Social Security payments out on time

The director of the Social Security Administration announced today that Social Security payments for Aug. 3 will be made on time, and that following scheduled payments will also be on time, as part of the agreement on the debt ceiling federal budget signed by President Obama yesterday.

Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, said Social Security payments for Aug 3, 10, 17, and 24 will also be mailed out, or electronically deposited as scheduled.

“I am happy to announce there will be no delay in the payment of August Social Security benefits,” Astrue said. “[It] should be a relief to those people who were concerned about their benefits. I’m pleased the president and Congress were able to come together in a bipartisan fashion to avoid an interruption in payments.”

Astrue said people still receiving paper checks from Social Security should consider signing up for Direct Deposit, the safest and most convenient way to receive Social Security payments.

Federal law establishes that all current beneficiaries must switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013.