Retirement preparation. According to the Scudder research:

80% of Boomers say they have begun to make plans for a financially secure retirement
79% consider retirement their primary investment goal
73% say they "usually" save for retirement
70% contribute to a 401 (K) or 403 (B) plan
63% have established another savings or investment plan.

While those numbers are encouraging, look at this next set. They paint a different picture:

58% of Baby Boomers have no idea how much savings they will need for retirement
46% tap savings and investments now to meet expenses
20% have less than $10,000 and
67% have less than $50,000 in their 401(k) plans
21% have established a nest egg goal
70% of Boomers say they are worried about their financial futures
75% regret not having begun to plan for retirement sooner
40% of Boomers cite lack of knowledge as the main reason their retirement planning lags
44% consider themselves investing "novices"
54% say they feel "stupid" asking financial questions.

Why are those numbers so terrible? I subscribe to the thought that the financial industry attempted to use an out-dated sales strategy on these Boomers. They tried the fear approach. This might have worked on Boomers' parents, but Boomers are polar opposites of their parents. Here's an example:

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