The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) is facing serious questions after a watchdog group, known as DOGE (Debt Oversight and Government Efficiency), revealed shocking data mistakes. According to their new report, the SSA has marked 12.3 million people aged 120 and above as deceased in its records—even though no human being alive has officially reached that age.
DOGE claims that these mistakes have cost the U.S. government billions over the years and could also open doors to fraud. The data came from the SSA’s Death Master File, which is used by many federal and state agencies to verify if someone is dead or alive for benefit payments and services.
What is the Death Master File?
The Death Master File (DMF) is a record of all individuals the SSA has listed as deceased. It’s used by government agencies, banks, and insurance companies to prevent fraud. But if this file has millions of errors, it can cause major problems like:
- Wrong benefit payments
- People wrongly marked as dead
- Fraudulent activity using old identities
DOGE said that most of the 12.3 million people were never actually confirmed to be dead, and their death dates were added by mistake or without proper documentation.
How Big Is the Mistake?
To put it simply, the SSA’s records claim there are more than 12.3 million people who lived beyond 120 years, which is biologically almost impossible. The oldest confirmed person in the world lived to be 122. So this huge number clearly points to a massive error in the data system.
The report also says that some of these entries go as far back as 1865, a time when records were often handwritten and rarely updated. Since then, the SSA has been carrying forward some of these old errors, and no one checked them properly.
Why Does It Matter?
These errors are not just technical—they affect real people and real money. DOGE’s report warned that:
- Government benefits could be misdirected or wrongly stopped.
- Living people may be falsely marked as dead, which can cause bank account freezes, credit issues, or even the end of Social Security payments.
- Fraudsters can use these false death records to steal identities or claim benefits fraudulently.
What Is Being Done About It?
The SSA has responded to the report, stating that they are reviewing the data and will make corrections where needed. However, this is not the first time concerns have been raised about outdated or incorrect SSA data. Lawmakers and watchdog groups have repeatedly asked the SSA to modernize its systems and improve data accuracy.
DOGE is now calling for better auditing, real-time data checks, and improved technology systems to prevent such errors in the future.
Jon King is an experienced journalist with 3 years of experience in the field. With a strong background in investigative reporting, Jon is known for his in-depth coverage of crime news, finance news, local news, and USA news. Currently working with Mikeandjonpodcast, Jon brings his sharp investigative skills, where he provides timely updates and analysis on a wide range of topics. His commitment to delivering accurate and impactful news has earned him a reputation for providing insightful and comprehensive stories that resonate with his audience.
