Here's an interesting exercise. Take the median income of American men since 1950, adjust it for inflation, and rank it from highest to lowest to determine the year in which men's income peaked and how much it has declined since then.

Among all men aged 15 or older, median income peaked in 2000, at $37,791. Between the peak year and 2012, men's median income fell 10 percent – to $33,904, after adjusting for inflation. A 10 percent decline sounds pretty bad, but if you do this exercise for men of working age (25 to 64), the trends are even worse...

Year in which men's median income peaked
Aged 25 to 34: 1973

Aged 35 to 44: 1973

Aged 45 to 54: 1999

Aged 55 to 64: 2003

Percent change in men's median income, peak year to 2012
Aged 25 to 34: -27%

Aged 35 to 44: -19%

Aged 45 to 54: -17%

Aged 55 to 64: -13%

The median income of men aged 25 to 34 has plunged since 1973, falling from $46,598 to $34,113 after adjusting for inflation – a loss of $12,485. Men aged 35 to 44 have lost $10,345 since their peak. Men aged 45 to 54 have lost $9,762, and men aged 55 to 64 have lost $6,407.

Source: Census Bureau, Historical Income Statistics
New Strategist Press/Cheryl Russell