Civilian Workers: Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending June
2014. In June 2013, the increase in compensation costs was 1.9 percent. Prior values for this series,
which began in June 1982, ranged from 1.4 percent to 7.5 percent. Wages and salaries increased
1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with 1.7 percent in June 2013. Benefit
costs increased 2.5 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with a 2.2 percent
increase for the 12-month period ending June 2013.  Private Industry Workers: Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.0 percent over the year. In June 2013 the increase was 1.9 percent. Wages and salaries increased 1.9 percent for the current 12-month period ending June 2014, the same as June 2013. The increase in the cost of benefits was 2.4 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, primarily due to increases in the cost of retirement plans. In June 2013, the increase in the cost of benefits was 1.9 percent. Employer costs for health benefits increased 2.7 percent over the year. In June 2013 the increase was 2.6 percent. State and Local Government Workers: Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with 1.8 percent for June 2013. Wages and salaries increased 1.3 percent for the 12-month period ending June 2014, compared with 1.0 percent in June 2013. Benefit costs increased 3.2 percent in June 2014. In June 2013, the increase was 3.3 percent. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS |
31 July 2014
• U.S. Employment Cost Index – June 2014
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims – 26 July 2014
| In the week ending July 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 302,000, an increase of 23,000
from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 5,000 from 284,000 to 279,000.
The 4-week moving average was 297,250, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 15, 2006 when it was 296,000. The previous week's average was revised down by 1,250 from 302,000 to 300,750.  The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 12 were in Puerto Rico (4.3), New Jersey (3.5), Alaska (3.1), Connecticut (3.1), Pennsylvania (2.9), California (2.8), Nevada (2.7), Rhode Island (2.7), Illinois (2.5), Massachusetts (2.5), Michigan (2.3), and New York (2.3). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 19 were in Kansas (+867), Maine (+296), Ohio (+292), and South Carolina (+206), while the largest decreases were in New York (-18,663), Pennsylvania (-7,233), California (- 6,222), Georgia (-4,661), and Indiana (-4,283). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS |
30 July 2014
• U.S. Real GDP – Q2 2014
 In the first quarter, real GDP decreased 2.1 percent (revised). See the complete report at this link: USDOC-BEA |
• U.S. Major Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment – June 2014
 Nonfarm payroll employment was up in 307 metropolitan areas over the year, down in 55, and unchanged in 10. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS |
28 July 2014
• U.S. Social Security Board of Trustees: No Change in Projected Year of Trust Fund Reserve Depletion
 "The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2033, unchanged from last year, with 77 percent of benefits still payable at that time. ”The DI Trust Fund will become depleted in 2016, also unchanged from last year's estimate, with 81 percent of benefits still payable.” See the complete report at this link: Social Security Administration |
25 July 2014
• Employee Benefits In The United States - March 2014
 Access, or availability, also varied by establishment size: 57 percent for workers in small establishments (those with fewer than 100 employees), compared with 84 percent in medium and large establishments (those with 100 employees or more). Retirement benefits followed a similar pattern as medical care benefits. In private industry, 74 percent of full-time workers had access to a retirement plan, significantly higher than 37 percent of part-time workers. Retirement benefits were available to 50 percent of workers in small establishments and 82 percent of workers in medium and large establishments. Paid sick leave benefits were also more commonly offered to full-time workers and those in medium and large establishments in private industry. Plans were offered to 74 percent of full-time workers and 24 percent of part-time workers. Similarly, 52 percent of workers in small establishments and 72 percent in medium and large establishments had access to a paid sick leave benefit. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS |
24 July 2014
• Median Weekly Earnings of U.S. Full-Time Wage And Salary Workers In Q2
 This was essentially unchanged from a year earlier, compared with a gain of 2.1 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. See the complete report at this link: USDOL-BLS |