DOGE updates 10 million Social Security records, slashes 5 million recipients

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has reported significant progress in a cleanup of Social Security Administration (SSA) records, marking approximately 9.9 million individuals aged 120 and above as deceased in an effort to eliminate government waste. The initiative follows Musk's earlier claims regarding inaccuracies in SSA records, which he suggested could indicate systemic fraud. However, SSA officials have clarified that these records do not imply that the individuals were receiving benefits. Additionally, DOGE is planning to modernize the SSA's outdated COBOL codebase, a move criticized for its rushed timeline that could jeopardize the benefits of millions of Americans reliant on Social Security. Critics argue that the rapid changes may lead to critical errors, risking the livelihood of older citizens who depend on these benefits. Amid the cleanup, other federal agencies are also facing significant job cuts as part of broader restructuring efforts.