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Alternate inflation index could save billions
To avoid the fiscal cliff, some want to change the Consumer Price Index to reflect lower real inflation.
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Fiscal cliff talks have brought into the mainstream a phrase previously little-known outside economic policy circles: Chained Consumer Price Index. The concept is as complicated -- evidenced by a jargon-splattered FAQ on the Labor Department’s website -- as its impact could be massive. The government uses CPI to calculate everything from Social Security checks to tax brackets, which means switching to Chained CPI could slow growth in benefit payments and shift more people into higher tax brackets.
The CPI measures the price of various goods over time. But it doesn’t really account for how humans behave when prices go up. Sometimes they buy less of items that become more expensive. For example, rising beef prices will affect the CPI. But consumers may just buy more pork instead.
Chained CPI accounts for this shift in consumer behavior, what economists call the substitution effect. The simple act of switching the way we measure inflation could save hundreds of billions of dollars. That’s because chained CPI is lower than the benchmark CPI. If life really isn’t as expensive as we thought, the government doesn’t have to pay as much in benefits.
Benefits will still continue to increase over time, just more slowly. One place where a switch to Chained CPI will have major impact is Social Security, which is why powerful seniors interest group AARP has a flotilla of lobbyists fighting this idea.
“That money would come straight out of the pockets of individuals who are already retired,” says Cristina Martin Firvida, AARP’s director of financial security.
AARP argues Chained CPI is unfair to older Americans because their high medical costs aren’t factored in. The group favors calculating benefits based on yet another obscure Consumer Price Index variant: CPI-E. It’s an experimental measure of inflation based on the living expenses of Americans 62 and older. Using this as a Social Security benchmark would require even more generous Social Security payments than now.
Politicians know that older people vote. Even though a switch to Chained CPI could do wonders for America’s budget, like so many fiscal cliff issues, the politics is a lot trickier than the math.
(Music: Erasure: "Chains of Love")
Mark Garrison: Erasure got nearly four minutes to sing about chains of love, but I only get 90 seconds to explain chained CPI. But it’s doable.
The CPI measures the price of various goods over time. But it doesn’t really account for how humans behave when prices go up. Sometimes they buy less of stuff that gets more expensive. For example, the CPI tracks beef and pork prices. I talked to Cathy Griffin at Tops BBQ in Memphis, which sells both. She loves brisket, but if the price got too high:
Cathy Griffin: I would probably buy the pork because it was less expensive.
Chained CPI accounts for this, what economists call the substitution effect. The simple act of switching the way we measure inflation could save hundreds of billions of dollars. That’s because chained CPI is lower than the benchmark CPI. If life really isn’t as expensive as we thought, the government doesn’t have to pay as much in benefits. But one powerful lobby thinks this is a raw deal. Cristina Martin Firvida is with the AARP.
Cristina Martin Firvida: That money would come straight out of the pockets of individuals who are already retired.
The seniors interest group has a flotilla of lobbyists fighting this idea, arguing chained CPI is unfair to older Americans because their high medical costs aren’t factored in. You don’t need to kidnap Nate Silver to know that older people vote. So even if chained CPI saves big money on paper, the politics is a lot trickier. In New York, I'm Mark Garrison, for Marketplace.
Since the debt and deficit are all involving corporate fraud and the loss of corporate tax revenue, I'm not seeing the need to touch the COLA as it affects people, not corporations. The COLA does need to be changed regarding the parameters included in the cost of living.....we all know health care is now the driver of cost and as health care inflation is astronomical with all of the health care fraud, one would think that the COLA would mirror that with a strong increase.
As we know the COLA has always been used to lower the monthly payments of all instruments tied to them, including entitlements, Social Security, or military payments. This has lowered people's standard of life over decades.....not in the public interest. So why is this not the focus of the COLA discussion on public media?
This is not a politics matter and it is not needed to be considered for budget fixing as it is not the problem with the budget. Politicians will protect it or they will be replaced by pols who work for people.
"Benefits will still continue to increase over time..."
Why? How about those who have to pay for it. Did you consider that the taxpayers might not be getting a corresponding increase in wages with which to pay for the COLA? No one has "earned" a lifetime COLA.
How about a measure of inflation that isn't the government lying to us?
Even the current CPI system understates inflation.
Consider this scenario: Jan 1, 2010 you buy a new shirt for $50. Dec 21, 2011 the shirt is worn out, so you are delighted to see that Discount Brands will sell you a new one made in a Bengladeshi sweatshop for $40. Dec 31, 2012, you find that the new shirt, purchased one year previously is worn out and must be replaced.
What is the rate of inflation in the price of shirts? If you got +60% per year, go to the head of the class; if not go to the back.
I won't bother explaining it. If you don't get it you'll probably buy the government's claim of -20% and deserve to be ripped off.
