Social Security to End Paper Checks for 711,000 Beneficiaries in 2026

3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 18

Less than 1% of Social Security beneficiaries—about 711,000 people—still getting paper checks will need to move to electronic payments this year under an SSA transition announced in a June 2 blog post.
The shift follows a March 25, 2025 executive order pushing federal agencies to improve payment efficiency, cut costs and strengthen security, though SSA did not give a final conversion deadline.
Direct deposit remains the main path, and beneficiaries can now update bank details by phone as well as through a my Social Security account, but account verification problems have left some users needing alternate identity checks.
People without bank accounts can receive benefits through the Direct Express debit card, while those unable to manage the change may need a representative payee or a Treasury hardship waiver.
One group is exempt: beneficiaries born before May 1, 1921 can continue receiving paper checks without requesting a waiver.