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Social Security Disinformation [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-25
The concerns about disinformation regarding Social Security and the implications of age-related claims are well-founded concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the accuracy of the points raised:
### Disinformation from Conservative Media
It is true that there has been a significant amount of disinformation circulated by political figures and conservative media regarding Social Security. For instance, claims made by former President Trump and others about the existence of hundreds of thousands of individuals over the age of 100 receiving benefits have been widely criticized as misleading. These claims suggest mass fraud within the Social Security system, which is not supported by evidence [[1]](
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-social-security-disinformation-is-dangerous/).
### The Role of Computer Programming
The assertion that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses outdated programming that can lead to erroneous age entries is accurate. The SSA's systems, largely built using COBOL, have quirks that can result in incorrect age data being displayed. Specifically, when birthdates are missing or incomplete, the system may default to a reference date, leading to absurd age calculations, such as listing individuals as 150 years old [[2]](
https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-doge-social-security-150-year-old-benefits/)[[3]](
https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-cobol-software-doge-elon-musk-2032680). This does not indicate fraud but rather reflects the limitations of the programming and data management practices in place.
### Automated Alerts for Discrepancies
The description of how the system flags discrepancies needs explanation. The SSA does have mechanisms in place to identify issues with accounts, and the presence of individuals listed as over 100 years old can serve as a flag for staff to investigate further. However, it is important to note that the SSA has a policy of halting benefit payments to anyone recorded as older than 115, which further complicates the narrative of widespread fraud [[3]](
https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-cobol-software-doge-elon-musk-2032680). The system is designed to alert workers to potential issues, allowing them to address discrepancies efficiently.
### Conclusion
The narrative that there is widespread fraud in the Social Security system due to the presence of individuals over 100 years old is misleading. The age entries are often a result of programming quirks rather than evidence of fraudulent activity. The SSA has mechanisms to manage and investigate discrepancies, which have been in place for decades.
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Learn more:
1. [Why Social Security disinformation is dangerous](
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-social-security-disinformation-is-dangerous/)
2. [No, 150-Year-Olds Aren’t Collecting Social Security Benefits | WIRED](
https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-doge-social-security-150-year-old-benefits/)
3. [Social Security's COBOL Software Comes Under Scrutiny - Newsweek](
https://www.newsweek.com/social-security-cobol-software-doge-elon-musk-2032680)
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