U.S. Recoups $31M in Social Security Overpayments to Deceased Beneficiaries

The U.S. government has reclaimed over $31 million in Social Security payments that were mistakenly sent to deceased individuals, marking a significant step in combating fraud. However, officials believe this recovery represents only a small fraction of the total improper payments.

Pilot Program Uncovers Systemic Issues

The five-month pilot program was launched after Congress temporarily granted the Department of Treasury access to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Full Death Master File. This file, containing over 142 million records dating back to 1899, is the most comprehensive federal database of deceased individuals.

David Lebryk, the Treasury’s Fiscal Assistant Secretary, emphasized that this effort was just “the tip of the iceberg” in identifying improper payments. He urged Congress to provide permanent access to the database, arguing that doing so would enhance fraud prevention, strengthen program integrity, and safeguard taxpayer money.

Also Read  – Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across the U.S., Including Utah Location

Ties to Trump’s Anti-Waste Agenda

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to eliminate government waste and fraud, a key priority for Donald Trump’s campaign. As part of his “Save America” plan for a potential second term, Trump has tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new non-governmental task force, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The group is expected to focus on reducing federal programs, cutting regulations, and eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies.

While the Trump transition team has not commented on whether his administration would continue this Social Security payment recovery initiative, its goals of reducing wasteful spending suggest the effort could remain a focus.

Push for Permanent Access

Supporters of granting the Treasury full access to the SSA’s Death Master File argue that it would significantly reduce fraud and prevent millions in improper payments from slipping through the cracks. Whether Congress moves forward with this request remains to be seen, but the recent success of the pilot program has reinforced calls for stronger oversight and more aggressive fraud prevention measures.

• Author
• Recent Posts

keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.

Latest posts by keelee-mccain (see all)

• $1,400 Stimulus Still Available: IRS Distributes $2.4B in Payments - January 22, 2025
• $6,500 Data Breach Payout for Seniors – Check Eligibility with a Bank Statement - January 22, 2025
• Massive THC Seizure: Salt Lake Police Recover $1.5 Million in Drug Investigation - January 22, 2025