Social Security is changing the way millions get paid: What you need to know

For 95% of Social Security’s 75-million beneficiaries, monthly payments arrive in the form of direct deposits to their bank accounts. For almost 4 million people, however, benefits are made via a prepaid Mastercard that provides an alternative for those who do not have a traditional bank account.

It’s that form of payment that’s undergoing a change.

In May, the Social Security Administration announced it was switching the company that administers its Direct Express cards. Comerica Bank has administered the program since 2008. It will now be handled by Fifth Third Bank, which merged with Comerica earlier this year.

The result of the merger is new cards sent to program participants. Distribution of the new cards began in mid-2026 and is expected to continue into early 2027, according to the Social Security Administration.

New Direct Express card enrollees will automatically receive their cards from Fifth Third Bank. Beneficiaries will be notified via letter before the new cards are sent and should continue to use their existing Comerica card until the replacement arrives.

“It is important for beneficiaries to keep their contact information up to date to ensure they receive all communications,” the agency said in a memo.

Benefit amounts are not impacted by the change. Benefits for Direct Express users are deposited into the prepaid debit card account with funds available on the recipient’s payment date. Users aren’t charged an enrollment fee or required to keep a minimum balance.

The cards can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted.

Existing Comerica cardholders will continue using the current Direct Express app. Fifth Third Bank cardholders will also have access to the new Direct Express mobile app that will be used to activate the new card.

You can see more on the program, including card activation information, here.