Almost 100,000 people collecting long-term social welfare pensions at Post Offices will begin using a Social Services Card instead of a Pension Book from today.
The Department of Social & Family Affairs says that after presenting the card and signing in the normal way, people will continue to receive cash.
The majority affected are State pensioners aged over 66.
Invalidity pensioners and people on Disability Allowance must also exchange their book of weekly orders for an electronic card containing payment details, which can only be read using an official computer.
The Department says the card is more secure because thieves will no longer be able to read the name of the relevant post office to attempt a fraudulent claim.
Over the past 18 months, all other long-term pensioners, such as widows, have been transferred to the card and the Department says this has gone smoothly to date.
It adds that pensioners have been written to and cards were sent to their chosen Post Offices for collection last Friday.
Anybody who did not claim their pension that day can still use their book to collect what they are owed. They will then pick up their card to claim this week's payment.
The Department has also assured pensioners who have designated someone else to collect for them that the arrangement stands.
