Incomes in Japan in Decline

"The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said in a report that 61.5 percent of households indicated they were struggling to earn a living, a record high, Kyodo News reported Friday."

U.S. Bankruptcies on Pace to Fall to Pre-2008 Level

"The number of U.S. businesses and consumers filing for bankruptcy fell 14 percent in the first half of 2012 and could end the year at the lowest level since before the 2008 financial crisis, according to data released on Thursday."

Economists See 7.5 Percent Unemployment By End of 2013

"The National Association for Business Economics said the country's 'subpar' recovery will continue over the next year and a half. Employment, housing and spending metrics will continue to improve, albeit at a sluggish pace, the group forecasted, with unemployment only ticking down to 8 percent by the end of this year, before falling to 7.5 percent at the end of 2013."

How Public-College Presidents’ Pay Compares With Professors’ Salaries

"In 2011, most public-college presidents earned between two and four times the median salary of their full professors. Some made much more."

Boomers Retiring Sooner Than They Expected

"Fifty-nine percent of U.S. baby boomers born after 1946 are choosing to retire despite a popular belief baby boomers will work well past age 65, a survey found."

Class of 2012: More Jobs, Bigger Paychecks

"This year's college graduates are being offered more jobs and fatter paychecks. Members of the Class of 2012 are being offered median starting salaries of $42,569 -- up 4.5% from last year, a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows."

Financial Anxiety Index Declines, Boosting Obama's Odds

"A gauge of consumers' financial insecurity that correlates with the outcome of presidential reelection races declined in March for the third straight month, signaling better odds for Barack Obama in November."

Internet Accounts for 4.7% of U.S. Economy

"The Internet accounted for $684 billion, or 4.7% of all U.S. economic activity in 2010, Boston Consulting Group found. By way of comparison, the federal government, contributed $625 billion, or 4.3%, to the nation's output."

Tax Breaks Exceed $1 Trillion, Report Says

"A congressional report detailing the value of major tax breaks shows they amount to more than $1 trillion a year—roughly the size of the annual federal budget deficit—and benefit wide swaths of the population."

Gen X and Gen Y and Retirement Planning Mistakes

". . . according to T. Rowe's data, only 45% of people between 21 and 34 (Gen Y) and people between 35 and 50 (Gen X) will be making IRA contributions for fiscal 2011."

Countries That Spend the Most on Health Care

"Of 34 OECD member countries, only three that spent the most per person have citizens that live the longest. The United States spends more than any other country but only has the eighth-lowest life expectancy in the OECD."

After Grad Job Slump, Big Hiring is Back at U.S. Colleges

"A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found 2012 hiring is expected to climb 10.2 percent, above a previous estimate of 9.5 percent."

U.S. Growth Expected to Slow

"While the GDP grew at a healthy 3% at the end of 2011, most economists see slower growth at the start of 2012 and over the next two years."

Damage to World's Oceans 'to Reach $2 Trillion a Year'

"The cost of damage to the world's oceans from climate change could reach $2 trillion a year by 2100 if measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions are not stepped up, a study by marine experts said on Wednesday."

Medical Debt Burdens 20 Percent in U.S.

"One-in-5 U.S. adults say they are burdened by medical debt and half of them are unable to pay the debt at all, federal health officials said."

Hiring Index Shows Broad Optimism

"U.S. employers are showing signs of widespread optimism about hiring across the country and in all work sectors, employment firm Manpower said Tuesday."

60% of Workers Have Less Than $25,000 Saved

"Only 14% of workers feel 'very confident' they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, while 38% of workers say they are 'somewhat confident' and 23% say they are 'not at all confident,' according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute."

Wind Power Not Cost Effective, Study Says

"British investment in wind turbines is not cost effective for the amount of greenhouse gas emission reductions they would provide, a study indicated."

Survey Finds Uptick in Economic Optimism

"The U.S. economy is improving faster than economists had expected. They now foresee slightly stronger growth and hiring than they did two months earlier."

Wealthy Americans Became Significantly Wealthier in 2011

"Taxpayers earning more than $250,000 saw their total adjusted gross incomes rise by 13.8%, while those bringing home between $200K and $250K enjoyed a 6.7% increase, according to a CNNMoney analysis. Middle-class Americans? Not so fortunate. Those making between $50K and $100K saw their incomes creep up only 1.5%."