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The Social Security Administration (SSA) has just announced the biggest change in its 91-year history.
The agency said on Tuesday that it has officially “cleaned up” the comprehensive Social Security Number (SSN) database.
According to the 91-year-old office, SSA records are referenced by federal government agencies and in states to validate identities — which helps prevent improper payments of taxpayer dollars. While it may seem like a small, administrative change, the move safeguards identity data, helps to prevent fraud, and preserves proper program administration.
“The Social Security Number database is our country’s books and records. The database’s accuracy is essential to maintaining integrity of government services for citizens. Accurate SSN records prevent fraud across federal programs and support the proper administration of benefits,” said Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano in a press release.
Here’s what the SSA has fixed according to the agency:
- Added 17 million dates of death to records that previously lacked this information
- Updated approximately 25 million records that previously had missing citizenship information
- Currently in the process of correcting an additional 8.5 million records with inaccurate citizenship status
- Implemented stronger internal controls to prevent inaccuracies due to manual data entry from occurring in the future
Now here’s what you don’t need to worry about — no Social Security numbers have been taken, your monthly checks are still coming, and recipients will still see a COLA bump.
In other words — it’s business as usual.
Moreover, if you have a relative or friend who has recently died, their Social Security number will not be taken. The SSA is clear that it does not reassign numbers after a card holder’s death.
“Even though we have issued over 453 million SSNs so far, and we assign about five and one-half million new numbers a year, the current numbering system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future with no changes in the numbering system,” the website reads.
Social Security has also announced another change — but this time it’s directly helping Americans. The agency recently revealed that beneficiaries will see 3.6% cost-of-living increase next year — averaging another $75 a month.
This means 73 million Americans who collect benefits will see the bump as well as the 7.5 million people who receive Supplemental Security Income.
However, some experts say it’s not enough to keep up with rising prices — and the fund running out of cash after 2032.
The Social Security Administration said in a statement that after 2032, the fund will only be able to dole out 78% of total scheduled benefits. This puts recipients at risk of losing an average of about $500 a month.
“This train wreck is going to happen,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) said in an interview with Politico. “So as early as six years from now, we’re going to have to have a plan. And of course, I’m a big believer that we need to deal with it now, or we need to start the process of dealing with it now.”
