The HILDA survey is conducted annually and asks a wide range of questions regarding !nancial and emotional well-being, health-related quality of life and social connectedness (Wooden et al., 2002). Inter- views take place annually with interviewer brie!ng occurring at the end of July to mid-August. The vast majority of data is collected in face- to-face interviews, while telephone interviews and assisted interviews are conducted to ensure a high response rate. At the time of this study, data was available for 2001/02–2014/15 and each year is known as a ‘wave’.