Less Than Half of Americans Confident They’ll Reach Their Retirement Goals: AICPA

However, this model may be changing for non-retired Americans. The survey finds that anxiety over Social Security and a sharp decrease in company pensions may have led to an increased emphasis on personal savings – leaving the three-legged stool a bit unstable.

For non-retired Americans, the percent who anticipate relying upon Social Security (48%) or a pension plan (17%) as one of their top two primary sources of income differs significantly, with a more likely dependence on cash or savings accounts (39%).

The survey also finds that non-retired Americans are more than three times as likely as those who are retired to say they expect to rely upon a 401(k) (43% vs. 14%) as one of their two primary sources of income during retirement.

"Working throughout your life was once a reliable route to a comfortable, financially secure retirement. Over the years, Americans have been asked to take on more responsibility and become more self-sufficient when it comes to their retirement planning," Anton said in a statement. "We've found that today, even Americans who say they'll reach their financial goals are anticipating a more active 'retirement-lite' that involves working and making financial sacrifices."

According to the survey, non-retired Americans are more likely than those who are currently retired to plan on making at least one financial sacrifice in retirement (92% vs. 72%).

In fact, non-retired Americans are more likely to say they will work full time longer than expected (45% non-retired vs. 11% retired); work a part time job (43% non-retired vs. 17% retired); move to a less expensive city or town (40% non-retired vs. 22% retired); and forgo medical care or treatment (28% non-retired vs. 14% retired).

—Related on ThinkAdvisor:

• Planning for Longer Lives: Fading Capacity
• America at a 'Financial Flashpoint': Northwestern Mutual