A flawed policy initiative called the Chained Consumer Price Index is gaining steam in Washington budget talks that would short-change those who receive federal benefits such as Social Security and federal annuities by low-balling their annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Chained CPI supporters have tried to minimize the consequences it will have on seniors, retired federal employees, and veterans by calling it a “technical adjustment” or “better measure of inflation.”
When you cut through the rhetoric, the truth is that the chained CPI is only an adjustment in that it means smaller COLAs each year. It hurts every American — particularly our most vulnerable — in a major way that worsens over time.
How would the switch to the chained CPI hurt an American citizen who receives the average $15,000 annual Social Security benefit? Over 25 years, Chained CPI would rob the senior of more than $23,000. Just think of how many coupons that senior would have to clip to make up for the loss of $23,000 over his/her retired years. For many federal annuitants who don’t receive Social Security, the impact is even greater. Over 25 years, the average federal retiree would see a loss of $48,000.
I urge Washington’s lawmakers to reject the chained CPI and provide America’s seniors, retired veterans and public servants, and individuals with disabilities the income protection they have earned and deserve.
Max Fischbach
Lynnwood
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