Are you worried about retirement? If so, that may be a good thing.

Those concerned they may not have enough money to retire comfortably have plenty of company today. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that 38 percent of Americans are not confident that they will be able to afford retirement.

Why could that level of worry be a good thing? Because savings rates in the U.S. have been deficient for a very long time, an increased level of worry might indicate a heightened awareness of the problem. That awareness could be the first step toward addressing the obstacles that future retirees face.

Certainly, the trends indicated by the survey show there is plenty of cause for concern. Here are some major points:

While it's not enough just to worry about retirement , if it's the first step toward making a plan and improving savings rates, a little anxiety might prove to be constructive. Ultimately, you will likely find that the more action you take to secure your retirement, the less you'll have to worry.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

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The upside of retirement worries