'Cleaning up the dead people database', says Elon Musk as DOGE deletes 3.2 million Americans aged 120-plus from Social Security records

Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has removed 3.2 million names from the Social Security database. All of them were listed as 120 years or older and have now been marked as deceased. DOGE confirmed the update on X, stating that it has been conducting a records cleanup for the past two weeks. “Approximately 3.2 million numberholders, all listed age 120+, have now been marked as deceased. More work still to be done,” the post reads.
Musk shared the post, commenting, "Cleaning up the dead people database."

In February, Elon Musk expressed concerns about Social Security records, alleging that millions of deceased individuals were still listed as alive. He suggested that this oversight could result in errors in benefit distribution. Additionally, US President Donald Trump echoed these concerns, claiming that millions of individuals over the age of 100 were still present in the database, with some continuing to receive payments.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) later clarified that these records do not necessarily indicate active benefit payments. The agency emphasized the need for accurate record-keeping, even for individuals not receiving benefits. A July 2024 report from Social Security’s inspector general revealed that between 2015 and 2022, the agency made $71.8 billion in improper payments, representing less than 1% of total benefits. The majority were overpayments to living recipients.
Some issues arise from Social Security’s software, which defaults missing or incomplete birthdates to over 150 years ago. Reports from 2023 and 2024 also found that the SSA has yet to fully update its system for accurately tracking deaths. The database includes about 18.9 million records of people born in 1920 or earlier who are not marked as deceased, though this does not necessarily mean they are receiving benefits.