Well, we got better raises during the first couple of inflation years. Unfortunately, those better raises were nowhere near the increase in prices of items like food and energy (thanks, Joe).
And, of course the government has a knack for understating inflation by including odd items in their "basket of goods" used to show price changes at the consumer level. I don't know about y'all but I have never been up to eating a hard drive or a stick of memory.
I don't know what all they include in that calculation these days, but food, clothing, energy, and shelter play a much smaller role than they should.
My last raise, effect October 1, was quite lame, but I think it's because they knew I was leaving. At our place, the manager is given a set amount that he can divvy up among the employees. And the younger guys got a better piece of the pie this time around. But, last laugh laughs best - somehow, in a benevolent glitch of fate, I somehow became eligible for the VRIF severance pay despite leaving before it was to become officially effective. I did not ask why - I stayed the required 5 extra days and will be enjoying a reasonably decent lump sum in a few weeks.
I did have to buy my own retirement watch though. They don't hand those things out any more.
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