What does indexation typically involve?

Indexation typically involves linking payments to a specific index, such as a consumer price index or a wage index. This mechanism is designed to ensure that payments made under a contract reflect changes in the economic environment, particularly inflation or changes in cost of living. For example, if inflation rises, the indexation clause can adjust payment amounts accordingly so that the purchasing power of the payments is maintained over time. This protects the parties involved from the risks of price fluctuations and ensures fairness throughout the duration of the contract.

In contrast, setting fixed payments throughout a contract does not account for inflation or changes in costs, which can be disadvantageous over time. Adjusting the contract duration based on performance focuses on the timeline rather than financial adjustments related to economic indices. Negotiating new terms that benefit both parties involves discussions that may or may not involve indexation but is not specific to the ongoing adjustments related to an index.