Musk, DOGE to Probe Social Security Payments to Millions of Deceased, Says Karoline Leavitt

Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been tasked with investigating alleged Social Security fraud involving payments to deceased individuals. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announced the initiative, claiming that “tens of millions” of dead beneficiaries continue to receive Social Security benefits. However, multiple reports challenge the accuracy of these claims, citing outdated data systems rather than widespread fraud as the main issue.

The Allegation

The Trump administration has raised concerns over fraudulent Social Security payments, suggesting that a significant number of deceased individuals remain in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) database as active beneficiaries. The administration is positioning this as a major government inefficiency that needs urgent attention.

Leavitt stated that Musk, along with DOGE, will work to identify and eliminate duplicate payments, ensure benefits are directed appropriately, and improve the integrity of the Social Security system.

“President Trump is committed to ending government waste, and that includes stopping payments to people who are no longer alive,” Leavitt said in a press briefing.

The Reality of Social Security Payments

Despite the claim that “tens of millions” of deceased people receive benefits, multiple fact-checking reports have found this assertion to be misleading. According to the Associated Press (AP), instances of improper payments to deceased individuals represent less than 1% of total disbursements. While errors occur, they are largely due to outdated record-keeping rather than systemic fraud.

The SSA regularly updates its Death Master File (DMF), which records reported deaths and prevents further benefit payments. The agency also collaborates with state records offices to ensure accuracy. However, delays in reporting deaths and errors in data entry can lead to occasional mistakes.

For official statistics and reports, visit the Social Security Administration’s website: SSA.gov

Understanding the Data Anomalies

A Wired report (Wired) explains that some SSA records contain unusual anomalies, such as individuals appearing to be over 150 years old. However, these anomalies are not evidence of fraud but rather a result of legacy COBOL-based software that assigns default birthdates when records lack sufficient information.

“Most of these so-called deceased beneficiaries are not receiving payments. They are merely present in the system due to data entry limitations or delays in updating records,” the Wired article stated.

Official Response from the SSA

The SSA has acknowledged that while small errors do occur, the notion of widespread fraud involving deceased beneficiaries is exaggerated. In a statement, the SSA reassured the public that it employs stringent measures to detect and prevent improper payments.

“We work closely with federal and state agencies to maintain accurate records and prevent fraudulent payments,” the agency stated. “Instances of improper payments are isolated and promptly corrected.”

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regularly audits Social Security programs and provides reports on any discrepancies. For more details on Social Security fraud prevention, visit the OIG website.

The Role of Musk and DOGE

Elon Musk’s involvement in this investigation has raised questions about his role and expertise in government audits. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a newly established entity under the Trump administration, with a focus on reducing wasteful spending.

Critics argue that Musk’s background in technology and business does not necessarily translate into expertise in Social Security fraud detection. However, supporters believe that his data-driven approach and advocacy for government transparency could bring new insights into inefficiencies within the system.

A History of Social Security Fraud Concerns

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about Social Security payments to deceased individuals. In 2015, the SSA’s Inspector General reported that approximately 6.5 million Social Security numbers were associated with individuals over the age of 112, a number vastly exceeding the actual number of living centenarians. However, these records were mostly inactive, meaning they were not linked to ongoing benefit payments.

More recently, a 2020 SSA report found that improper payments—both overpayments and underpayments—accounted for roughly $8 billion, a fraction of the agency’s $1.2 trillion in annual benefit disbursements. The full report can be found at: ssa.gov/oact/ProgData/icp.html

Conclusion

While the Trump administration and Musk’s DOGE initiative claim to be tackling a massive Social Security fraud issue, the available evidence does not support the idea that “tens of millions” of deceased people are receiving benefits. Instead, most discrepancies stem from outdated data management practices rather than fraudulent activity.

The SSA continues to refine its processes to minimize errors, and existing oversight mechanisms help prevent substantial financial losses. While investigating government inefficiencies is always beneficial, it remains to be seen whether Musk’s involvement will bring meaningful improvements or if this claim will turn out to be another overblown concern in the political landscape.

For further updates, visit the SSA’s fraud prevention page.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.