The CPS is the primary source of information on the labor force characteristics of the U.S. population. It is immensely important, providing information on many of the things that define us as individuals and as a society – our work, our earnings, and our education. In addition to being the primary source of monthly labor force statistics, the CPS is used to collect data for a variety of other studies that keep the nation informed of the economic and social well-being of its people. This is done by adding a set of supplemental questions to the monthly basic CPS questions. Supplemental inquiries vary month to month and cover a wide variety of topics such as child support, volunteerism, health insurance coverage, and school enrollment. Broadly speaking, CPS data include employment; unemployment; earnings; hours of work; a variety of demographic characteristics including age, sex, race, marital status, and educational attainment; occupation, industry, and class of worker. Supplemental questions are often asked on a variety of topics including school enrollment, income, previous work experience, health, employee benefits, and work schedules