It's not so much the "retirement" itself; it's the freedom and the stockpiled money so I don't HAVE to work and can choose to spend my hours as I see fit, that appeals to me. (Mainly traveling the globe in the winter months and working in my garden the rest of the year.)
And I was raised that way. Grandpa retired at 55. Dad at 53. I can't swing 53, so I'm aiming for 55. If I screw up, or some tragedy befalls me, then I can still retire like most folk at 62-65.
And I'm not counting on SS money, either. That's not factored into my plans. It'll be gravy if this tail-end Boomer gets any of it. :)
Speaking just for myself, I need a reason to get out of bed everyday -- sheesh, I don't even take vacations. I've been to 46 States and would like to see the last four, but I figure I won't have to retire to do that.