Statement from Acting Commissioner Dudek
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 26, 2025
The President has appointed Lee Dudek as Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Read his statement reaffirming his Commitment to Agency Transparency and Protecting Benefits and Information.
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Erica K.
Please do not allow my personal security data to be used by Elon to further his fortune. He will sell it to advertisers or use it in his AI companies to make money for himself.
Susan
While I appreciate the acting commissioner’s clarifications and reassurances, they do nothing to alleviate any concerns relative to the agenda of the incoming appointee.
Carl B.
Has the insurance industry been considered a major factor in the perilous fate of health coverage for the aged citizen? If anything, what has been done about it?
Sondra D.
I agree Carl but the #1. Thieves are the drug makers, the medical equipment makers
Ins follows the greedy prices they set. And it is Greed. These industries more than triple the cost of of the manufacturing.
G. R.
Dear Commissioner Dudek,
I am delighted to read your letter of introduction today with your intent to maintain full transparency and strong support for both beneficiaries and public servants employed at the agency. I am especially pleased to note the manner in which DOGE staff and their requests for agency data, will be managed.
Let me state that I am categorically against any DOGE personel–temporarily employed or otherwise–receiving access to my personal Social Security data. I hope that you will work diligently on behalf of all beneficiaries to protect our privacy and to not permit DOGE to arbitrarily terminate Social Security employees, the majority of whom are hard-working, dedicated people.
Thank you for your strong leadership and commitment to protect the interests of all beneficiaries and employeeds during your tenure as Commissioner.
Robert L.
As publicized by Elon Musk, there are over 20 million people in the SSA database who are over 100 years old. That sounds questionable. The fact that there are over 2,700 people in the database who are over 200 years old and one person who is over 360 years old is simply astounding! That implies that the database is in error and that payments may be ongoing to dead people or their relatives. This obviously needs to be resolved and publicly announced quickly.
Brian E.
The reason these people are there is because when someone leaves the birthdate field empty, it defaults to 1875. The people are there, but they’re alive.
V
Keep in mind that absolutely no evidence or proof has been provided for these fantastic claims.
Thom
Where did you recieve your facts. Did you fact check this?
Dennis G.
Commissioners Statement: “I also want to acknowledge recent reporting about the number of people older than age 100 who may be receiving benefits from Social Security. The reported data are people in our records with a Social Security number who do not have a date of death associated with their record. These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits.” The SSA needs a death certificate in order to remove an SSN from the system – those are accounts that have not provided the death certificate. I trust past and present SSA administrators to have NOT needed DOGE to figure out payments to an account where the person is 360 years old probabbly needs looking at.
Diana
It is smoke and mirrors. SSA wasn’t established until 1935 so it’s not possible to have “people” older than 200 years old enrolled. The SSA uses death reports from a number of sources to denote when a person with an SSN has died and adds the information to a “death master file”. This file is given to federal benefits agencies and financial institutions to prevent and spot fraud.
John P.
Nothing is perfect. If there is truth there fix it,and thank you.
Jacqui
It sounds questionable, however, there appears to be some sort of glitch in their software system COBOL, which has a lack of date type in its programming. This means that some entries with missing or incomplete birthdates will default to a reference point of more than 150 years ago. They haven’t replaced that software because of the significant cost to do so. Trump is a liar and just because he says it, doesn’t make it so.
Michael V.
When a legitimate credentialed expert is contracted to do a forensic audit, a comprehensive analysis of processes is performed. Any irregularities are thoroughally analyzed and confirmed with evidence and a report provided. Data should be confirmed by impartial 3rd parties before accusations are made or actions taken (*note fired employee recalls). Musk and his ‘team’ are govt. contractors themselves and could not pass TS Clearance requirements (I held a TS Clearance by the DOD) He shouldn’t be anywhere near confidential data for a myriad of reasons……….for that matter Trump could not pass TS Clearance requirements himself. I agree waste should be identified and eliminated but campaign contributors and govt.contractors like foxes shouldn’t be allowed in the hen house.
Judy K.
I don’t trust DOGE or this administration. Voters were not paying attention. No one voted for Musk to be president. Of course Musk will be blamed for everything that goes wrong & Trump will go unscathed. Wait for the tax cuts for billionaires. It’s going to be interesting for the next few years. Hold on to your hats!
Kat
If they knew the system they would see that no payments have been made to ss # over 110 or older. The congress made a ruling that no ss # can be closed without a death certificate. All those numbers are for people all over the United States and abroad who passed but ss never received a death certificate. They mail forms to those abroad every year and if they fail to return the form, ss payments are halted. In the United States every local ss office has a designated person who checks up on the local people whose ss indicates they are 100 years old to see if they are still alive. Decades ago a new ruling now requires all doctors and funeral homes to notify ss if someone has passed. If a payment was cashed after the individual has passed there is an investigation and restitution must ne made for any amount cashed along with jail time. Just thought you would like to know why all those old ss # are still in the system, but not in the payment system.
Kathy D.
I do NOT trust what any Republican says and especially anything Trump or his toadies say or what anyone who works for him says.
Gothard L.
It has previously reported that, in entering SS data, the age field shows 150 years old or longer when birth date information has not been provided. Such entries do NOT indicate fraud.
Sondra D.
I totally agree. I don’t think most of thier data and accounting records are accurate. Its about time all these areas of waste, fraud, be put on audit. We are behind you President Trump, We are behind you Elon!
Justina
No, WE aren’t behind them. You are, but many of us aren’t.
Ann L.
DOGE is lying!! There are NOT 200 million + people over 65 in the USA! Someone is grossly manipulating the data! The data has been hacked. This misinformation needs to be corrected and removed IMMEDIATELY!! There is NO ONE over 150 years old getting SS, no dead people, and Elon Musk KNOWS this!
Chris S.
Just like unpurged voter registration rolls (which Trump says proves there’s voter fraud), most of these are a non-issue. MAGAs have been trained (or are wired) to believe what they want to believe, and many LIKE to be angry whiners, so they’ll never look for relevant details.
“However, the vast majority of those listed in the database were not still receiving monthly checks, with 18.4 million who had not earned benefits for 50 years and likely deemed dead. Only 44,000 were still earning checks, with just 13 of those listed as age 112 or older.”
Joanne M.
Not sure why there aren’t forensic accountants working for DOGE in order to get an accurate account of what’s going on?
Morrigan
I’m going to need you to really put on your thinking cap…
Created in August of 1935, Social Security is 89 years old. So, let’s do the math:
360 – 89 = 271
Do you REALLY think some 271 year old was up in the SSA office applying for SS in 1935? Because they couldn’t before then – SSA didn’t exist.
200 – 89 = 111 : so BARELY more plausible than 271 years old.
Can we PLEASE get some logic and common sense up in here??
taxpayer
They are all Fascist Republicans dead relatives!!!
02-19-2025…
Rick B.
For crying out loud, ELON is lying through his teeth. Everything that you have written is either a lie that you have bought into or so grossly exaggerated that there is little or no truth remaining. The president does not appoint department heads. Congress does and has always done so as written in our constitution. If you don’t believe me, for God’s sake look it up! It’s right there! Think!
Paul F.
Let’s try a little simple math.
A person who is now 360 years old would have been born in 1665.
A person who is now 200 years old would have been born in 1825.
The Social Security Act was signed into law in 1935. The first payment under the Social Security Act was on January 1937. In January 1937 the person alleged to now be 360 years old would have been 272 years old. In January 1937 the person who is now 200 years old would have been 112 years old. Do you REALLY think any of those people could’ve possibly signed up for Social Security payments without anyone having noticed their age?
Mitch
If Elon did not have “Read Access” we might never have known about this.
Next question is “Were the checks cashed.”
GO DOGE !
Captain A.
I’m thankful that we finally have a team like DOGE . For far too long, Government Fraud , Waste and Abuse has gone unchecked. Under the Biden administration people were receiving Social Security were not even Citizens of the United States and didn’t pay into the system. I worked for over 44 years. That’s putting illegal immigrants before Americans. You have people waiting years for Social Security Disability Benefits, some even committing suicide because they have depleted their savings and are have their house foreclosed on. Sad , very sad
Rand
SSA should be easily saved when all the fraud that has been allowed for years is stopped!
Joseph M.
Yes
Disgusted A.
The biggest fraud and waste problem is Trump giving away TRILLIONS of our Tax Dollars to Billionaires with ZERO requirements for them to use the $$ productively for our economy or the workforce, etc. and his Bogus Tariffs (Extortion) that Tax all of us.
Alvin H.
Trumptard
V
The amount of actual fraud is very small and it generally is a case of a death not having been recorded
Carol P.
I certainly hope so.
Barbara A.
Identify, specifically,in detail, this so called fraud. Don’t generalize and sensationalize. So that you can cut cut cut the benefits people pay for and rely on.
M. V.
What fraud ‘specifically’ are you referring to? When my mother died at age 90. SS Administration withdrew the monthly check amount that had been deposited from her bank account before her body had even left the Coroner’s office. State’s automatically notify SSA of deaths of seniors and those getting disability payments. Govt. has ‘borrowed’ funds from SS for other programs and are supposed to pay it back. I wonder if that has always happened and with ‘interest’? I can personally attest to govt. waste having worked for a govt. contractor. Payment begins as per signed contracts but govt. agencies aren’t always ‘ready’ at the designated start date. Payments are made but work has not started -contractors sit around at agency location waiting for work……..More fraud is likely to occur with outside contractors than with SS benefit recipients. Did tax payers pay for Musk’s exploding rocket or the ‘armored trucks’ that a man throwing a ball at the window can break (as seen on TV report.)
Marie M.
ABSOLUTELY: They have been stealing
from the fund since Johnson was
President and it has never stopped.
Was supposed to be a “loan”. The
discrepancy they have found is just
about what they’ve embezzled. PUT IT
BACK!
Bruce G.
The fraud is a bit over stated.
Many of the so-called dead people collecting SS are primary spouses who have passed and their check (according to the rules) gets passed on to the surviving spouse. Also, if a child is in significant need can also collect that check.
If there is fraud, that has been allowed for years, it should result in those who allowed the fraud to be punished as well. Not just those who may have been playing by rules they were given. Before you destroy someone’s retirement, do your homework. Your boss has no idea what the rules are.
Bruce G.
The solution is very simple.
EVERYONE pays. There should be no salary/time limit on the contribution. Everyone should contribute the entire year regardless of income. Also, there should be no retirement age less than 65 or 70 unless there are sever extenuating circumstances. Then finally, if you have Retirment investments and savings that exceed $5 million to $10 million, you collect “ZERO”. There are millionaires who are collecting a SS check now that do not have the need.
Lenny I.
So, what you are saying is that SS would be easily saved when ALL the fraud is stopped.
That seems to leave you room to say down the road, all the fraud we needed to stop was not accomplished according to our goals, therefore we need adjust SS…..
In short you are not committed to save SS. Just another political smoke screen. AKA- tell us what we want to hear and do what you want. Politics 101
Mark
Yes, I would go further and state “decades.”
Sandy
Fraud is a legal finding, NOT someone saying “fraud” is everywhere.
I expect the AD of the SS administration to follow the letter of the law. Security of data is critical and have, up until this point, to be true.
I respect the SSA and don’t want to see people who are doing critical work for the SSA to be fired just because they are in their probationary period. Stop the STEAL!
John D.
We just hope that you people are not lying to the American people. I can’t see what you are doing but it will come clear as we move forward. Where is the money going that you says that you are saving. Will we see it put in our bank accounts. We don’t trust you people!!!!!
Glenn
List the fraud you are referring to so it can be investigated
Thanks in advance
KLH
What fraud??????????
Are personally fraudulently receiving benefits!!??
Don
You could help by making every social security recipient pick up their check in person once a year!
Justina
Paper checks are more expensive to process, and would take up employee time to handle not only the printing, but distribution to the recipients.
SSA is going to fire 7000 employees and close offices. Less employees to help us, and possibly further distances to get to an office.
The wild claim about a lot of dead people collecting is a lie. It’s been debunked many times.
John N.
“DOGE personnel CANNOT make changes to agency systems, benefit payments, or other information. They only have READ access.”
DOGE should not have READ access. No one is watching their operations. No citizen has access to DOGE to ask questions.
Craig J.
Sounds like you want to keep the system running as it is. Not what I voted for. I realize all the obviously deceased names in the database does not mean that they are getting benefits. My concern is that too many people do receive benefits that are not qualified. It seems obvious that an outside agency, DOGE in this case, is needed. If you tie their hands the system will not change.
PHILLIP N.
Are you sure? Read only?
Diana E.
I agree with you. DOGE should not have any access.
Carol P.
I’m sorry but do you really think that Elon Musk wants or has any use for our info? They need to identify where the waste is so that it can be eliminated. And if they stop using SS funds to pay for god only knows what SS will, hopefully be in good shape going forward.
Jacqui
Thank you for saying exactly what I came to say.
Gary W.
John, read-access is how they’re finding out things like how many people over 100 are still on the books. It doesn’t mean those people are receiving benefits but it’s an audit to help clean up the system. Agencies of our government audits us. Why can’t another agency audit them?
Now, if fraud is found, either by DOGE or SSA, that person or persons need to be investigated.
bill /.
Agreed that DOGE should not have access to personal info, other than death dates…and, the system should…..prosecute anyone going outside the boundaries of the law, not “possibly be prosecuted” as the commissioner states…..too much wiggle room for that.
Kathy D.
They should not have ANY access to Recipient’s info, God only knows what they will do with it. I’m sure the Nazi’s also obtained this sort of national access to people’s info so they knew who to target for elimination.
Sandy
Fraud is a legal finding, NOT someone saying “fraud” is everywhere.
I expect the AD of the SS administration to follow the letter of the law. Security of data is critical and have, up until this point, to be true.
I respect the SSA and don’t want to see people who are doing critical work for the SSA to be fired just because they are in their probationary period. Stop the STEAL!
LeeD.
Oh stop it! Who are you to say who should and shouldn’t have access to uncovering the vast amount of fraud and corruption in the government. Sounds like you’re part of the problem. Like Musk needs your money or can do any harm…let it go…spend your time on more productive ways of contributing to the world
Steve
Hey John, thanks for your service to the SSA. Please tell what it’s like working side by side with DOGE?
Ginny B.
Agreed!! “They” definitely should NOT have access to our tax information and records!!
Toni D.
Exactly!
John t.
Yes you do…ask away. Go to doge.gov
BioC
Stupidest answer of the day without any thought process behind it.
Dayna W.
100%. DOGE and its people are not vetted by proper government procedures and pose a huge risk to Social Security and all American citizens.
Joan D.
It is a violation of
1st amendment
Pam P.
What he said.
Kathleen W.
I find the statement from acting Commissioner Dudek to be very reassuring. I have worked in the SSA system for 30 years and I deal with clients every day, opening and processing claims, and they are very concerned about what is happening. His words were like a “good solid hug” for us all and I am grateful.
Robert D.
As do I. Thank you for your reassuring comment, Kathleen.
Mary S.
I felt the same as you.
Michelle D.
I don’t trust anything coming from this administration…especially with Elon Musk in charge.
Lenora E.
Thank you for your service and your reassuring comments.
Rick B.
It’s a lie. Don’t automatically believe everything vomited from the oval office. We used to look up things we didn’t know. Why don’t you? It’s all right there in our constitution in plain English!
Angela L.
Nice, good to hear
Holly A.
A part of government leadership is open, frank and precise communications. The Acting Commissioner’s Statement includes a reference to the SSA’s “tenants” but I think Dudek meant “tenets.” And where he references “family’s” I believe he means the plural, “families’.”
Claudie
Do not give Doge any of my information. They don’t need my information, I have worked over 50 years and my info should stay private. My lawyer told me that all I needed to do is tell you not to give my information to them and if you do, I have the right to sue. Sincerely a tax payer
Michael D.
I think Holly has pointed out a good reason for why a Federal Education Department is important. Less harum scarum education standards.
Sondra D.
The important thing for this appointed office and all the other ( correction other’s ) is they will NOT be noun’s like the previous administration.
They are VERB’S
Justina
I think you inadvertently made a strong point for the original poster.
Bert P.
Tenets was fixed. Family’s not yet.
John H.
Agree completely.
Richard j.
Can we believe him when so many statements from the Trump adminstration have been lies!!
Teri M.
I’m with you! I believe nothing anyone that he appoints or approves! They are all liars!
Thomas J.
LOL, Biden and Obama lied all the time to our detriment
Thomas J.
LOL, BIden and Obama lied all of the time
Paul K.
Too many people believe the FAKE news
Justina
Hey, Paul. Maybe you would enlighten us as to which news isn’t fake?
Dr. J.
Great point! Thus, I would take a cautionary stance to anything coming from the Trump Administration.
Joyce
I agree with this man’s comments completely! I believe Trump would do anything to screw us over. He does not care about the American people. He only cares about his wealth and his power. And of course, his boyfriend Elon Musk!
Enkog N.
Compared to the previous administration, this one is a bastion of truths. Wake up.
Cheryl N.
Should not have any access to our data period. We have not heard the reason why they need to access our data.
Bruce G.
NO!
Neither Trump or Musk have studied the Constitution enough to have a clue how the systems are developed, funded and maintained.
When Musk makes the statement that the Judiciary should not be able to question or stop the president, tell me he has no clue how the three branches of government provide the very existence of a democracy and not a dictatorship. Of course, being born in South Africa, I can understand him having limited understanding how this government works. Trump should read the constitution on of these days since he pledged to defend it.
Vfrisby
You need to change stations!!
BJ
No
Lynette
I believe nothing coming from this administration. Nothing. It’s all lies. Now I’m even more concerned because of that message. The opposite is more likely to happen!
Rich B.
In answer to your question……..NO!!! Absolutely not! I fear that bowing at the feet of our co-presidents has sucked out all of the brains from MAGA lemmings waiting for Trump’s next lie!
Rick B.
No, it’s a lie too.
Dana D.
I agree why is he messing with Social Security? This is getting scary
Randy A.
Spoken from a true Liberal no doubt. We haven’t been told one single truth EVER with the Biden Administration. All lies and detrimental effects on each and every American and you act like it was all rosey. Ridiculous.
Nancy P.
What lies have you been told? So far I see a man who made promises and is doing a pretty good job of keeping them.