The Social Security Administration is moving away from paper checks.
Later this year, only electronic payments will be used to pay benefits. This was announced on July 14th as part of efforts to modernize the system and improve service delivery.
“By moving to electronic payments alone, we aim to improve efficiency, security and ensure beneficiaries receive their monthly benefits quickly,” the agency wrote in a blog post.
According to the SSA, less than 1% of beneficiaries have not yet switched to electronic payment methods and are still being checked on paper. Agents are urging you to use direct deposits or direct speed cards before the late September deadline to receive monthly benefits on time.
Those who still receive the paper check will be notified of the transition and will receive instructions on how to transition all benefits checks, SSA said.
When is paper checking an option?
Starting September 30, 2025, the Social Security Administration will suspend issuing paper checks for benefits. All beneficiaries must switch to electronic payments.
Why does it change?
The SSA said switching from paper checks to electronic payments will minimize payment delays and reduce the risk of fraud.
The SSA cited the US Treasury Department, saying that the cost of electronic payments is about 35 cents cheaper than a paper check, essentially saving the federal government millions of dollars a year.
The agency said the transition provides a safer and safer way to provide a safer and safer way, with paper checks being 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen.
How to switch to electronic payments
Social Security beneficiaries can switch from paper checks to online electronic payments through their individual My Social Socile accounts.
Our agency has technicians who need technical support from 7:30am to 4pm Monday through Friday.
Another Social Security Payment Coming in July
Soon in late July, some beneficiaries who overpaid may cut their monthly Social Security benefits by half.
In April, the SSA announced that it would withhold 50% of the benefits payments to overpayment recipients. It marked a partial backtrack from the previous month when the agency revealed plans to withhold all recipient benefits until the overpayment was collected.
Previously, agents had withheld only 10% of the recipient’s profits to recover from overpayment. SSA reduced its recovery rate to that level in 2023 after negative media coverage about the agency’s collection process. “Innocent people can get seriously hurt,” then Social Security Director Martin O’Malley said according to Detroit Free Press, part of the USA Today Network.
Contribution: Mike Snyder, USA TODAY
