The SSA’s monthly payment cycle is once again in the spotlight, as millions of Americans wait for their November transfer. With so many different schedules inside the Social Security system, many people check their dates twice just to stay on track. The agency has now confirmed when the next deposits will be made and which groups are included.
For nearly 70 million beneficiaries, understanding how SSA releases payments is part of their routine budget planning. The agency uses several schedules at once, depending on when a person first filed for benefits and whether they also receive Supplemental Security Income, so the update this week is especially important.
SSA payment schedule and who gets paid this week
The SSA has confirmed that beneficiaries with birthdays between the 21st and 31st of any month will receive their Social Security payment this Wednesday, November 26. This covers the last group in the standard three-wave schedule used each month. People who were already on benefits before May 1997 or who receive SSI follow separate timelines.
Payments follow the same pattern every month, but holiday weeks and the placement of Wednesdays can shift attention toward the final deposit. The agency reminds recipients that bank processing times can vary slightly, even when the payment is issued on time.
People who rely on both Social Security and SSI have a different system, since SSI is always paid at the beginning of the month and the combined group receives their retirement or disability check earlier than those in the standard schedule.
SSA dates for December payments
- December 1: SSI payments
- December 3: Social Security for people who also receive SSI
- December 10: Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
- December 17: Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
- December 24: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st
If a payment doesn’t arrive on the expected date, SSA recommends waiting up to three business days before contacting the agency. Most delays are linked to banking systems rather than the payment release itself.
Current benefit amounts across Social Security
The amount each person receives depends on their lifetime earnings and the age at which they decide to claim. Someone filing at age 62 can collect up to about $2,831 per month. Filing at full retirement age—currently 67 for most people—raises the maximum to around $4,018. Those who delay claiming until age 70 may receive up to $5,108 per month.
The latest national average for retired workers is about $2,008 per month, although many beneficiaries receive more or less depending on their personal work history.
What to expect in 2026
SSA has confirmed a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year. This increase will apply to all SSA programs, including retirement, disability, survivors benefits, and SSI. For the average retired worker, the raise will mean roughly $56 more per month starting in January 2026.
The adjustment is part of the annual update designed to keep benefits aligned with inflation. Every program inside SSA follows the same percentage increase, and payments with the new amounts begin automatically in the January cycle.
With the final payment of November now scheduled and the full December calendar set, retirees and disability beneficiaries have a clear view of what to expect through the end of the year. The first payment reflecting the 2026 COLA will be issued at the start of January, following the same birthday-based schedule.