Nearly every state falls short in key areas that measure retirement readiness, according to a report presented recently at the National Institute on Retirement Security's fifth annual retirement policy conference.

The report, "The Financial Security Scorecard: A State-by-State Analysis of Economic Pressures Facing Future Retirees," gauged the relative performance of all 50 states and the District of Columbia in three areas—anticipated retirement income, major retirement costs such as housing and health care, and labor market conditions for older workers.

The data showed major areas of trouble affecting most or all states.  For example, the highest-ranking state for workplace retirement plan participation in 2012, Iowa, had only 54 percent of private employees participating in a pension or 401(k).