Question

8. Problems and Applications Q8 Social Security benefits are increased each year in proportion to the increase in the CPI, even though most economists believe that the CPI overstates actual inflation. True or False: If the elderly consume the same market basket as other people, then Social Security would provide a decrease in their standard of living. True False Healthcare costs have risen faster than overall inflation. True or False: If the elderly consume a market basket that includes more healthcare than other people, they may be worse off even if Social Security benefits are adjusted for inflation. True False g

Answer 1

Answer:

1. False
2. True

Explanation:

1. Social security benefits are increased each year in proportion to an increase in CPI which measures inflation. This CPI is based on a market basket that most people use. If the social security benefits that the elderly get rises as the price of the basket rises then Social Security would not provide a decrease in their standard of living but would rather leave it unchanged so this answer is FALSE.

2. If Healthcare is said to be rising faster than inflation and elderly people consume more health care then that means that Social security benefits which are based on a inflation are not capturing the rise in living expenses for the elderly appropriately. This means that old people might be worse off. This is therefore TRUE.