Social Security mistakenly declared an 82-year-old man dead, canceling his benefits and causing lasting issues.

Ned Johnson, an 82-year-old from Seattle, was mistakenly declared dead by the Social Security Administration, leading to the cancellation of his benefits. It took Johnson two months to correct the error through numerous calls, letters, and a long visit to the SSA office. He now faces ongoing issues due to being listed on the Death Master File, which could affect him for life. The case highlights the difficulties faced by Social Security recipients when navigating the system.