A major change is being made to how Social Security issues payments to its beneficiaries. The agency announced the switch-up in a statement in June 2026, as those in Texas and beyond prepare to receive their funds.
This year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will fully transition to electronic payments. It is doing this “to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance security in federal payments,” the SSA wrote in a Tuesday, June 2 letter.
It comes after federal law and Executive Order 14247 were approved in September 2025, which required that all federal benefits be paid via the web. It can be confusing for some who are used to receiving checks in the mail. However, there are numerous pros to the method.
First, folks will likely get their money faster, the SSA states. Residents can expect their awards to be on time each month. Next, it saves resources for the federal government. Per the Department of the Treasury, the average price to print a check has increased to over $3, which is roughly 20 times more than it costs to use automated payments. Lastly, the agency deems it safer, as checks can sometimes be lost in the mail, resulting in a higher risk of identity theft, monetary loss, or fraud.
“We also recognize that some beneficiaries may not be able to make this transition,” the SSA wrote in a statement. “If you need an exception because of challenges, such as mental health concerns or you live in a remote location without access to financial institutions, you can request a waiver through the U.S. Treasury.”
Texans should switch their account to electronic payments as soon as possible, the SSA warns. To do this, users should take the following steps
It depends on one’s earnings history, as well as the age and year they retire, per the SSA. For example, if a person earned the taxable maximum of each year beginning at age 22 and started receiving benefits in 2026, their benefit would be about $2,969 if they retire at 62-years-old, the agency says.
This year, the most someone can earn is $5,181 per month.
One is that the SSA is phasing out paper checks. Another is that the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $184,500 in 2026. Here’s what that means, according to the agency’s website:
