Headlines have been swirling in recent weeks about an upcoming U.S. recession, leaving many people in a panic. The Great Recession of 2008 had a major impact on income due to slower economic growth; caused a drop in home values and stock values, which really hurt people who were depending on these investments for their retirement; and led to major job loss, with 5.5 million Americans losing their jobs, according to research from The Pew Charitable Trusts.