Big Bucks

In 2012, the top 10% (those with incomes above $114,000) collected 50.4% of all pre-tax income, the highest on record and up from 33% in 1977. Most of the gain was because the top 1%, those with incomes above $394,000, saw their income share rise from 8.5% in 1977 to 22.5% today. The share of those with incomes between $161,000 and $394,000 (5%ers through 2%ers) rose from 13% to 16%.