The Financial Condition of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds

The Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports were released on August 5, 2010. The reports— which were delayed by over three months in order to incorporate the impacts of the new health care reform law— provide both the short-and long-term financial outlooks for the trust funds. The two largest entitlement programs face growing financial challenges which will directly impact the overall federal budget. Demographic changes and rising health care costs pose a threat to the sustainability of these programs. Reforms will be necessary to address the increasing demand. To read a statement by Peter G. Peterson Foundation President and CEO, David Walker, click here.

PGPF provides a brief discussion of the updated financial outlooks of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds as well as their budget implications. For general information on trust funds click here.