More or Less: Behind the Stats
Are 150 year olds getting social security payments?
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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Quick takeaways
- The claim of widespread fraud in Social Security payments for individuals over 100 is rooted in misunderstandings of the database's coding practices.
- Although some active Social Security numbers link to those classified as over 100, the vast majority do not receive benefits, indicating limited fraud risk.
Deep dives
Misinterpretation of Social Security Data
The Trump administration claimed to have identified millions of individuals over the age of 100 in the Social Security Administration's data, suggesting it was a significant source of fraud. However, this assertion stemmed from a misunderstanding of the underlying database, known as the Numident, which tracks Social Security numbers. Due to coding practices that default missing birth dates to more than 150 years ago, the presence of these age anomalies is prevalent and largely harmless. Investigations had previously acknowledged the existence of these discrepancies, indicating that the fraud claims were based on misleading interpretations rather than new discoveries.
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