Washington, DC: In his first speech to Congress during his second term, President Donald Trump raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) records. He claimed that millions of individuals over the age of 100 were listed in government databases, with some allegedly receiving benefits despite being deceased.
Trump’s Claims on Social Security Data
During his address, President Trump stated:
“Believe it or not, government databases list 4.7 million Social Security members aged 100 to 109 years old. It lists 3.6 million people from ages 110 to 119. I don’t know any of them. I know some people who are rather elderly but not quite that elderly. 3.47 million people from ages 120 to 129. 3.9 million people from ages 130 to 139. 3.5 million people from ages 140 to 149…1.3 million people from ages 150 to 159, and over 130,000 people, according to the Social Security databases, are over 160 years old.”
He further claimed that hundreds of individuals older than 220 were still listed as receiving Social Security payments, including one individual allegedly recorded as being 360 years old.
Fact-Checking the Claims
A report from NBC debunks these allegations, explaining that the numbers cited by Trump are due to well-documented errors in SSA data rather than fraud. According to SSA records, many individuals listed as over 100 years old are not receiving benefits. The issue stems from incomplete data updates rather than intentional fraud.
Lee Dudek, Social Security’s new acting commissioner, clarified:
“The reported data includes people in our records with a Social Security number but without a date of death associated with their record. These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits.”
A 2023 report from the Social Security inspector general found that while 18.9 million individuals over the age of 100 were listed in SSA databases, only 44,000 were actively receiving payments. Further analysis from a July 2024 SSA report found that from 2015 to 2022, only 0.84% of payments were improper, with most errors due to overpayments rather than fraud.
Additionally, official SSA data from December 2024 confirmed that only 89,106 individuals over the age of 99 were receiving retirement benefits, far fewer than the tens of millions alleged by Trump.
The Challenge of Updating SSA Records
The SSA has acknowledged this data issue but argues that updating old records is costly and often unnecessary, as many of these individuals are not active beneficiaries. Instead, the agency prioritizes preventing improper payments and improving accuracy in its current system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are millions of people over 100 receiving Social Security payments?
A: No. While SSA records include millions of individuals over 100 due to outdated data, only a small percentage—around 44,000—actually receive benefits.
Q: Why are these outdated records still in the SSA database?
A: The SSA does not automatically update records with death information unless officially reported. Updating old records can be costly and is not a high priority unless linked to active benefits.
Q: Does Social Security frequently pay benefits to deceased individuals?
A: No. According to SSA’s inspector general, improper payments account for less than 1% of total benefits, with most errors being overpayments rather than fraudulent payments to the deceased.
Q: Is there evidence of widespread fraud in Social Security payments?
A: No credible evidence suggests widespread fraud. Most reported issues stem from outdated data rather than fraudulent claims.
Q: What is SSA doing to prevent errors in benefit payments?
A: SSA continuously improves its verification processes and collaborates with other agencies to ensure accurate records. It also conducts periodic audits to minimize errors.
Conclusion
While President Trump’s speech raised concerns about Social Security data accuracy, official reports suggest that these issues stem from outdated records rather than fraud. SSA officials maintain that only a small fraction of centenarians in the database are actively receiving benefits, and they continue to refine data management practices to improve accuracy and efficiency .