Which of the following most logically completes the passage?
Concerned about the financial well-being of its elderly citizens, the government of Runagia decided two years ago to increase by 20 percent the government-provided pension paid to all Runagians over 65. Inflation in the intervening period has been negligible, and the increase has been duly received by all eligible Runagians. Nevertheless, many of them are no better off financially than they were before the increase, in large part because __________.
Which of the following most logically completes the passage?
Concerned about the financial well-being of its elderly citizens, the government of Runagia decided two years ago to increase by 20 percent the government-provided pension paid to all Runagians over 65.Inflation in the intervening period has been negligible, and the increase has been duly received by all eligible Runagians.Nevertheless, many of them are no better off financially than they were before the increase, in large part because __________.
A. they rely entirely on the government pension for their income
B. Runagian banks are so inefficient that it can take up to three weeks to cash a pension check
C. they buy goods whose prices tend to rise especially fast in times of inflation
D. the pension was increased when the number of elderly Runagians below the poverty level reached an all-time high
E. in Runagia children typically supplement the income of elderly parents, but only by enough to provide them with a comfortable living
You need to look at the bigger picture of the elderly's financial situation.
(C) is irrelevant. Once you have cash, you can buy anything your want.
(E) on the other hand, paints a different story. If the elderly need both the government pension and their children's money to have a comfortable living while the children ONLY provide enough money (but not over the perceived comfortable level), whatever gains the government pension raise provides would be offset by an equal amound decrease from the money provided by the children. The end result is no change in the overall financial situation for the elderly.