Trends in earnings inequality and earnings instability among U.S. couples: How important is assortative matching?

•We examine changes in inequality and instability of earnings of married couples over the 1980–2009 period using Social Security earnings data matched to Survey of Income and Program Participation panels.•Wives’ earnings had an equalizing impact on the level and increase in couples’ earnings inequality and instability.•Marital sorting and coordination of labor supply decisions at the family level played a minor role.