Elon Musk, entrepreneur and influential figure in the tech industry, sparked controversy in the United States after claiming that people as old as 150 years are still receiving Social Security benefits. His statements, shared on social media and supported by screenshots of federal databases, suggest the existence of large-scale fraud in the public benefits system.
However, experts in public policy and economics have refuted his claims, pointing out that Musk misinterpreted the available information. The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages databases that include historical records of deceased citizens, which may have led to confusion in the data interpretation.
The Repercussions of Elon Musk’s Statements
During a meeting in the Oval Office, Musk asserted that the system contained records of extremely elderly individuals who were still receiving payments. He later reiterated his claims on social media, sparking a national debate about the reliability of the Social Security system.
Kathleen Romig, Director of Social Security Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, explained that Musk likely misinterpreted historical data. “When it is claimed that ‘millions’ of deceased individuals are receiving payments, there is simply no evidence to support that assertion,” she stated in an interview with CNN.
The Reality of Social Security in Numbers
According to official data, 67 million people currently receive Social Security benefits, of whom only 0.1% are over 100 years old. This dismantles Musk’s theory and demonstrates that the system is designed with strict control mechanisms to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals.
While the entrepreneur has raised concerns about the program’s management, experts emphasize that his claims lack foundation and could mislead public opinion about the stability of Social Security in the United States.
