The U.S. Treasury Department recently recovered over $31 million in Social Security payments that were mistakenly sent to people who had passed away. This achievement came from a pilot program aimed at identifying and stopping fraudulent payments.
How the Program Worked
- In December 2023, the Treasury started a pilot program to find and recover improper payments.
- They were given temporary access to the Social Security Administration’s “Full Death Master File,” a database with over 142 million death records, some dating back to 1899.
- Using this data, they cross-checked federal payment records to find cases where money was mistakenly sent to deceased individuals.
More Savings Are Expected
With the early success of this program, the Treasury estimates it could recover more than $215 million in improper payments over the next three years, through December 2026.
However, this progress depends on continued access to the SSA’s death records. Treasury officials are asking Congress to make this access permanent, which they say will help stop fraud on a larger scale.
“Permanent access would significantly reduce fraud, improve program integrity, and protect taxpayer dollars,” Lebryk said.
The Results
- The program successfully recovered more than $31 million in just five months.
- Treasury officials estimate that if the program continues, it could recover over $215 million by the end of 2026.
- David Lebryk, Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, said these results are “just the tip of the iceberg,” suggesting there’s potential for even more savings.
What Happens Next?
- To keep the program going, the Treasury is asking Congress for permanent access to the SSA’s death records.
- Permanent access would allow the Treasury to:
- Prevent fraudulent payments before they happen.
- Save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Ensure government programs run more efficiently.
- Lebryk emphasized that permanent access would “significantly reduce fraud” and help protect public funds.
Why This Matters
- Fraud and waste in federal programs have been a long-standing issue, costing taxpayers billions each year.
- This program is part of a broader effort to make government spending more accountable and efficient.
- President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to play a key role in deciding whether this initiative becomes permanent.
The Bottom Line
The Treasury’s pilot program is proof that effective solutions can make a big difference. Recovering $31 million in just a few months shows how much potential there is to save taxpayer money and reduce fraud.
If Congress allows the program to continue with permanent access to death records, the government could prevent even more improper payments and save hundreds of millions of dollars in the years ahead. This program is a clear step forward in protecting public funds and ensuring money is spent where it’s needed most.