The standard of living of Americans improved slightly in 2015 but one in two citizens can not assume incidentals $ 400 and almost a quarter of workers must have at least a second job, according to research by the Federal Reserve (Fed) .
"Despite signs of improvement, 46% (of Americans) say they would have trouble raising $ 400 for emergency expenditures and 22% of workers are juggling two jobs or more," said Lael Brainard, the board of governors of the Fed.
This "report on the economic welfare of families in the United States" is the third annual survey of the central bank, which questioned 5,700 people.
About 69% of Americans say live "comfortably" or "right", compared to 65% in 2014 and 62% in 2013. But 31% of them, ie 76 million people, "it comes with difficulty to month".
Despite this improvement, described as "modest", more and less optimistic about their future income: 23% instead of 29% in 2014, hoping to win more next year.
As in 2014, almost a third have no retirement savings or private pension plan, or any employer who contributes.
This lack of pension plan is particularly strong in blacks (60%) and Hispanic (57%).
The report adds that a large number of families, especially those with fewer resources and are minorities, feel "excluded from economic progress."