22 Feb 2025
8m

Are 150 year olds getting social security payments?

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This podcast fact-checks claims made by President Trump and Elon Musk regarding alleged fraud in the US Social Security Administration (SSA). The podcast reveals that millions of records show individuals over 100 years old, but this is due to data entry practices and missing death records, not widespread fraud. While some instances of fraud using deceased individuals' social security numbers exist, it's primarily used by undocumented immigrants to work, not to collect benefits. The podcast concludes that the initial claims were misleading, highlighting the importance of accurate data presentation and critical thinking when evaluating such claims. The SSA estimates 0.85% of payments are improper, totaling $71 billion.

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