New law tightens sharing of death records to stop payments to the deceased
Signed into lawS. 269Latest action
Sponsor: John Kennedy · Senator · LA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
119th Congress
Topics: Family & community
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
Social Security must share death data with the Do Not Pay system and prove errors with clear evidence, starting December 27, 2026.
45-second read · 5 questions answered below
What does this do?
The law requires the Social Security Administration to share death record data with the federal "Do Not Pay" system to stop payments sent to deceased people. It also requires "clear and convincing evidence" before Social Security marks someone as deceased, and mandates notifying other agencies if a death record error is discovered.
Who does it affect?
This affects recipients of federal benefits like Social Security, and government agencies that check death records before issuing payments.
Why does it matter?
The changes aim to reduce improper payments to deceased individuals while adding protections against wrongly recording living people as dead, which can cut off benefits and create financial and bureaucratic problems.
What does it cost, and who pays?
- SSA and Do Not Pay agency share costs
- Covers accurate state death records
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govNo call to make
This is law.
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 28, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: the president signed it. It's law.Now law
Latest action: — Became Public Law No: 119-77.