【正确答案】Inflation is a problem for all consumers. People who live on a fixed income are hurt the worst. Retired people, for instance, cannot count on an increase in income as prices rise. Elderly people who do not work face serious problems in stretching their incomes to meet their needs in time of inflation. Retirement income and any fixed income usually does not rise as fast as prices. Many retired people must cut their spending to keep up with rising prices. In many cases they must stop buying some necessary items, such as food and clothing. Even for working people whose incomes are going up, inflation can be a problem. Because the cost of living is going up, People who work must have even more money to keep up their standard of living. Just buying the things they need costs more. When incomes do not keep level with rising prices, the standard of living goes down. People may be earning the same amount of money, but they are not living as well because they are not able to buy as many goods and services.