Social Security Reclaims $31 Million in Overpayments to Deceased
Through a 2021 Congressional act granting temporary access, the Treasury’s Bureau of Fiscal Service has already recovered over $31 million in improper Social Security payments made to deceased individuals using the SSA’s Full Death Master File. This initiative, projected to recover over $215 million by 2026, demonstrates significant progress in combating fraud and waste within the Social Security system. The Treasury advocates for permanent access to the file to further enhance program integrity and safeguard taxpayer funds. The incoming administration’s stance on continuing this effort remains unclear.
John Q. Hosedrinker