With the never-ending studies that say Americans aren't saving enough for retirement, it can sometimes feel like the nation is comprised of a bunch of short-sighted spendthrifts.
   A new survey, however, paints an entirely different picture of American workers who are trying to save, but are in need of better pay and economic conditions.
   The survey by Allstate found that 84% of people from households with between $35,000 and $55,000 in annual income said they would save more if they got a salary increase. Of those with an income of $150,000 or more, 78% gave the same answer.
   And 60% of all 1,601 surveyed said they need a better economy to save more.
   "It is understandable that many people's first reaction is that they cannot save more unless they make more," says Mathew Greenwald, president of Mathew Greenwald & Associates, which carried out the survey for Allstate.
   In another indication that Americans are trying to save for retirement, 87% of respondents said they are disciplined, 78% said they are "good savers" and 71% said they are educated about investments.
   A large majority, 82%, said they live on a budget.
   Salary increases were cited as the top trigger that would cause them to save more, followed by getting closer to retirement and having children finish college.
   The survey took responses from 1,601 randomly selected people born between 1946 and 1978 and who had household incomes of $35,000 or more.