This is an unusual suggestion. Typically, I would recommend against having too many laws. However, in this case, I believe this could be a beneficial law that is worth considering.
To ensure the law remains effective, it is important to limit the involvement of lawyers. The length should be kept to no more than four paragraphs, as any longer would likely make the text overly complex. If lawyers are allowed to contribute, the law could become excessively lengthy and difficult to understand, even for legal professionals.
It would say something like this:
All authorities issuing death certificates shall send a copy to the Social Security Administration on paper.
To prevent the inadvertent issuance of false documents, the Social Security Administration should send a registered letter to the individual reported as deceased, requesting verification of their status. If the person is alive but unable to respond directly, an appropriate representative should be able to do so on their behalf.
Intentionally creating false or misleading documents is considered fraudulent and may result in legal consequences.
If the recipient does not respond to the letter within ninety days, they will be presumed deceased and removed from the active register. No further payments will be made to that individual, except for any applicable survivor benefits.
An appropriate consequence should be included. The advantage of the law is that it would prevent sending payments to deceased individuals, and it would be easily understood by all.
The process of distributing payments to individuals located outside the United States may require a more nuanced approach. It would be prudent to consult legal experts who can navigate the complexities of international law and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
The advantages of this approach are straightforward:
1) It encourages ethical behavior and accountability.
2) It helps preserve the Social Security system for future generations.
3) It protects the system from those who would seek to exploit it for personal gain, ensuring its sustainability for younger individuals.