Workers’ top three concerns last year - having job security, making ends meet and having appropriate health insurance - remain the same as in 2009 as Americans put off thoughts of saving and planning for retirement to deal with more immediate issues. According to “The Realities of Getting Ready for a Secure Retirement,” the fourth in a series of research briefs stemming from Prudential’s Fifth Annual Study of Employee Benefits: Today & Beyond, the need to save for retirement is not recognized as one of the top financial needs and concerns. However, 64% of workers did rank it as “highly important.” As expected, 58-59% of those under 45 years old ranked it as “highly important,” below the more immediate need to reduce stress levels and improve emotional well-being (67%).

“The survey has seen a marked shift in responses over the last few years as workers continue to be concerned about the state of the economy and their own financial security,” notes James Gemus, vice president Life Product Management, Group Insurance. “The reality is that it’s even more important to plan for retirement security in uncertain times as the traditional safety nets may fall short.”

According to Prudential’s Study of Employee Benefits: 2007 & Beyond, in 2007 saving for retirement was rated “highly important” by 76% of workers surveyed, 12 points higher than the most recent results. Over the same three-year period, those surveyed became increasingly concerned about having financial security if a main wage earner could no longer work due to disability (60% in 2007 vs. 67% in 2010), or death (47% in 2007 vs. 53% in 2010).

“Loss of work due to such dire events, while appearing to affect only the present, has long-term implications, as reduced income can have a serious impact on retirement funding, as well,” continues Gemus. “In the short term, an income loss may result in the need to dip into one’s savings or workplace retirement savings plan. Longer term, retirement benefits, often based upon salary amounts, may be reduced.”

While retirement savings may not be cited as one of the top priorities in the study, it still remains a concern for 72% of workers who note that it is “highly important” that their money last through retirement. This number jumps to 85% for those over 45.

The attitude of U.S. workers toward retirement differs based on the number of years until retirement. “The Realities of Getting Ready for a Secure Retirement” looks at survey results among four categories based on different career and life stages from those within five years of retirement -- In the Home Stretch -- to those facing more than 20 years in the workplace -- Building the Nest Egg.

“For those farthest from retirement, not surprisingly, retirement planning is off the radar,” says Gemus. “However, the near disappearance of traditional pension plans, coupled with the fact that only about 30% of employers offer insurance benefits to their retirees, mean this group has a larger stake in preparing for their own retirement security.”

Among workers closest to retirement the biggest concern is for their future financial and physical health, with 90% citing it “highly important” that their retirement savings will last as long as needed, and 91% that they have adequate health insurance once they enter retirement.

“The good news is that it’s never too late for pre-retirees to find a trusted source of financial advice and take action within employer-offered retirement plans that will help secure their retirement savings,” concludes Gemus.