India, Oct. 8 -- As the prolonged government shutdown delays crucial inflation data, millions of Americans who depend on Social Security might be forced to wait longer to learn how much their benefits will increase next year.

The annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is determined by the Social Security Administration using the Consumer Price Index for September. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has suspended data collection during the shutdown.

Usually announced in mid-October, the announcement establishes benefit increases for almost 72 million Americans who are survivors, retirees, or handicapped. According to officials, delays in processing will probably cause the inflation report and the eagerly anticipated COLA update ...