That Paycheck Squeeze

Do you feel that you haven’t had a real raise in years? There’s good reason. Here are some numbers drawn from the latest issue of Business Week.

Since 2001, average health insurance premiums for employees covering a family of four are up almost 85%–a $1,500 increase to $3,281.

Wages, in sharp contrast, are up 19% over the same period. Inflation is up 17%.

I expect premiums will go up at least double (and more likely higher than that) the rate of inflation next year. But wages? No way. And any increase will go to pay for health insurance anyway.