Social Security and Medicare Lock-Box Act

This legislation aims to safeguard the surpluses of the Social Security and Medicare Part A Trust Funds. It establishes a Social Security Surplus Protection Account within the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and a Medicare Surplus Protection Account within the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund. Starting after fiscal year 2025, annual surpluses from each program, defined as the excess of program income over expenditures, will be transferred into their respective accounts and held separately. Crucially, funds held in these new accounts will not be available for investment by the Managing Trustee in traditional U.S. obligations. This suspension of investment will remain in effect until federal law is enacted that specifically authorizes alternative investment vehicles for the Trust Funds. To facilitate this, the bill establishes a Social Security and Medicare Part A Investment Commission . This Commission is tasked with studying and recommending effective investment strategies for the Trust Funds, explicitly excluding obligations of the United States. The Commission, composed of members with financial investment expertise, must submit its report with recommendations and legislative proposals by October 1, 2025, and will terminate shortly thereafter.