A payment of up to $4,873 is set to go out to some Social Security beneficiaries this week, though many will receive less than the maximum amount.
On Wednesday, Social Security recipients who were born between the 21st and the 31st of any given month will be paid this month's benefits. These payments will go out to retirees, individuals living with disabilities and survivors of deceased claimants.
Individuals who have worked for 35 years earning a high wage would be eligible to receive the program's maximum monthly benefit, which was boosted in 2024 following the yearly cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. This year's COLA, 3.2 percent, was significantly lower than the 8.7 percent adjustment implemented by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2023 when inflation had risen much more dramatically compared to a year before.
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The average amount received by retirees is about $1,906. Those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—which includes individuals with disability and retirees with little to no income—usually get lower payment amounts. The average payment is $1,537, but it changes based on beneficiaries' individual situations.
When will I be paid this month?
Retirees receive their Social Security monthly payment depending on their birth date.
The payments coming out on Wednesday will be the last to be sent to Social Security recipients this month.
Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any given month received their monthly payment on April 9, while those born between the 11th and 20th of the month got the check on April 16.
Full schedule of Social Security benefits for end of April and May
April 24
Beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of any month can expect their benefits on April 24.
May 1
Beneficiaries of the SSI program will receive next month's monthly check on May 1.
May 3
Beneficiaries who received Social Security before May 1997 and those who receive both Social Security and SSI will receive their monthly checks on Friday, May 3.
May 8
Social Security recipients whose birthdays are between the first and 10th of any given month will receive their monthly payment on May 8.
May 15
Those born between the 11th and 20th of any given month will get next month's payment on May 15.
May 22
Those born between the 21st and 31st who receive their April payment this Wednesday will receive next month's check on May 22.
May 31
SSI recipients will be getting a double payment in May, as June's checks will be sent off on May 31.
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If you don't receive your payment on time, the SSA suggests you wait an additional three mailing days before contacting Social Security.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Giulia Carbonaro is a Newsweek Reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on U.S. and European politics, global affairs ... Read more
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