‘Dead people database’: DOGE starts ‘major cleanup’ of Social Security records

• The Trump administration, led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, is conducting a “major cleanup” of Social Security records to address waste and fraud. DOGE said it marked 3.2 million individuals aged 120+ as deceased.
• Musk has previously criticized the accuracy of Social Security data, claiming millions of deceased individuals were still receiving benefits, though the Social Security Administration clarified that many had no death date linked to their records.
• A 2024 report from Social Security’s inspector general revealed that the agency paid out nearly $8.6 trillion in benefits from 2015 to 2022, with $71.8 billion in improper payments, primarily overpayments to living individuals.

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A “major cleanup” of records at the Social Security Administration is underway as the Trump administration works to eliminate what they call waste and fraud within the agency. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made the announcement on X early Tuesday, March 18.

“For the past two weeks, Social Security has been conducting a major cleanup of its records,” DOGE said in a tweet. “Approximately 3.2 million number holders, all listed as age 120+, have now been marked as deceased. More work still to be done.”

For the past two weeks, @SocialSecurity has begun a major cleanup of their records. Approximately 3.2 million numberholders, all listed age 120+, have now been marked as deceased. More work still to be done. pic.twitter.com/nmAggTdLON

— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) March 18, 2025

Musk shared the post, commenting, “Cleaning up the dead people database.”

Cleaning up the dead people database https://t.co/KtVUpshpvl

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 18, 2025

Musk previously raised concerns about the accuracy of Social Security Administration data. He said millions of deceased individuals were still receiving social security benefits, posting a spreadsheet of data in February adding, “Maybe twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting social security.”

According to the Social Security database, these are the numbers of people in each age bucket with the death field set to FALSE!

Maybe Twilight is real and there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ltb06VX98Z

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 17, 2025

How has the Social Security Administration responded?

The Social Security Administration responded making it clear the numbers were from a system containing all Social Security numbers since they were first issued in 1936. Officials said many were not receiving benefits but “do not have a date of death associated with their record.”

The agency emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate and complete records, even for individuals who are not receiving any benefits.

What’s the data on SS erroneous payments?

A July 2024 report from Social Security’s Inspector General stated that from fiscal years 2015 through 2022, the agency paid out almost $8.6 trillion in benefits, including $71.8 billion, or less than 1%, in improper payments. It said most of the erroneous payments were overpayments to living people.