9 figures
The numbers that decide what comes out of your pay, what credit costs and how much you are allowed to shelter from tax. Each one names the agency that publishes it, the date it took effect, and the date we last checked it against the source.
Whole set last reviewed August 1, 2026.
1 figure
What credit costs and what safe money earns.
Federal funds target rate
Target range 3.50%–3.75%, held at the July 2026 meeting
In effect since Jul 30, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Federal Reserve
What it means for you: This is the rate that drags everything else along. When it moves, credit cards, car loans and savings yields follow within a month or two.
1 figure
How fast prices are moving.
Inflation (CPI-U)
12 months ending June 2026, not seasonally adjusted
In effect since Jun 30, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Bureau of Labor Statistics
What it means for you: This is the number your raise has to beat. Below it, your pay bought less this year than last year.
1 figure
What it costs to borrow against a home.
30-year fixed mortgage
Weekly national average
In effect since Jul 30, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Freddie Mac
What it means for you: A one-point move here changes the payment on a $400,000 loan by roughly $260 a month, more than most people's negotiated raise.
3 figures
What sets your payroll deductions and your contribution ceilings.
Social Security wage base
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Social Security Administration
What it means for you: Earn above this and the 6.2% Social Security deduction stops for the rest of the year and your take-home jumps. Medicare keeps going.
Standard deduction (single)
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Internal Revenue Service
What it means for you: Income below this is not taxed at all. It comes off before the brackets are applied, whether or not you itemize.
Top federal tax bracket
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Internal Revenue Service
What it means for you: Only the income above the threshold is taxed at this rate, not your whole salary. That is what marginal means.
3 figures
How much you are allowed to shelter from tax this year.
401(k) contribution limit
Your own contributions; employer match sits on top
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Internal Revenue Service
What it means for you: The most you can put in before tax this year. Employer match does not count against it.
What it means for you: Traditional and Roth share one limit: put $7,500 in a Roth and you have nothing left for a traditional IRA this year.
Social Security COLA
In effect since Jan 1, 2026Checked Aug 1, 2026Social Security Administration
What it means for you: How much benefit cheques went up in January. Compare it with the inflation number above to see whether it kept pace.
Rates change. We re-check these on a schedule and stamp each one with the date it was last confirmed, but always verify anything you are about to act on against the agency itself. Every figure above links straight to its source.