One of our subscribers submitted a request to verify a claim regarding Social Security retroactive payments, asking whether payments are being sent to individuals over 120 years old. Our investigation uncovered some key issues with the reporting on this topic.
Misleading Context in CBS News Report
The article from CBS News, “Social Security says it’s paid more than 1 million retroactive payments. Here’s the average amount.,” reports significant retroactive payments made by the Social Security Administration (SSA). While the figures shared in the article are broadly accurate, the report lacks key context and fails to address concerns about improper payments.
Are Social Security Payments Going to People Over 120?
The SSA has long struggled with improper payments, including cases where benefits were mistakenly sent to deceased individuals. A 2015 report from the SSA Inspector General found that thousands of people listed as over 112 years old had Social Security numbers that were still active, raising concerns about fraud. While the report does not explicitly confirm payments to individuals aged 120+, it does point to historic flaws in record oversight.
The CBS News article does not explore whether the massive payout of retroactive benefits included payments to deceased individuals or those over 120 years old. Given past issues, this omission is significant. The absence of transparency on this matter could fuel misinformation or misunderstanding about the program’s integrity.
Missing Context on the Social Security Fairness Act
The article focuses on the impact of the Social Security Fairness Act but omits a broader discussion about how the law is being implemented. While it correctly states that retroactive payments apply to those who were previously subjected to restrictions on their benefits, it does not acknowledge concerns about errors in payment distribution. The SSA has a history of payment miscalculations, and without additional oversight, some individuals may receive unintended funds.
Fact Check Verdict
The CBS News article is largely accurate in reporting that more than 1.1 million people have received retroactive Social Security payments. However, it lacks key context regarding potential issues with disbursing funds. There is no direct evidence that individuals over 120 years old are receiving payments, but past SSA reports suggest such errors have occurred before. The absence of any investigation into this matter leaves an important question unanswered.
For those concerned about misinformation, staying vigilant about government payments is justified. If Social Security errors in payment distribution have occurred historically, additional oversight may be required to ensure public funds are managed responsibly.
Anyone can submit fact-check requests to DBUNK for free, and we will investigate claims thoroughly before publishing the results.
