Isn't about time they change the CPI formula for Military Retirees, Social Security recipients, and VA Pension/Compenstion recipients?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 21:13:47 -0500

They should change it to CPI-E (Consumer Price Index for the Elderly). That figures less factor on gasoline usage since retirees don't commute as much and many don't drive at all.

I still don't understand the smoke and mirrors the government uses to calculate CPI. Health care costs, housing costs (rents and price to buy), and food costs (grocery stores and restaurants) seem to to account for a lot more expense than gasoline costs. Gasoline costs are also a very volatile measure. This is totally unfair to us retired folks!

http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com/2015/10/15/2016-cost-of-living-adjustment-likely-zero/

No Cost of Living Adjustment for 2016

The 2016 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for federal benefits will be zero for 2016.  This is because the index used to determine  military retirement, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disabili...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 3 at 2015 2:28 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 02:28:05 -0500

I'm with you Sir. Prices are going up across the board (except maybe gas, which has been slowly dropping) yet I don't see a COLA increase in my Navy pension or VA disability compensation? WTF?

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 3 at 2015 10:13 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 10:13:56 -0500

If they just did the CPI the same way each year we would have a useful (reality based) tool. Instead they jigger the data each year to come up with a number they want.