05-02-2025
Not dead yet: Another person thought to be dead is indeed alive
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — There are thousands of people like the Virginia Beach woman who had been struggling to get benefits and a job because she had been declared dead.
Not dead yet: VB woman thought dead has to prove living status
10 On Your Side has since heard from others, including a retired police officer with 46 years of law enforcement experience.
But Jim Brewer is very much alive, and very much struggling with the system to try and convince it that he's, indeed, alive.
According to the Social Security Administration, around 10,000 death records must be corrected each year. It is a small amount, but for those listed as dead when they are not, it is a big deal.
Just one question — are you dead?
'Well, it depends on who you ask,' Brewer told 10 On Your Side.
A lot of people have asked.
Brewer is considered dead with the Virginia Retirement System. He held the letter that read, 'we are saddened to hear James Brewer's passing. The Virginia Retirement System extends our condolences to you at this difficult time.'
Said Brewer: 'I was dead. The state of Virginia thought I was dead — knew I was dead too because I got a retirement from them also.'
Brewer is also dead to American Express.
'I got two American Express cards,' Brewer said. 'They told me yesterday, they said, 'Mr. Brewer, we have records showing that you're dead,' and I had to straighten that out because they were going to shut down my cards.'
And again, Brewer is listed dead to Medicare.
'That is Anthem Medicare, and they wrote us, 'The death of James Brewer, please accept our condolences'' Brewer said, reading from the letter. '…Yesterday, I called Medicare. They still have not been notified by Social Security that I am alive.'
After our report two weeks ago, Jim wrote this email to 10 On Your Side, which included:
'Well, Andy, it looks like the story you did last week, social security has listed me as dead, and I was in their office today for four hours … to try and fix it,' Brewer wrote.
10 On Your Side reached out to the Social Security Administration, which had helped with the wrongful listing death of Virginia Beach resident Jaime Duzz.
We called SSA Regional Communications Director Shawn Fordham and left a message.
'Mr. Fordham, I got another person who's dead,' 10 On Your Side told him, 'but I'm sitting right here talking to him. His name is Jim Brewer. I'm going to text you with his information. He needs help from the SSA to let everyone know that he's alive, … and I am holding the letter saying that he's dead.'
Fordham did not return 10 On Your Side's call, but he promptly called back Brewer and has promised to help, Brewer said.
Brewer wants to get to the bottom of the mistake that has been troubling him.
'First of all, this is what I want: I want to know who made the mistake,' Brewer said. 'I want to know who notified them, or who made the mistake. I don't want anybody disciplined. I don't want anybody to be fired. I want answers on how this happened. …
'It is frustrating. It's a lot of work. I've had to spend many, many, many hours on the phone because of this.'
Brewer said he appreciated the call from Fordham, and he feels like he has the SSA's attention.
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