The Government Efficiency Department (GED), under the leadership of Elon Musk, has embarked on an unprecedented data clean-up operation within the U.S. Social Security system. This move has sparked anxiety among millions of beneficiaries who rely on the system for their livelihood, while the federal government justifies it as a necessary tool for controlling public spending. According to GED, over 7 million records of deceased individuals without recorded death dates have already been purged, with expectations to clear another 5 million in the coming weeks. In total, around 12 million Social Security numbers are under review and may be removed from government databases.
The Origin of the Controversy: Centenarians in Records
The uproar began in February when President Donald Trump revealed that "millions of people over 100 years old" were still listed in the Social Security Administration (SSA) files without documented evidence of their death. This statement prompted an executive order to update the records, and GED took the lead in the data-cleaning process. While the SSA clarified that "the absence of a death date does not imply individuals continue to receive benefits," GED argues that such inaccuracies could be enabling multi-million dollar diversions from the federal budget.
Elon Musk's Critique of the System
At the helm of the GED, Elon Musk has been a vocal critic of the current state of the Social Security payment system. "The Social Security payment system seems crazy. Nobody really knows how it works. There are significant inconsistencies in the payment files moving between Social Security and the Treasury that don't get reconciled," Musk stated in comments reported by the U.S. media. The review includes extreme cases, such as records of individuals supposedly over 120 years old still listed as alive in the system. For Musk, this situation "demonstrates a lack of control and oversight in the system," leading him to label the program as a "historic fraud."
Mandatory In-Person Verification Begins in April
Starting in April, new applicants and those needing to update their information must verify their identity in person at a Social Security office. This policy replaces the previous digital system, raising concerns, particularly among the elderly and people living in rural areas. "Unverified accounts will be classified as inactive or potentially fraudulent," warns GED. The measure also applies to existing beneficiaries unable to use the My Social Security digital portal. Only those processing retirement benefits, survivor benefits, or on behalf of others will need to appear in person. However, community representatives and advocates for senior rights warn of the risk of exclusion for individuals with limited mobility or access to transportation.
Office Closures and Service Reductions
The massive data cleansing coincides with another controversial measure: the closure of numerous Social Security offices nationwide. An internal document from the General Services Administration, obtained by the Associated Press, reveals nearly 800 office lease contracts will be suspended, affecting 47 SSA service centers. Of these, at least 26 will shut down this year. The SSA defends the measure, stating that "most are small offices with no assigned staff," and that "many sessions with beneficiaries are now conducted virtually." However, overwhelmed phone lines, website outages, and staff shortages have led to increased complaints among users.
What Does This Mean for Beneficiaries?
Despite the scale of the operation, authorities insist that current beneficiaries should not fear for their payments, provided their information is up-to-date. According to Lee Dudek, interim SSA commissioner, "not all numbers under review belong to active beneficiaries." The SSA assures that a meticulous verification is conducted before removing any record, to avoid mistakes like mistakenly classifying a living person as deceased, which could suspend their benefits. Nonetheless, the combination of in-person verification, staff reductions, and office closures paints an uncertain picture for millions of citizens who depend on Social Security for their basic needs.
Key Questions About the Social Security Data Initiative
Why is the Government Efficiency Department conducting a data clean-up?
The GED is conducting a data clean-up to control public spending and address inaccuracies in the Social Security system, which may lead to significant budget diversions.
How many Social Security records are under review?
Approximately 12 million Social Security numbers are being reviewed, with over 7 million records of deceased individuals already removed.
What changes are being made to the verification process?
Starting in April, new applicants and those updating their information must verify their identity in person at a Social Security office, replacing the previous digital system.