> Hardly - in fact, there's already been significant downward pressure on these, because the debt level is already at the tipping point.

Yeah, by my calculations, my SO is currently taking home around $-1 per hour in residency. Some reasons: ~50k/year, expensive area, ~400k in loans, 8% interest rate.

I took a slightly more comfy route, career-wise (Ph.D.). Her bank account will likely surpass mine when she's ready to retire (around 55-60).