More or Less: Behind the Stats Are 150 year olds getting social security payments?
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Feb 22, 2025 Elon Musk ignites controversy by claiming millions of centenarians are still active in the Social Security system. Delve into the findings that reveal coding discrepancies, not actual immortality, behind these records. Discover the origins of bizarre entries dating back over 150 years, prompting questions about data management. The podcast also uncovers the complexities immigrants face within the system, spotlighting misconceptions surrounding fraud and showcasing a need for accuracy in social welfare records.
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Millions of Centenarian Accounts
- President Trump revealed that Doge found millions of live Social Security accounts for people over 100 years old.
- Elon Musk claimed this was "the biggest fraud ever," causing media speculation about billions in monthly payments to the deceased.
Coding Quirks, Not Immortality
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) database has millions of people over 100 due to coding practices, not actual age.
- Missing birth dates default to 1875, and missing death records contribute to the high number of centenarians.
Not a New Discovery
- This information about the SSA database wasn't new; the Inspector General reported it in 2015 and 2023.
- Updating the records would cost over $5 million, so the issue persists.