity":"b5ca52d4-ab34-413f-b0e2-bdb9ae3d51e7","order_by":3,"name":"Francesca Happé","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9226-4000","institution":"King's College London","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Francesca","middleName":"","lastName":"Happé","suffix":""},{"id":521068206,"identity":"b32da7fc-7b7f-464a-8121-07cd02a8fead","order_by":4,"name":"Gavin R. Stewart","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYJCCAwhmRQIDH4SVQFCLBIR1JoGBjRgtDHAtB9uI0CLvfsbwcAFDXR2/RPKzzx/npcmzMTA//MDYloZTi+GZHIPDMxgOS0jOSDOecXBbjmEbA5uxBGNbDm4tDWkJh3kYDkgY3E4wZji4rSIB6DAzBsa2Ctxa+p+BtNRJ2N9O/8xwcA5IC/s3vFrkJZIPALUwSxhI5wBtacgBauEB2YLbYQYSj4FaDA5Lzrj/ppjhzLE0wzZmnmKJhHO4vS/fn9j8maeijp+/5/hmhoqaZHl+9vaNHz6UJeO25QCYRBZiZsAfkfINeCRHwSgYBaNgFIABAA9bTUokG2C4AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9262-888X","institution":"King's College London","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gavin","middleName":"R.","lastName":"Stewart","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-09-26 11:00:50","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":true,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true,"humanSubjectConsent":true,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7721067/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7721067/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":92428154,"identity":"2851ec92-f64e-446f-8d36-bbb8b8fc5552","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-29 15:35:18","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":127386,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"AUTRetirementpaperv1.0.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7721067/v1/f439827a037a5cf18aa6a257.docx"},{"id":92428153,"identity":"0b3ad2d0-d918-44dd-9134-fcb0203cd96b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-29 15:35:18","extension":"json","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":342,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"rs7721067.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7721067/v1/21cb01d1f4a79e2de7ffc885.json"},{"id":92428155,"identity":"f98b0110-2081-40aa-9b02-d64ba969e90c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-29 15:35:18","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":193619,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"rs77210670enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7721067/v1/dbed41f74e9ee34c9f1c0db1.xml"},{"id":92428157,"identity":"2c41cd6a-500d-4997-a622-c6c6928a6e1a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-29 15:35:18","extension":"xml","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":190795,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"rs77210670structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7721067/v1/88c063e7710b123a54392e4d.xml"},{"id":92429183,"identity":"481195c8-934e-4c7e-9155-c69da823b1ee","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-29 15:43:18","extension":"html","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":201394,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7721067/v1/95ead018a87df76133c5aee0.html"},{"id":92429640,"identity":"554d8cc0-968a-4f37-9ee6-fcccacad291b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-29 15:51:19","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1831689,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7721067/v1/95241a8f-30ef-49cd-ab49-b66b351d327f.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA new pace of life\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e”: A mixed-methods exploration of retirement plans, preparations and experiences in middle-aged and older autistic and non-autistic adults\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"LAY SUMMARY","content":"\u003cp\u003eRetirement is a major life change, but very little is known about how autistic adults experience this transition. This study explored retirement experiences/expectations of both autistic and non-autistic adults, finding that retirement happened or was expected to happen at similar ages across groups. However, autistic adults were less likely to have made retirement plans and faced more challenges with work, income, access to pensions, and health problems. Many felt unsure how to prepare and wanted clearer information. While some had concerns about isolation and changes to routine, others looked forward to more freedom and time for hobbies. The findings highlight the need for better support to help autistic people plan for retirement.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eRetirement refers to the transition period and phase of life when an individual decides to leave regular employment (Ingale \u0026amp; Paluri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Many retired individuals opt to engage in leisure activities and travel, personal interest pursuits, and voluntary or flexible/part-time employment (Genoe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). While retirement can occur at any age, it often takes place in later life, coinciding with reaching \u0026lsquo;retirement age\u0026rsquo;, or having financial means no longer requiring income from employment. In the context of the UK, retirement age is calculated based on an individual\u0026rsquo;s year of birth; while this age has gradually increased over time, currently c.2025, both men and women are eligible to retire with government assistance at age 66 years (Department for Work and Pensions, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Pensions Act, 2007). The UK government currently offers a scaling \u0026lsquo;State Pension\u0026rsquo; scheme, where an individual can receive up to \u0026pound;221.20 per week (\u0026pound;11,541.90 per annum) if they have contributed to paying 35 or more years of national insurance payments (i.e., a form of income taxation). If an individual does not satisfy this 35-year criteria, their State Pension is scaled accordingly, with a minimum of 10 years' worth of national insurance payments providing \u0026pound;63.20 per week (\u0026pound;3297.68 per annum). While some rely fully on their state pension as their only form of income when retired, many people supplement this income with private or workplace pensions or with additional government subsidies and payment schemes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor many people, retirement is viewed positively as something to look forward to. However, others may not have as favourable an outlook on the prospect of being retired. Given that retirement may involve changes to finances and routines, and requires advanced planning, some people, such as those on the autism spectrum, may struggle with the process of retirement (Ingale \u0026amp; Paluri, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). We know very little about autism in midlife and older age, with only 0.4% of indexed autism research since 1980 focusing on older adults (Mason et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Also, given that many autistic adults are late diagnosed or undiagnosed (O\u0026rsquo;Nions et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) this may cause issues with forward planning for retiring. Furthermore, approx. 30% of autistic adults have been found to have poor normative outcomes (Mason et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) including higher rates of unemployment or under-employment (Buckland, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024b\u003c/span\u003e), which may result in additional difficulties with the retirement process.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo date, retirement in autistic populations has been a largely neglected topic. To the authors\u0026rsquo; knowledge, only two case studies (one published, Hodges et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e; one included in a doctoral thesis, Mason, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) and one multi-participant study (Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024a\u003c/span\u003e) have examined the retirement experiences of autistic people. Davies et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024a\u003c/span\u003e) conducted a qualitative study interviewing eight women and four men (retired n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4, semi-retired n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4, not-yet-retired n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4) aged 56 to 70 years (mean age\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;63 years) about their experiences of planning for and being retired. The researchers produced several themes, which indicated mixed experiences of the retirement process; some participants felt that being autistic (i.e., having good attention to detail, being a logical planner) were beneficial to the retirement planning process, while others found that retirement was something unexpected and involved complex planning and paperwork that was challenging. Others noted that disruptions in their employment history (which affects state pension) had caused issues with retiring, and that they had inadequate support with the planning process. Financial constraints and challenges of balancing care for children and older parents were also raised. Finally, participants highlighted both joy and concerns about the lack of day-to-day structure that being retired would result in, with some expressing worries about losing a sense of self and purpose associated with being employed. Although participants in this study voiced numerous concerns, particularly related to planning and the \u0026lsquo;unexpectedness\u0026rsquo; of retirement, only one participant in the study retired at UK retirement age, with most retiring several years prior to this threshold due to ill health or unexpected changes/work-related disputes. The challenges associated with early/unexpected retirement described by Davies et al. are also found to be experienced in non-autistic populations (e.g., Clarke et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; de Wind et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Schinkel-Ivy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), suggesting these experiences are not specific to autistic people, and could be associated with early/unexpected retirement rather than retiring at a predetermined age. Given this, there is continued uncertainty about whether autistic people face additional difficulties with the process of retiring. Further research with larger groups of autistic people is necessary to clarify how widespread retirement-related challenges are within this population. Additionally, comparative approaches are needed to understand whether any difficulties are unique to autistic people, or if they are associated with other challenges, e.g., retiring unexpectedly/below retirement age. By doing so, it will provide further evidence for whether tailored retirement support is needed to ensure autistic people are prepared and supported during this important transition period in later life.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe current study aims to examine the planning and retirement experiences of autistic and non-autistic adults using a mixed-methods approach. Given the dearth of information about retirement in autistic populations, this study is exploratory in nature. Comparisons will be made between the autistic and non-autistic groups on a range of topics, including 1) current/pre-retirement employment and financial stability, 2) retirement status, whether plans were made for retirement, and financial support, and 4) whether there are differences between those who have and have not-yet-retired in the affordability of their living expenses.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHOD","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStudy Design\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study uses cross-sectional data from the \u0026lsquo;Planning for Old Age\u0026rsquo; study, an online survey exploring how autistic and non-autistic people plan for old age and retirement. Prior to the commencement of the study, steering conversations were held via video call with six older adults who have retired (two autistic men, one autistic woman, three non-autistic women) to identify questions that would be relevant for the survey. The research team then created the current study. Steering members were provided with \u0026pound;25 vouchers for their involvement in the steering activities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u0026lsquo;Planning for Older Age\u0026rsquo; study was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025. Participants were recruited through study adverts to the ReSpect Lab Participant Database at King\u0026rsquo;s College London, Autistica\u0026rsquo;s Research Network, and the Cambridge Autism Research Database (CARD). Study adverts referred directly to retirement. The current study was not advertised on social media due to notable incidents of spam/imposters in autism research (e.g., Lo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Pellicano et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Inclusion criteria for the study were: being 40 years of age or older, having access to an internet-enabled device, being able to read English, and living in the UK. The study had no specific exclusion criteria. Participants accessed the survey on Qualtrics. Before starting, participants read an information sheet outlining the study\u0026rsquo;s aims. Participants gave informed consent and were reminded of their right to withdraw at any time. Participants were then presented with 1) a demographic information questionnaire, 2) a series of standardised questionnaires related to traits of neurodivergence, mental health, social support, and quality of life [not included in this specific publication], and 3) bespoke multiple choice and open-text questions about their employment history, their retirement status and planning, income, and financial stability. All questions were optional but prompted a response if unanswered. Upon completion, participants received a debrief sheet with links to support services. Participants were entered into a prize draw to receive one of ten \u0026pound;25 gift vouchers. All responses were checked for possible spam. Full ethical approval was received for this study through the Health Faculties (Blue) Research Ethics Subcommittee at King\u0026rsquo;s College London (HR-23/24-45393). The study was not pre-registered.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eParticipants\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn total, 596 survey responses were recorded, of which 80 (13.4%) were removed due to one or more of: not providing consent (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6, 1.0%); being flagged as duplicate responses by Qualtrics (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4, 0.7%); having short completion times (less than 10mins; n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;26, 4.4%); the survey being incomplete (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;39, 6.5%); not meeting the minimum age requirement (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4, 0.7%), and living outside of the UK (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5, 0.8%). This resulted in a final total of 517 participants (86.6% of recruited total). Median completion time was 32.5 minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants were aged 40 to 90 years old. Those who disclosed that they had an autism diagnosis (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;359) and those that self-identified as autistic (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;36) were found to have similar endorsement of autistic trait scores and were combined to form the autistic group (total autistic n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;395). They were asked when they received their autism diagnosis/began to identify as autistic; responses ranged from the current year to 54 years ago as a child (mean years since diagnosis/identity\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;10.6 years; four (1.1%) participants were diagnosed under 18 years of age). The remaining 122 participants formed a non-autistic comparison group. Groups were broadly matched on age (autistic mean age\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;60.35 years; non-autistic mean age\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;62.6 years), sex assigned at birth ratio (autistic men\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;49.1%; non-autistic men\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;47.5%) and living situation. However, some differences were found in other demographic characteristics; the autistic group were more often gender diverse (i.e., non-binary or trans), more likely to endorse a White European ethnicity, more likely to have a postgraduate level of education, more likely to be single or in a non-marital relationship, and more likely to live in a council/housing association rented home. See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e for demographic characteristics of the autistic and non-autistic groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDemographic characteristics of the autistic and non-autistic groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAutistic group\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;395)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003enon-Autistic group\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;122)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGroup Difference\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect Size\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge (years)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM (SD)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e60.35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.73)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62.60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(13.44)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e(1,515)=-1.78,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.075\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eg\u003c/em\u003e=-.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e[-.39, .02]\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e[95% CI]\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e[59.19\u0026ndash;61.51]\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e[60.19\u0026ndash;65.01]\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMin-Max\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40\u0026ndash;89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40\u0026ndash;90\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSex Assigned at Birth\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMale : Female\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e179 : 216\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58 : 64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.18,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.666\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e%\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45.3% : 54.7%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.5% : 52.5%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender Identity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMen : Women : NB/T\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e175 : 194: 26\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58 : 64 : 0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8.46,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.015*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e%\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49.1% : 44.3% : 6.6%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47.5% : 52.5% : 0%\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEthnicity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhite\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e350\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(88.6%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(78.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;19.84,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBlack\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(3.3%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAsian\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.1%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(9.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll other ethnicities\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHighest educational qualification\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo formal qualifications\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;50.35,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSchool to 16\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(6.3%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.6%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSchool to 18\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e126\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(32.0%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(65.6%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eProfessional qualifications\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(6.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(3.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUndergraduate degree\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e86\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(21.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePostgraduate degree\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(31.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(9.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarried / civil partnership\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e205\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(52.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(60.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11.42,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.022*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn a relationship\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.9%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.5%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSingle\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWidowed\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(6.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeparated / divorced\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(15.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLiving situation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpouse / partner\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e227\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(57.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(63.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.22, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.268\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eChildren\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(18.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.06, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.080\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.08\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSibling\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.16, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.690\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eParent\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.51, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.113\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOther family member\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(3.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.11, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.739\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoommate / friend\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.16, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.690\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSupported housing\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.31, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.578\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlone independently\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e123\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(31.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.03, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.865\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHomeownership\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOwn or family-owned home\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e322\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(83.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e107\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(88.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9.09,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.011*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrivately renting\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRenting from council\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.3%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAutism Diagnosis\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDiagnosed\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e359\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(90.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSelf-identified\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(9.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYears since Autism Diagnosis/Identity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM (SD)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10.66\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.21)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"1\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMin-Max\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: NB/T\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;non-binary and trans; All other ethnicities\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern/Arab, and Mixed/Multiple ethnicities. Effect size calculated using Hedge\u0026rsquo;s g and Cohen\u0026rsquo;s v. ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. * \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05, ** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.01, *** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u0026ndash; DEMOGRAPHICS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMaterials\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDemographic characteristics\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; Participants provided detailed demographic information including age, sex assigned at birth, gender, ethnicity, highest educational qualification, marital status, living situation, and homeownership (as a proxy for socio-economic status). Participants were also asked if they either 1) had an autism diagnosis (and at what age they received their diagnosis), 2) self-identified as autistic but did not (yet) have an autism diagnosis (and at what age they began to self-identify), or 3) were non-autistic.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmployment History and Financial Stability\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; Participants were asked to provide an open-text response to describe their employment history, including the types of jobs they have held, whether they were full-time or part-time positions, whether they were supported roles, if they have had any periods of unemployment, and if they have had to stop working due to ill health.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants were also asked if they receive(d) a range of employment-related support allowances, including: Access to Work, Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance. An open-text option allowed participants to add any other support provisions they may have received.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants were also asked a multiple-choice question about whether they feel/felt financial stable prior to retirement (five-point response scale; strongly agree to strongly disagree). A second question asked if they are/were able to put money into savings prior to retirement (response options: no, occasionally, monthly).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRetirement and Retirement Preparations \u0026ndash;\u003c/em\u003e Participants were asked if they were retired (response options: fully retired, semi-retired, retiring within next 5 years, retiring in more than 5 years). An open-text option allowed participants to give an alternate response if the other response options did not fit their circumstances. Participants were also asked at what age they retired, or at what age they plan to retire.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants were also asked if they have (or had) plans for retirement (response options: very detailed plans, somewhat detailed plans, no plans). Based on response, participants were presented with an open-text box asking either 1) when they began to make plans, if their plans had changed, and if they spoke to family/friends/colleagues/workplace advisors/financial advisors about their retirement plans, or 2) if there was a reason why they do not / did not have plans for retirement.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, participants were asked if they currently or will receive a range of different types of pensions (e.g., a full / partial UK State pension, a workplace pension, a private pension) and different types of pension top-up schemes (e.g., UK State Guarantee Credit, UK Housing Credits, etc.). An open-text option allowed participants to give an alternate response if the other response options did not fit their circumstances.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCurrent Income and Affordability of Living Costs\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; Participants were asked what their annual income is (response options ranging from \u0026lsquo;\u0026pound;0 to \u0026pound;10,000\u0026rsquo;, with \u0026pound;5,000 increments up to \u0026lsquo;Over \u0026pound;35,000\u0026rsquo; [UK median income]). A second question asked if they shared their living expenses with someone else, e.g., a partner or family member (response options: yes, no). An open-text option allowed participants to give an alternate response if the other response options did not fit their circumstances.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Participants were also asked a series of questions (response options: all the time, most of the time, some of the time, no) about whether they could afford day-to-day living expenses (e.g., food, drink), monthly living expenses (e.g., mortgage/rent, utility bills), additional monthly expenses (e.g., telephone/internet bills, TV license fees), and occasional expenses (e.g., purchasing new clothes, gifts for special occasions).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eViews on retirement \u0026ndash;\u003c/em\u003e Participants had the opportunity to respond to three open-text questions about 1) whether there are / were any lifestyle changes they look forward to when retired, 2) any they are worried about, and 3) if there is anything they wish they knew about retirement.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS (version 25.0; IBM Corp., 2017). Data were cleaned and checked for completeness. Open-text responses to the employment and retirement questions were recoded for consistency. Group differences (autistic vs. non-autistic) in demographics were tested using \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e-tests and chi-square (χ\u0026sup2;) tests. Employment and retirement group differences were analysed with χ\u0026sup2; tests, examining adjusted residuals for proportional differences. To compare income and living cost affordability by group and retirement status, χ\u0026sup2; tests were conducted, with adjusted residuals identifying proportional differences between \u0026lsquo;retired\u0026rsquo; and \u0026lsquo;not-yet-retired\u0026rsquo; subgroups within the autistic and non-autistic groups. Open-text responses about retirement plans, hopes/worries, and desired information were analysed using content analysis; only results for the autistic group are reported due to word limits (see Supplementary Materials for non-autistic group content analysis). Multiple comparisons were controlled using the False Discovery Rate (Benjamini \u0026amp; Hochberg, 1995) with an initial α-value of .050. Adjusted α-values were applied by p-value rank; all significant results met this threshold.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEmployment History and Financial Stability currently/prior to retirement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe autistic group reported significantly lower rates of full-time employment and significantly higher rates of being unemployed or unable to work currently/prior to retirement when compared to the non-autistic group.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe autistic group reported significantly higher rates of receiving Personal Independence Payments, Employment Support Allowances, and Universal Credit currently/prior to retirement when compared to the non-autistic group. Additionally, the autistic group were significantly less likely to claim no support allowances than the non-autistic group.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe autistic group reported significantly higher rates of low financial stability currently/prior to retirement compared to the non-autistic group. Finally, no statistical differences were found in the ability to save money currently/prior to retirement between the autistic and non-autistic groups. See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEmployment history and financial status (currently or prior to retirement) of the autistic and non-autistic groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAutistic group\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;395)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003enon-Autistic group\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;122)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGroup Difference\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect Size\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEmployment (currently / prior to retirement)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn full-time employment\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e286\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(73.9%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e98\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(82.4%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;13.18,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.010**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.16\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn part-time employment\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmployed, but disruptions due to health\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnemployed or unable to work\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.4%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.5%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHomemaker\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFinancial Support Allowances (currently / prior to retirement)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAccess To Work\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.13, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.144\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.06\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePersonal Independence Payments (PIP)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(14.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17.72, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDisability Living Allowance\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.40, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.121\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmployment Support Allowance\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11.59, \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUniversal Credit\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6.76, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.009**\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNone\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e272\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(68.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110 ^\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(90.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;21.83, \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFinancial Stability (currently / prior to retirement)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLow stability\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e173\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(44.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(27.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11.31,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHigh stability\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e219\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(55.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e89\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(73.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAble to save money (currently / prior to retirement)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(27.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.61,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOccasionally\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(36.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(29.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMonthly\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e129\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(32.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(43.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. ^ 7 non-autistic participants did not disclose the type of financial support allowances they receive. Effect size calculated using Cohen\u0026rsquo;s v. * \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05, ** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.01, *** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u0026ndash; EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL STATUS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRetirement Status, Plans and Preparations\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn total, 157 autistic participants (41.1%) and 51 non-autistic participants (41.8%) were retired (either fully retired or semi-retired), with the remaining participants being not-yet-retired. Our analyses found that the autistic and non-autistic group significantly differed in their current retirement status; although they had similar in rates of participants who were fully retired or planning to retire the autistic group reported significantly higher rates of being semi-retired and being of working age but with long-term illness resulting in early medical retirement when compared to the non-autistic group.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo statistical difference was found in actual or planned retirement ages in the autistic and non-autistic groups. In total, 22.3% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;79) of the autistic group were diagnosed with autism or began to self-identify as autistic prior to their actual/planned retirement age.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe autistic group reported significantly lower rates of having very detailed retirement plans and preparations, as well as significantly higher rates of not having retirement plans and preparations when compared to the non-autistic group.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe autistic group reported significantly lower rates of being eligible to claim a full UK State pension and were significantly more likely to be eligible to claim only a partial UK State pension when compared to the non-autistic group. Additionally, the autistic group reported significantly lower rates of having workplace pensions than the non-autistic group. Comparable rates were found in private pensions, as well as pension top-up schemes in both groups. See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetirement status, age of (planned) retirement, and preparations made by the autistic and non-autistic groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAutistic group\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;395)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003enon-Autistic group\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;122)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGroup Difference\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEffect Size\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCurrent Retirement Status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFully retired\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e134\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(34.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(41.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;14.72,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.012*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.17\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSemi-retired\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.9%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWill retire in next 5 years\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(14.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(15.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWill retire in more than 5 years\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e147\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(37.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(41.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOf working age but medically retired\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.6%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDoes not intend to retire\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRetirement age (actual or planned)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUnder 60 years old\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(20.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(18.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.18,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.913\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.02\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetween 60 to 65 years old\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(36.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(36.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAge 66 years or older\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e153\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(43.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(45.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlans and preparations for retirement\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVery detailed plans\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(21.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(41.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;38.51,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSomewhat detailed plans\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e146\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(37.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(45.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo plans or preparations\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e161\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(41.1%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(12.3%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePension advice sources (among those who made plans)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFriends\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e139\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(60.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e97\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(90.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;73.79, \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFamily\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e167\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(72.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(93.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;58.79, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eColleagues\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(13.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(13.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.31, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.253\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWorkplace pensions advisors\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(13.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.48, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.487\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrade union advisor\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(9.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.85, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.091\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA financial advisor\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e137\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(59.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(76.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;40.39, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGovernment resources\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.60, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.212\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.05\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat type of pension do you / will you receive?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFull UK State pension\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e289\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(73.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e117\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(95.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;28.58, \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.24\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePartial UK State pension\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(14.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17.72, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWorkplace pension\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e278\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(70.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e116\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(95.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;31.37, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrivate pension\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e122\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(38.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.47, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.116\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHousing credit\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.914\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWarm homes scheme credit\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.50, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.480\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePension credit top-up\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(0.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eχ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.79, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.373\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ev\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;.04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"8\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. Effect size calculated using Cohen\u0026rsquo;s v. * \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05, ** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.01, *** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u0026ndash; RETIREMENT AND PLANS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCurrent Income and Affordability of Living Costs\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong those who are not-yet-retired, the autistic group reported significantly lower annual income than the non-autistic group. No statistical differences are found in annual income in the retired autistic and non-autistic groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe not-yet-retired autistic group were also significantly less likely to share their living expenses with someone else when compared to the not-yet-retired non-autistic group. No statistical difference was found in the rates of sharing living expenses in the retired autistic and non-autistic groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor the affordability of living costs, no statistical differences were found between the retired/not-yet-retired autistic and non-autistic groups in day-to-day expenses (e.g., food, drink), monthly living expenses (e.g., rent/mortgage, utility bills), and optional monthly bills (e.g., TV license, phone and internet bills). However, the not-yet-retired autistic group and the retired autistic group reported being significantly less able to afford occasional expenses (e.g., new clothes, gifts for special occasions) when compared to their respective non-autistic groups. See Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePension and financial profile of the autistic and non-autistic groups, split into not-yet-retired and retired subgroups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"12\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eNot-Yet-Retired\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eRetired\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAutistic group\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;235)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003enon-Autistic group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;71)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAutistic group\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;157)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003enon-Autistic group (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;51)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGroup Difference\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEffect Size\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnnual Income\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eUp to \u0026pound;10,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(17.9%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(14.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(16.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;19.96,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.003**\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.70,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.717\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: v\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: \u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetween \u0026pound;10,001 - \u0026pound;15,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.3%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.4%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(12.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(16.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetween \u0026pound;15,001 - \u0026pound;20,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(9.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetween \u0026pound;20,001 - \u0026pound;25,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.5%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(18.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(17.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(22.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetween \u0026pound;25,001 - \u0026pound;30,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(17.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBetween \u0026pound;30,001 - \u0026pound;35,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(12.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(17.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOver \u0026pound;35,000\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(34.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(24.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(12.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you share your living expenses with someone else?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYes\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e155\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(66.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(91.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e115\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(77.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(87.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;17.04, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: \u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(33.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(8.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(22.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(12.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.22, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.136\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: \u003cem\u003ev\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan afford day-to-day expenses (e.g., food, drink)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(41.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(57.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(59.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(58.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7.28,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.064\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.78,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.337\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMost of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(25.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(29.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSome of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(23.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(15.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(17.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(9.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(3.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan afford monthly living expenses (e.g., rent/mortgage, water/gas/electric bills)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e119\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(51.1%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(62.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(59.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(58.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6.58,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.087\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7.67,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.053\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.19\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMost of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(27.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(29.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(27.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSome of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(18.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(3.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(1.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan afford monthly optional household bills (e.g., TV license, phone and internet bills)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e117\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(50.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(54.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(56.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(54.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.75,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.191\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.45,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.217\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.13\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMost of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(28.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(35.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(23.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(31.4%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSome of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(16.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(17.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(4.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.9%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan afford occasional expenses (e.g., buying new clothes, gifts for special occasions)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(33.0%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(57.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e82\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(52.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(66.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;21.21,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001***\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: χ2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;10.51,\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.015*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot-Yet-Retired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.26\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetired: v\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.23\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMost of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(24.5%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(28.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(21.2%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(19.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSome of the time\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30.9%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.3%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(23.7%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(5.9%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(11.6%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.8%) ǂ\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(2.6%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e(7.8%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"12\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNote: ǂ Cell pairing for response is proportionally different. Effect size calculated using Cohen\u0026rsquo;s v. * \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05, ** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.01, *** \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u0026ndash; FINANCES AND AFFORDABILITY\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eContextualising Experiences using Content Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eParticipants were asked a series of open-ended questions to contextualise their experiences. Many similarities and shared experiences were found between the autistic and non-autistic groups, although some nuanced differences related to being autistic were raised by autistic participants. The content analysis of the responses provided by the autistic group are presented below, and content analysis of the non-autistic group are presented in Supplementary Material 1.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanning for Retirement in the Autistic group\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf the 231 autistic participants who made retirement plans, 105 (45%) responded to the open-text question about when they began to plan for retirement, and 123 (53%) responded to the open-text question about whether their plans had substantially changed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of when retirement plans were made: 55/105 (52%) described being \u0026lsquo;early planners\u0026rsquo;, i.e., making plans early in their careers or before the age of 30. 25/105 (23%) described being \u0026lsquo;mid-career planners\u0026rsquo;, i.e., beginning to make plans between the age of 30\u0026ndash;45 or when their careers and families were established. 20/105 (19%) were \u0026lsquo;later planners\u0026rsquo;, making plans after the age of 45 or once retirement was in their nearer future. 65/105 (62%) participants mentioned that planning for retirement was a gradual process, with their plans developing as retirement approached.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of plans changing: 47/123 (38%) noted that their health problems and experiences of burnout had resulted in them changing their plans (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI retired sooner than I anticipated. My health declined significantly even though I strove to lead a very healthy lifestyle, so I had to change my plans.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 36/123 (29%) mentioned that receiving their autism diagnosis had also influenced their plans; several participants reported that their self-understanding had shifted, which resulted in changes to their career and retirement plans (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eMy autism diagnosis was a surprise\u0026hellip; it\u0026rsquo;s made me think about long term career and older age plans.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 27/123 (22%) noted financial issues have changed or delayed their plans, including resulting in needing to work longer to ensure they have pension funds available (e.g., \"\u003cem\u003eI had to work longer because [we] didn\u0026rsquo;t save.\u003c/em\u003e\"). 19/123 (15%) mentioned that caring responsibilities for children, parents, and partners have changed their plans (e.g., \"\u003cem\u003eMy partner became severely unwell, and I became a carer... I burned out which impacted my employment prospects, so I left work.\u003c/em\u003e\"). 18/123 (15%) noted that redundancies or job-related issues linked to COVID have also impacted (positively and negatively) their ability to retire when originally planned (e.g., \"\u003cem\u003eRedundancy during the pandemic meant I could afford to stop working and retire a few years early.\u003c/em\u003e\" and \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eLosing work during COVID caused debt and I am still making up for it now. My retirement will likely look very differently now.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 17/123 (14%) discussed how workplace disputes and bullying resulted in disrupted employment and/or needing to retire early (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI accelerated my retirement plans due to bullying and abuse of power.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). And 14/123 (11%) shared that bereavements and relationship breakdowns with their spouses also changed their retirement plans, often through altered financial circumstances, or changed housing/living arrangements (e.g., \"\u003cem\u003eMy wife's death made me rethink how I live and what legacy I leave.\u003c/em\u003e\").\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf the 161 autistic participants who did not make retirement plans, 144 autistic participants (89%) responded to an open-text question about why they did not / chose not to make plans. 95/144 (66%) noted they have financial constraints or job insecurity, which has impacted their ability to build their pensions (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI couldn\u0026rsquo;t afford to save into a pension\u0026hellip;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 55/144 (38%) described that the concept of planning for retirement was overwhelming, or that they did not know where to start their planning (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eToo much to think about, which is overwhelming.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). Some also highlighted that their executive function issues or mental health conditions have been a barrier to making long-term plans (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI have very poor executive function, and pathological avoidance disorder, and often experience autistic inertia.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 45/144 participants (31%) reported that they lack an understanding of pensions and/or financial planning (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI have a number of pensions, but I don't really understand them.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 30/144 (21%) described how they feel it\u0026rsquo;s too late to begin planning, which was often linked to job instability (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI feel I\u0026rsquo;m too far behind to catch up.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). However, 20/144 participants (14%) expressed that they hope to never retire (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI now have a part-time job I enjoy and find satisfying, so may not retire at 65 but may want to continue working as long as I can.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHopes and Worries about Retirement in the Autistic Group\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen asked about what they are either looking forward to during retirement or enjoy about retirement, 191 autistic participants (48%) responded to the open-text question. 127/191 (67%) commented that they look forward to having more free time for relaxation and hobbies, and more time for themselves and family (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eIt will be a new pace of life, which I am greatly looking forward to. Proper time to spend on hobbies and with family.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 52/191 (26%) believed that they would be in better control of their environment when retired (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI won\u0026rsquo;t have to contend with noisy commutes anymore.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 46/191 (24%) hoped to use their time to benefit their local communities and for volunteering. 20/191 (10%) anticipated that retirement would benefit their physical and mental health (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI\u0026rsquo;ll be able to reallocate all those work hours to more meaningful things, like spending time working on my mental health.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen asked if they either have any worries for retirement or about retirement, 263 autistic participants (66%) responded to the open-text question. 112/263 (43%) participants reported that they have concerns about their long-term financial security when retired (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI don\u0026rsquo;t know how I will afford to rent my home and to live the life I live now while working when I am retired.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 101/263 (38%) expressed concerns about losing their sense of purpose, identity, and routine (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI worry about the lack of structure, losing my routine, and my purpose in life.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 95/263 (36%) discussed concerns about isolation and loneliness. Some noted how stopping work would reduce their social contact, while others described the feeling of becoming socially invisible (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI worry I will be more isolated than I am now, without work, who will see me.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 87/263 participants (33%) expressed concerns about ageing more broadly, for example changes to their health and loss of mobility and cognitive function (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eI worry I may lose my sight and my health... I may not be able to read, or run, or use my brain.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). 29/263 (11%) expressed concerns about needing care, including the prospect of living in a care home (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eBeing forced into care and support situations that don\u0026rsquo;t respect my gender or neurodivergence.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). However, 48/263 participants (18%) described that they had no concerns or that they were already happily retired (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eNo fears. Retiring has been a huge relief\u0026hellip; there\u0026rsquo;s always a book to read, a film to watch, or something to do.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDesired Information about Retirement in the Autistic Group\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen asked if there was any information they wished they knew about planning for retirement and being retired, 212 autistic participants (54%) responded to the open-text question. 88/212 (41%) noted that they lack general understanding of what retiring involves, and how to prepare for it (e.g., \"\u003cem\u003eI don't know what my options are or what I'm supposed to do or who to ask.\u003c/em\u003e\"). 72/212 (34%) participants described that they are unsure of how pensions work and would like additional information about the different kinds of pensions (e.g., \"\u003cem\u003eI didn\u0026rsquo;t know you had to pay into a pension to have income after retirement age.\u003c/em\u003e\"). 31/212 (17%) mentioned they wish they had more autism-specific information about retirement (e.g., \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eThe information doesn\u0026rsquo;t seem relevant for me as an autistic person, like what support will be available.\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo;). However, 28/212 (13%) reported they feel satisfied with their understanding of retirement.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis mixed-methods study documents the experiences of planning for and being retired among a large group of autistic and non-autistic adults in midlife and older age living in the UK. Similarities were found between groups, such as comparable retirement ages that mirror the UK state pension age. However, there were also significant differences in retirement preparation, employment history, pension eligibility, and income. Qualitative responses contextualised these differences further, highlighting the impact of financial difficulties, health challenges, and disrupted employment that autistic participants experienced when planning for and transitioning into retirement with stability and confidence.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen considering timing and preparations for retirement, findings from our large-scale quantitative study found no significant difference between autistic and non-autistic participants in actual or expected retirement ages. This is contrary to the qualitative findings of Davies et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024a\u003c/span\u003e). When considering why this difference could be, sampling approach could be an important factor. Our study included almost 400 autistic people who were recruited via established research participant databases, while Davies et al. was a smaller-scale qualitative study involving 12 autistic people who were recruited through social media. While both our study and Davies et al. mentioned retirement in the study adverts, our study had a broader focus about planning for older age, therefore we may have a broader representation of experiences in our sample. However, our study did have a minority of autistic participants who did retire early for similar reasons highlighted in Davies et al. (e.g., health and work-place related difficulties), suggesting that for some autistic people, early and/or unplanned retirement may be a necessity.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnother finding of our study was that the pathway into retirement for autistic people may differ from their non-autistic peers, with our autistic participants having more varied levels of planning and preparedness for retirement than the non-autistic participants. Qualitative responses indicated that many autistic participants experienced more frequent changes to their retirement plans, most often due to health issues, financial strain, or shifting personal circumstances. The influence of a late autism diagnosis was also evident, with some participants describing it as a turning point that reframed their understanding of their own needs and future plans. These sentiments mirror findings from Davies et al., whose participants also reported changes to plans and the impact of a later life diagnosis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, autistic participants were significantly more likely to report having made no retirement plans at all. Qualitative responses described feelings of being overwhelmed by the process, unsure where to start, or excluded from the possibility of retirement due to financial barriers, which are also sentiments shared in Davies et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024a\u003c/span\u003e). Hershey et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) propose that effective retirement planning depends on three key components: capacity, opportunity, and willingness. When these components are compromised, planning may be impeded. While originally focused on finances, this framework may help explain barriers faced by autistic individuals in broader retirement planning, as challenges reported in this study and wider research may negatively impact its key components. For example, opportunity and capacity may be limited by financial insecurity linked to under-employment and employment challenges (Buckland, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024b\u003c/span\u003e), or higher rates of health problems and unmet health needs (Mansour et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; O\u0026rsquo;Nions et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Executive functioning differences (Demetriou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Olde Dubbelink \u0026amp; Geurts, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Stewart et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), and social difficulties that limit support networks (Black et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Charlton et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Francis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e) and increased experiences of loneliness and social isolation (Stewart et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Grace et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), may also make planning more daunting. While willingness is one of the three components in the model, it is important to note that planning avoidance should not be mistaken for a lack of motivation. Instead, it may reflect a rational response to the external barriers, uncertainty, or previous experiences of exclusion from financial and employment systems. This interpretation is supported in our study by qualitative accounts in which participants described feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from the concept of retirement, rather than disinterested in preparing for it.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen examining the financial aspects of retirement (i.e., employment history, pension access, and income disparity), we found both similarities and differences between groups. Autistic participants reported significantly lower rates of full-time employment and higher rates of unemployment or being unable to work than non-autistic participants, reflecting broader employment challenges faced by autistic people (as reported in the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, 2024). These employment barriers have clear long-term impacts on financial security. Autistic participants were less likely to qualify for the full State Pension and more likely to receive a reduced rate. They also reported lower workplace pension participation than non-autistic participants and national averages (Department for Work and Pensions, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese patterns highlight systemic issues: autistic workers tend to earn less, are more likely to be underemployed, and face persistent income gaps even with higher education (Vincent \u0026amp; Ralston, 2024). Barriers include inaccessible recruitment, inflexible workplaces, sensory challenges, and discrimination (Buckland, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024b\u003c/span\u003e). Many autistic workers are in non-permanent roles without pension benefits, and fear of stigma can discourage disclosing a diagnosis, limiting access to workplace adjustments and stable career paths.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIncome disparities were also reflected in our findings. Among non-retired participants, the autistic group reported significantly lower annual incomes and were less likely to share living expenses with others. Although both groups reported similar abilities to afford essential costs such as rent and food, autistic participants, regardless of retirement status, were significantly less likely to afford occasional or non-essential expenses such as gifts or new clothing. While individual circumstances such as location, outgoings, or dependents may affect living affordability, this finding could indicate reduced financial flexibility among autistic participants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe final findings extend beyond the logistical and financial aspects of retirement, highlighting hopes, concerns, and the need for more holistic, tailored resources. Many autistic participants looked forward to retirement as a chance for greater autonomy, comfort, and time for hobbies or volunteering, and as relief from stressful work environments, which were also views often shared by non-autistic participants. Some autism-specific points were also raised by autistic participants, such as having greater control over their environments to reduce their sensory overwhelm (Chen et al, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). However, many autistic participants also worried about losing daily structure and a sense of identity without work, and about increased loneliness, reflecting broader evidence that autistic people experience higher loneliness across the lifespan (Francis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Stewart et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Grace et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Financial insecurity was another common concern, supported by differences in employment and pension accrual found in this study. Furthermore, a key barrier to effective planning was the lack of accessible, relevant information. While some felt well-informed, many reported gaps in financial literacy and general retirement knowledge. These findings have important implications for ageing and retirement policies for autistic adults.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo support positive retirement experiences, tailored, accessible, and affirmative resources are needed to address the specific retirement hopes and concerns of autistic people. Currently, UK retirement resources mostly focus on financial guidance (e.g., AgeUK, n.d.; UK Government, n.d.), which, while important, is insufficient on its own (a sentiment found in our study, as well as Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024a\u003c/span\u003e). As such. a more holistic approach is needed, covering issues such as social connection, maintaining routines, and building identity and purpose beyond employment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen interpreting this study\u0026rsquo;s findings, it is important to consider its strengths and limitations. A key strength is the involvement of middle-aged and older autistic individuals in steering interviews during the design phase. Although full co-production would have been ideal, it was not feasible due to limited funding. Another strength is the large participant group, recruited through established autism research networks, reducing the risk of spam or imposters. We also limited participation to UK residents to ensure consistency in retirement context. Additionally, our mixed-methods approach combined quantitative and qualitative questions, enabling group comparisons while allowing participants to share their experiences in their own words.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, there are limitations. Conducting the study online may have excluded people not on the internet, as well as those with intellectual disabilities or higher support needs, limiting the diversity of perspectives. The sample was also predominantly white, well-educated and diagnosed/self-identified with autism later in life. While the UK-focus increased consistency, it limits generalisability to other countries. The study\u0026rsquo;s cross-sectional design means participants were at different stages of retirement: younger participants saw retirement as distant, while older participants may have recalled prior plans inaccurately. Both groups reported higher rates of full state pension eligibility than national averages (Department for Work and Pensions, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e), suggesting that participants may have been more interested or engaged in retirement planning than the general population. Finally, as an estimated 90% of autistic adults over 40 are undiagnosed (O\u0026rsquo;Nions et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Stewart \u0026amp; Happ\u0026eacute;, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e), the experiences of undiagnosed individuals (who may have less access to support) are likely underrepresented in this study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite these limitations, this is the first large-scale study of retirement experiences in an autistic population using both quantitative and qualitative data. We recommend future research use longitudinal methods to examine how retirement planning and experiences develop over time for autistic adults, including those with high autistic traits who may be undiagnosed. This would help track changing plans in response to life circumstances and provide deeper insight into how factors like financial stability, housing, health, and location shape retirement over time. Given the complexity and variability of retirement, longitudinal designs are well-suited to capture this nuance. Additionally, future studies should consider whether experiences are specific to autistic populations, or neurodivergent populations, as well as account for potential confounding factors such as poor mental health.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, this large-scale mixed-methods study explored experiences of planning for and being retired in a large group of autistic and non-autistic adults in midlife and older age living in the UK. While retirement age did not significantly differ between groups, the pathways into retirement were notably different. Autistic participants reported lower rates of full-time employment, reduced pension access, and lower income prior to retirement. They were also less likely to have made retirement plans, and among those who had, plans were more likely to have been disrupted or changed. These findings highlight the need for more inclusive and accessible retirement resources that account for the realities of neurodiverse lives. With the right support, retirement can offer autistic adults\u0026rsquo; greater autonomy and opportunities for meaningful, fulfilling activity. However, this potential can only be realised if planning resources and employment structures are designed to be responsive and attuned to autistic peoples\u0026rsquo; needs.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eCONFLICTS OF INTEREST\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNone to declare.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGRS conceived the current study. GRS designed the online survey and selected materials. ZK, AHAF, IW and GRS recruited the sample. ZK and GRS conducted analyses. ZK wrote the manuscript under the supervision of GRS, with FH reviewing the final draft. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eACKNOWLEDGEMENTS\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe authors are grateful to the four autistic people who offered suggestions on content and provided feedback on the language-use and accessibility of the study materials. GRS is currently funded by a British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PFSS23\\230043). FH is part-funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre and King\u0026rsquo;s College London (KCL). The funders have had no role in the data collection, analysis, interpretation, or any other aspect pertinent to the study. The authors have not been paid to write this article by any agency. This paper represents independent research conducted by the authors, and the views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the BA, NIHR, NHS or KCL.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgeUK. (n.d.). \u003cem\u003ePlanning and preparing for retirement\u003c/em\u003e. AgeUK. Retrieved 29 April 2025, from https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/work-learning/retirement/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack, M. H., Kuzminski, R., Wang, J., Ang, J., Lee, C., Hafidzuddin, S., \u0026amp; McGarry, S. (2024). Experiences of Friendships for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review. \u003cem\u003eReview Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e11\u003c/em\u003e(1), 184\u0026ndash;209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-022-00332-8\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuckland, R. (2024). \u003cem\u003eThe Buckland Review of Autism Employment\u003c/em\u003e [Policy report]. Department for Work and Pensions. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-buckland-review-of-autism-employment-report-and-recommendations/the-buckland-review-of-autism-employment-report-and-recommendations\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCharlton, R. A., McQuaid, G. A., \u0026amp; Wallace, G. L. (2023). Social support and links to quality of life among middle-aged and older autistic adults. \u003cem\u003eAutism\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e27\u003c/em\u003e(1), 92\u0026ndash;104. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221081917\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChen, Y., Jenkins, C. A., Charlton, R. A., Happ\u0026eacute;, F., Mandy, W., \u0026amp; Stewart, G. 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Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2021.0041\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOlde Dubbelink, L. M. E., \u0026amp; Geurts, H. M. (2017). Planning Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e47\u003c/em\u003e(4), 1148\u0026ndash;1165. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-3013-0\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eO\u0026rsquo;Nions, E., Brown, J., Buckman, J. E. J., Charlton, R., Cooper, C., Baou, C. E., Happ\u0026eacute;, F., Hoare, S., Lewer, D., Manthorpe, J., McKechnie, D. G. J., Richards, M., Saunders, R., Mandy, W., \u0026amp; Stott, J. (2024). 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Letter to the Editor: A possible threat to data integrity for online qualitative autism research. \u003cem\u003eAutism\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e28\u003c/em\u003e(3), 786\u0026ndash;792. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231174543\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePensions Act 2007, c. 22. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/22/contents\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSchinkel-Ivy, A., Mosca, I., \u0026amp; Mansfield, A. (2017). Factors Contributing to Unexpected Retirement and Unemployment in Adults Over 50 Years Old in Ireland. \u003cem\u003eGerontology and Geriatric Medicine\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e3\u003c/em\u003e. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721417722709\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStewart, G. R., Charlton, R. A., \u0026amp; Wallace, G. L. (2018). Aging with elevated autistic traits: Cognitive functioning among older adults with the broad autism phenotype. \u003cem\u003eResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e54\u003c/em\u003e, 27\u0026ndash;36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2018.06.009\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStewart, G. R., Corbett, A., Ballard, C., Creese, B., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A., Brooker, H., Charlton, R. A., \u0026amp; Happ\u0026eacute;, F. (2023). The cognitive profile of middle-aged and older adults with high vs. Low autistic traits. \u003cem\u003eAutism Research: Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e16\u003c/em\u003e(2), 429\u0026ndash;440. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2866\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStewart, G. R., \u0026amp; Happ\u0026eacute;, F. (2025). Aging across the Autism Spectrum. \u003cem\u003eAnnual Review of Developmental Psychology.\u003c/em\u003e https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-devpsych-111323-090813\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStewart, G. R., Luedecke, E., Mandy, W., Charlton, R. A., \u0026amp; Happ\u0026eacute;, F. (2024). Experiences of social isolation and loneliness in middle-aged and older autistic adults. \u003cem\u003eNeurodiversity\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e2\u003c/em\u003e. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330241245529\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUK Government. (n.d.). \u003cem\u003ePlan your retirement income\u003c/em\u003e. https://www.gov.uk/plan-retirement-income/get-financial-advice\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Supplementary Material","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe Supplementary Materials file is not available with this version.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"King's College London","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Retirement, Pension, Financial Planning, Autism, Midlife, Old Age","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7721067/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7721067/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRetirement is a major life change affecting routines, finances, and wellbeing. Autistic adults may face extra challenges during this transition due to employment barriers, limited support, and planning difficulties. However, little is known about their retirement experiences compared to non-autistic adults.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis mixed-methods study surveyed 517 adults from the UK (autistic n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;395), aged 40\u0026ndash;90 years, about their retirement status, plans, experiences, employment history, income, and financial security.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eActual or expected retirement ages were similar across groups, but autistic adults were less likely to have made plans and more likely to have plans disrupted by financial, health, or personal factors. They also reported lower rates of full-time work, reduced pensions, and lower pre-retirement income. Many highlighted a lack of information about pensions and lifestyle planning. Concerns included isolation, loss of routine, and financial worries, but some looked forward to more autonomy and time for self-care, leisure activities and interests.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile there were many similarities between the autistic and non-autistic groups, our study found that autistic adults may reach retirement differently due to unique work histories, health needs, and planning barriers. Tailored, accessible support is needed to help autistic adults plan for financial stability and meaningful post-retirement lives.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"“A new pace of life”: A mixed-methods exploration of retirement plans, preparations and experiences in middle-aged and older autistic and non-autistic adults","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-29 15:35:14","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7721067/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"718d4649-3fc9-4d83-bddd-adafda7abf4f","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 29th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":55389898,"name":"Psychology"},{"id":55389899,"name":"Geriatrics \u0026 Gerontology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-29T15:35:14+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-29 15:35:14","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7721067","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7721067","identity":"rs-7721067","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}