Social Security identifies millions of deceased individuals still on records
- Over 20 million individuals over 100 years old are listed in the Social Security Administration's system.
- SSA has acknowledged discrepancies in death records but claims the costs to update the system exceed the benefits.
- The agency's acting commissioner confirmed that almost none of the listed deceased individuals are actually receiving benefits.
In a concerning development for the Social Security Administration (SSA), data has revealed that over 20 million individuals aged 100 and older remain in the agency's records, raising alarms regarding improper payouts and system inefficiencies. Despite claims from public figures suggesting that deceased individuals are receiving benefits, the SSA's acting commissioner has clarified that those over 115 years have stopped receiving payments. The issue stems from discrepancies in death records, with approximately 18.9 million Social Security numbers not reflecting death information. Previous inspector general audits indicated that the SSA has known about these inconsistencies but deemed the estimated $9 million cost to update the system excessive in relation to potential benefits of such actions. Hence, individuals are logged in the system without updated death statuses, but it doesn't confirm they are receiving Social Security payments. The SSA also reported that out of nearly $8.6 trillion in payments made since 2015, less than 1% were improper, often involving living beneficiaries. This situation has overshadowed the agency's efforts to root out fraud while complicating public perception regarding its efficiency.