The insights gleaned from a telephone survey of 2,000 adults age 40 to 75 will help Ameriprise better serve its clients and develop products for baby boomers, according to James M. Cracchiolo, chief executive of the Minneapolis-based company.

``We have over 10,000 financial advisers across the country who help people prepare financially for what's next in their lives,'' he said in a press release. ``A key part of this market is the boomers, who are now beginning to give serious thought to their upcoming retirement.''

According to the study, during the imagination stage, at six to 15 years prior to retirement, people had very positive views about retirement, though just 44% said they were ``on track'' in terms of preparation.

In the anticipation stage, which is five years prior to retirement, positive emotions were on the rise, with 80% saying that they would ``be able to achieve their dreams in retirement.'' In the two years prior to retirement, worries and anxiety mount, with 22% saying that they would feel a sense of loss after their working years were over.

In the liberation stage, which is retirement day to one year later, there was a ``great excitement, relief and enthusiasm,'' as 78% of people said they were ``enjoying retirement a great deal.''

During the reorientation stage - two to 15 years after retirement - many said the joy had passed, giving way to feelings of emptiness (4%), worry (38%) and boredom (34%).

At stage five, reconciliation, which is 16 or more years after retirement, people experienced increased contentment, acceptance and personal reflection.

They had come to terms with all that retirement has to offer.