U.S. Social Security Shifts to Digital Payments as Lawmakers Push Earnings‑Test Reform

The Social Security Administration announced that it will complete a systemwide transition to electronic payments, ending the mailing of paper checks. Benefits will be delivered mainly through direct deposit or government‑backed prepaid debit cards, a move cited to improve security and cut costs of more than $3 per check. Recipients are urged to set up a My Social Security account, though waivers are available for those unable to switch.

At the same time, the Senate and House are debating the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act, introduced by Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Greg Murphy. The bill would repeal the Retirement Earnings Test, removing the earnings cap that reduces benefits for workers under full retirement age. If passed, the legislation could affect roughly 54 million retirees by allowing them to earn without benefit reductions.