The Social Security Administration said it has corrected millions of records in what it describes as the most comprehensive cleanup in its 91-year history.
On Tuesday, the agency said the effort aims to improve the accuracy of Social Security number records, prevent fraud and ensure government benefits are properly administered, according to a news release.
The agency said it has corrected nearly 15% of active Social Security numbers since the start of the Trump administration. According to the agency, its database contains information for more than 330 million U.S. citizens among nearly 390 million total records.
“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,” SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said in a news release statement.
“This is the first time SSA has undertaken an effort of this scale, and I am proud of the work we have done to strengthen the foundation of identity data relied upon throughout government and the economy,” he added.
What records did Social Security correct?
The cleanup addresses missing or inaccurate information, including dates of death and citizenship status.
The SSA added 17 million missing death dates using government data. It also updated about 25 million records with missing citizenship information using the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements service. The agency is working to correct an additional 8.5 million records with inaccurate citizenship information.
The agency has also introduced stronger internal controls to prevent future data-entry errors.
Could the cleanup affect Social Security benefits?
Accurate records help government agencies verify identities and prevent incorrect Social Security payments. Death records are particularly important for survivors’ benefits, which provide financial support to eligible family members after a recipient dies, according to Yahoo News.
The SSA has not said whether the corrections have affected individual benefit payments or eligibility, or how many records were linked to suspected fraud or improper payments.
The agency has not announced any new requirements for beneficiaries following the cleanup. They can review their earnings history and benefit details through their my Social Security accounts and contact the SSA if they find errors or experience an unexpected interruption in benefits.