Retirement Social Security

Your SSI Benefits May Be at Risk From Fraud - A New Overhaul Could Help Protect Them

New tools and improvements may help SSI recipients avoid overpayments.

By Paige Cerulli , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 23, 2026

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Retirees who depend on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for seniors may soon have extra protections to keep those benefits safe from fraud. The Social Security Administration (SSA) released its 2026 SSI Annual Report highlighting new program-integrity upgrades to help better protect beneficiaries.

Here's what you should know about the enhancements, the changes they may prompt, and the improvements that might be in store.

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The core promise from the SSA

The SSA's report includes "significant service improvements for the SSI program," which is currently led by Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. "New initiatives under Commissioner Bisignano have led to a reduction in improper payments, higher levels of accuracy, and better, faster, and higher-quality service for America's most vulnerable population," the SSA wrote.

The changes focus on streamlining SSI policy instructions and improving access to tools that may help catch errors and improper payments earlier, before they become a debt that aged, blind, or disabled SSI recipients must later repay.

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Expanded use of the Access to Financial Institution tool

The SSA is expanding the use of the Access to Financial Institution (AFI) tool that helps identify improper payments early on. The SSA uses the tool to identify and verify bank account information and detect undisclosed bank account balances. The SSA has also adopted a zero-dollar AFI tolerance for SSI 65+ claim alliances, and for all SSI blind and disabled allowances.

"Excess resources are by far the number one reason for improper payments in the SSI program," reads the report. "Moving to the zero-dollar tolerance enables the agency to check for resources beyond the allowable limit and ensure we are not making payments to ineligible individuals."

The Payroll Information Exchange

Additionally, the SSA is fully implementing the Payroll Information Exchange (PIE), a tool designed to help prevent improper payments. SSI beneficiaries have the option to agree to the SSA using the PIE to access their monthly wage data from participating employers. The use of the PIE means recipients don't have to make monthly wage reports themselves.

Participation in PIE is voluntary for recipients and employers, and beneficiaries are required to still report to the SSA if a job stops or starts. If their employer doesn't participate in PIE, the beneficiary is required to still make monthly reports to the SSA.

Since PIE is a digital tool, the age reporting is automatically processed without SSA employees intervening. That automated processing may help speed up the process and also prevent improper payment while leaving SSA staff available to focus on other tasks that might require personalized attention.

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Stronger non-medical redetermination process

The report indicates that the SSI non-medical redetermination process is one of the "most effective tools for protecting and preserving program integrity." Through the process, the SSA conducts scheduled reviews of non-medical eligibility factors to determine if SSI beneficiaries are still eligible for SSI and if their payment amount is still correct. During the review, the SSA examines numerous factors, such as income, resources, and living arrangements.

These non-medical redeterminations help strengthen the control environment on a set schedule. The SSA schedules the review for cases that are most likely to have a payment error, but review may also be scheduled for cases that are unlikely to have a payment error. The number of reviews completed fluctuates from year to year as factors like limitations on administrative resources fluctuate. The SSA is on track to complete at least 2.6 million of these non-medical redeterminations in fiscal year 2026.

The broader push for SSI improvement

The tools and enhancements are part of a broader push for SSI improvement under Commissioner Bisignano.

"Under President Trump's leadership, we are protecting and strengthening Social Security for all Americans, including the nation's most vulnerable. As part of this commitment, I renewed SSA's focus on SSI over the last year," said Bisignano. "For the first time in the agency's history, I named a lead executive and established the SSI Improvement office to transform the service we provide to SSI recipients. We have made the program better for the people who rely on it and the SSA employees who support them."

According to a statement on the SSA website, SSI is a complex program that accounts for a large share of payment errors. The SSA team has reportedly worked with experts to review more than 215 suggestions on how to improve the agency.

Bottom line

Changes in your life, like changes in your ability to work or your marital status, may affect the SSI benefits you qualify for. If the SSA isn't alerted about these changes and you receive too much in payments, you may receive an overpayment notice. There are several options after receiving a notice, including repaying the overpaid benefits or requesting a waiver. Staying ahead of the issue with timely and accurate age and financial reporting may help you avoid the overpayment entirely, saving you time and stress.

Staying on top of your benefits and income may help you be better prepared to cope when changes or fluctuations do occur. Consider periodically reevaluating your retirement plan to make sure it reflects accurate income and benefits for your peace of mind.

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