Social Security Backlog Hits All-Time High with Over 5 Million Open Cases Resulting in $1.1 Billion in Improper Payments

The Social Security Administration faces a record-breaking backlog of open cases, leading to approximately $1 billion in projected improper payments to beneficiaries. The backlog of pending actions climbed to an all-time high of more than 5 million as of February 2024. Improper payments include overpayments, where beneficiaries are paid more than they should be, and underpayments, where payments are erroneously reduced. The agency failed to meet its performance goals in two fiscal years due to unexpected staff reductions, increased workloads, and insufficient overtime funding, according to the Social Security Administration.