Fact Check: Social security fraud is rampant, with many recipients being over 100 years old

Fact Check: "Social Security fraud is rampant, with many recipients being over 100 years old"

What We Know

The claim that "Social Security fraud is rampant, with many recipients being over 100 years old" has been widely circulated, particularly following statements made by public figures like former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk. They suggested that millions of individuals over 100 years old are improperly receiving Social Security benefits, with Musk even joking about "vampires" collecting payments (source-2).

However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) clarified that the data referenced by these claims pertains to individuals who do not have a recorded date of death in their files. This does not necessarily mean these individuals are currently receiving benefits. The SSA is actively working to verify the status of these records, particularly for those aged 90 and older, to ensure that benefits are only paid to living individuals (source-1).

In a report by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General, it was noted that improper payments, including those made to deceased individuals, accounted for less than 1% of the total benefits paid from 2015 to 2022, amounting to approximately $71.8 billion. Most of these improper payments were overpayments to living beneficiaries rather than payments to deceased individuals (source-5).

Analysis

The assertion that Social Security fraud is rampant, particularly among centenarians, lacks substantial evidence. While it is true that there are records of individuals over 100 years old without a date of death, the SSA has emphasized that these records do not imply that these individuals are actively receiving benefits. The agency is committed to maintaining accurate records and has programs in place to investigate and rectify discrepancies (source-1).

The claims made by Trump and Musk appear to exaggerate the situation. For instance, the SSA's data indicates that while nearly 19 million individuals in the database are over 100 years old and lack a recorded death, this does not equate to them all receiving Social Security payments (source-6). Furthermore, the SSA's proactive measures to verify the status of these individuals demonstrate that the agency is not ignoring potential fraud but is actively working to address it.

The credibility of the sources making these claims is also questionable. The statements from Trump and Musk lack empirical backing and seem to rely on sensationalism rather than factual data. In contrast, the SSA and its Office of the Inspector General provide detailed reports and data, which are more reliable and grounded in systematic analysis.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that Social Security fraud is rampant, particularly involving recipients over 100 years old, is misleading. While there are individuals over 100 in the SSA's records without a recorded date of death, this does not mean they are receiving benefits. The SSA has mechanisms in place to verify the status of these individuals, and the actual incidence of fraud is significantly lower than suggested by public figures. Therefore, the assertion of rampant fraud is not supported by the available evidence.

Sources

1. Social Security Addressing Aged Records | SSA
2. Tens of millions of dead people aren't getting Social Security checks ...
3. Numberholders Age 100 or Older Who Did Not Have Death ...
4. PDF Fast Facts and Figures About Social Security, 2023
5. IG Reports: Nearly $72 Billion Improperly Paid; Recommended ...
6. Trump and Musk Suggest Millions of Dead People Get Social Security ...
7. Social Security: How many people over 100 years old get ... - NewsNation
8. Elon Musk Claims People Over 100 are Receiving Social Security—Here are ...