Here is the complete story about 300 year old people on the Social Security Databases. Grace M. Hopper is the key.

[usaf-vet]

Elon and his "wiz kids" have demonstrated they know nothing about the history of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language).
Read this history. You will know more than the president (47), and Elon and his ["19-year-old WIZ kids"]. Enjoy the thought!

Grace M. Hopper and COBOL: A Legacy of Innovation

Grace Murray Hopper (1906–1992) was a pioneering computer scientist, U.S. Navy rear admiral, and one of the most influential figures in the early development of computer programming. She played a vital role in shaping high-level programming languages, particularly COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), which became one of the most widely used languages for business and government applications.
Her Relationship to COBOL

Development of the First Compiler:
Before COBOL, computers were programmed in machine code or assembly language. Hopper worked on the first-ever compiler, the A-0 System (1952), which translated human-readable instructions into machine code, a concept fundamental to all modern programming.

Flow-Matic:
In the mid-1950s, she developed Flow-Matic, the first English-like programming language, which influenced COBOL. Flow-Matic was designed to make programming more accessible to business users and administrators.

COBOL’s Creation (1959):
The Defense Department’s Conference on Data Systems Languages (CODASYL) established COBOL, and Hopper was a key contributor. The language drew heavily from Flow-Matic’s design, emphasizing English syntax to make it understandable by non-technical users.

Standardization and Government Adoption:
Hopper was a strong advocate for COBOL’s standardization, ensuring it became the dominant language for government and business computing. By the 1960s, the U.S. government mandated its use, securing COBOL’s long-term role in critical financial, payroll, and social security systems.

How ManyTimes Did Grace Hopper Retire?
Grace Hopper retired from the U.S. Navy twice but was called back both times:
First Retirement (1966):
She retired from the Navy as a commander but was recalled in 1967 due to a severe shortage of programmers with expertise in standardized computing.
Second Retirement (1971):
She retired again but was brought back in 1972 as a captain to help modernize the Navy’s computer systems.
Final Retirement (1986):
At age 79, she retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral—one of the oldest officers ever to serve. She then joined the private sector, becoming a senior consultant at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).

Her return to service reflected the Navy’s need for her expertise in software standardization, ensuring interoperability between different military and government computer systems. Personal Note: It took an ACT of Congress to bring her out of retirement.
Connection to Social Security Records and People Born in 1875

Grace Hopper’s work in COBOL had direct significance in Social Security Administration (SSA) records, especially those of people born in the late 19th century (1875 and beyond):
COBOL in Social Security Systems:
The SSA adopted COBOL in the 1960s to manage records, calculate benefits, and process payments.
Since Social Security records date back to the program’s inception in 1935, many files included data for people born in the late 19th century.
The Y2K Problem and Old Records:
Many of these records were stored in COBOL-based systems using two-digit birth years (e.g., "75" for 1875 or 1975).
Hopper’s push for standardization and data validation was critical in maintaining these records accurately for decades.
The reliance on COBOL is one reason so many companies sought COBOL programmers during the Y2K crisis, as Social Security and financial records needed updates to handle four-digit years.
Longevity of COBOL:
Despite being over 60 years old, COBOL is still used today by the SSA, banks, and government agencies.
Hopper’s foresight ensured that millions of Social Security beneficiaries—many with records dating back to 1875—were still being processed accurately decades later.

Legacy and Impact
Grace Hopper’s impact is immeasurable:

She pioneered compiler technology that shaped modern programming.
She ensured that COBOL would remain a cornerstone of business and government computing.
She revolutionized how the Navy and the U.S. government handled digital data.
Even today, her work underpins Social Security, banking, and military systems, proving the enduring importance of her contributions.

Her famous quote encapsulates her innovative spirit:
“The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’”