The social security administration says it will finish a full transition of benefit payments to electronic delivery this year, urging any remaining paper‑check recipients to switch to direct deposit or Direct Express.
In a June 2, 2026 blog post the Social Security Administration wrote that it “plans to complete the full transition to electronic payments for all beneficiaries this year,” and it outlined steps for people to add bank information through a mySocialSecurity account or enroll in the Direct Express® prepaid card program.
The SSA post said electronic payments are faster and more secure, noting paper checks are “16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or returned undeliverable than electronic payments,” and that Treasury reports the average cost to print a check rose to $3.07 per check.
Those details follow federal guidance from Executive Order 14247, which directs the federal government to move most disbursements to electronic methods; the White House page for that order says Treasury will cease issuing paper checks for most federal payments by September 30, 2025.
SSA emphasized exemptions and waivers are available: beneficiaries who cannot make the switch for medical, mental‑health, or geographic reasons can request an exception through the U.S. Treasury, the blog said.
Advocates and outlets covering the change have reminded beneficiaries to act now to avoid payment delays, and SSA gives a phone number and links for help — including GoDirect.gov and the mySocialSecurity portal — as enrollment options.
The social security administration transition affects recipients across retirement, disability and Supplemental Security Income programs, and the agency said it will work to make the shift seamless for seniors and people with disabilities.
For readers who want background on Social Security and recent agency developments, see the agency’s anniversary coverage and broader finance context in related reporting.
Read more about the agency’s history and program outlook: Social Security Administration marks 91 years and trust fund projected to run dry by 2032.
Sources
- Social Security Administration — June 2, 2026 blog post stating SSA “plans to complete the full transition to electronic payments for all beneficiaries this year” and detailing Direct Express and mySocialSecurity steps.
- The White House — text of Executive Order 14247 “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account,” directing Treasury to transition federal disbursements to electronic formats by Sept. 30, 2025.
- Federal Register / U.S. Treasury — notices and implementation pages explaining the Treasury phase‑out of paper checks and related federal guidance.
