‘Cleaning up the dead people database’, says Elon Musk as DOGE deletes 3.2 million Americans aged 120-plus from Social Security records
Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has removed 3.2 million names from the Social Security database. All of them were listed as 120 years or older and have now been marked as deceased. DOGE confirmed the update on X, stating that it has been conducting a records cleanup for the past two weeks. “Approximately 3.2 million numberholders, all listed age 120+, have now been marked as deceased. More work still to be done,” the post reads.
Musk shared the post, commenting, “Cleaning up the dead people database.”
Elon Musk and Donald Trump previously raised concerns
In February, Musk had raised concerns about Social Security records, claiming that millions of deceased individuals were still listed as alive. He suggested this could lead to errors in benefit distribution. US President Donald Trump had also made similar claims, stating that millions of people over 100 years old remained in the database, with some still receiving payments.
SSA clarifies database entries do not indicate active payments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) later clarified that these records do not necessarily indicate active benefit payments. The agency emphasized the need for accurate record-keeping, even for individuals not receiving benefits.
A July 2024 report from Social Security’s inspector general found that from 2015 to 2022, the agency issued $71.8 billion in improper payments, representing less than 1% of total benefits paid. Most errors were overpayments to living individuals.
Some issues stem from Social Security’s software, which defaults missing or incomplete birthdates to more than 150 years ago. Reports from 2023 and 2024 also found that the SSA has not fully updated its system to track deaths accurately. The database includes about 18.9 million records of people born in 1920 or earlier who are not marked as deceased, but this does not mean they are receiving benefits.
