The big switch is here
Big changes are coming for Social Security recipients. After September 30, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop sending out most paper checks and move almost everyone to digital payments. The move follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to “modernise payments”.
But here’s the twist: not everyone is being forced into the digital age. While most beneficiaries will have to use direct deposit or a prepaid debit card, a small group of retirees will still get to open their mailbox and find an old-fashioned paper check waiting for them.
Why the change matters
Social Security is a lifeline for around 70 million Americans each month, including retirees, survivors, and people with disabilities. With so many people depending on the programme, even small changes can create big waves.
For years, the SSA has been shifting toward electronic payments. It’s faster, safer, and much cheaper. The agency says issuing a paper check costs about 50 cents, while a digital transfer costs less than 15 cents. Multiply that by millions of payments every month, and the savings add up. Officials expect to cut more than $2 million in costs annually.
There’s also the security angle. Paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen than electronic payments. Direct deposits and prepaid debit cards help make sure the money lands safely in the right hands.
Who still gets checks?
Here’s the part many people are curious about: who still gets paper checks after September 30? The SSA carved out a few exceptions for Americans who may struggle with the switch.
- Retirees aged 90 and older
- Individuals with certain mental impairments
- People living in very remote areas without easy access to banks
If you fall into one of these groups, you can apply for a waiver to keep receiving checks in the mail. That means thousands of the oldest and most vulnerable Social Security beneficiaries won’t be forced into digital payments.
What about everyone else?
For the roughly 500,000 Americans who still get paper checks but don’t qualify for a waiver, the time to act is now. By September 30, they’ll need to choose one of two options:
- Set up direct deposit with their bank account.
- Sign up for a Direct Express card, a prepaid debit card where Social Security payments are automatically loaded each month.
Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group, explained the challenge this creates for some recipients: “Many of these individuals don’t have bank accounts, don’t use the internet, and will need hands-on help making the switch.”
What experts are saying
Not everyone sees this change as bad news. In fact, many financial experts think it’s long overdue.
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, put it simply: “The vast majority of recipients have switched to direct deposit already. Even for those who don’t want that, they’ll still have the option of receiving a prepaid debit card. This makes payments more efficient and cuts down on fraud.”
SSA officials also emphasised that they are contacting the small group of remaining check recipients directly. The goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible before the deadline hits.
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The bottom line
For most Social Security beneficiaries, nothing changes—they’re already receiving their payments electronically. For about half a million people still holding on to paper checks, September 30 is the last call to switch, unless they qualify for one of the exceptions.
So yes, the check really is almost in the mail—just not for everyone anymore. For the oldest retirees and those living in tough circumstances, the paper tradition continues. For everyone else, it’s time to embrace the digital age, whether through direct deposit or a prepaid card.
And while it may feel like the end of an era, the SSA hopes this shift will mean faster, safer, and more reliable payments for the millions of Americans who rely on Social Security each month.
