Inflation is a price increase at a rate greater than expected (unanticipated inflation) or at the expected rate (anticipated inflation). Inflation is an economic phenomenon that influences income recipients in two directions. The first inflation outcome refers to income recipients hurt by inflation as there is a forcible price level increase that does not coincide with their income increase proportionally. The second inflation outcome refers to recipients with flexible income, and they might benefit from the inflation effect.
Groups of Recipients Hurt by Inflation
Fixed-income recipients and savers are badly affected by the inflation effect, as their income or company revenue falls when a price level soars. People whose income systems are based on a fixed payment schedule might see a decrease in their purchasing power. The amount of money these people earn does not correspond to the inflation rate. For this very reason, this category of people might be hurt by inflation. Unanticipated inflation hurts lenders, as their purchasing power goes down in case prices go up. If the price level increases, the borrowed money is less valuable than those obtained from a creditor.
Groups of Recipients are Helped by Inflation
Flexible-income receivers are individuals who obtain their extra income from Social Security, an institute that is not affected by inflation, as all Social Security payments are indexed to the CPI. The nominal income increases when the CPI increases automatically, thus preventing the negative inflation impact. Debtors are also less vulnerable to inflation, as they take this phenomenon to their advantage by increasing the money value of lent money.
The Impact of Cost-push Inflation
As the economic crisis hit several facilities, overall production costs were drastically increased, thus generating cost-push inflation. In this situation, firms produce less output, as prices rise. As a result, the highest unemployment rate and little productive efficiency are seen. Cost-push inflation is a form of unanticipated inflation that is in charge of distribution outputs and incomes, as it generates price increases by restricting supply and reducing real output.
Demand-Pull Inflation and Real Output
The case for Zero Inflation might reduce real output, as businesses and organizations spend a lot of time obtaining the needed information, they long to distribute their wages, interest rates, and gain understanding between two concepts, such as nominal and real prices. Economists are determined that inflation is a pitfall for prosperous company development, even if it comes to mild inflation. As to the case of Mild Inflation, economists are sure that mild inflation is a side-effect of strong spending, as strong spending creates high profits and company incentives to enhance its business.