Recent studies reveal that over 100 million Americans are living on the edge of what’s known as the ‘financial kill line’—a threshold beyond official poverty measures. This term refers to households whose incomes may exceed the federal poverty line but still lack the financial cushion to withstand unexpected expenses, such as medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. Without emergency savings, these families risk falling into debt or even bankruptcy when faced with minor financial shocks. According to Federal Reserve data, nearly 40% of Americans cannot cover a $400 emergency expense without borrowing. This highlights the economic fragility of America’s middle and lower-income populations and underscores systemic issues like income inequality, high healthcare costs, and unaffordable housing. Despite seemingly healthy employment rates, many jobs are low-wage, gig-based, or part-time, offering little stability or benefits. Experts urge strengthening the social safety net, raising the minimum wage, expanding access to affordable housing, and promoting financial literacy to help more people move beyond the ‘kill line’ and achieve genuine economic security.
近期有研究指出，超过1亿美国人正生活在所谓的“斩杀线”（即经济脆弱线）边缘。所谓“斩杀线”，并非指贫困线，而是指那些即使收入略高于官方贫困标准，却仍难以应对突发经济冲击（如医疗账单、汽车维修或失业）的家庭。这类家庭往往缺乏应急储蓄，一旦遭遇意外支出，便可能陷入债务甚至破产。据美联储数据显示，近40%的美国人无法在不借贷的情况下拿出400美元应急。这一现象揭示了美国中产阶级和低收入群体的经济脆弱性，也反映出收入不平等、医疗成本高昂、住房负担沉重等结构性问题。尽管表面就业率良好，但许多工作属于低薪、零工或兼职性质，缺乏稳定性和福利保障。专家呼吁加强社会保障体系、提高最低工资、扩大可负担住房供给，并推动金融素养教育，以帮助更多人摆脱“斩杀线”困境，实现真正的经济安全。
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