As of May 1, 2011 applicants filing for Social Security benefit payments must choose either direct deposit or a Direct Express debit card. Current entitled beneficiaries receiving payments by check have till March 1, 2013 to switch to either of these methods.
If you retired and receive benefits before 1997 the benefits are paid on the third day of the month. If you retired and receive benefits after 1997 payments are sent out on a schedule based on your birthday. Even though checks will not be mailed out any more, direct deposit or Direct Express benefits will still be paid on the following days:
