Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, has raised serious concerns about Social Security payments.
He claims that millions of Americans over the age of 100 are still receiving benefits, which could point to large-scale fraud.
Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to call the situation “the biggest fraud in history.” He pointed out that over 20 million people listed in the Social Security system as 100 or older are still marked as alive.
This has sparked debates about whether Social Security funds are being misused.
Why This Matters?
The Social Security Administration is already facing financial struggles. Experts predict that by the mid-2030s, funds for full retirement benefits could run out.
If that happens, retirees might only receive about 80% of what they are owed. This could make retirement difficult for millions of Americans.
With concerns about wasteful spending and fraud, questions arise about how the government is managing Social Security funds and what changes might be needed to protect them.
What Musk Said About the Issue?
On Sunday, Musk shared a post about the number of people in the Social Security system who are 100 years or older.
“According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age group marked as alive!” Musk wrote, attaching a chart showing ages up to 369 years old.
He added, “Maybe Twilight is real, and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security… There are FAR more ‘eligible’ Social Security numbers than there are actual citizens in the USA. This might be the biggest fraud in history.”
The Reality Behind the Numbers
A 2023 audit of Social Security records showed that 18.9 million people listed in the system were aged 100 or older.
However, U.S. Census Bureau data revealed that only about 86,000 people in the country were actually living past 100.
Despite the alarming numbers in the database, most of these people were not receiving payments. The audit found that 18.4 million of them had not received benefits in over 50 years, meaning they were likely deceased.
In reality, only 44,000 individuals were still collecting Social Security, with just 13 of them recorded as being 112 or older.
Government Efforts to Cut Waste and Fraud
Under Musk’s leadership, the DOGE is focused on reducing government waste, including within Social Security. The agency is looking for ways to cut unnecessary spending and stop fraudulent claims.
At a White House meeting last week, Musk explained, “If taxpayer money is being wasted, that’s not okay.
We need to ensure that funds are used wisely on things that help people. It’s not about making extreme cuts; it’s about common sense. Every dollar should be spent in the best interest of the people.”
Expert Opinions on Social Security Fraud
Financial experts and researchers have weighed in on the issue, offering different perspectives.
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek that the Social Security system does have fraud, but Musk’s claims may be exaggerated.
“The idea that fraud is widespread just because the database includes extremely old recipients isn’t solid proof.
The real issue is that many government databases are outdated and need to be improved. The focus should be on updating these systems to prevent errors.”
Michael Ryan, founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, agreed that database errors do not equal massive fraud.
“Only about 44,000 people in this database were actually receiving Social Security checks. We’re looking at data quirks, not major theft.”
Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, also said that while some people over 100 are receiving benefits, it’s not nearly as widespread as Musk suggests.
“There are people over 100 collecting Social Security, but not on the scale Musk claims. He’s confusing the existence of outdated records with actual fraud.”
How Much Fraud Exists?
From 2015 to 2022, improper Social Security payments accounted for only about 1% of total payments. Most of these were administrative mistakes that were later corrected.
Ryan warned that exaggerating fraud claims could do more harm than good. “Fearmongering about fraud is dangerous. Social Security supports 67 million Americans who rely on it for retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.
If there’s fraud, law enforcement should handle it. We don’t need Twitter debates; we need real investigations with solid evidence.”
Read More:
- Elon Musk’s DOGE Task Force Could Fix This Major Social Security Problem!
- Before You File for Social Security, Read This Critical Statement!
What’s Next for Social Security?
While fraud does exist, experts say the real concern is ensuring Social Security remains financially stable. Thompson believes policymakers should focus on bigger issues.
“The bigger conversation should be about protecting Social Security from budget cuts.
We need to look at reducing taxes on benefits, eliminating outdated policies like the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), and considering new ideas like extending benefits to caregivers for up to six years.
These are the discussions that will shape the future of Social Security.”
Final Thoughts
The debate over Social Security fraud is ongoing. While outdated government databases may be misleading, experts say actual fraud is minimal.
However, with Social Security facing financial challenges, ensuring the system remains sustainable is more important than ever.
Policymakers must focus on real solutions rather than alarmist claims to protect the future of Social Security for millions of Americans.
Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.
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