Retirement Products Need to Adapt to Boomers' Needs,
National Underwriter (Life and Health Financial (11/18/02) Vol. 106, No. 46 p.38; De Simone, Marcella
A study sponsored by AIG SunAmerica, Los Angeles, and
Harris Interactive revealed that 27 percent of baby boomers
consider themselves "Ageless Explorers," while 19 percent are
"Comfortably Contents," 22 percent are "Live for Todays," and 32
percent are "Sick and Tired." ING U.S. Financial Services Chief
Marketing Officer Shaun Mathews stated that banks and other
financial institutions have to begin tailoring their products to
meet the next generation's needs, because baby boomers do not
follow in the footsteps of their parents' generation. Moreover,
it appears from the survey that baby boomers will cycle in and
out of careers, educational institutions, and other phases of
their life for some time before retiring from the workforce
completely. Therefore, retirement products have to be more
flexible than traditional life insurance and retirement benefit
plans, allowing for personal growth and reinvention.
Additionally, new retirees will be seeking more investment and
saving advice from professionals.