Americans remain leery of economic recovery.

• Position: Your Life - Survey

Financial planners certainly have their work cut out for them some two years after the start of the economic crisis, as Americans are keeping their optimism in check and preparing for a long and slow return to growth, according to a national opinion poll conducted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Washington, D.C.

The survey shows that:

* Some 65% of Americans are more concerned about their finances today than they were at the beginning of the economic crisis 24 months ago.

* Thirty-seven percent of citizens expect to see their personal finances improve in the next six months, versus 46% who anticipate holding on to what they currently have, and 16% who figure to lose money.

* Eighty percent feel Congress and regulators have not...