According to the Commerce Department Americans' incomes rose by 0.5 percent in March, the best gain in three months. A report from the Labor Department also revealed that Americans' wages and job benefits rose by just 0.7 percent in the first three months of this year, following an increase of 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2004. This represents the smallest rise for wages and benefits in six years and has eased concerns about inflation.
See "Incomes Rose in March at Fastest Pace in 3 Months", The New York Times, April 28, 2005