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A recent survey sponsored by Principal Financial Group Inc. is full of bad news about Americans’ retirement preparations.

Beset by alarming economic developments, U.S. workers are taking a dimmer and dimmer view of their “golden years.” And it may be that the simple passage of time is also a factor, as we nervously compare our savings with the number of years left before retirement.

The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s annual survey found just 61 percent of respondents saying they were “very confident” or “somewhat confident” of having enough money to live as they hope to live in retirement.

That number compares with 70 percent just last year and ranks as the lowest result since 63 percent in 2001.

The “very confident” segment included just 18 percent of respondents, way down from 27 percent a year ago.

Such results suggest that one of the most valuable benefits an employer can provide to employees is a steady flow of information about retirement planning. If today’s newest members of the work force buy into the idea of saving steadily and investing carefully, they should end up better off than many of those near retirement today – or already there.

The study presents evidence that most Americans are trying to save for retirement, but the numbers aren’t encouraging. Nearly half of U.S. workers have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, according to the survey. Another 24 percent have between $25,000 and $100,000.

Daniel Houston, president for retirement and investor services at Principal, called these statistics troubling. Today’s workers aren’t likely to have the extensive pension and retiree health-care benefits of their predecessors, he noted.

This is a country built on individual responsibility, and that should always remain a strength. But when it comes to retirement planning, it looks as if a lot of employees could use some help.