Social Security is closing out the month with one more round of checks, and millions of Americans are watching for that last November deposit. The agency follows a strict payment pattern, and next week’s batch is the final run before December’s calendar kicks in.
This last November payment goes to a specific group of retirees, SSDI recipients, and survivors based on their birth dates. The SSA sorts these monthly Wednesday deposits using a long-standing rule tied to the worker whose earnings generated the benefit.
Social Security’s Nov. 26 payment group
The upcoming Nov. 26 payment is assigned to beneficiaries with birthdays falling between the 21st and the 31st. It’s the third Wednesday payout of the month, following the deposits issued on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, which covered birthdays from the 1st to the 20th.
With roughly 70 million people across retirement, SSDI, and survivor programs, most beneficiaries fall into one of these three Wednesday groups. The logic is simple: your birth date determines which week your money shows up, unless you’re part of a special exception category that follows different rules entirely.
Some recipients don’t get paid on Wednesdays at all — and their November deposits already went out earlier in the month.
Who doesn’t follow the Wednesday schedule
Certain long-term beneficiaries remain on an older payment system. Anyone who started receiving retirement, SSDI, or survivor benefits before May 1997 is paid on the 3rd of each month. For November, that meant a Monday, Nov. 3 deposit, regardless of birth date.
SSI recipients follow a separate calendar. Because SSI falls under Social Security but operates differently, payments usually hit on the first of the month. But when the 1st lands on a weekend, SSI arrives early. That’s why November’s SSI checks were sent on Friday, Oct. 31.
About 2.5 million people receive both SSI and a regular Social Security benefit. Those dual recipients received their SSI on Oct. 31 and their standard benefit on Nov. 3.
How much do Social Security beneficiaries receive?
Retired workers remain the largest share of the program. In 2025, the average retirement benefit is $2,008.31 per month, with a maximum of $5,108 for those who retire with top lifetime earnings. Disability recipients collect an average of $1,582.95, while survivor benefits average $1,575.30. SSI beneficiaries receive $717.84 on average.
Social Security confirmed a 2.8% COLA for 2026, meaning higher monthly payments starting in January. For the typical retiree, that’s about $56 extra per month, with similar percentage increases applied across SSDI, survivor, and SSI programs.
The COLA aims to keep benefits aligned at least somewhat with everyday living costs, though many seniors argue the increases still trail behind inflation on essentials like utilities, housing, and food.
How the SSA sends out benefits today
The payment system is now almost entirely electronic as the SSA phases out paper checks. Most beneficiaries rely on direct deposit by linking a checking or savings account through their “my Social Security” portal.
Those without a bank account can use the Direct Express debit card, which loads federal benefits automatically each month. It functions like a regular debit card and remains the main option for people who prefer not to manage a traditional account.