U.S. Labor Department to Release Key CPI Data Amid Government Shutdown

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has announced that it will release the September 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on October 24, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. This decision comes amid an ongoing federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025. The CPI data is crucial for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to calculate the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2026.

The BLS stated that no other releases will be rescheduled or produced until the resumption of regular government services. However, the release of the September CPI is prioritized to allow the SSA to meet statutory deadlines necessary to ensure the accurate and timely payment of benefits.

The federal government shutdown has led to the suspension of funding for key agencies, including the BLS. Despite this, the BLS has recalled some furloughed staff to ensure the release of its key inflation report. This action underscores the critical role of the CPI data in determining the annual Social Security COLA.

The COLA is determined by comparing the average CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the third quarter of the current year to the same quarter of the previous year. The September CPI data is the final piece needed for this calculation. Without this data, the SSA would be unable to announce the COLA for 2026, potentially delaying benefit adjustments for millions of retirees and beneficiaries.

The government shutdown has also halted the release of other key economic reports, such as the monthly jobs data. The decision to proceed with the CPI release highlights the data's importance in both social and economic contexts.

Government shutdowns have previously impacted the release of economic data. However, the prioritization of the CPI release during the current shutdown highlights the unique importance of this data in determining Social Security benefits. This situation underscores the delicate balance between governmental operations and the timely dissemination of critical economic information.

The BLS's decision to reschedule the September CPI release amid a government shutdown underscores the critical role of this data in determining Social Security benefits. By ensuring the timely release of the CPI, the BLS aims to prevent potential disruptions in benefit adjustments for millions of Americans. This situation highlights the broader implications of government shutdowns on the dissemination of essential economic information and the lives of citizens who depend on it.