US Authorities Postpone Publication of Monthly Inflation Report Due to Shutdown
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics partially resumes work during the government shutdown.
- The inflation report may be released before the Fed meeting at the end of October.
- The data is needed to calculate Social Security benefit adjustments.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is bringing some employees back from unpaid leave to complete the September inflation report, Reuters reported. Despite the shutdown of federal agencies due to the shutdown, the release of the consumer price index remains a priority.
The data was originally scheduled to be released on October 15, 2025, but due to government delays, the exact date has not yet been determined. According to media reports, the publication is likely to take place before the Federal Reserve meeting on October 28-29.
The inflation report for September is of key importance to the government because it is the basis for the annual adjustment of Social Security payments. This data affects benefit levels for retirees, the disabled, and other government recipients.
The return of employees to the BLS indicates the U.S. administration’s desire to minimize the impact of the shutdown on economic statistics, experts say. This direction is critical for monetary policy decisions.
Economists note that even a slight delay in the publication of the data could complicate the Fed’s work. The agency traditionally considers fresh inflation figures when determining the trajectory of interest rates.
It’s not yet clear whether the BLS will fully conduct the publication of other regular reports, including employment and wage data. However, the authorities are keen to ensure that at least key indicators are released to prevent disruptions to financial markets and the social benefits’ system, experts emphasized.
The previous inflation report was released by the authorities on September 11. Then the consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.9% in annualized terms. Compared to July, inflation rose by 0.2%. Then the index remained at 2.7%, as in June. Thus, the August value of CPI became the highest since January 2025.
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