Social Security Clarifies Death Master File Accuracy

Hannah Bietz
Death Masterfile
Death Masterfile

The Social Security Administration is setting the record straight about the accuracy of its Death Master File. The agency says that less than one-third of one percent of all reported deaths need to be corrected. “The Death Master File is highly accurate,” said SSA spokesperson Jenna Thompson.

“Claims that we are paying benefits to tens of thousands of centenarians in error are simply not true.”

The clarification comes after recent allegations that the SSA’s records contain a large number of individuals aged 120 or older who are likely deceased but still listed as alive. However, the agency maintains that many cases involve historical records of people not actively receiving benefits. While we do have some very old records in our system, it doesn’t mean those individuals are currently drawing payments,” Thompson explained.

When we find discrepancies, we take action to correct them.

One such case involves 82-year-old Leonard “Ned” Johnson of Seattle. In February, Johnson discovered that he had been mistakenly declared dead by the SSA, leading to a disruption in his benefits and a deduction of over $5,000 from his bank account. “It’s been a surreal experience,” Johnson said.

“One day, you wake up and find out you’re supposedly dead.”

After weeks of phone calls and a visit to his local SSA office, Johnson was finally able to prove he was still alive and get his status reinstated.

However, he remains concerned about how the error occurred, in the first place, and whether it could happen again.

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“I’m okay with mistakes being made, but I worry if they’re really focused on fixing these issues going forward,” he said. The SSA says it is committed to maintaining accurate records and quickly resolving any identified errors. The agency also pushed back against claims that dead individuals are being widely used to claim benefits fraudulently.

“The vast majority of our records are correct,” Thompson said. “We have safeguards in place to prevent and detect improper payments.”

Death Master File accuracy concerns

Despite these assurances, concerns persist about the SSA’s aging databases and ability to keep up with a growing workload. The agency faces potential budget cuts and staffing reductions in the coming years.

For individuals like Ned Johnson, the experience of being erroneously declared dead highlights the importance of having an efficient and well-funded SSA. “I worry about folks who are living paycheck to paycheck. An unexpected disruption in benefits could be devastating for them.”

As the SSA works to set the record straight on its Death Master File, it must balance the need for accuracy with the realities of limited resources.

Getting it right is essential for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security.

Photo by; geralt on Pixabay

Hannah is a news contributor to SelfEmployed. She writes on current events, trending topics, and tips for our entrepreneurial audience.