Key Social Security And Medicare Reports Delay Leads Top Republican To Press Treasury For Answers

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), sent a Letter to, the Treasury Department, on Friday, inquiring as to why an important Report detailing the Financial Health of Two Popular Programs, Social Security and Medicare, has yet to be Released.

Crapo noted that the Reports, was Scheduled for Delivery by, April 1st each year, and the 2020 Reports was issued 21 days Past that Deadline. The 2021 Reports, is already 126 days Overdue.

Initially, the Letter stated that Congress was informed, the Reports would be Delayed sometime within an Eight-week Timeframe. However, Crapo said he later Inquired as to whether the Delay would Extend beyond that Estimate and has Not yet received Information regarding expected Release Dates.

"Assessing the true nature of the trust funds’ current financial status is time sensitive," Crapo said in the Letter. "Either through reconciliation or regular order, there is every expectation that Congress will consider additional legislation impacting mandatory programs during the remainder of this year. Before Congress debates any further legislation, it is imperative that policymakers have accurate information explaining the status of the two trust funds."

Crapo asked for Details regarding the Reports’ Release and also for an Updated Policy for Delivering Updates when the Reports are expected to Miss Deadline.

The Letter was sent to Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, who Functions as Managing Trustee, of the Boards of Trustees, of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds.

According to last year’s Annual Trustees report, Social Security’s Reserve Funds were expected to be Depleted in 2035, at which time the Program would No Longer be able to Pay out Benefits in Full.

Continuing Tax Income was expected to be Sufficient to cover 79% of Scheduled Benefits.

The Report hadn’t, however, taken into Account a Number of Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since many Businesses, around the Country, have been forced to Close, and Millions of Americans Lost their Jobs, Payroll Tax Revenue Declined. Unemployment Benefits are Not Subject to the Payroll Tax.

Payroll Taxes Fund Social Security and Medicare.

Employers and Employees, each Pay 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare, and an additional 0.9% is Levied on the Hhighest Earners.

The Pending Report is expected to Account for those Elements.










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