BrightPersonal FinanceRetirementFixed Income

Clarifying the DOGE Allegations About Social Security

There are a few misunderstandings from DOGE reports, and maybe this can help clear thing up.
Save
Clarifying the DOGE Allegations About Social Security
DOGE is new and seems to be causing some confusion. Koshiro K/Shutterstock
Tom Margenau
Updated:
0:00

Many readers have been emailing me asking for my help in understanding the allegations made by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency about sloppy recordkeeping at the Social Security Administration. Here are three typical questions.

Q: What is going on with the DOGE reports about Social Security recipients who are supposedly 120 years old?

Tom Margenau
Tom Margenau
Author
Tom Margenau worked for 32 years in a variety of positions for the Social Security Administration before retiring in 2005. He has served as the director of SSA’s public information office, the chief editor of more than 100 SSA publications, a deputy press officer and spokesman, and a speechwriter for the commissioner of Social Security. For 12 years, he also wrote Social Security columns for local newspapers, and recently published the book “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” If you have a Social Security question, contact him at [email protected]