Treasury Recovers $31 Million In Social Security Funds Sent To The Deceased

The U.S. Treasury Department has recovered over $31 million in Social Security payments that were wrongly sent to deceased individuals. This substantial recovery effort is part of a larger initiative to address government waste and fraud in federal spending.

This effort was launched after Congress granted the Treasury temporary access to the Social Security Administration’s Full Death Master File through the 2021 omnibus appropriations bill. The file, containing more than 142 million records dating back to 1899, allowed officials to identify and reclaim improper payments.

Fiscal Assistant Secretary David Lebryk described the findings as “just the tip of the iceberg,” signaling that even larger sums of taxpayer money could still be recovered. Treasury officials estimate that more than $215 million could be reclaimed before the program concludes in 2026.

The discovery of these misdirected payments has reignited criticism of the government’s financial oversight. Many lawmakers and watchdog groups argue that federal agencies need stronger safeguards to prevent waste and ensure taxpayer funds are properly managed.

Some legislators are now advocating for permanent Treasury access to the SSA’s death records, believing this step would help prevent future errors. The program’s success has highlighted the need for improved coordination between government agencies to combat fraud and protect public funds.

The Treasury is continuing its efforts to locate and recover additional funds, with hopes that this initiative will inspire broader reforms to eliminate waste and strengthen accountability in federal programs.