Wichita Standard

Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas and chair of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, has responded to the 2025 report released by the Social Security Board of Trustees. The report addresses the financial status of the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund.

"It's time to be honest about the health of our Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and not use the program or the trustees' report for political gamesmanship," stated Chairman Estes. He emphasized that while there is a slight acceleration in insolvency according to this year's report, it is not unexpected. "It's something I've been concerned about for years," he added.

Estes highlighted bipartisan agreement on the need to protect and strengthen Social Security but stressed that this should be done responsibly without using it as a political tool. "We can only do so in a responsible manner that safeguards it for current, near and future retirees when we don't use Social Security as a political weapon," he said.

The report, dated June 18, 2025, underscores the strength of the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund, which is projected to remain solvent through at least 2099—one year longer than previously expected. In contrast, it indicates that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund will remain solvent until 2033, slightly earlier than prior projections within that same year.

Chairman Estes has expressed his commitment to enhancing customer service and processes related to Social Security while also focusing on strengthening its overall framework.