Are US Citizens Over the Age of 120 Collecting Social Security Benefits?
Introduction
The claim that "US citizens who are over the age of 120 are collecting social security benefits" raises intriguing questions about the age limits for Social Security eligibility and the demographics of beneficiaries. The verdict on this claim is "Needs Research," as there is limited specific data available on individuals aged 120 and older receiving Social Security benefits. However, we can analyze the context and available information to provide a clearer understanding of the situation.
What We Know
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Social Security Eligibility: In the United States, individuals can begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, with full benefits available at the "full retirement age," which varies depending on the year of birth. There is no upper age limit for collecting benefits, meaning that theoretically, individuals over the age of 120 could receive them if they had worked long enough to qualify.
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Longevity Statistics: According to the United Nations, as of 2021, there were only about 1,000 verified supercentenarians (people aged 110 and older) worldwide. The number of individuals reaching 120 is exceedingly rare. As of October 2023, only a handful of people have been verified to have lived past 120, making it statistically improbable for a significant number of individuals in this age group to be collecting Social Security benefits.
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Social Security Administration (SSA) Data: The SSA does not publicly release detailed demographic data on beneficiaries by age beyond certain thresholds. While they provide general statistics on the number of beneficiaries, specific information about those aged 120 and older is not readily available.
Analysis
The claim hinges on the rarity of individuals reaching the age of 120. Given that the number of verified supercentenarians is extremely low, it is unlikely that many, if any, individuals in this age group are collecting Social Security benefits. The Social Security system is designed to support individuals who have contributed to it through their work history, and while there is no age cap on receiving benefits, the number of eligible individuals over 120 is likely negligible.
Furthermore, the lack of specific data from the SSA regarding beneficiaries aged 120 and older means that while it is theoretically possible for someone in this age group to collect benefits, there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that this is happening on any meaningful scale.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the claim that US citizens over the age of 120 are collecting Social Security benefits is theoretically possible, the reality is that it is highly improbable due to the extreme rarity of individuals reaching that age. The available data does not provide sufficient evidence to confirm the claim, leading to the verdict of "Needs Research." Additional information, such as specific SSA data on beneficiaries by age, would be helpful in further clarifying this issue.
