Lower gas prices means no Social Security increase next year [View all]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2015/10/lower_gas_prices_means_no_social_security_increase_next_year

Lower gas prices means no Social Security increase next year
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — For just the third time in 40 years, millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees can expect no increase in benefits next year, unwelcome news for more than one-fifth of the nation's population.

They can blame low gas prices.

By law, the annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is based on a government measure of inflation, which is being dragged down by lower prices at the pump.

The government is scheduled to announce the COLA — or lack of one — on Thursday, when it releases the Consumer Price Index for September. Inflation has been so low this year that economists say there is little chance the September numbers will produce a benefit increase for next year.