1. More women than men feel financially trapped or hopeless.

Among those who aren't doing well financially and recognize the fact, 57 percent are women. And even among those who are doing well, only 45 percent of those who feel confident are women; 55 percent are men.

A new Prudential Financial Wellness Census groups respondents into 4 basic types, depending on how they view their financial wellness:

The Confidents, are those who are doing well financially and believe that they are.

The Pessimists are doing well financially but don't think they are.

The Idealists think they're doing just fine, thank you, when they actually aren't; and finally, the Discouraged know all too well that they aren't doing well when it comes to money.

Read on for 10 findings from Prudential's report, some of which are rather surprising. (Photo: Getty)

10. As might be expected, if Americans are suffering financially, they're not saving.

Whether they're hopeful about their financial situation or not, the report finds that "individuals with low financial health are saving very little for retirement—suggesting their financial struggles may last a lifetime."

Confidents and Pessimists are socking away 16 percent of their money for retirement, or investing it in some other way for long-term growth. But Discouraged and Idealist respondents only save 4 percent. In addition, Discouraged and Idealists spend more of their income on necessities: 57 percent and 54 percent, respectively, compared with 35 percent and 37 percent for Confidents and Pessimists. Discouraged and Idealists also spend a bigger share of their income on paying down debt.

9. Some are, if not delusional, definitely unrealistic about a secure retirement.

According to the report, even among those who are struggling, many still hope to enjoy a financially secure retirement. A surprising 68 percent of the Discouraged and 69 percent of Idealists say that having enough savings to last through retirement is an important financial goal.

They also include it in their top three goals, implying that they haven't given up on the possibility. On the other hand, Confidents (81 percent) and Pessimists (84 percent)—the two groups doing best objectively—both put a financially secure retirement at the top of their lists, and more of them do so.

8. There are generational differences when it comes to feeling trapped.

A quarter of boomers feel trapped, while even more GenXers—36 percent—feel the same way. Even more of younger millennials—39 percent—feel trapped. But when it comes to those who fall into the Confidents group, 50 percent are boomers, while just 30 percent are Gen Xers and 20 percent are millennials.

7. Women, minorities and younger generations are more worried about their financial future than men, whites and baby boomers.

Despite those Idealists, people are very definitely concerned about what the future holds for them when it comes to money.

Says the report, "Hispanics are the mostly likely to be worried, with 58 percent of that ethnic group saying they are very worried about their financial future. Other groups with high levels of worry include the disabled (53 percent of all disabled), millennials and caregivers (55 percent of each group)."

6. African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to feel they are on track to meet their financial goals than the general population.

Only about 30–40 percent of African Americans and Hispanics feel they are on track, compared with 40–50 percent of the general population.

5. Asian Americans and LGBT savers are in line with the overall population in attitude.

Unlike other minority groups, Asian Americans, with a median annual income of $85,000—in line with the overall study population—"feel they are about on par with the general population in progressing toward their financial goals—as do members of the LGBT community."

But LGBT households, whose median income is the same as for African American households at $75,000, have feelings about being on track that are on par with the general population.

4. Household income doesn't account for all the variations in attitude or status.

Household income accounts for some disparities among groups in the study, but not all. The report points out that while the median household for all study respondents is $85,000, the median for African Americans is $75,000 and for Hispanics, $60,000.

That suggests that "those two groups may indeed face more financial challenges," although others in the same income range have a different outlook about being on track, such as LGBT households, with incomes on a par with African American households.

3. Women are more concerned with keeping finances current and sound.

Women put more importance on keeping up with current expenses, having enough savings to last through their retirement years and making sure they can pay future health care costs. One exception, however, is home sweet home: Women and men place about equal importance on being able to stay in their current home when they retire.

2. Women uniformly see themselves as being less on track to meet their financial goals than men.

Only 37 percent of women see themselves as prepared to maintain a standard of living for their family if something happens to them. On the other hand, 55 percent of men believe themselves to be prepared.

In addition, just 25 percent of women think they'll be able to help their children with a down payment for a home, compared with 45 percent of men; 36 percent think they'll have enough savings to get through retirement, compared with 51 percent of men; and 40 percent of women think they'll be able to choose how they spend their retirement, compared with 54 percent of men.

1. More women than men feel financially trapped or hopeless.

Among those who aren't doing well financially and recognize the fact, 57 percent are women. And even among those who are doing well, only 45 percent of those who feel confident are women; 55 percent are men.