Inequality in Social Security Benefits: Exploring the Relationship Between Functional Disability and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults in China

The effect of social security benefits on the relationship between instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disabilities and subjective well-being remains unclear. This study explored the impact of baseline IADL on subjective well-being trajectories among older adults in China with the moderating role of social security benefits. Data derived from four waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (<i>n</i> = 1,732 older adults). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted with subjective well-being trajectories categorized as high, moderate, and low, stratified by the level of social security benefits (generous, moderate, none) for subgroup analysis. Results indicated none of participants in the generous social security benefits group followed a low social well-being trajectory and baseline IADLs showed no significant impact. By contrast, baseline IADLs predicted moderate and low social well-being trajectories in the moderate social security benefits group. Baseline IADLs predicted only a moderate social well-being trajectory in the group without any social security benefits. Findings highlight the effects of IADL disabilities on subjective well-being trajectories and social security benefits can mitigate this negative impact.