What Day of the Month Do I Get my Social Security Payment?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Timing is everything, and the arrival time of your monthly payment from Social Security can be key to keeping your financial house in order.
As you budget to pay your bills and save for future needs, keep in mind that your monthly retirement or disability benefit will be paid at the same time each month. To see your next payment date, create or log on to your my Social Security online account and go to the “Benefits & Payments” section.
In general, here’s how we assign payment dates:
- If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of the month, you’ll be paid on the second Wednesday of the month.
- If you were born on the 11th through the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the third Wednesday of the month.
- If you were born after the 20th of the month, you’ll be paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
There are exceptions. For example, children and spouses who receive benefits based on someone else’s work record will be paid on the same day as the primary beneficiary.
For others, we may issue your payments on the 3rd of each month. Among other reasons, we do this if:
- You filed for benefits before May 1, 1997.
- You also receive a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment.
- Your Medicare premiums are paid for by the state where you live.
- You live in a foreign country.
Individuals who receive SSI payments due to disability, age, or blindness receive those payments on the 1st of each month.
If your payment date falls on a federal holiday or weekend, you can expect to receive that month’s payment on the weekday immediately prior.
You can see a current schedule for Social Security and SSI benefit payments in an easy-to-read calendar.
We’re with you through life’s journey, helping you to secure today and tomorrow through important financial benefits, information, and planning tools. To learn more, please visit our website.
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Comments
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Arlene
My husband is unable to register for mysocialsecurity online. We have tried numerous times only to be blocked for 24 hours. (frustrating)
He registered for SS payments and still have not gotten a reply.His birthday is Dec. 1954.
Enoch l.
Where is my monthly ssi check?
V.V.
Hi Enoch, thanks for using our blog. If you did not receive your Social Security or SSI benefit, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be able to determine if your direct deposit failed. If you still need to report a late, missing or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Christine L.
I recently provided new banking information; how long does it take to update my record so my checks can resume?
V.V.
Hi Christine, thanks for using our blog. You can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Walter A.
My wife was born on December 23, 1950. She delayed her Social Security benefits until age 70. She received her first payment on the second Wednesday of January 2021. Benefits for her birthday are scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of the month. Prior to taking her benefits, she was taking spousal benefits. My date of birth is October 5, 1948. She was receiving spousal benefits on the second Wednesday of the month. After she started taking her benefits, should her benefits payments been changed to the fourth Wednesday? Is there a publication for this situation? Thank you.
V.V.
Hi Walter, thank you for using our blog. The birthday of the person whose record they receive benefits under determines their payment date:
Date of Birth Payment Day:
1st through 10th Second Wednesday
11th through 20th Third Wednesday
21st through 31st Fourth Wednesday
Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the payment dates.
Bill
Just to trying to make sure I understand. I want to start collecting benefits as soon as I hit full retirement age, which for me is 66 years and 2 months. If my birthdate is June 15, then do I file to start collecting in August, or September? Also, does it matter when I elect to get my first check or will that be automatic based on above, and when will it start?
V.V.
Hi Bill, thanks for using our blog. If you wait until your full retirement age, you will get your full benefit. If your full retirement age is 66 and and 2 months and you turn 66 in June, you will attain your full retirement age in August. One exception to that is for individuals that are born on the 1st of the month. We figure their benefit (and their full retirement age) as if their birthday was in the previous month. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if your benefits begin with the month of August, you will receive your first benefit payment in September. The exact payment date is determined by your date of birth. For future pay days, you may find the Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars useful.
Keep in mind that you can apply four months before you want your benefits to start. When you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, use our online retirement application, the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply.
Brian H.
I received my January 2021 payment on December 31, 2020. As a cash basis taxpayer, the receipt of the January payment on 12/31/2020 is 2020 income. However, my 1099 from SSA does not include that payment received on 12/31/2020, as 2020 income. Thus the 1099 for 2020 is understated and incorrect. When is SSA going to issue a corrected 1099 to reflect the 12/31/20 receipt of income. This probably affects thousands of seniors around the country.
V.V.
Hi Brian, thanks for using our blog. The SSA-1099 is not available for people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The 2020 Schedule of Social Security Payments calendars shows December 31, 2020 as the payment date for SSI’s January payment. We hope this helps!
Stuart L.
Persons who filed for benefits before 1997 normally receive regular Social Security payments on the 3d of each month, but received a payment on Dec. 31, 2020 (because Jan. 1-3, 2021 is a holiday and a weekend). Will that payment be reflected in the SSA-1099 for 2020?
V.V.
Hi Stuart, thanks for using our blog. The SSA-1099 shows the total amount of benefits received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to IRS on your tax return. Thanks.
Brian H.
Hello Vonda,
I’m retired and I receive a monthly payment from Social Security. The Form SSA-1099 for 2020 I received DOES NOT reflect my 12/31/2020 RECEIPT of income that was issued early. It should have been RECEIVED on 1/3/2021. The RECEIPT OF INCOME in 2020 is TAXABLE AND HAS TO BE REPORTED ON MY FORM 1040 UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY. YOU MUST ISSUE A CORRECTED SSA-1099 so that the income and withholding I report to the IRS is correct. What is SSA going to do about this HUGE problem that, again, affects thousands of senior citizens. Your previous response DOES NOT answer my question, nor did it answer the question from Stuart. The 1099s are WRONG as they do not reflect the 12/31/20 deposit of January’s payment!!!!!!
V.V.
Hi Brian, thanks for using the blog. When the January 3 check delivery date falls on a non-banking day and the first previous banking day is in the previous year, we deliver the January benefit check in December. However, for taxation of benefits purposes, the check for January 3 that we issued in late December is treated as if we issued it in the year associated with the intended January 3 delivery date. We hope this helps!
Brian H.
Thank you. Internal Revenue Code section 86(d)(5) and Soc Sec Act 708 govern. So check actually received and available to use on 12-31-2020 (for Jan 2021) is deemed to be received in 2021. form 1099 for 2020 is correct and same form for 2021 received next Jan/Feb 2022 will reflect 12 payments including the Dec 31 2020 check.
smitty
im kind of slow i post to be switch over on my parents my dad social security last time i call they said some 1 send it at the payment center in october 3 2020 im on ssi i seen the juge i got approve bye the the juge last year jan 2020 to get switch over on my dads social security im disable how long do it take for them to switch me over on my dads spcial socurity my dad past away its jan 9 2021 still i did not get switch over yet how long do it take plus no letter in the mail yet from social socurity
KIMBERLY A.
Do SS payments cover the previous or current month in which they are paid?
John L.
Previous
Kate S.
They cover the PREVIOUS month.
Irene Z.
my father and mother did not receive SS this month please advise
RYLIEPRIM
What does it mean to get payment the first and end of month!?
V.V.
Hi Nichol, thanks for using our blog. That can happen in some months. Check out our Schedule of Social Security Payments for the payment dates. Thanks!