I’ve been waiting for this day to come for a long time (actually, it came a few months ago)! Effective May 1, 2011, applicants filing for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments must choose either direct deposit or the Direct Express® debit card. There will be no option to receive your Social Security benefits by check.
This means that the Social Security Administration will not have to bear the cost of printing, mailing, and replacing checks for beneficiaries and recipients. Those that were already receiving their benefits by check before May 1, 2011, will have until March 1, 2013 to switch to direct deposit or the Direct Express® debit card.
How To Receive Your Social Security Benefits Through Direct Deposit
Since you no longer have an option to receive your Social Security benefits via a live check, there isn’t much for you to do. If you already have a bank account, you can set up direct deposit of your Supplemental Security Income or Social Security benefit payments through your bank.
You can also call the Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Just have your bank information and Social Security number available when you call, and they can set things up for you. Since there are more stringent regulations on when a creditor can garnish Social Security benefits, those who avoided direct deposit as a means to ‘hide’ their benefits, should no longer have to do so.
Are There Any Exceptions To Receiving Your Social Security Benefits Electronically?
Those who are 90 years of age or older may still choose to receive paper checks. This also goes for those who are able to document a disability.
In my mind, these are the people who would benefit from electronic payments the most – they may have trouble getting to a bank to cash their checks, and then trying to buy things in person with cash.
What Is The Direct Express MasterCard?
If you are set to receive Social Security benefits, and you do not enter direct deposit information, your benefits will be paid through the Direct Express Debit MasterCard instead of by a paper check. The card is just what it sounds like, a debit card that you can use wherever MasterCard is accepted.
Your monthly benefits will be deposited onto your debit card, instead of deposited into your bank account. You will receive a personal identification number (PIN), that will allow you to withdraw cash from an ATM or merchant who provides cash back.
You are allowed one free cash withdrawal per deposit at ATMs in the Direct Express network. Also, you are able to make free withdrawals at the teller window at any MasterCard member bank (most banks).
You can even sign up for low balance alerts by phone, email, or text message. Unfortunately, if you wish to receive regular monthly statements, you will have to pay $0.75 per month. Although, you are able to view the last 90 days of activity online (which may be enough for most people).
There are other fees associated with the card, which you can find here.
The Bottom Line Regarding Electronic Social Security Benefits
According to the Social Security Administration, 85% of those receiving benefits do so electronically. Therefore, this new regulation will have no effect on the majority of beneficiaries.
I wasn’t able to find an estimate regarding the amount of money that will be saved by moving everyone to electronic payments, but with only 15% of recipients receiving paper checks, the numbers can’t be that great. This isn’t going to be the move that saves Social Security!
As with any of the social welfare programs, there is a real danger of it not being around in it’s current form in the not-to-distant future. Therefore, it is imperative that we take full advantage of the IRA contribution limits, 401k contribution limits, and a 401k employer match, while there is still time.
The decision on how to receive these payments is a major issue for those with no other forms of income. For others who still have time, we need to do everything we can to avoid depending on Social Security benefits to fully support us in retirement! For those who believe that they have run out of time, here are a few late retirement planning tips to help you catch up.
photo by DonkeyHotey
