A LOT OF VAMPIRES’: Millions of Americans listed between ages 100 and 159 in critical US database, Elon Musk says. The billionaire blasted the agency’s “INSANE” system.

Elon Musk recently criticized the Social Security Administration (SSA) for listing over 20 million Americans as being between 100 and 159 years old in their records, suggesting potential fraud within the system.

However, audits by the SSA’s inspector general have clarified that these anomalies are primarily due to outdated record-keeping practices. Many of these individuals died before electronic records were established, resulting in missing death information. Importantly, the majority are not receiving benefits; only about 44,000 cases were, with a negligible number being actual supercentenarians. Experts attribute these discrepancies to legacy systems and data entry errors rather than widespread fraud.

Musk’s assertions have been met with skepticism, as they overlook the complexities of the SSA’s data management and the historical context of its records. While the presence of outdated or incorrect information in the database is acknowledged, there is no substantial evidence supporting claims of significant fraudulent benefit payments to deceased or fictitious individuals.

This situation highlights the challenges faced by government agencies in modernizing legacy systems and ensuring data accuracy. Efforts are ongoing to update records and improve the integrity of the information within the SSA’s databases.