Government Recovers $31 Million In Wrongful Social Security Payments
The U.S. government has reclaimed more than $31 million in Social Security payments that were mistakenly issued to deceased individuals. This significant recovery was part of a five-month pilot program aimed at addressing fraud and financial mismanagement in government spending.
Congress authorized the Treasury Department’s temporary access to the Social Security Administration’s Full Death Master File in 2021. This database, which contains over 142 million records dating back to 1899, played a crucial role in identifying improper payments that had gone unnoticed.
Fiscal Assistant Secretary David Lebryk emphasized that this recovery represents “just the tip of the iceberg.” Treasury officials project that more than $215 million could be recovered by the program’s end in 2026, suggesting that wasteful spending could be even more widespread.
The exposure of these payments has led to renewed calls for stricter oversight and better safeguards to prevent similar financial mistakes. Critics argue that the federal government must do more to protect taxpayer dollars from fraud and mismanagement.
Some lawmakers are pushing for permanent access to the SSA database to prevent future improper payments. They believe this program’s success shows that increased data sharing between agencies is essential for detecting and stopping fraud.
The Treasury will continue its recovery efforts over the next two years, potentially uncovering millions more in wasted funds and leading to stronger accountability in managing federal resources.