The federal government has uncovered and recovered more than $31 million in Social Security payments that were wrongfully sent to deceased individuals. This discovery, made during a five-month pilot program, has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of federal oversight.
In 2021, Congress temporarily granted the Treasury access to the Social Security Administration’s Full Death Master File. This database, which tracks over 142 million deceased individuals, played a critical role in identifying improper payments and preventing further financial losses.
Fiscal Assistant Secretary David Lebryk warned that this recovery represents “just the tip of the iceberg.” Treasury officials project that the program could recover more than $215 million before it concludes in 2026, exposing the depth of waste in government spending.
The revelation has intensified criticism of the government’s failure to safeguard taxpayer dollars. Many are demanding reforms to prevent future errors in benefit payments, particularly when it comes to sending money to ineligible recipients.
Some lawmakers are now advocating for permanent Treasury access to the SSA database. They argue that stronger oversight and data sharing could stop these payments before they occur, saving millions more in taxpayer funds.
With the program still ongoing, the Treasury is expected to recover even more funds. This effort could serve as a model for other government agencies seeking to eliminate fraud and mismanagement in federal programs.
