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'Tsunami' of retirement challenges ahead for boomers

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Seventy-five percent of boomers fear full retirement will not be an option for them. Who can blame them?

“Boomers have been hit the hardest by the current downturn and have the least time to recover,” said Chris X. Moloney, chief marketing officer and executive director of customer intelligence for Scottrade in a prepared statement. The online investment firm released findings from its 2009 American Retirement Study yesterday. “Americans anticipate having to work longer, as their nest eggs have been shrinking and the economy has made it harder to save. Factor in the fear regarding the future of Social Security, and you have an unprecedented tsunami of retirement challenges.”

Comparing generations, Gen X’ers follow boomer retirement fears, with 64 percent saying they are concerned with not having enough money for retirement. Gen Y respondents were a little more relaxed.

“Gen Y is an anomaly,” Moloney added. “They are actually slightly more confident this year that they will be able to save enough to fully retire — even though the amount they have saved has declined and more of them are concerned that Social Security will fall short. This research shows that Gen Y is fueled by a marked optimism that is unique to their generation.”

The survey also indicated Gen Y is less likely to use a financial planner.

“Gen Y is the Internet generation,” Moloney said. “There are few things they feel they can’t do on their own. They’re more likely to turn to their iPhones for retirement help than to an advisor.”