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Americans Earn More Than Their Parents (With A Caveat), Study Says

Most Americans are earning more money than their parents, according to a new study from Pew's Economic Mobility Project. But that doesn't tell the whole picture: It often takes two incomes to surpass the one salary that was enough for the younger generation's parents.

Americans Earn More Than Their Parents (With A Caveat), Study Says

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Too Soon To Blame Payroll Tax For Stagnant Retail Sales?

Wal-Mart is one of several large retailers that say an increase in the payroll tax may hurt U.S. sales in the months ahead. Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Economy

Too Soon To Blame Payroll Tax For Stagnant Retail Sales?

Several big retailers say the return of the full payroll tax is causing consumers to curtail spending, but so far the evidence is mostly anecdotal. Some analysts argue a variety of factors, and not any specific policy, contributed to slower growth in consumer spending in January.

Too Soon To Blame Payroll Tax For Stagnant Retail Sales?

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What's The Sequester? And How Did We Get Here?

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (left) answers questions during a briefing with White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on Friday. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

It's All Politics

What's The Sequester? And How Did We Get Here?

They've been everywhere this week: dire warnings about threats posed by across-the-board federal spending cuts. But what's the real story? Here are the answers to four burning questions about the cuts known as "the sequester."

What's The Sequester? And How Did We Get Here?

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Economy

Could Minimum Wage Increase Boom Or Bust Economy?

President Obama's plan to jump-start the economy starts with increasing the minimum wage and avoiding sequestration. Host Michel Martin talks about those challenges and others, like rising gas prices and expanding waist lines. She's joined by NPR's senior business editor Marilyn Geewax and Wall Street Journal economics reporter Sudeep Reddy.

Could Minimum Wage Increase Boom Or Bust Economy?

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Get A Social Security Check? Treasury Says It's Time To Go Electronic

U.S. Treasury checks are run through a printer. William Thomas Cain/Getty Images hide caption

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William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

Politics

Get A Social Security Check? Treasury Says It's Time To Go Electronic

Every month, the government sends out about 5 million paper checks to Americans who receive federal benefits. As of March 1, however, the Treasury Department is planning to make those checks a thing of the past. It's encouraging holdouts to move to direct deposit or a debit card.

Get A Social Security Check? Treasury Says It's Time To Go Electronic

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National

What Happens When Someone Else Gets Your Tax Refund

If you usually wait until April to file your taxes, you might want to hurry up — before identity thieves beat you to it. Using stolen names and Social Security numbers, these criminals file fake tax returns. This generates big, and fraudulent, refunds, before the real taxpayer gets around to filing.

What Happens When Someone Else Gets Your Tax Refund

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In Kansas, A 'Glide Path' To No Income Taxes. Will It Work?

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, shown delivering the State of the State address last month, is pushing to get rid of the state's income tax, which has some Republicans concerned. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

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Charlie Riedel/AP

Economy

In Kansas, A 'Glide Path' To No Income Taxes. Will It Work?

KCUR 89.3

Gov. Sam Brownback plans to get rid of Kansas' income tax and cut the size of state government. Some lawmakers say it's a great experiment that will show that lower tax rates and streamlined bureaucracy can stimulate growth; others are concerned about overreaching.

In Kansas, A 'Glide Path' To No Income Taxes. Will It Work?

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How The American-US Airways Merger Might Affect You

A US Airways plane rests near two American Airlines jets at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last year. The combined carrier would be named American Airlines. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Business

How The American-US Airways Merger Might Affect You

A combined company worth $11 billion would become the largest U.S. airline. By creating a robust route structure with hundreds of destinations on four continents, the two carriers may be able to attract more frequent fliers, improve service and boost revenues. But what will happen to fares is uncertain.

Obama's Call For Higher Minimum Wage Could Have Ripple Effect

Wendy Brown of Schenectady, N.Y., holds a sign before an Occupy Albany rally pushing for a raise in New York's minimum wage on May 29, 2012. Mike Groll/AP hide caption

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Mike Groll/AP

Economy

Obama's Call For Higher Minimum Wage Could Have Ripple Effect

President Obama is urging Congress to boost the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour. But other workers who make more than the minimum, currently at $7.25 an hour, could see their pay go up too as employers adjust their pay scales.

Can Social Security Make The Leap To E-Banking?

Beginning March 1st, many people who receive social security and other federal benefits will no longer receive paper checks. The Treasury Department says sending payments electronically will save nearly a billion dollars. But some experts say it could affect the "un-banked." Host Michel Martin talks with The Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy.

Can Social Security Make The Leap To E-Banking?

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Skip The Flowers And Jewelry For Your Valentine

Valentine's Day is around the corner. Maybe you're eyeing chocolate, roses or something sparkly for your sweetheart? Mark Di Vincenzo cautions you to think about your timing. The author of Buy Shoes on Wednesday and Tweet at 4:00, says increased demand makes February one of the worst times to buy traditional gifts.

Skip The Flowers And Jewelry For Your Valentine

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Economy

The Squeeze: Higher Costs And Smaller Paychecks

The economy may be on the rebound, but life is getting tougher for some people in the middle class. With rising gas prices, insurance costs, and higher payroll taxes, people are feeling squeezed. Host Michel Martin asks if there's any financial relief in sight.

The Squeeze: Higher Costs And Smaller Paychecks

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With Gasoline Prices Rising, Consumers Are Having A Tough Year

Raul Rivero fills up in Miami. Having less take-home pay at the same time gas prices are rising could dampen consumer spending, economists say. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Economy

With Gasoline Prices Rising, Consumers Are Having A Tough Year

They're getting hit with a double whammy: a spike in gas prices and smaller paychecks because a payroll tax break expired. That combination could dampen consumer spending, economists say.