The US government recovered $31 million in Social Security payments that were mistakenly sent to deceased individuals.
The recovery was part of a five-month pilot program initiated after Congress granted the Department of Treasury temporary access to the Social Security Administration’s Full Death Master File in 2021.
The big picture: The Treasury anticipates reclaiming over $215 million during its three-year access period, which spans from December 2023 to 2026.
Zoom in: The effort exposed areas where the government could prevent fraud and abuse, aligning with Donald Trump’s campaign promises.
- Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy were appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force aimed at improving federal operations and reducing regulations as part of the “Save America” agenda for the second presidential term.
What they’re saying: “These results are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Treasury Fiscal Assistant Secretary David Lebryk said in a statement. “Congress granting permanent access to the Full Death Master File will significantly reduce fraud, improve program integrity, and better safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
