Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about whether people over 100 years old are still receiving Social Security payments. Some even claim that people as old as 300 years are getting checks! But is this really happening? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What’s really happening?
So, there’s been talk about whether people over 100 years old are still receiving Social Security benefits. Some public figures, including President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, have claimed that even individuals as old as 300 years are getting payments. But is this true?
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the answer is no. Lee Dudek, the new acting commissioner, clarified that these individuals exist in the system simply because their deaths were never officially recorded. That doesn’t mean they are actually receiving checks.
This confusion arises due to outdated record-keeping. The SSA has had a rule since 2015 that automatically stops payments for anyone over 115 years old. This policy ensures that extreme cases don’t slip through the cracks.
Social Security and the challenge of overpayments
The Social Security system isn’t perfect. A report from the SSA’s inspector general in July 2024 found that between 2015 and 2022, the agency paid out $8.6 trillion in benefits. Out of this, $71.8 billion was classified as improper payments, mostly due to overpayments made to living individuals rather than the deceased.
For retirees depending on Social Security, these issues raise concerns. Mistakes like overpayments could put future benefits at risk, affecting financial stability in retirement. If you’re worried about how these problems might impact your income, it’s worth looking into the two biggest issues with Social Security for retirees and how they could affect your financial plans.
Outdated systems are part of the problem
One of the reasons these errors happen is the outdated software the SSA relies on. Their system, built on the COBOL programming language, doesn’t have a proper way to track dates. As a result, some records mistakenly list individuals as being over 150 years old.
Additionally, reports from 2023 and 2024 found that the SSA still hasn’t fully updated how it records deaths. Because of this, around 18.9 million Social Security numbers from people born in 1920 or earlier remain unmarked as deceased.
While these outdated records raise concerns, they don’t necessarily mean that fraudulent payments are happening. However, the SSA continues working on fixing these errors to improve accuracy and prevent potential misuse of funds.
What’s next for Social Security?
Concerns over fraud and improper payments have put more pressure on the SSA to modernize its system. Musk even joked that “vampires” might be collecting Social Security checks, highlighting the need for stricter oversight.
While these claims are exaggerated, Social Security still faces real challenges. Addressing outdated systems and improving record-keeping will be key to preventing mistakes. If you’re planning for retirement, it’s also important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to common myths about Social Security that could impact your financial future.
Social Security overpayment summary
| Issue | Details |
| Improper Payments | $71.8 billion in errors from 2015-2022, mostly due to overpayments to living individuals. |
| Outdated Software | SSA system lacks proper date tracking, leading to records of people over 150 years old. |
| Death Records Incomplete | 18.9 million Social Security numbers from 1920 or earlier still unmarked as deceased. |
| Fraud Prevention Rule | Since 2015, payments automatically stop for anyone over 115 years old. |
FAQs about People over 100 years old
1. Are people over 300 years old getting Social Security checks?
No, this is just a rumor. The SSA does not send payments to people that old.
2. Can someone over 115 years old still receive Social Security?
Only if they provide proof that they are still alive. Otherwise, payments stop automatically.
3. Why doesn’t the SSA know when someone dies?
If no one reports a person’s death, the SSA system doesn’t update their records, which can cause confusion.
4. What is the SSA doing to fix errors in Social Security payments?
The SSA is working on updating its outdated system and improving how it tracks death records to prevent improper payments.
5. Can Social Security mistakes impact retirees’ income?
Yes, issues like overpayments and outdated record-keeping could affect future benefits, making it important to stay informed about Social Security policies.