Mine has always been direct deposit.

See the link below to reference information on direct deposit. You must change to Direct deposit by March, 2013 - or else they will send you a card every month with your payment on it - like a "gift card".

Everyone who newly applies for SS benefits must specify direct deposit or a card. No paper checks.

Here is a link that might be useful: All direct deposit after March, 2013 - explanation

DH has always had direct deposit, too.

Some poorer members of society don't have bank accounts - they have to take the SS check to a check cashing service. The "service" takes a percentage of the money the check is issued for. The "gift card" method would give these people the chance to keep and use 100% of their SS money.

I can't imagine why the desire to hold one of the checks, though. They used to look just like any other government check, and probably still do. Who would care?

I read your link but I wonder what the card program is?

Sunshines, if you follow the link again, look in the left column, and you will see a link to the Direct Express Card. That will explain the program.

As I said above, this card works like a debit or gift card. It allows people without bank accounts to fully utilize their SS benefits, without paying a check cashing service a percentage just to cash the check.

It has been so long ago, I don't remember whether I got a paper check or not. I know I've had Direct Deposit ever since it was available.

I was 58 when my DH died, and I chose to take the "Widow's Benefit" rather than waiting until I was 60. That meant the amount would be a little smaller, but I would be getting the checks two years sooner. I don't know if that is still an option.

I have reservations about the cards. That will cause a hardship for many people. There is no perfect way though.

Sue

Sue, what reservations do you have? How will the cards cause a hardship?

I think it's a greater hardship for the very poor, who don't have bank accounts, to try to cash a SS check. Those check cashing places are in it for profit - and they charge at least 2% and more often as much as 10%. The poorer the neighborhood, the more they charge.

It's not like some homeless person can take their SS check to a bank these days. Banks won't cash a check anymore, unless you have an account!

My late mother insisted on paper social Security checks. She wanted to get an envelope, open it and see the check, and drive to her bank to deposit it. Some people sure are stubborn ! In all my 31 years working at Social Security, I heard of many, many lost SS checks. But never had one direct deposit check ever go missing.

I dislike the idea of making you go direct deposit. My reason is now I will have to fill out a withdrawal slip to get my money. I don't even write a check once a year. That money is the only cash I have to use where they only take cash or else don't take my credit card. My amount each month is not all that much. I know I will have to go direct deposit soon and I really hate it.

Sue

Marilyn...I have Direct deposit for both my SS and Pension. I have written just 1 check in the last 3 years!
Simply get a debit card to withdraw money from an ATM. Use your bank's web site to pay bills.

Sue, since you do use a credit card, you could do the cash back thing and get cash that way. That is what I do.

Another Sue.

No, I don't have get cash back from my credit card. Husband would not hear of that! It is not set up that way and I do not pay bills, husband pays the bills. Can't use a debit card at rummage sales and such :) When I do go direct deposit, I will just go and get money out of the bank and keep it so when I need cash I will have it.

Sue

If you choose the "cash-back" credit card ... be sure that they don't charge an annual fee (now - or later).

I have my credit card balance paid within the grace period, done persoanlly from my bank, and pay for utilities the same way, and without a fee, which service they offer to seniors.

If I get a bank draft to pay a distant bill, the usual fee is $6.00 - but free for me, as a senior.

No monthly maintenance fee on the accout, either - same reason.

I don't keep even the addresses of friends on my computer, and haven't used it thus far for banking, or dealing with stockbroker, as I figure that if they can hack the Pentagon, and our Federal Government Department of Finance (and Industry/Commerce, as a lot of the espionage these days is for picking up industrial/commmercial secrets) ...

... they can sure as heck access mine!

You won't find my date of birth, social insurance number (called "SIN"!) info, etc., material that identity thieves want in order to steal mine on there, either: why make it easy for them?

ole joyful

Sue,
Do you not have an ATM card? And, how is filling out a withdrawal slip more difficult than a deposit slip like you do today?

Also - and I mean this in the kindest way - Are you comfortable with your financial situation and bill payment, if something should happen to your husband?

I'm really glad to hear that this change with SS is finally going to happen. Sending slips of paper via snail mail is a completely inefficient and horrendously expensive way to handle scheduled benefits payments. In the past, there was no option, now there is. This should help to reduce the incidents of theft and fraud and is so much safer for the recipients. That being said, I understand why some folks don't like this. Change can be hard. We all get used to our ways of doing things, they work for us and are comfortable.

I seldom do a deposit slip, just put my check in my check book and they take care of it. No I do not have ATM card. That would not be too handy for me. I do have my own savings account. Husband is another thing, can not talk to him about anything especially finances. We do not owe for anything, so the credit card bill he pays off each month.

Sue

Sorry to say and try to say in a nice way but I think it is important that you take a little more interest in your financial affairs justwhat bills are due each month what account does huby pay the bills from. etc.
I pay as much as I can thru my credit card and get either cash back or gift cards on the points I accumalate. I also pay the bill off each mnonth and owe them notining not even an annual fee

He pays the bills from his accounts, not mine. We have utility bills and the credit card bill, like I said it is paid off each month and he too gets cash back. No bills are ever paid online. He doesn't even use or have a computer.

Sue

Marilyn, Minnie is right - my deceased husband handled EVERYTHING in our marriage - EVERYTHING, because I didn't want to know anything - DUH! When he died, I had to figure out things on my own. My only saving grace was that our money was set up at Fidelity and I have a personal finance professional who walked me through a lot of what I needed to do. I knew about money and how to work with it, but not OUR money - I just let DH handle everything. I got lots of headaches from worrying about money - was I doing it 'right', but I was always able to call my CPA or CFP if I had questions. When DH knew he was terminal, he made sure our money would be handled so that it would benefit my stepson and me - what a blessing!

Same as what Minnie said: I pay as much as I can thru my credit card and get either cash back or gift cards on the points I accumalate. I also pay the bill off each month and owe them nothing not even an annual fee

I don't get my cash rewards until they have accumulated a goodly amt, then I get cash in form of a check. Bought couple airline tickets!

Marylin, please talk to your DH and familiarize yourself with all of your finances. Life happens as they says and it does throw curve balls.

When my Mom passed, Dad had no clue on any of the bills or accounts. He did have his own checking but it was never used for household bills. He handled all investments and Mom had no clue on those. I had to take over for him.

No offense is intended, we just mean well.

I did not know that some credit cards had the option of cash back or not. I don't recall ever being asked if I wanted that or not. I assumed it could be done with any credit card. I never have a need to use an ATM, but I could with the same credit card if I wanted to. All bills are paid on line, and I get Reward points. I rarely write a check.

Learn something new every day.

Sue

It is very important for both spouses to know about how much money comes in and what the bills are. My mom handled all the money in her marriage and that was the way my dad wanted it. They talked things over and decided what to purchase and always paid cash. After my dad died and my mom attended widows groups she said some widows did not know how to write a check and how much money they had until after their DHs died. Very sad.

We have to listen to what Marilyn Sue is telling us. She *cannot* talk to her spouse. He is evidently completely disinterested in her thoughts or opinions. I gather it has been 'his way or the highway' ever since she married him as a teenager.

Do you remember that he 'gave' her a tractor or front end loader or something one Christmas -- something she has never seen, since he uses it in his business? She doesn't drive because he didn't want her to learn how to drive. I am surprised that she is allowed to use a computer and communicate with people outside her immediate family and church.

We are not all 'emancipated', and some women are OK with that -- although I have not known many of my generation.

A friend told me that when he married, her second generation Italian-American father gave her mother a set amount every week for household expenses, and she made do with it. The amount stayed the same for years (and two children) until she couldn't make it stretch and dared ask for more. Only THEN did he tell her of several raises he'd had; he'd could give her a *little* more.

My DM taught me how to balance HER checkbook when I was in middle school. I've paid our bills since I was a newlywed. At first I just had more time to ddo it. DH and I decide together what to spend, invest, etc., but I do the bookwork.

"No, I don't have get cash back from my credit card. Husband would not hear of that!" Sue I think this disturbed me the most. Later you said "We have utility bills and the credit card bill, like I said it is paid off each month and he too gets cash back." It seems strange that he wont let you get cash back etc. sometimes you can choose between cash and a gift card which is almost the same thing.

We might just not be seing your situation in the right light andall we want to do is help.