Musk questions reports of 150-year-olds receiving social security

Elon Musk has mocked the idea that people over 150 years old are still receiving social security benefits in the United States. Musk, who has been tasked by President Donald Trump with overseeing government efficiency, dismissed the claim as highly improbable.

“Anyone who is 150 years old and still receiving Social Security should be in the Guinness Book of World Records, or either dead, in my opinion,” Musk said in a video.

The comment came after a viral claim suggested that individuals over 150 years old are still listed as recipients of government benefits. Musk joked that such individuals would either be incredibly famous or should not exist at all.

Understanding the US Social Security program

The United States Social Security program is designed to provide financial protection against income loss due to retirement, disability, or death. It is managed by the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds.

However, concerns have been raised about fraud, outdated records, and inefficiencies in the system.

Political commentator Benny Johnson amplified the claim in a social media post, quoting Musk’s reaction:

“There are 150-year-olds receiving Social Security. Let that sink in…
Elon Musk: ‘I think they’re probably dead, is my guess, or they should be very famous, one of the two.'”

Trump and Musk’s push for government efficiency

Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping effort to cut government spending, aiming to reduce the federal budget by $1 trillion.

To achieve this, Trump has appointed Elon Musk to lead a newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is scrutinizing federal spending, payment records, and personnel data.

Trump stated on Tuesday that these efforts could significantly reduce wasteful spending, citing the $6.75 trillion federal budget from the last fiscal year.

Why is this a problem?

The US government has spent more money than it has collected every year since 2001, leading to ballooning budget deficits and rapidly growing national debt.

• Public debt now stands at $28.9 trillion, which is equal to 100% of the US GDP.
• The Government Accountability Office predicts that by 2027, this debt could surpass 107% of GDP, setting a new record.
• According to the Treasury Department, the total US debt, including obligations to government benefit programs, has reached $36.2 trillion.

With an aging population, spending on retirement and healthcare programs is expected to increase, while the labor force that funds these programs through income taxes is projected to grow more slowly.

Trump’s actions and public reaction

Since launching his government downsizing effort, Trump’s administration has faced significant backlash, including:

• Street protests
• Criticism from lawmakers accusing him of overstepping presidential authority
• Concerns over security and privacy due to Musk’s team reviewing federal records

Despite the controversy, Trump remains committed to overhauling federal spending and reducing inefficiencies in government programs—including Social Security.