1.   The Treasury later insisted that benefits would rise only in line with inflation.

2.   Cash benefits also rose faster than inflation, growing in line with average incomes.

3.   Unemployment benefits on average rose in line with pre-tax incomes during the sixties.

4.   At the moment, employees are still seeing pension benefits rise slowly along with pay.

5.   A separate report from the Labor Department showed the number of U.S. workers applying for state unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week.

6.   In particular, economists will be watching to see whether the report shows employee benefits rose last quarter.

7.   In particular, non-wage benefits have been rising slowly, moderating the impact of higher wages on overall compensation costs.

8.   Investors are concerned that the report will show salaries and benefits have risen at an inflationary pace, partly because of low unemployment levels.

9.   Social Security benefits would not rise as fast under the House plan, because the plan makes adjustments in calculations for cost-of-living increases.

10.   That is, their food stamp benefits would not rise, even if their income from welfare were reduced.