Social Security Benefits Schedule – Over 70 million Americans receive benefits every month from the Social Security Administration (SSA) through retirement, survivor, and disability programs. In order to ensure beneficiaries are able to cover living expenses such as housing, food, and medical care, these payments are crucial.
If you are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must meet specific criteria, including reaching full retirement age, having a work history, contributing to Social Security, or proving a disability lasting at least 12 months.
You need to know how much Social Security benefits you’ll receive and when they’ll be paid in order to effectively manage your finances.
The payment process
A large number of Americans rely on Social Security benefits to cover their monthly expenses. Payments from the SSA are made in five rounds every month, starting with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the first. On the third of the month, recipients who applied before May 1997 receive their payments. Depending on the recipient’s birthdate, three more rounds of benefits follow.
Social Security Benefits Payment Schedule
| Program | Birth Date | Payment Day |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement, Survivor, SSDI (after May 1997) | 1st – 10th | Second Wednesday |
| Retirement, Survivor, SSDI (after May 1997) | 11th – 20th | Third Wednesday |
| Retirement, Survivor, SSDI (after May 1997) | 21st – 31st | Fourth Wednesday |
When there is a delay in your payment, wait at least three mailing days before contacting your bank or the SSA, as delays can sometimes occur due to the bank’s processing time.
Schedule of payments
In order to ensure you receive your payments on time, the SSA has confirmed the upcoming payment dates:
| Program | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| SSI | October 1st, November 1st and 29th, December 31st |
| RSDI (before May 1997) | September 3rd, October 3rd, November 1st*, December 3rd |
| RSDI (after May 1997) | Second Wednesday: Sep 11th, Oct 9th, Nov 13th, Dec 11th |
| Third Wednesday: Sep 18th, Oct 16th, Nov 20th, Dec 18th | |
| Fourth Wednesday: Sep 25th, Oct 23rd, Nov 27th, Dec 24th* |
Holidays are indicated by asterisks.
Social Security Benefits Amounts
Currently, beneficiaries receive varying amounts based on their program and personal circumstances.
| Program | Average Payment | Higher Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | $1,900 | $2,710 before full retirement age; $3,822 at 67; $4,873 after 70 |
| Retirement Benefits | $1,900 | $2,710 at 62; $3,822 at 67; $4,873 at 70 |
| Survivor Benefits | $1,505 | $1,773 for an individual; $3,653 for 2 children |
| SSDI | $1,537 | $2,590 for blind recipients; $3,822 maximum |
For example, a retiree at 62 will receive less than one who waits until 70. Meanwhile, SSDI beneficiaries with blindness qualify for higher payments.
Social Security Benefits
You can benefit from your Social Security benefits by knowing your eligibility and the SSA’s payment schedule. Stay on top of any updates to payment dates and amounts so you can get the most out of them. Always keep track of when payments are scheduled and remember that slight delays can occur due to processing or holidays.
Knowing when and how much you will receive from Social Security can provide peace of mind when managing your finances.
