Millions of dead people aren't getting Social Security checks, despite claims

ABC News - Feb 19th, 2025

The Trump administration, along with adviser Elon Musk, has falsely asserted that millions of deceased individuals, some purportedly over 100 years old, are receiving Social Security benefits. These claims have been made through social media and press briefings, with Musk labeling it a 'HUGE problem.' However, the figures provided by Trump and Musk misrepresent the actual Social Security data. Reports indicate that while improper payments have occurred, they constitute less than 1% of total benefits distributed, primarily involving overpayments to living individuals.

The confusion stems partly from outdated Social Security software and a database that includes unmarked deceased individuals. Experts argue that targeting Social Security for fraud is misguided, as error rates are significantly higher in other government programs like Medicaid. The exaggerated claims by Trump and Musk could mislead the public into believing there are simple solutions to complex financial issues within the Social Security system, overshadowing the need for more substantial reforms involving increased taxes or reduced benefits.

Donald Trump Elon Musk Social Security Government Efficiency Improper Payments Cobol Programming Fraud Claims

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article addresses a timely and significant topic concerning Social Security payments and government efficiency. It presents a range of perspectives, including sensational claims by public figures and counterpoints from experts, which adds depth to the discussion. However, the emphasis on exaggerated figures affects the story's accuracy and could mislead readers about the issue's scale. While the article is generally clear and well-structured, it could benefit from greater transparency and a broader range of authoritative sources. Despite these weaknesses, the story effectively engages readers and provokes discussion on an important public interest topic.

Accuracy

The story makes several factual claims about improper Social Security payments, but some of these claims are exaggerated or misrepresented. For instance, the claim that tens of millions of dead people over 100 years old are receiving benefits is not supported by available data, which shows that improper payments make up less than 1% of total benefits. The story accurately mentions the recovery of payments to deceased individuals and the issue with COBOL software, but it overstates the scale of the problem by citing figures that lack evidence. The mention of a person aged 360 years in the system is particularly dubious and lacks verification.

Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including statements from Trump, Musk, and experts like Chuck Blahous and Sita Nataraj Slavov. It attempts to balance the sensational claims with factual data from the Social Security Administration and inspector general reports. However, the emphasis on the more dramatic claims by Trump and Musk may skew the perception of the issue's scale. While it does offer counterpoints, such as the relatively low error rate in Social Security compared to other government programs, the initial focus on sensational figures could lead to a perceived imbalance.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative. It effectively contrasts sensational claims with factual data, though the initial emphasis on dramatic figures could confuse readers. The language is straightforward, but the story could enhance clarity by prioritizing verified information over speculative claims.

Source quality

The article cites credible sources, including reports from the Social Security Administration's inspector general and statements from experts in the field. However, the reliance on statements from Trump and Musk, who are not experts on Social Security, affects the overall reliability. The inclusion of expert opinions and official reports adds credibility, but the story could benefit from a wider range of authoritative sources to strengthen its claims.

Transparency

The article provides some context for its claims, such as the mention of the COBOL programming issue and the Social Security Administration's efforts to address improper payments. However, it lacks a clear explanation of the methodology behind the claims made by Trump and Musk. The story could improve transparency by detailing how these figures were derived and providing more background on the inspector general's reports.