Retirement planning can be frightening for some, but most boomers are pretty laid back about it.

A new study shows most boomers wax positive about their retirement years, assuming that "everything will work out" despite many unknowns. Pre-retirees are generally optimistic, with 63 percent looking forward to retirement. About 56 percent believe the transition will be easier than other life-changing experiences, according to the survey by SecurePath, a unit of Transamerica Retirement Management. 

That que-sera attitude reflects less pressure than boomers felt when they were younger, said Beverly Mahone, author of “Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey into Middle Age."

"You're excelling inwardly as you start reprioritizing things in your life, and those things that were important to you in your 20s and 30s aren't as important anymore," she said. 

About half of the over-50 crowd think they're at their best during times of change, and they find that change exciting.

The study included 2,015 people over 50, who were divided into four groups - venturers, adapters, anchored and pursuers - based on their overall "change profile." Each group faces its own hurdles and will react differently as the economy weakens, said Will Prest, chief marketing officer of Transamerica Retirement Management.  

Coping Skills
Overall, boomers' coping skills are noteworthy given that economic uncertainty is hurting everything from retirement savings to health care. Some boomers are contemplating new options such as working on part-time or consulting basis, or even starting their own venture.

Reinvention isn't entirely foreign territory, especially for those who've moved from job to job or state to state before. 

That's not to say boomers aren't being challenged, said Dr. Mikol Davis, psychologist in San Rafael, Calif., who specializes in aging issues. And the tension triggers run the gamut. 

"Health status and dealing with the needs of aging parents are all unsettling and uncomfortable for most people," he said. "The dramatic effect of recent changes in the stock market and housing all contribute to peoples' fear of the future. 'Will I have enough money to care for myself and family? How will I afford health care insurance if I stop working and retire?'"

Nearly three-quarters of pre-retirees said they will handle the change and uncertainty associated with growing older well. And two-thirds are confident that even with the uncertainty associated with retirement, everything will be OK in the end.

Meeting financial needs related to having a steady monthly income and adequate health insurance are chief among their retirement goals, taking priority over traveling frequently or buying a house. 

To that end, about a third said they are satisfied with their retirement savings. Some even cite Social Security as their main source of income during retirement, although most financial planners encourage having other savings and income streams. 

"While being financially ready is the obvious end goal, it can't happen without understanding the psychological barriers to getting there," Prest said.

Here's a detailed look at the four change profiles in the survey:  

• Venturers are exhilarated by change. Nearly all agree they are at their best during times of change and feel they are in control of their lives. This sense of control gives them a lot of confidence about investing and retirement. While venturers' overall attitudes about pending retirement are positive, they need to be careful not to be overconfident about their level of preparedness. 
• Adapters tend to shy away from change, finding it stressful. However, this does not affect their confidence. Many feel they will be in control of their retirement, are confident they will handle the transition well, and believe everything will work out. However, their tendency toward consistency, coupled with their confidence, makes them less inclined to plan for the future or maximize retirement savings.
• Anchored pre-retirees look for consistency, rather than seek change. That could be why they feel in control. However, they tend to shy away from monetary risks, and feel that they are at their worst when undergoing periods of change. Their apprehension negatively affects their confidence about retirement savings and may lead them to be less prepared.
• Pursuers prefer change and find it exciting; however, they don't always feel they handle it well. Their mixed feelings about change and experiences with change create a lack of confidence in their abilities to handle investing or retirement. As a group, they are the most likely to say they will continue working instead of retiring. Their desire for change, coupled with their lack of confidence, leaves them open to retirement planning ideas but also with a need for reassurance in order to execute.