A new report from the trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds underscores that the programs are on the path to fiscal insolvency, but proposals to reform them remain the “third rail” of American politics as the White House emphasizes the positives.

While still dire overall, with Medicare expected to become insolvent in six years and Social Security in 13, the numbers were slightly improved from a year ago, a point underscored in a statement from President Joe Biden.