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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Annette L.
My tax person Wendy Modrynski in 215 did my taxés then redid my taxes back to 1982 stealíng my taxés paid ín, my 401, 403b, my pension and my everything. Making it look like I made nothing now she’s stealing both my grown sons doing the same thing for her 2 kids to pad their SS. Who investigates this I haven’t gót a stimulus payment and my direct deposit RSDÍ góes to some closed bank routing númber. Paycor then she gives me barely anything to live ón
Patricia V.
Because Pres. Trump has been voted in, we the democracy all have to suffer listening to fake news and these government cuts. It’s just not fair to have to cut SSA benefits to all honest citizens who worked all their lives for this vital pension and lifeline. Do we now have to see people on the streets who cannot pay their rent or mortgages? Suffer lack of other basic needs, such as food and healthcare? Thanks!
Fred K.
What if a 70 year old dies and no date of death is recorded. Do they keep getting checks until they are 100?
Patricia V.
Who is keeping track of the recipient collecting Social Security benefits?? I think that there should be an annual system that recertifies eligible benefits to verify that the recipient is still alive. If no response regardless of age, benefits should be halted until verification. Go online to the account or visit SSA office in person to verify.
For example, to continue food stamps or CalFresh in CA, eligibility must be confirmed every six months to continue benefits. Our Social Security system is so broken with limited staff, placing our USA government in trouble.
Teresa
I have a question about beneficiaries? If I die, what happens to the money that I have paid into the system personally? Is that money refunded to my beneficiaries or does the government just keep it? Additionally, are their US billionaires currently drawing SS?
Rose
Why would anybody think it’s ok for social security to have thousands of active numbers for people well over 110 YO? Of course there’s fraud. Quit drinking the koolaid. How do you explain over 3000 of these oldsters getting over $300 million in Covid relief? Why so upset the records will be cleaned up?
Lee
It seems that the system could come up with a better system of tracking. Relying on Medicare could easily cost thousands before knowing if still alive. Should be able to get an acknowledgment of life more timely than three years. Maybe a monthly requirement via internet that someone acknowledges life to release next payment. When payment is paused and still no response then investigate.
Lee
I agree. Leaving names due to no deceased date is simply lame. I’m one also don’t believe no payment has been sent! I also trust DOGE will find out and who has received. Thank you for your comment Rose.
James
Most of us paid in to our social security since we were about 18 through 21, which means for 20 years we saved that money in the Bank of Social Security of America.
Once we are 62, we should be able take out all that we have invested/saved in one lump sum.
James
***40 years ***
John D.
I am currently 92 years old and have received at least 3 phones call and 1 in person interview confirming my age.
Michael N.
Can’t we all agree that there is waste in our government and somethings need to change? I’m not sure that the “sledgehammer” tactic is the correct route to take, but I am glad something is being done. If a corporation was $37 trillion in the negative, they would be bankrupt and (more than likely) folks would be going to jail. Instead of divisive posts, let’s give change a chance.
ken r.
I agree, all revenues from tariffs, reduction in government work force and eliminated agency benefits should be applied to the national debt. No tax breaks for anyone.
Karen
Well keep believing because anything that pres musk and vp Trump is doing is to benefit his cabinet of millionaires and billionaires. When your SS is no more and you wake up let me know
Emmi
Undeniably, it is incredible that the level of education among the American people has dropped so low that even the country’s president does not understand how the state’s system databases work. Processes change and are updated, but old data is not cleaned to match the new processes. Therefore, if you now look at old data, it appears incorrect in light of current processes. I am still waiting for facts and figures on how much in benefits has been paid to deceased individuals. But we will never see that data because it does not exist and/or the insignificant numbers would not save anyone.
Carolyn P.
Thank you!!! I am also looking for HARD VERIFIED numbers , and like you I don’t think we the people, who fund SS will ever see them. We will just be pushed aside. Here’s hoping we PUSH BACK!!!
Helgard
I was struck by the sentence “that the names MAY not receive benefits….that points to the possibility that those name MAY also receive benefits even though they passed away. I hope SS gets their ducks in a row or they MAY be paying out more money than they should.