Few millennials are feeling optimistic about their financial future, at least in the near term. Only 24 percent say they expect to be better off in 2017 than they were in 2016, while 41 percent say they expect to worse off.

In contrast, Gen Xers appear nearly evenly divided on whether they'll do better in the upcoming year. Thirty-four percent say they will improve their financial situation, while 31 percent say their situation will get worse.

Baby boomers are similarly divided, with 33 percent expecting to improve and 27 percent anticipating a decline in their financial security. The plurality of respondents do not expect their situation to change or do not know.

The most optimistic group are those over 65. Forty-five percent say their finances will improve, while only 17 percent say they will get worse.

The survey was taken in the days following the presidential election. The pessimism expressed by younger people and the relative optimism voiced by older people appears to correspond with the generational political divide. Hillary Clinton handily won young voters, while Donald Trump performed best with older people.

The stock market, after a short plunge following Trump's election, has steadily risen. Analysts attribute the investor optimism to the anticipation of tax cuts and big infrastructure spending that the incoming president has promised. The optimism could be seriously jeopardized, however, if Trump sparks a trade war with China or Mexico, as some analysts have suggested his rhetoric on trade may do.