I just hopped into this thread again after a few years. I would like to point out that all of you folks having issues with getting SS to direct deposit into your Canadian account; the routing/transit and account information are NOT compatible. Take a look at your banking information (if you still have any) from the US. Then compare it to your banking information for Canada. That is likely a HUGE issue when it comes to something seemingly as simple as getting your money direct deposit. Remember, the folks at the Social Security Administration are in the US. They don't know what your Canadian banking information looks like and if you show them a check from it, they can't see what they need because they aren't the same.
I maintain my previous statement regarding RBC cross border banking. Anything I need to do in regards to the US, I transfer money back and forth between my Canadian/US accounts. I am charged $3.95 monthly to maintain my US account if I don't use it at all. Based on all of the bad experiences I am reading here, sounds like it would be worth it for many of you.