Life status verification and data exchange – New ISSA reports

With millions of social security beneficiaries living abroad, ensuring accurate and timely verification of life status and exchange of data between countries is critical. Two complementary reports from the International Social Security Association (ISSA) address these key challenges from different angles.

As millions of retirees and beneficiaries live outside their country of entitlement, social security institutions face mounting risks of payment errors, fraud and administrative inefficiencies. The reports underscore that proof of life, and death data exchange, are not isolated processes but interconnected pillars of a modern benefit administration.

A report by the Working Group on International Social Security Agreements and Data Exchange Proof takes a broader approach to proof of life and death data exchange, while a report by the ISSA Technical Commission on Old-age, Invalidity and Survivors' Insurance focuses on practices related to the exchange of mortality information for pensioners.

From paper to digital: A global shift

Traditionally, social security institutions relied on regular paper-based "Certificates of Life" to confirm beneficiaries' existence, for example once or twice a year. While still widely used, this method imposes significant burdens on both pensioners and institutions - possibly requiring travel, notarization and manual processing.

Institutions therefore introduce electronic death data exchange, enabling frequent updates, supported by international and bilateral agreements. It's important to highlight that these developments, which are based on interinstitutional collaboration, are complementary to tools that enable individuals to validate their life status through an individual-to-institution relationship. This evolution reflects a broader trend: digitalization and automation are transforming life status verification from a reactive, manual task into a data-driven process.

These strategies can prevent overpayments and fraud by ensuring benefits stop promptly after death, safeguard entitlements by enabling timely survivor benefits. In addition, they reduce the administrative burden for pensioners and institutions alike.

Challenges and ISSA support

While the trend is clear, there are still many technical, institutional and legal challenges. These reflect the diversity of legal systems, administrative practices and IT capabilities across countries. Each obstacle carries implications for the accuracy of benefit payments, and the efficiency of social security operations.

The studies also explore the legal frameworks underpinning these processes - from EU regulations and bilateral agreements to national laws - and the growing importance of data protection standards. Institutions must balance privacy with operational needs, harmonize IT systems and adopt common standards to ensure interoperability.

To support members, the ISSA is developing a cloud-based secure data exchange platform and international standards for life status validation. The aim is to standardize formats, enhance security and promote global cooperation. The Working Group will continue working on these issues in the upcoming 2026-2028 triennium, in close cooperation with relevant Technical Commissions and interested ISSA members.