Social Security And "Improper Payments"

As a result of a Presidential order, Social Security has developed a Reducing Improper Payments web page. Here is Social Security's summary of its recent Title II overpayment and underpayment experience.

RSDI Improper Payments Experience FY 2006 – FY 2009
	FY 2006	FY 2007	FY 2008	FY 2009
Total Payments
Dollars in Millions	$545,000	$576,800	$607,210	$659,565
Underpayments
Dollars in Millions	$680	$754	$495	$619
Target Rate	≤0.20%	≤0.20%	≤0.20%	≤0.20%
Actual Rate	0.12%	0.13%	0.08%	0.09%
Overpayments
Dollars in Millions	$1,824	$1,209	$2,041	$2,547
Target Rate	≤0.20%	≤0.20%	≤0.20%	≤0.20%
Actual Rate	0.33%	0.21%	0.34%	0.37%

By the way, this does not include as underpayments the benefits going to disability claimants who are finally paid back benefits after lengthy appeals. If those were included the underpayment rate would be multiplied by at least ten.