3.4% Income Growth from 2016 Required for Individuals to Keep Up in U.S. Economy
Monday March 12, 2018

Based upon the second estimate of full year 2017 GDP by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, StayingEven.com’s initial estimate of the 2017 Staying Even Index (SEI) is 3.4%, a slight tick-down from the prior estimate of 3.5%.

This reading is significantly higher than the reported 2.1% increase in the average consumer price index (CPI) for 2017, demonstrating that wages that increase with inflation/COLA are not sufficient to keep up in the growing U.S. economy. The 3.4% increase in the Staying Even Index (SEI) is based upon reported 2017 nominal GDP growth of 4.1% and population growth of 0.6%. 

These projections suggest that individuals whose 2017 total income from all sources grew by more than 3.4% from 2016 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 2016 was 2.0%. 

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.