Social Security Schedule: When Do I Get My Next Payment?

Your payment depends on your birth date, among other factors.

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Updated · 2 min read
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Social Security payments typically occur on the third of each month, as well as on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month. Your birth date typically determines your particular Social Security payment date. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments occur on the first of each month.

If you receive benefits based on someone else’s work record (spousal benefits, for example, or survivors benefits), your payment date is based on the primary beneficiary’s birthday instead of yours.

» Estimate your benefits: Try our free Social Security calculator

What day is my December 2024 payment coming?

Nov. 29: If you receive Supplemental Security Income, you’ll receive your SSI payment for December on Nov. 29 and your Social Security payment on Dec. 3.

Dec. 3: You’ll receive a Social Security payment if:

  • You live outside the U.S.

  • You receive both SSI and Social Security benefits. 

  • Your state pays your Medicare premiums.

  • You filed for Social Security benefits before 1997.

Dec. 11: If your birthday falls on any day from the first to the 10th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday in December.

Dec. 18: If your birthday falls on any day from the 11th to the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the third Wednesday in December.

Dec. 24: If your birthday falls after the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the fourth Tuesday of December (one day earlier than usual, because of the holiday).

What day is my January 2025 payment coming?

Dec. 31: If you receive Supplemental Security Income, you’ll receive your SSI payment and your Social Security payment for January on Dec. 31, 2024.

Jan. 3: You’ll receive a Social Security payment if:

  • You live outside the U.S.

  • You receive both SSI and Social Security benefits. 

  • Your state pays your Medicare premiums.

  • You filed for Social Security benefits before 1997.

Jan. 8: If your birthday falls on any day from the first to the 10th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday in January.

Jan. 15: If your birthday falls on any day from the 11th to the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the third Wednesday in January.

Jan. 22: If your birthday falls after the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the fourth Wednesday in January.

Will there be extra Social Security payments?

Occasionally, when the first day of the month falls on a weekend, the payment will go out on the last Friday of the previous month instead. This means SSI recipients will receive two payments in December 2024 but none in January.

What’s the Social Security payment schedule for 2025?

The Social Security payment schedule follows this pattern

Social Security Administration. Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2024. Accessed Jun 12, 2023.
:

  • First day of each month. Supplemental Security Income payments come on the first of each month.

  • Third day of each month. If you live in a foreign country, receive SSI, have your Medicare premiums paid for by your state or if you filed for benefits before 1997, your Social Security retirement benefit payment arrives on the third of each month (or the previous weekday if the third is a weekend or holiday).

  • Second Wednesday of each month. If your birthday is between the first and the 10th, expect your payment on the second Wednesday of each month.

  • Third Wednesday of each month. If your birthday is between the 11th and the 20th, expect your payment on the third Wednesday of each month.

  • Fourth Wednesday of each month. If your birthday falls after the 20th, expect your payment on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

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What if my scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or a holiday?

You’ll receive your payment early if your payment date falls on a weekend or holiday. Such payments will be issued on the weekday immediately prior to your expected payment date

Social Security Administration. What Day of the Month Do I Get my Social Security Payment?. Accessed May 19, 2023.
.

What if my Social Security payment doesn’t arrive by the expected date?

Federal law states that Social Security benefits (and all other federal benefits) must be paid electronically through direct deposit to your bank account or onto a Direct Express Debit Mastercard — with only a few rare exceptions

Social Security Administration. Social Security Direct Deposit. Accessed May 19, 2023.
.

Although electronic payment should virtually eliminate the risk of lost or stolen funds, delays and other issues can still happen. That’s why it’s still important to know what to do if your Social Security payment doesn’t turn up when you expect it.

  1. If your electronic payment is late, reach out to your bank or financial institution first. The issue may be nothing more than a bank delay in posting payments to your account. 

  2. If there hasn’t been a posting delay and your funds are genuinely missing, lost or stolen, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office. The Social Security Administration will review your case and replace the missing payment.

  3. If you’re living in the United States and are one of the rare individuals still receiving paper checks, wait until three business days after your check is usually mailed before taking action. If your check still hasn’t arrived at that point, contact the Social Security Administration so your case can be reviewed — and if necessary, a replacement payment can be issued.

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