Strong Economy Extends Medicare Fund Viability to 2036

Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund will be able to pay full benefits until 2036, five years later than projected a year ago, according to a report released Monday by the Treasury Department.

The hospital fund’s long-term financial picture improved thanks to higher income, stemming from both an increased number of workers and higher average wages, as well as from lower expenditures compared to last year’s estimates.

From 2036, barring policy changes from Congress, the fund will only be able to pay 89% of total scheduled benefits, the report said.

Compared to last year, the findings reflect slightly more positive data ...