Description
Measure the signed month gap to a recorded pension-start month.
Aging research distinguishes participant and informant identities, calendar-month coordinates, time-use exposure and event/censoring status. Proxy responses and missing codes carry different meanings from direct observations. Local record summaries do not establish lifespan, legal status, accessibility or appropriate care.
Measure the signed month gap to a recorded pension-start month.
When to use this tool
Use Retirement Study Pension Start Month Gap when checking the stated aging-study record, timing, censoring or support convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter referenceMonth, pensionStartMonth. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedMonths. Use the output convention below.
Require YYYY-MM strings with four-digit years and months 01..12. Convert each to year*12+month-1 and return pensionStart-reference month difference.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| referenceMonth | YYYY-MM with four-digit years, including 0000; month 01..12. | Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192. |
| pensionStartMonth | Pension Start Month | Required. Text; maximum UTF-16 length 8192. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedMonths | Signed Months | Required. Safe integer. |
{
"input": {
"referenceMonth": "2026-01",
"pensionStartMonth": "2026-04"
},
"output": {
"signedMonths": 3
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Year 0000 is accepted by this syntax; this is a calendar-month coordinate gap, not completed months by date or pension eligibility.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified original records and suitable complete research methods; involve qualified health, accessibility or legal professionals for actual care or rights decisions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Retirement Months Since Event
Calculate calendar months elapsed since a supplied retirement month.
- Intergenerational Cohabitation Duration Tool
Calculate signed date-only calendar days between supplied intergenerational cohabitation endpoints without inclusive person-day adjustments.