Every month, the Social Security Administration distributes payments to more than 74 million Americans who rely on retirement, spousal, survivor, or disability benefits. Because of the high volume of beneficiaries, checks are not issued all at once. Instead, they are distributed throughout the month based on specific criteria, most commonly the recipient’s birth date. However, those who began receiving benefits before May 1997 or who also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) follow a separate payment schedule.
In August 2025, SSI recipients and individuals who have been receiving retirement benefits since before May 1997 will get their payments on August 1. Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month will be paid on August 13. Those born between the 11th and 20th will receive their checks on August 20, and those with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st will be paid on August 27. Because September 1 falls on Labor Day, which is a federal holiday, the September SSI payment will be issued early on August 29.
In September 2025, retirement beneficiaries who started collecting before May 1997 will receive their payments on September 3. People born between the 1st and 10th will be paid on September 10, those born from the 11th to the 20th on September 17, and individuals with birthdays from the 21st to the 31st will receive their checks on September 24.
In October 2025, qualified SSI recipients will receive their payments on October 1, while retirement beneficiaries with pre-May 1997 enrollment will be paid on October 3. Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month will receive their benefits on October 8, those with birthdays between the 11th and 20th on October 15, and those born between the 21st and 31st on October 22. Because November 1 falls on a weekend, the November SSI payment will be made early on October 31.
In November 2025, those collecting retirement benefits since before May 1997 will be paid on November 3. People born between the 1st and 10th will receive their payments on November 12, those born between the 11th and 20th on November 19, and individuals with birthdays between the 21st and 31st on November 26.
In December 2025, SSI recipients will get their regular monthly payment on December 1. Retirement beneficiaries who started before May 1997 will receive their checks on December 3. Individuals born between the 1st and 10th of any month will be paid on December 10, those with birthdays between the 11th and 20th on December 17, and people born between the 21st and 31st on December 23. Finally, the SSI payment for January 2026 will be deposited early on December 31, since January 1 is a federal holiday.
This schedule helps ensure all payments are processed efficiently and on time, especially around holidays and weekends when banking operations may be closed. Beneficiaries are encouraged to keep track of these dates and plan their budgets accordingly.
