In a recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump alleged that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been disbursing funds to millions of deceased individuals, including one purportedly aged 360 years.
This assertion has been met with strong opposition from House Democrats, who argue that such claims are misleading and undermine the integrity of the Social Security system.
Trump’s Allegations
During his speech, President Trump stated that government databases list 4.7 million Social Security members aged between 100 to 109 years old, suggesting that funds are being misallocated to these accounts.
He further claimed that there is an individual listed at 360 years old within the system.
Democratic Response
House Democrats have criticized these allegations, emphasizing that they are based on misinterpretations of SSA data.
Representative John Larson, ranking member of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, condemned the claims, stating that they perpetuate misinformation and could lead to unwarranted cuts in essential services.
Understanding the SSA Data
The SSA maintains records of individuals who have been assigned Social Security numbers, including those without recorded dates of death.
This lack of death information can result in inaccuracies, such as listings of individuals with improbably high ages. However, this does not indicate that these individuals are actively receiving benefits.
Lee Dudek, the acting commissioner of the SSA, clarified that while these records exist, they do not necessarily correspond to active beneficiaries.
The Role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Elon Musk, appointed by President Trump to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has echoed concerns about potential fraud within the SSA.
Musk highlighted anomalies in the SSA database, suggesting the presence of individuals listed as over 150 years old.
However, critics argue that these assertions stem from misunderstandings of the data and do not reflect actual fraudulent activities.
Improper Payments: Scope and Measures
While the SSA has acknowledged instances of improper payments, the scale is significantly smaller than suggested by the administration.
Between fiscal years 2015 and 2022, the SSA reported approximately $71.8 billion in improper payments, a fraction of the total disbursements made during that period.
The agency has implemented measures to reduce these occurrences, including cross-referencing beneficiary data with other federal records to ensure accuracy.
Potential Implications of Misinformation
Spreading unverified claims about widespread fraud within the Social Security system can have detrimental effects.
Such misinformation may erode public trust in the SSA and provide a pretext for policy changes that could harm legitimate beneficiaries.
House Democrats warn that these narratives could be used to justify cuts to essential services, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
Clarification of SSA Data Anomalies
| Claimed Age | Number of Records | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 100-109 years | 4.7 million | Records lacking death dates; not indicative of active beneficiaries. |
| 360 years | 1 | Data entry error or placeholder date; no evidence of benefit disbursement. |
| 150+ years | Multiple | Anomalies due to missing death information; these records do not correspond to active benefit recipients. |
The allegations of widespread Social Security fraud involving deceased individuals are based on misinterpretations of SSA data.
While the administration’s concerns highlight the importance of maintaining accurate records, the evidence does not support claims of massive fraudulent disbursements.
House Democrats emphasize the need for informed discussions on Social Security to ensure the program’s integrity without undermining public trust or harming legitimate beneficiaries.