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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
About the Author
Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
Comments
Leave a Comment
Please review our Comment Policy before leaving a comment. For your safety, please do not post Personally Identifiable Information (such as your Social Security Number, address, phone number, email address, bank account number, or birthdate) on our blog.
Paul E.
Please tell President Trump and Mr Musk to stop using the one sided data base. It makes them look like they don’t know what they are talking about and at the very least is stretching the reality of the situation.
Edward B.
You need employees to check and maintain these records. So lay them all off, King Trump?
Monica
When will the ss administration report on how many of the dead people they were paying?
Pulcheria T.
I thought there was a law which indicated that SSDI would stop taking off payment from people checks that social security payments were paid but was confused by this act that people had to pay back what was paid to them. It not anyone fault that SS did not correct their mistakes but we have to suffer for it.
Karol
I appreciate that you audit who is receiving SS benefits age 100 and older. It is called accountability. I see no problem with the President calling out problems within your agency. The histrionics of the left are unwarranted.
Jack P.
this statement does noting to promote any trust in the system accuracy. Using terms like “may” adds more speculation that no one knows who is being paid. Time for a complete external audit.
Lois L.
I thought the funeral director was suppose to report it to SSA.. When my husband died, they reported it.. I also reported it.. And when my daughters mother-in-law and father-in-law died, the funeral director reported both of theirs.
Justina
Yes, the funeral director does report it. Funeral homes also provide the family with death certificates. I assume the death certificate triggers reports on up the chain.
Cherie N.
Social Security Administration Should Use Red Flags! Any Red Flags On An Account Should Be
Followed Up The Same Year Not 5-10 Years Later!
Kneelynn G.
Thank you for your diligence in clarifying the misinformation about payments. I support your efforts to keep the Social Security system in place for those of us that worked hard (my contribution was 56 years) to receive our SSA benefits. Please keep up the excellent work you are doing. It must be stressful during this time. Sent with appreciation.
StephenLipps
I think the list where all people who receive a SS# is where the 100 plus year old come from. That data base has everyone who has ever been given a SS# and before 1978? They don’t show a death certificate that could lead to confusion about the people who are 100 plus with getting payments. I do take this most seriously because anyone who takes has to take it from someone. I do hope they look at the providers that have overbilled for years without being properly addressed