On what day of the month is social security paid

While the broad strokes of Social Security have been in place since 1934, the program is ever-evolving. In fact, some changes, such as the cost-of-living adjustment, are made every year, while others, such as earnings limits and benefit amounts, are also regularly updated. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on Social Security, even if you aren’t close yet to retirement. For those who are already earning a check, however, it’s essential to watch for things like changes in payment dates. Here’s a look at when Social Security payments will arrive for the rest of November and into December.

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Payment Dates for Remaining Social Security Checks in November
Payment Dates for Social Security Checks in December
Exceptions to the Calendar Rule
If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th:
If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th:
If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st

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If you’re not familiar with how Social Security works, you might assume that every recipient gets a check on the same date. But in reality, there are three different payment dates every month. When you will receive your check depends on your date of birth.

If you were born between the 1st and the 10th of the month, you should have received your Social Security check on the second Wednesday of the month, or Nov. 9. Those born between the 11th and the 20th will receive their November checks on Nov. 16, or the third Wednesday of the month. If you were born between the 21st and the end of the month, your Social Security check will arrive on the fourth Wednesday of the month, or Nov. 23rd.

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Social Security checks in December follow the same rules as in November, although the actual dates are slightly different. Payments are still distributed on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The first payments are for those born between the 1st and 10th of the month, the second payments are for those born between the 11th and the 20th, while the final payments are for those born on the 21st and later.

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For December, this breaks down to payments made on the following dates:

For those born on the 1st through the 10th: Dec. 14
For those born on the 11th through the 20th: Dec. 21
For those born on the 21st or later: Dec. 28

Exceptions to the Calendar Rule

Although the rules for Social Security payouts are fairly straightforward, as with any rule, there are a few exceptions. For example, the above-listed payment dates do not apply in the following circumstances:

You first filed for benefits before May 1997.
You are receiving both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security payments.
Your Medicare premiums are paid by the state.
You reside in a foreign country.

In each of these cases, regardless of your birth date, you will receive payments on the third of each month.

If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th:

January 11
February 8
March 8
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th:

January 18
February 15
March 15
April 19
May 17
June 21
July 19
August 16
September 20
October 18
November 15
December 20

If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st

January 25
February 22
March 22
April 26
May 24
June 28
July 26
August 23
September 27
October 25
November 22
December 27

Individuals with a disability who also have limited income and resources can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Most SSI recipients are also eligible for Medicaid, which provides health insurance for vulnerable, low-income Americans.

SSI benefits are paid on the 1st of every month. If the 1st is a holiday or weekend, you will receive your payment early.

This is the SSI payment schedule for 2023:

February 1
March 1
March 31
May 1
June 1
June 30
August 1
September 1
September 29
November 1
December 1
December 29

Social Security benefits are only paid out electronically; you will not receive a Social Security check in the mail. You can either receive a direct deposit into your bank account or opt for a prepaid debit card. When you apply to receive your Social Security benefits, you will have the chance to provide your account number and the routing number of your bank or credit union.

You may have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefit, depending on your income level. If your retirement income is over a certain amount, then part of your Social Security benefits may be taxable.

Single-filers with an income between $25,000 and $34,000 will have to pay income tax on up to 50% of their benefits. If they make more than $34,000, then up to 85% of the benefits may be taxable.

Married individuals who file jointly may have to pay income tax on 50% of the benefits if their income is between $32,000 and $44,000. They will have to pay taxes on up to 85% of the benefit if they make more than $44,000.

Keep this in mind when filing your tax return. You may also be able to withhold your taxes from your Social Security benefits payments, so you aren’t stuck with a large tax bill on Tax Day. Check your SSA account online or visit your local Social Security office for more information.

Author

Elissa Suh is a disability insurance expert and a former senior editor at Policygenius, where she also covered wills, trusts, and advance planning. Her work has appeared in MarketWatch, CNBC, PBS, Inverse, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and more.

Editor

Myles Ma, CPFC, is a senior reporter and certified personal finance counselor at Policygenius, where he covers insurance and personal finance. His expertise has been featured in The Washington Post, PBS, CNBC, CBS News, USA Today, HuffPost, Salon, Inc. Magazine, MarketWatch, and elsewhere.