Elon Musk Questions Accuracy of Social Security Data Over Centenarian Findings

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has ignited debate following reports indicating that the Social Security Administration (SSA) lists millions of Americans aged 100 and older as alive. Musk highlighted age distribution data showing over 4.7 million individuals in this age group, referencing a July 2023 SSA Inspector General audit that identified approximately 18.9 million beneficiaries born before 1920 without recorded deaths.

University of Michigan economics professor Justin Wolfers added context, noting that 98% of these cases do not receive payments, suggesting that the discrepancies reflect limitations in record-keeping from prior to the digital era. The SSA has declined to update these records, estimating costs of $5 to $10 million, with officials citing limited benefits.

Wolfers expressed that while there is a need for clearer government databases, the low rate of improper payments mitigates immediate concerns. The ongoing conversation underscores broader issues of federal data management and the challenges of maintaining current systems against historical inaccuracies, raising questions about resource allocation within the SSA.

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