The time value of money, or value of money over time is given by the following equation:

Future Value, FV = Present value/(1+r)^t

where, r is rate of inflation (as fraction) and t is time interval (in years, if rate of inflation is in years).

Here, present value = nominal salary = $55,000, rate of inflation, r  = 5% or 0.05

For time =  1 year, FV = 55,000 / ( 1 + 0.05)^1 = $52,380.95

For time = 2 years, FV = 55,000 / ( 1 + 0.05)^2 = $49,886.62

For time = 3 years, FV = 55,000 / ( 1 + 0.05)^3 = $47,511.07

Thus, the real value of a nominal salary of $55,000 falls down to $52,380.95 after one year, to $49,886.62 after 2 years and to $47,511.07 after three years. That is the reason people need increments every year to maintain their salaries at the original level.

Hope this helps.