I do believe you are missing a link good sir.
I have actually begun my research on the matter, am I accurate on the fact that after the hard fork, the rate of inflation has since been adjusted to about 9.5% per annum decreasing at 0.5% each year?
The references I found for this :
STEEM Hardfork Version 0.16.0 Informative Post
What is the inflation rate of STEEM?
I am currently reading the post hardfork Steemit Whitepaper.
It’s an age thing! Ha!
https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitblog/final-review-of-steem-economic-changes
This should be a good place to start. Stay well.
Much thanks! I have found the same article and read the entirety of it!
I have drawn my own conclusion on the matter to your initial question and will reply there as to not get drowned out and invisible to others!