Study: Middle-class poorer, earn less

For the first time since at least World War II, middle-class families finished the first decade of the 21st century poorer and with lower incomes than they had 10 years earlier. And 85% of those surveyed say that in the 2000s, it was harder than before to maintain a middle-class lifestyle, according to a study out Wednesday by the Pew Research Center for Social and Demographic Trends.

Median household income dropped nearly $3,500 for a three-person household, to $69,487 a year, the Pew study said. The median household's net worth dropped 28% to $93,150. Incomes have dropped since 2000, while wealth rose modestly early in the decade before gains were wiped out by the recession that began in 2007 recession and the financial crisis sparked in 2008, said Paul Taylor, a Pew executive vice president.

"That the middle class always enjoys a rising standard of living is part of America's sense of itself, and it has always been true - until now," Taylor said in an interview, describing the 2000s as a "lost decade" for the middle class. "It's been 11 years since the peak in household incomes, and that covers the early part of the decade as well." Read more >>