Personal Income

Personal income increased $9.0 billion, or less than 0.1 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased $337.2 billion, or 2.1 percent, in January. The increase in personal income primarily reflected an increase in compensation of employees that was partly offset by a decrease in government social benefits. The personal saving rate (that is, personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income) was 6.4 percent in January, compared with 8.2 percent in December.

Personal income increased $70.7 billion, or 0.3 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending decreased $95.2 billion, or 0.6 percent, in December. The increase in personal income primarily reflected an increase in compensation of employees. The personal saving rate (that is, personal saving as a percentage of disposable personal income) was 7.9 percent in December, compared with 7.2 percent in November.