Sunday March 1, 2020
Based upon the February 27 release of updated GPP estimates, StayingEven’s estimate of the full year Staying Even Index (SEI) is 3.6%.
This reading is significantly the average 1.8% increase in the average consumer price index (CPI) for this period, once again demonstrating that wages that increase with inflation/COLA are not sufficient to keep up in the growing U.S. economy.
The 3.6% increase in the 2019 SEI is based upon reported nominal GDP growth of 4.1% and estimated population growth of 0.5%.
These projections suggest that individuals whose 2019 total income from all sources (after tax wages and other income) grew by more than 3.6% from 2018 expanded their adjusted share of the U.S. economy, and those whose total income grew by less than this fell behind compared to the prior year. SEI growth for calendar year 2018 was 4.9% (revised).
StayingEven.com will publish updates to these figures as GDP and population estimates are revised. We are dedicated to helping individuals understand what income growth is required to keep up in the U.S. Economy.
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To find out whether you have gotten ahead, try our Staying Even Calculator, and to learn more about the Index, visit us at StayingEven.com. You can also follow us @stayingeven on Twitter.