Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
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WASHINGTON (AP) — For just the third time in 40 years, millions of Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees can expect no increase in benefits next year.

They can blame low gas prices.

By law, the annual cost-of-living adjustment — known as COLA — is based on a government measure of inflation. It's called the Consumer Price Index, and it's being dragged down by lower prices at the pump.

That's unwelcome news for more than one-fifth of the U.S. population.

The government is set to announce the COLA — or lack of one — on Thursday, when it releases the Consumer Price Index for September.

Inflation has been so low this year that economists say there's little hope the September numbers will produce a benefit increase for next year.

(Story by: Stephen Ohlemacher, The Associated Press)

 

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