Social Security Addressing Aged Records
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 5, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today shared its significant progress in identifying and correcting beneficiary records of people 100 years old or older. The data reported in the media represent people who do not have a date of death associated with their record. While these people may not be receiving benefits, it is important for the agency to maintain accurate and complete records.
“I thank President Trump for highlighting these inconsistencies during his speech last night to a joint session of Congress,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We are steadfast in our commitment to root out fraud, waste, and abuse in our programs, and actively correcting the inconsistencies with missing dates of death.”
The agency follows long established program integrity initiatives that identify people who have a higher likelihood of being deceased due to their age or incomplete death reports. For example, SSA receives data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of individuals who have not used Medicare Part A or Part B for three or more years. SSA uses the data as an indicator to select and prioritize cases of individuals age 90 or older, who are currently in pay status and living in the United States, to determine continued eligibility for Social Security benefits. The agency attempts to conduct an interview with these individuals to verify they are still alive. If the agency identifies someone is deceased, it immediately stops payment and reports any suspicions of fraud to SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.
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Greg B.
More examples of record review and potential fraud or waste detection and investigation would be helpful for addressing concerns including miss leading or amplified concerns , especially ill intentioned concerns seen since late January
Karen D.
This verification process and canceling and / or deleting non existing people on the SSA and those over 100 years old is extremely important. I trust a system is developed to ensure a system is put into place so this doesn’t happen again. Accountability should be a top priority for SSA. Only qualifing USA individuals should be receiving SSA benefits. Thank you for your service.
Lori
Question…..why is SS so secretive about how a person’s benefit is determined? They absolutely will NOT show the “math”. And, when a beneficiary is given (mis)information, why will SS not back this up in writing? If they’re so sure they’re right, what’s to hide? Obviously, there’s a backstory to this…..
Kathy W.
It was stated by the President that millions of individuals over 100 years and up to 200 years old are receiving SS payments.
Please , is this the truth??
Justina
No.
Ryan M.
Aye, though I’ve oft had criticisms – founded or unfounded – I’ve felt that high standards are quite robust during exploratory research in agencies, departments, and other entities even when/where I expect to find problems, I instead see a pretty darn decent system; technical skill, applied library & information science, and access to wonderful information, knowledge, and data (which I am aware is under-utilized, and more people I’d suggest check out).
Always feel empowered to do the ethical, egalitarian, and intelligent path ~ we as a whole of people have your back should you do so. It’s important we keep awareness up on the hierarchy dynamics, and improve the system akin to true engineers, craftspeople, and – to re-iterate – egalitarian-focused minds.
Charles E.
Absolutely False to say : Death People Collect S.S.
Keith W.
It’s highly disturbing to know that Musk and his “kids” are running roughshod through our government records. This is absolutely unacceptable AND unbelievable – we’re now a 3rd world country – at least it most certainly feels like it…
Jessica
What is disturbing is that it took Musk and his “kids” to put in the work to clean up the SS system and that the “System” has not performed its own audit YEARS before this. Why is the U.S. willing just GIVING away $$ to fraudsters and letting it continue?! Are you more worried about President Trump and Musk being right than about what this is doing to the U.S.?! The U.S. has massive debt; why isn’t it ok for the U.S. to protect its own interests of its citizens? Yet you complain about Musk and not the unwillingness of others and those that have been part of the System that have been remiss in their duty to make sure that those collecting SS are not fraudulent. Shameful.
Justina
Who vetted the doge boys? What are they doing with all the sensitive information they are collecting? Why are they making claims of cutting fraud, only to backtrack on their website when their lies are exposed? Why are so many of the employees they fired called back to work due to critical need? Where is the oversight of doge? They are getting paid by tax dollars, so we deserve to know what is going on.
Dudek himself refuted claims of ssa fraud just a few weeks ago, only to be caught between his own statement and the claim raised by the president. AP said that the ssa oig report from July 2024 indicated less than 1% in erroneous payments, and most of that was overpayment to living people. The oig is in place to fight fraud.
Today Dudek said that doge is likely to make mistakes because they are unfamiliar with ssa programs. This needs to be closely watched by all of us.
Spencer B.
benotsch100@gmail.com
Richard P.
You did not say how you’re going to check on those people that have not used that Medicare Part A or Part B for three or more years. II am 82 and only use Part A one time since I turn 65, that was in 2014 and my wife has never used part A or B. I have health insurance that is better them Medicare No referrals required go straight to the doctor that specializes in my illness. Co pay in just 25 % up to $3,000 after that they pay full. So we show no record of usage.
Muriel S.
Thank you for your prompt clarification. I believe it is irresponsible for government officials to mis-state problems & “infer” wrong doing, fraud, & abuse when they do not exist.
This appears to me to be correctable with improvements to the Social Security Administration’s information management system.