Wichita Standard

Today, Rep. Ron Estes has been appointed as the Chair of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee. He will continue his role on the Tax Subcommittee and contribute to trade-related matters within the committee.

Rep. Estes highlighted the urgency surrounding Social Security, stating, "Americans have paid into Social Security during their working years, but the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund is at risk of depletion within eight years if no action is taken, meaning beneficiaries will receive an automatic 21% cut in benefits." He emphasized the need for bipartisan solutions to secure the program's future, adding, "We must be honest about the future of this program and work on bipartisan solutions to ensure that Social Security is stable and available to current, near and future retirees."

As Chair of the subcommittee, Rep. Estes expressed his commitment to addressing potential insolvency issues promptly: "As Chair of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, I’ll work to ensure Congress does not wait until the last minute to address Social Security's impending insolvency." Additionally, he noted a need for increased presence in offices: "We also need frontline Social Security Administration employees back in the office for SSA to be a constituent-focused organization."

The 2024 Social Security Trustees Report predicts that without intervention, the OASI Trust Fund will become insolvent by 2033. If this occurs, beneficiaries could see a 21% reduction in benefits—a figure projected to grow over a 75-year period. Currently, retired workers receive an average monthly benefit of approximately $1,900; insolvency would result in an estimated $400 monthly reduction.

Rep. Ron Estes has represented Kansas's 4th District since his election in a special election in 2017. His district includes south central Kansas and Wichita. Since joining Congress in 2019 as part of his first full term on the Ways and Means Committee, he has been an advocate for tax reform and trade while focusing on preserving Social Security.

Before his Congressional career, Rep. Estes served as Kansas State Treasurer and Sedgwick County Treasurer after working in the private sector.