Elon Musk Exposes Massive Social Security Fraud in the US: 60 Million Extra Social Security Numbers

On February 17, 2025, tech mogul Elon Musk took to social media platform X to reveal shocking allegations regarding the United States’ Social Security system. Musk suggested that the US Social Security system might be facing one of the largest frauds in its history, citing data discrepancies that raise serious concerns about the integrity of the system.

The Discrepancies Revealed

According to Musk, the US Social Security database shows a staggering 398 million "active" individuals, far exceeding the official US population figure of 341 million. This means there are approximately 60 million more Social Security numbers than there are actual citizens. But that’s not all. Musk also pointed out that the database contains over 20 million individuals listed as being over the age of 100, with some records allegedly dating back to as far as 360 years ago.

In Musk's own words, this situation could potentially represent "the largest fraud in history." These findings suggest serious flaws in the Social Security database that have yet to be addressed.

The Role of COBOL in the Issue

Experts in the field of technology have weighed in on the possible cause of this anomaly. One of the most likely explanations is the US government’s continued reliance on the outdated COBOL system for its Social Security database. COBOL, a programming language developed in the 1950s, has long been criticized for its age and difficulty in maintenance. As the system has aged, so have its rules for inputting data.

For example, prior to 2004, some parts of the COBOL system would automatically input a default birth year of 1875 for individuals without a recorded birth date. This could explain the sudden appearance of hundreds of "over 100 years old" entries in the database. Even older versions of the system may have defaulted to placing 1601 or 1660 as the birth year for individuals lacking data, potentially leading to the discovery of records as old as 360 years.

Additionally, the COBOL programming community has experienced a severe shortage of younger developers familiar with the language. As a result, maintenance of the system has become increasingly difficult, and programming errors may be contributing to the anomalies found in the Social Security database.

A Closer Look at the Implications

While the exact cause of these discrepancies remains unclear, the findings have sparked widespread concern. If the data anomalies Musk highlighted are accurate, it suggests a severe issue with the integrity of the US government’s Social Security database, which handles critical information for millions of citizens.

The lack of modern technology and expertise to address these problems is a significant concern, especially given that the system continues to manage sensitive information for millions of people. Furthermore, the ongoing reliance on COBOL creates a scenario where errors in data entry and processing could easily go unnoticed, further complicating efforts to rectify the situation.

Moving Forward: What Needs to Be Done?

Elon Musk’s revelations have prompted calls for a modernization of the US Social Security system. If the system is indeed plagued by programming errors and outdated technology, it's clear that immediate reform is necessary to ensure data integrity and security. A shift toward more modern programming languages and systems could help address these issues and prevent future discrepancies from occurring.

While there may be skepticism regarding Musk’s claims, the implications of such widespread discrepancies in the Social Security database should not be taken lightly. If Musk’s findings are accurate, it could lead to a major overhaul of the US Social Security system, with far-reaching consequences for both its administration and the citizens it serves.

In the meantime, government officials are likely to scrutinize Musk's claims, and experts will likely continue to investigate the potential causes of these database discrepancies. If this issue proves to be as widespread as Musk suggests, the US may be facing one of the most significant challenges to its Social Security system in recent history.

Conclusion

Whether or not Elon Musk’s accusations are proven to be entirely accurate, the revelations about discrepancies in the US Social Security database have opened up a broader conversation about the need for technological upgrades and system reform. With the potential for widespread fraud and errors in the system, it’s crucial that steps are taken to ensure the integrity of one of the country’s most important resources.

As of now, it remains to be seen how the US government will respond to these claims, but one thing is clear: a system overhaul may be long overdue.