A transition away from paper checks has long been planned, but an alert this week may still have surprised many recipients who rely on them.

The change marks a major improvement in customer service, allowing beneficiaries and applicants to manage their Social Security accounts at any time, day or night. Social Security remains a critical pillar for more than 60 million Americans, whose financial security often depends on timely access to the program's resources.

The transition primarily affects a small group of beneficiaries who have not switched to electronic payment methods already, which is less than 1%, the administration wrote. Notices are being sent out to these individuals to explain the upcoming change and highlight the benefits of switching to electronic payments.