Bill · H.R. 1221· House(119-HR-1221)
Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act
- Introduced
- 2/11/2025
- Last activity
- 2/11/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Tim Walberg
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act" proposes to amend the Social Security Act to create two new accounts. A Social Security Surplus Protection Account would be established within the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. Additionally, a Medicare Surplus Protection Account would be established within the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. These accounts are designed to hold the respective surpluses for Social Security and Medicare Part A. The bill mandates that the balance in these accounts cannot be invested by the Managing Trustee until new legislation is passed. To facilitate this, the Act establishes a Social Security and Medicare Part A Investment Commission to study and recommend alternative investment vehicles.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
The bill creates specific surplus protection accounts to earmark excess funds in Social Security and Medicare trust funds.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?+2
The bill establishes a specific Medicare Surplus Protection Account to hold surplus funds for the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
Does this strengthen Social Security?+2
The bill establishes a Social Security Surplus Protection Account to specifically hold and protect surplus amounts.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Identification of Alternative Investments: The creation of the Social Security and Medicare Part A Investment Commission aims to find more effective ways to invest the trust funds beyond just United States obligations (Section 4).
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Surplus Management: The bill establishes specific accounts to hold the surplus amounts for both Social Security and Medicare Part A, transferring these amounts as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year after 2025 (Section 2 and Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Investment Restrictions: The bill stipulates that the balance in the new surplus protection accounts shall not be available for investment by the Managing Trustee (Section 2 and Section 3).
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Reliance on Future Legislation: The suspension of investment for these specific funds remains in place until the enactment of new legislation that provides for investment in vehicles other than obligations of the United States (Section 2 and Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Retirees+1Good For Seniors+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicare Funding+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+2
- 2/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Introduced in House