Letter to Commissioner Astrue

Letter

August 8, 2011

Michael Astrue
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235

Dear Commissioner Astrue:

I am writing to you today with regard to a recent report about errors in the Social Security Administration's Death Master File, which contains records of over 90 million deceased Americans. According to a Scripps Howard News Service report, every year thousands of Americans are entered into this computer system in error and recorded as deceased, when in fact they are alive. The Scripps analysis shows that Illinois has the third-highest error rate in the country, and that between 2007 and 2008 the number of errors nearly quadrupled.

I understand that out of the 2 million deaths reported every year 99.5 percent are reported accurately. I commend your high rate of accuracy. However, I remain concerned that for the 0.5 percent of individuals whose deaths are reported incorrectly, this error can cause very significant challenges. As you know, if a person is mistakenly placed on this list, it can result in problems with credit agencies, applying for a loan, or even getting a job. In addition, individuals who have been in this situation report that the problem can be difficult to resolve.

I bring this matter to your attention to inquire about the reasons for these reporting errors in Illinois. Specifically, what changed between 2007 and 2008 to explain the dramatic increase? What steps have been taken to ensure that these reporting errors will be corrected and what plans are in place to avoid these problems in the future?

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to working with you to ensure that the proper safeguards are in place to significantly reduce these errors.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

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