Study: U.S. middle class in worse shape than ever

By Joanne Morrison | September 28, 2006

WASHINGTON --The typical double-income family is worse off financially than ever, a study released on Thursday said, warning that few Americans have saved enough to brace for financial setbacks.

Middle-class families are struggling to pay for a home, health insurance, transportation and their children's college with wages that have not kept pace with higher prices, according to the study by a think tank headed by a former top aide to President Bill Clinton.