Retirement Quiz

Ethics approval numbers: Ethics Macquarie University ethics approval number 5201800149

The following is a 35-item measure of resources needed for retirement. The Retirement Quiz consists of resource items across 3 domains: RT3 (physical and financial), RT2 (social), and RT1 (emotional, cognitive and motivational). Retirement resources as assessed by the Retirement Quiz, were found to predict retirement adjustment and satisfaction – but some were more important than others. We hope to learn about individual differences in resource accumulation, and the relationship to retirement planning.

Ultimately our aim is to help people to improve their retirement experience.In addition to the survey there are some demographic questions that help us to understand you better (about 5 minutes) followed by the retirement quiz (about 20 minutes) to complete. The retirement quiz was developed with the assistance of National Seniors Australia. At the end of the survey you are provided with instant feedback on your results as well as a comparison to other people who have previously completed the survey.

There are some things you need to know before you start the quiz:

  • No risks are expected as a result of your participation. We cannot and do not guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this study although previous participants report that doing so helped them reflect on their own planning for retirement.
  • Only Professor Joanne Earl and her research team will have access to your results
  • Any information obtained in the study and can be identified with you will remain confidential and will only be disclosed with your permission or except as required by law.
  • Data is collated and discussed for groups of people, not individuals. Our results may be reported in journals or presented at conferences. No individual results are discussed, shared, published in journals or used in presentations.
  • Your decision to participate or not will not prejudice your future relations with Macquarie University or NSA. You are free to withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue your participation without prejudice.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about the design of the survey please email Professor Joanne Earl (email Joanne.Earl@mq.edu.au).
  • If you have any complaints or reservations about any ethical aspect of your participation in this research, you may contact the Committee through the Director, Research Ethics & Integrity (telephone (02) 9850 7854; email ethics@mq.edu.au).  Any complaint you make will be treated in confidence and investigated, and you will be informed of the outcome.
  • Please print this information sheet for your future reference.
  • By clicking on the “START SURVEY” link below we are assuming your consent to participate – please remember that you can withdraw at any time by closing your browser.
 

 

 

About You

Please provide the following: first initial of first name;
first initial of last name; day of birth; month of birth
(e.g. John Smith born on 14th of March will be: J S 14 03) * 

Age * 

Gender * 

Which of the following describes your current relationship status? * 

Employment status. Select the option that best captures your current situation * 

Years since retirement * 

Postcode * 

Country/region of current residence * 

Address of residence

What is your main source of income in retirement? * 

Would you say you have just enough, not enough or more than enough income for retirement? * 

If you are retired how prepared were you for the change in lifestyle? * 

Has retirement been what you thought it would be / have any of the following surprised you about retirement? * 

What does being prepared for retirement mean to you? * 
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Tick if you are interested in participating in future research about retirement



Retirement Quiz
1. I would consider my general health condition to be

2. I am affected by one or more major physical illnesses (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, foot problems, arthritis, hypertension).
3. I am affected by one or more mental disorders (e.g. dementia, depression, anxiety disorder, panic disorder).
4. I have energy to carry out daily activities or activities that I am interested in.

5. I possess income to support my family's living expenses
6. I have financial support from my personal savings
7. I have financial support from my investments.
8. I have financial support from my superannuation fund.
9. I have friends whom I can interact with regularly.
10. I have family members whom I can interact with regularly.
11. I know people from various sources (e.g. religious groups, leisure groups,sporting teams, volunteer groups, part-time employment).
12. I would consider interactions with friends (in general) to be supportive.
13. I would consider interactions with family members (in general) to be supportive.
14. I would consider interactions with acquaintances from various sources (e.g. religious groups, leisure groups, sporting teams, volunteer groups, part-time employment) to be supportive.
15. I receive informational support from others, where informational support refers to receiving information or advice from someone on handling difficult circumstances, rectifying a situation, following through with a solution, following-up on a difficult event, and receiving constructive criticism.
16. I receive emotional support from others, where emotional support means someone was available to listen, to acknowledge my feelings, to support me in stressful situations, to act as a confidant, and to express interest in my well-being.
17. I receive tangible support from others, where tangible support refers to receiving help with meal preparation, temporary housing, household chores, shopping, respite, financial needs, transportation, care of the house when away, and the loan of something I needed.
18. I experience positive emotions (i.e. interested, excited, strong, enthusiastic, proud, determined, alert, inspired, attentive, active).
19. I have ability to perceive my/others’ emotions accurately.
20. I possess knowledge about how emotions vary or influence behavior.
21. In general, I feel that I have ability to use emotions to facilitate my thoughts and communication.
22. I have little control over the things that happen to me.

23. I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others.

24. I forget things in the immediate past or where I have placed things.
25. I have ability to recall events that happened a while ago.
26. I have ability to recall meanings and spellings of different words/concepts.
27. I have ability to acquire new knowledge or skills.
28. I would consider my speed of processing information (e.g. numbers, texts) to be generally .
29. I have ability to understand and solve problems.
30. I have ability to perform good decision making (i.e. selecting the most appropriate choice from the available options).
31. When faced with difficulty, I usually increase my efforts.

32. Even when things seem hopeless, I keep fighting to reach my goals.

33. I can easily adapt to changes in goals, plans or circumstances.

34. When I get stuck on something, it’s hard for me to find a new approach.

35. I create many problems for myself because I set unrealistic goals



Please email us at joanne.earl@mq.edu.au if you have any questions