Millions of Social Security benefit payments are being sent out this week.
Why It Matters
More than 70 million Americans nationwide collect Social Security, whether as retirement, spousal, survivor or disability benefits. Because of the large number of beneficiaries, not all claimants receive their payments on the same day each month.
What To Know
Retirement, spousal and survivor benefits are typically distributed at different times throughout the month based on the recipient’s birth date and whether they receive additional payments, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
This week, benefits are set to be paid on June 25 to claimants born between the 21st and 31st of any calendar month.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) advises waiting three working days before contacting the agency if an expected payment has not arrived as scheduled. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not working days.
How Much Is Social Security?
According to data provided by the SSA, the average retired worker benefit in May was $2,002.39, the first time it has breached the $2,000 mark.
“The average Social Security benefit amount changes monthly,” a spokesperson for the SSA told Newsweek. “Social Security benefits are based on a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings. As wages tend to rise over time, each new group of retirees raises the average benefit amount, since their benefit calculations typically reflect higher earnings.”
However, how much a beneficiary receives may be more or less than this depending on factors such as their lifetime income and the age they choose to begin collecting benefits.
Those who retire at age 62 can receive up to $2,831 per month, while waiting until 67—the full retirement age—increases the maximum benefit to $4,018. For those who delay claiming until age 70, the monthly benefit rises to a maximum of $5,108.
SSI payments, which are made to blind and disabled Americans, averaged $718.30 for its 7.4 million recipients in May.
When Is Social Security Paid in July?
In July, benefits are scheduled to be paid on the following dates:
- Tuesday, July 1: SSI payments
- Thursday, July 3: Retirement benefits for those who have been collecting checks since before May 1997 and retirees who also collect SSI benefits
- Wednesday, July 9: Retirement, spousal and survivor benefits for those born between the 1st and 10th of any calendar month
- Wednesday, July 16: Benefits for those born between the 11th and 20th
- Wednesday, July 23: Benefits for those born between the 21st and 31st
Higher Benefits for 2026
The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps benefit payments keep pace with inflation and maintain their purchasing power over time.
Social Security recipients may see a 2.5 percent boost to benefits beginning next year, according to new estimates from independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst Mary Johnson and the Senior Citizens League.
The SSA is set to officially announce the 2026 COLA in October.
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