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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.

All employees

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.1 percent from December to January, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This decrease stemmed from a 0.4 percent increase in average hourly earnings, which was partially offset by a 0.4 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.1 percent in January to 112.3 (2004 = 100), following a revised 0.8 percent increase in December, and a 1.1 percent increase in November.

Half of Baby Boomer clients who have postponed retirement due to the economic downturn expect to work at least four years longer than they originally planned, according to CPA financial planners surveyed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

A new WorldatWork study, Survey on Workplace Flexibility, provides an inside look at employers’ views on flexibility. The study was designed to gauge the impact of flexibility programs on employee attraction, motivation and retention and also examine the manner in which these programs are managed. The study revealed that while a vast majority (98%) of U.S. employers offer at least one workplace flexibility program, most (nearly 60%) use an informal approach, i.e., no written policies or forms, up to manager discretion, etc., and four out of 10 say flexibility is culturally embedded. The study found that a stronger culture of flexibility is correlated with a lower voluntary turnover rate.

With consumers showing spending power beyond the holiday season, January marked the seventh straight month of retail sales gains. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) for January increased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from December and 3.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

A growing crisis in state and local government finance is undermining the economic recovery in Silicon Valley, according to the 2011 Silicon Valley Index released by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

On Monday, President Barack Obama proposed an increase in funding by $1 billion to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as part of a 2012 budget proposal. The increased funding in the $3.73 trillion budget brings the SSA’s funding total to $12.5 billion. This funding boost will assist the number of older Americans who rely on Social Security, a number that has increased dramatically in the past decade—particularly among men—according to recent research from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR).

The Producer Price Index for finished goods rose 0.8 percent in January, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This advance followed increases of 0.9 percent in December and 0.7 percent in November and marks the seventh straight rise in finished goods prices. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods moved up 1.1 percent, and the crude goods index rose 3.3 percent. On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods advanced 3.6 percent for the 12 months ended January 2011.

While Americans think they may be planning for retirement, they may not be preparing for the unexpected events that may interfere with their plans, according to a new study produced by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. Such oversights may cost them, but for many it is not too late to make the necessary changes.