Data compiled by the government via the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) maintains a separate tally of inflation for people over 62. The rarely heard index, known as the CPI-E, is a variation of the traditionally recognized CPI (Consumer Price Index), but with an emphasis on goods and services mostly used by those over 62 years of age. This past month, the recent release of the CPI-E and the CPI revealed an inflation rate of 7.6% for the CPI-E versus an 8.6% rate for the traditional CPI over the past year.
The CPI-E assigns a larger weight to senior-related expenses such as medical services and housing, and a lesser proportion to education and transportation. The index was first created in 1987 when Congress directed the BLS to assist in identifying inflationary pressures among senior citizens. The index currently represents roughly 25% of all U.S. consumers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics; https://www.bls.gov/cpi/research-series/r-cpi-e
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