My wife(and I) have a checking account that her Social Security payments go to. She lets me buy one gun a year from it. The question I have is the bank is being bought out by another large conglomerate. The bank isn't very convenient since they closed the local branch and they charge for checks, We(She) wants to close the account and deal with a local bank...So how hard or time consuming is it to change the bank SS payments go into by direct deposit?? I don't get SS so know nothing about it. Hard to do?? Or can the new bank just do the deed for us?? The new bank is a kinda everybody knows you kinda place....and no Caje...they don't have deposit slips in their checkbooks either...We don't use debit or bank account cards either
Another Banking Question
- Thread starter Skeet 028
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Your wife can go to her online SSA account. If she does not have one she can create one. Inside one's account, go to My profile. Inside there, she can update her direct deposit info.
She does need to know her bank account and routing number info.
She does need to know her bank account and routing number info.
SFAIK, you have to contact the Social Security folks to change where your monthly payment goes. A quick check of ssa.gov seems to show that your wife can make changes to which account the money goes online. May have to open an account on ssa.com, that wasn't clear.
Well...Since my wife hardly knows how to answer her cell phone I guess I will have to create an account for her...routing and account is on the checks she has. I don't want to miss getting my yearly "perk."
servmgr64
Member
We recently changed banks after being with the old one since the 80's. We went into our ssa.com and changed the payment info and it went well. They said it could take up to two months to change but in our case it was about six weeks. Good luck with the change.
Scott
Scott
Be sure to keep the old account open until the electronic deposits start to go into the new account. It isn't the bank that changes where the S/S payment goes, it's the person getting the S/S that changes where it goes, and so your wife will have to do it either online with S/S or in person with S/S/. You might be able to do it via letter mail using a S/S form of some kind. I highly doubt they'd do it on the phone for obvious security concerns.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
Yes! move your account.
Big Credit Union Fan here.
Do you have a Federal Credit Union up where you are located?
Go check them out!
Big Credit Union Fan here.
Do you have a Federal Credit Union up where you are located?
Go check them out!
when i was scammed andthe bank put a stop on all my accounts and opened new accounts for me they notified the SSI about the change and i did not miss a payment ALL OTHER ACCOUNTS, insurance ,pension had to be notified by ME
My credit union gave better service than my old bank so I switched to a local privetly owned bank. Much better service. Nice folks to do business with.
Do not close out your old account until you are sure that you are receiving direct deposits properly into your new banking account. 
We contacted the local SS office and they sent us a form to do it by mail just like you say. Filled it out and mailed it in - worked with no problems. This was about two years ago.
I agree with all of the previous posts that recommended going on line and, if you do not already have an account, it's time to do so. I received an e-mail notification from the SSA earlier this year that almost all functions and activities will be accomplished on line.
Here's the URL:
my Social Security | SSA
The Home Page will describe the tasks that can be accomplished on line. Before you begin, you'll need information for your existing bank, plus the same information for your new bank including:
1. The full name on the accounts
2. The full (complete) account number
3. The American Banking Association (ABA) number
Great point. Don't close your existing bank account until this new change has occurred. I would allow 90 days of deposits too.
Cheers!
Bill
Here's the URL:
my Social Security | SSA
The Home Page will describe the tasks that can be accomplished on line. Before you begin, you'll need information for your existing bank, plus the same information for your new bank including:
1. The full name on the accounts
2. The full (complete) account number
3. The American Banking Association (ABA) number
Great point. Don't close your existing bank account until this new change has occurred. I would allow 90 days of deposits too.
Cheers!
Bill
Well I have accounts in 2 Credit Unions. Federal?? back in Md I don't know. The CU here in Wy is a Federal CU. May be my fault but they are not very helpful...except with specific questions. The local bank we have accounts with are very forthcoming with suggestions for upcoming special rates etc. We have accounts at 4 institutions now(was 5 till I closed my shooting supply account). I still feel we should close the 4th where my wife's SS goes...so we'll get the paperwork done but won't close the checking account till we are sure all is as it should be. Thanks for all the insight and suggestions.
One other specific question... I closed my Paypal debit account just because it was Paypal I guess. Not a real bank. We don't often need a large amount of cash but occasionally I do. Is it really worthwhile to have a debit card account?? Large amount may be as much as $4000
One other specific question... I closed my Paypal debit account just because it was Paypal I guess. Not a real bank. We don't often need a large amount of cash but occasionally I do. Is it really worthwhile to have a debit card account?? Large amount may be as much as $4000
A debit card will not be a seperate account but linked to an existing account. Be sure to read the security arrangements for the debit card as they typically do not include the same robust fraud protection as a credit card.
Huskerguy
Member
vt_shooter has it pegged. I created an account and singed up for everything through the web. Going to my local office is a chore and more frustrating than it needs to be.
I just looked on The United States Social Security Administration | SSA without an account and found this:
1. Under "Manage benefits and Information click on "update direct deposit" and you have various options there.
2. sign in to your account is one way - I highly recommend setting one up
3. Use their automated phone assistance 24/7 800-772-1213 and be prepared with current direct deposit routing and new numbers as well
I think it should be pretty easy. As many have said, keep both accounts open and if it goes to your old account, just have it electronically transferred to your new account. We transfer money electronically often, it is a snap these days.
Best of luck!
I just looked on The United States Social Security Administration | SSA without an account and found this:
1. Under "Manage benefits and Information click on "update direct deposit" and you have various options there.
2. sign in to your account is one way - I highly recommend setting one up
3. Use their automated phone assistance 24/7 800-772-1213 and be prepared with current direct deposit routing and new numbers as well
I think it should be pretty easy. As many have said, keep both accounts open and if it goes to your old account, just have it electronically transferred to your new account. We transfer money electronically often, it is a snap these days.
Best of luck!
