The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has released a new update on its ongoing efforts to revise death records within the Social Security Administration (SSA). As of March 24, 2025, over 7 million Social Security numbers have been updated, with no recorded confirmation of death.
This work, led by Elon Musk, builds on a previous update earlier in March. The updates have sparked discussions about accuracy in federal records and the potential impact on government efficiency, according to Newsweek.
The Significance of the Update
This cleanup is part of a broader effort to address outdated and inaccurate data in federal databases. In particular, DOGE’s efforts focus on Social Security records that lacked an official date of death, with a notable number of individuals listed in extreme age brackets, some reportedly over 120 years old.
The updated figures indicate significant changes in the number of living individuals recorded in these age categories, specifically among those aged 120 and older.
While Musk had previously raised concerns about potential Social Security fraud due to these outdated records, the SSA clarified that these individuals were not actually receiving benefits. The SSA explained that these records
Do not have a date of death associated with their record
and that the primary concern is ensuring the accuracy and completeness of their database, rather than fraud.
On March 5, the SSA released a statement clarifying:
The data referenced in the media pertain to individuals whose records lack a recorded date of death. While these individuals may not be receiving benefits, it is crucial for the agency to uphold accurate and complete records.
Understanding the Data
The updated figures released by DOGE reveal that a substantial portion of the individuals in the 120-159-year-old age range had been incorrectly marked as living.
As of the most recent update, the records for individuals aged 120-129, 130-139, and 140+ have been significantly reduced, showing that 7 million records have now been adjusted.
Specifically, individuals listed as being 120-129 years old were reduced by about 1.8 million, those aged 130-139 saw a reduction of around 2.4 million, and individuals aged 140 and above had their numbers reduced by 2.4 million as well.
What Does This Mean for Social Security?
It is important to note that the SSA has stated that these records were not part of the group receiving benefits. According to the agency, once individuals reach the age of 115, their benefit payments are automatically suspended.
The SSA’s primary concern is maintaining accurate and up-to-date records for all individuals, regardless of whether they are actively receiving benefits.
This ongoing cleanup effort by DOGE is part of a wider examination of government databases, as more than 6 million individuals were identified as having incomplete death records in previous reviews.
While many of these individuals are unlikely to be collecting Social Security, their records needed to be properly updated for historical accuracy and to prevent any potential future issues.
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, also commented on the issue. He stated,
Social Security fraud certainly exists, but the claims it’s rampant because a database had many recipients who were supposedly aged at well over 100 years old isn’t evidence it’s widespread.
