Recent changes to Social Security affect how you report income, manage your account, and receive payments
Social Security updates its rules and systems regularly. Some changes affect how much you receive, when you receive it, or what you must report. Others change how you access your account online or what documents you need. This guide covers the updates that matter most to current beneficiaries and explains what you may need to do in response.
The changes described here reflect federal rules that apply nationwide, though some states add their own requirements on top. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to Social Security, state rules may affect you differently — contact your local Social Security office to confirm how changes apply to your specific situation.
Key Takeaways
- Social Security now requires online account verification for some beneficiaries; you can create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to manage this yourself rather than waiting for a notice.
- If you work while receiving benefits before full retirement age, you must report your earnings; the earnings limit and how much your benefit is reduced both change each year.
- Direct deposit is now the only way to receive Social Security payments; paper checks and debit cards are no longer available to new beneficiaries.
- Changes to your address, phone number, or bank account must be reported to Social Security within 10 days to avoid payment delays or misdirected funds.
- If you receive benefits for a child or dependent, you must report changes in their school attendance, work status, or living situation.
How to verify your identity and manage your account online
Social Security now uses an online verification system called Identity Verification Express to confirm that beneficiaries are who they say they are. If you receive a notice asking you to verify, you have several options: complete the process online through my Social Security, visit a local Social Security office in person, or call 1-800-772-1213 to arrange a phone verification.
Creating a my Social Security account before you receive a verification notice gives you control over the process and lets you update your own information without waiting for a letter. You can add a phone number, change your address, report a name change, or update your direct deposit details. To create an account, go to ssa.gov, select "Create an account," and follow the steps. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and an email address.
If you do not complete verification within the timeframe given in your notice, Social Security may suspend your payments. Verification usually takes a few days to a few weeks once you submit it, depending on the method you choose.
Earnings limits and how they affect your benefit if you work
If you are under full retirement age and you work, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above a certain limit. The limit changes each year. For 2024, the limit is $23,400 per year; in 2025, it is $24,240. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and no reduction, no matter how much you work.
You must report your earnings to Social Security, even if your benefit is reduced to zero. Report them by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local office, or using my Social Security if you have an account set up. Social Security uses your reported earnings to recalculate your benefit each year and may owe you back pay if you reported incorrectly.
Self-employment income counts toward the limit. If you own a business, you report net profit (income minus business expenses), not gross revenue. Report your earnings as soon as you know what they will be for the year, not just at tax time.
Direct deposit is now required for all new beneficiaries
Social Security stopped issuing paper checks to new beneficiaries in 2011 and stopped issuing debit cards in 2024. If you are a new beneficiary or if your payments currently go to a paper check or debit card, you must switch to direct deposit to your bank account, credit union account, or prepaid card account.
To set up direct deposit, you need your routing number and account number from your bank or credit union. You can set it up online through my Social Security, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local office. Direct deposit usually begins within one to two pay periods after you submit your information.
If you do not have a bank account, you can use a prepaid card account that accepts direct deposit. Some community organizations and nonprofits help people open accounts; ask your local Social Security office for a referral.
Reporting changes to your address, phone, and banking information
When you move, change your phone number, or switch banks, you must tell Social Security within 10 days. If you do not, your payments may be delayed, misdirected, or stopped. You can report changes online through my Social Security, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a local office.
If your payment is misdirected because you did not report an address change, contact Social Security immediately. They can issue a replacement payment, but the process takes time. It is faster to report the change before you move.
If you receive payments by direct deposit and your bank account is closed or compromised, update your banking information right away. Social Security will not automatically know that your old account is no longer valid.
Reporting changes for beneficiaries who are children or dependents
If you receive Social Security benefits as a child or dependent of a worker, you must report certain changes to Social Security. These include starting or stopping school, changing schools, getting married, moving out of your parent's home, or starting work. The age at which benefits stop depends on your situation — typically at 18 if you are not in school, at 19 if you are in high school full-time, or at 16 if you are married.
Report changes by calling 1-800-772-1213, visiting a local office, or using my Social Security if you have an account. If you do not report a change, Social Security may overpay you and later ask for the money back.
If you are a parent or representative payee managing benefits for a child, you receive an annual report form asking you to confirm the child's status. Return this form promptly, even if nothing has changed.
What happens if you move outside the United States
Social Security beneficiaries can receive payments while living in most countries, but not all. If you plan to move abroad, contact Social Security at least one month before you leave. They will tell you whether you can receive benefits in your destination country and what documents you need to provide.
Some countries require beneficiaries to report in person to a U.S. embassy or consulate each year to confirm they are still alive and still living there. If you do not report, Social Security may suspend your payments. The requirements vary by country.
If you are a noncitizen beneficiary, leaving the United States for more than six months may affect your benefits. Contact Social Security before you travel to understand the rules for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I receive a notice asking me to verify my identity?
Do not ignore it. You have a deadline, usually 30 to 60 days. Complete the verification online through my Social Security, visit a local office with a photo ID, or call 1-800-772-1213. If you miss the deadline, Social Security will suspend your payments until you verify.
Do I have to report my earnings every month, or just once a year?
You report your total expected earnings for the year, not monthly. Report as soon as you know what you will earn. If your actual earnings turn out to be different, report the change. Social Security recalculates your benefit based on what you report.
Can I keep receiving my benefits if I move to another country?
Most countries allow it, but not all. Contact Social Security before you move to confirm whether you can receive benefits where you are going and what proof you will need to provide. Some countries require annual in-person reporting at a U.S. embassy.
What if I set up direct deposit but my bank account gets closed?
Your next payment will be rejected. Update your banking information with Social Security as soon as you know your old account is closed. If you wait, you may not receive that payment, and Social Security will need to issue a replacement.
Who counts as a representative payee, and what are their responsibilities?
A representative payee is someone Social Security appoints to manage benefits for a beneficiary who cannot manage them alone — usually a parent managing a child's benefits, or a caregiver managing an adult's benefits. The payee must use the money for the beneficiary's current needs, keep records, and report changes in the beneficiary's status to Social Security each year.