I hear this complaint often, and when we scrutinize the numbers, it's always, always exaggerated.

I'm in a dual income high earner family, and my rate is lower than that (35%). I live in a high income tax state. I included medical + dental + vision, but NOT life/accident insurance, flex accounts etc.

Are you sure you're not counting SPP contributions? And are you deducting the tax refund you get every year (which eventually takes into account all the deductions, etc you get)?

My net pay is only 41% (i.e. 59% is taken out) - but that's due to 401K, ESPP and other voluntary insurances I pay for.