Tuesday, June 25, 2013

It Pays to Read Beyond the Headlines

Social Security Kept Paying Benefits to 1,546 Deceased. (Wall Street Journal, 6/24/2013)

The first question that comes to mind is......

How many people currently receive Social Security benefits.

You need to stick with the article until the 7th paragraph to find the answer.

Social Security pays benefits to more than 55 million people, so the alleged improper payments went to just a small fraction of that universe.

A number that's easy to find.

In other words, deceased Social Security beneficiaries are a minuscule percentage of the total number.


The article, however, goes on to note, But it could still cause public relations headaches for the agency.

Well, yeah, if the media approach it with their usual transcription, selective emphasis, lack of research, and absence of fact-checking, eager to make everything out to be a 

And really, isn't this the bigger story?

The IG report didn’t say who collected the money once the beneficiary passed away or if the government will seek to recoup the funds.

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