Median annual household income in March was $53,043, down 0.7 percent in real terms from February 2014, according to Sentier Research.

Household income fluctuation bears directly on the country's retirement landscape.  Understanding how current income trends compare to inflation-adjusted past trends helps put in content the extent of the current retirement crisis.

Sentier's research shows two themes, one relative to nearer terms, the other relative to a longer period of comparison. Despite last month's decline from the month before, median household income in March of 2014 was 1.3 percent higher than in March 2013, and 3.0 percent higher than in August 2011 ($51,482), when the low point in household income was hit subsequent to the last recession.

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Nick Thornton

Nick Thornton is a financial writer covering retirement and health care issues for BenefitsPRO and ALM Media. He greatly enjoys learning from the vast minds in the legal, academic, advisory and money management communities when covering the retirement space. He's also written on international marketing trends, financial institution risk management, defense and energy issues, the restaurant industry in New York City, surfing, cigars, rum, travel, and fishing. When not writing, he's pushing into some land or water.