Dead Federal Workers Received $600 Million in Benefits

Over the past five years, the federal government has given out over $600 million in benefits payments to deceased individuals. The payments, which are intended for retired or disabled federal workers, continue to go to the deceased worker’s family if his or her death is not reported.

A 2005 inspector general’s report brought the government’s attention to the defects in the Civil Service and Disability Fund, but improper payments still continue. The agency has already implement ten of the fourteen recommendations provided by the inspector general, and it claims it is working to recoup its losses.

See Sam Hananel, Gov’t Paid $600 Million in Benefits to Dead People, The Associated Press, Sep. 23, 2011.