Retirees, people with disabilities, and the families of deceased workers receive benefits monthly, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes those benefits. It has categories with no less than 70 million recipients; not each one gets their payment on the same day. Deposit dates vary exactly depending on the beneficiary’s birth date as well as the type of the benefit to be deposited.
On Wednesday, the 13th of November, people with birthdays between the 1st and 10th of any month will get paid. But this schedule does not apply to those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or those who have been claiming retired benefits before May 1997.
When will other beneficiaries receive their Social Security payment?
Beneficiaries whose birthdays are between the 11th and 20th will then receive their benefits on November 20. Those born between the 21st and 31st will receive their monthly payment on November 27, and finally, those born between the 31st and 30th will receive their monthly payment on December 26. But by staggering, it helps smooth out and manage the process a little better—it helps the Social Security payment system run efficiently.
If you or anyone you know has been receiving benefits prior to May 1997, or if they also receive SSI, they should already have received their November payment earlier this month. The SSA says a beneficiary who doesn’t get their money by the predicted due date should wait at least three days before calling for help. The waiting period is a period when anything that might happen during the payment processing or delivery is allowed.
What determines the amount you receive from Social Security?
Calculations for social security retirement benefits are based on each individual’s highest 35 years of work. Top-earning years only are used in a calculation if a person has worked more than 35 years. This is a structure meant to reward those people who have worked for more time and contributed more in a career, to allow their benefits to reflect what they have done.
Social Security recipients received an average monthly retirement benefit of $1,869.77 a month in June 2024. But if you choose to retire at age 70, some beneficiaries may get as much as $4,873 a month. Those choosing to collect Social Security benefits at the earliest age of 62 will max out at $2,710 per month.
Also Read: Social Security Payment Schedule: When to Expect Checks from Nov 13-29
Annual adjustment of Social Security benefits
The amount of Social Security benefits is not fixed but changes annually in accordance with the Cost of Living Adjustment. The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) now adjusts benefits each year to try to keep up with inflation. This adjustment will total 2.5% for 2025. This yearly increase is meant to keep the purchasing power of beneficiaries intact as inflation happens so they’d be able to meet their needs without letting the value of their benefits become eroded over time.
Especially important is the annual COLA for those who get almost all of their income from Social Security benefits. In particular, increases like these are very good during high inflation periods like the last couple of years when more people will have a fixed income or be retirees. The COLA helps them keep costs up without suffering a major decrease in their quality of life.
What to do if you don’t receive your payment on the scheduled date
The SSA recommends that if the beneficiary does not receive their expected payment on the designated date, they should wait at least three business days before contacting them. This grace period will also include some delays in processing or transfer of funds potential.
Retirement planning: when is the best age to start claiming benefits?
The actual amount received monthly from Social Security benefits depends on the age at which a person begins receiving payments. If they go on to start at age 62, they’ll get a smaller monthly amount than if they wait until age 67 or even 70. That’s because benefit amounts are based on when a person starts claiming and increase with each additional year of delay, up to the very latest age at which they can qualify.
If you can wait until age 70, then your monthly payment will be maximized. This can be very useful for those who don’t want to spend a lifetime working but still need a bigger income when they retire, and many of them consider it in planning their future finances.
Upcoming changes to Social Security benefits
The cost of living adjustment, which started in 2025 and will increase 2.5% in 2026, will allow beneficiaries to receive the increase on top of their regular check. The SSA is attempting to help beneficiaries with the rising cost of living, which can be unpredictable. An adjustment like this is a good thing because, if the costs of goods and services are going up, it’s a safeguard for the financial stability of recipients.
It’s an annual review of benefits to make sure Social Security recipients do not fall too far behind the market. One of the ways the SSA looks out for the financial well-being of their beneficiaries over time is through this COLA system in which purchasing power can be locked in through economic changes.
Also Read: 2025 SNAP Increase: Key Eligibility and Payment Dates for Eligible Americans
FAQs
Q. When will I receive my Social Security payment?
A. The date you receive your Social Security payment depends on your birthday. If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th of the month, you will receive your payment on November 13. Those born between the 11th and 20th will receive their payment on November 20, while beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st will receive their payment on November 27. If you were born between the 31st and 30th, your payment will be on December 26. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or have been claiming benefits before May 1997, you may have already received your payment earlier in the month.
Q. How is my Social Security benefit amount determined?
A. Your Social Security retirement benefit amount is calculated based on your highest 35 years of work. If you have worked for more than 35 years, only your top-earning years are used in the calculation. The average monthly retirement benefit in June 2024 was $1,869.77, but if you retire at age 70, your benefit could be as much as $4,873 per month. Conversely, if you retire at the earliest age of 62, you could receive a maximum of $2,710 per month.
Q. What should I do if I don’t receive my payment on the scheduled date?
A. If you do not receive your expected Social Security payment on the scheduled date, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recommends that you wait at least three business days before contacting them. This waiting period allows for any potential processing delays or transfer issues that may occur.