Social Security 2025 COLA Estimate Climbs to 3%

March Inflation Highlights

As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers — a broader measure of inflation than the CPI-W — increased 0.4% in March on a seasonally adjusted basis. This was the same as the monthly increase seen in February. Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.5% before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose in March, as did the index for gasoline. Combined, these two indexes contributed more than half of the monthly increase in the index for all items. The energy index rose 1.1% over the month, while the food index increased only 0.1%. The food-at-home index in March was unchanged, but the food-away-from-home index rose 0.3% over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.4% in March, as it did in the two preceding months. Other indexes that saw increases in March include shelter, motor vehicle insurance, medical care, apparel and personal care. The indexes for used cars and trucks, recreation and new vehicles were among those that decreased over the month.

Credit: David Palmer/ALM