Starting September 30, 2025, Social Security will completely transition away from paper assessments to digital bills only—both direct deposit right into a financial institution account or the Direct Express® debit card for the ones with out one. This change, pushed through a federal order to modernize bills, targets to reduce costs, lessen fraud, and accelerate gain delivery. Fewer than 1% of retirees nonetheless depend on paper assessments, however everybody who hasn’t switched need to act quickly or hazard not on time bills, except they qualify for a problem waiver. The shift won’t have an effect on gain amounts, and every other replace is at the horizon with the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) assertion predicted in mid-October.
Why the Change Is Happening
- A presidential Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” mandates that federal advantage bills must be made electronically, phasing out maximum paper take a look at bills.
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) is imposing this alteration as a part of a broader attempt to growth efficiency, lessen fraud and theft, pace bills, and reduce costs.
- According to SSA, paper assessments are greater at risk of loss or theft (16 × greater likely) and fee greater to issue (approximately $0.50 in keeping with take a look at vs $0.15 for an digital price range transfer).
Also read: New Bill Seeks To End Federal Taxes On Social Security Benefits
Key Details Retirees Should Know
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | September 30, 2025 |
| Who’s Affected | Mainly the small fraction of beneficiaries (under 1%) who still receive paper Social Security checks |
| New Payment Options | 1. Direct Deposit to a bank account 2. Direct Express® debit/prepaid card (for those without bank accounts) |
| What Changes | The method of payment changes — the benefit amount doesn’t. |
| Exceptions / Waivers | Some exemptions may apply — individuals in certain hardship situations can file a waiver with the U.S. Treasury by calling 1-877-874-6347. |
| Newspaper / Temporary Checks | SSA is no longer offering temporary paper checks for initial claims. |
What Retirees Need to Do
- Check the way you presently get hold of your Social Security benefit.
- If you already get direct deposit or a Direct Express® card, you probable don’t want to take action.
- If you’re nevertheless on paper assessments, act earlier than Sept. 30.
- Log in for your my Social Security account and replace your charge approach.
- Or go to your neighborhood SSA workplace or name SSA (or, for the ones on SSI/worldwide beneficiaries, name 1-800-772-1213) to switch.
- If you don’t have a financial institution account, join up for a Direct Express® card.
- If you can’t switch (due to extreme hardship, no financial institution access, etc.), follow for a waiver.
- Call the U.S. Treasury at 1-877-874-6347 to request an exemption.
- Those waivers are evaluated case with the aid of using case.
- Confirm that your new charge approach is working.
- After converting, take a look at a charge is going through (to your financial institution or your card).
- Stay vigilant approximately notices from SSA.
- SSA is actively sending notifications to the small organization nevertheless on paper assessments to remind them of the change.
Another Change Coming Soon: COLA 2026
- The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security for 2026 is predicted to be introduced round October 15, 2025, whilst inflation statistics are finalized.
- The COLA is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
- Some forecasting agencies are estimating a COLA of approximately 2.7% for 2026, aleven though the very last discern relies upon on inflation trends.
That method your month-to-month advantage should upward push modestly, however you’ll need to maintain a watch on how growing costs (e.g. fitness care) would possibly offset a number of that boost.
Also read: DWP’s £562 State Pension Boost May Backfire on Retirees
FAQs
Q1: Will my advantage quantity alternate with this transfer?
No — your advantage remains the same. Only the technique of transport changes.
Q2: What if I don’t have a financial institution account?
You can use the Direct Express® pay as you go debit card option.
Q3: Can a person nonetheless get hold of paper exams after Sept. 30?
Yes, however handiest in constrained instances thru waiver approval. Paper exams won’t be the default.
Q4: What takes place if I don’t transfer in time?
Your advantages may be behind schedule or disrupted till you shift to an digital price technique (except you purchased a waiver).
Q5: When will I study the COLA for 2026?
Around October 15, 2025, while inflation data (for example, CPI-W) for previous months are released.