The Social Security Administration will send payments to millions of Americans this week, with the dates varying based on specific factors related to each recipient.
More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security, as the benefits can be the only source of income for retirees, disabled people and those receiving survivors’ benefits from deceased partners.
The SSA can send payments at varying times each month if a beneficiary receives Social Security, Supplementary Security Income or both.
Here’s everything recipients need to know, including when they should expect payments and how much they’ll receive.
When are payments coming?
According to Newsweek, beneficiaries who began receiving their benefits before May 1997 and/or who receive SSI should have received their payments on Tuesday.
Those who receive SSI are low-income adults 65 or older or individuals with disabilities.
Recipients usually receive payments on the first of each month, but received March’s payment on Feb. 27 since March 1 fell on a weekend.
What did the SSA say about SSI payments and delays?
Newsweek reported that in a 2022 post, the Social Security Administration explained when recipients can expect their payments based on its schedule.
“When the first day of the month falls on the weekend or a federal holiday, you receive your SSI payment on the last business day before the first day of the month. That means you may get two SSI payments in the same month,” the outlet mentioned the agency said on its website, adding, “We do this to avoid putting you at a financial disadvantage and make sure that you don’t have to wait beyond the first of the month to get your payment. It does not mean that you are receiving a duplicate payment in the previous month, so you do not need to contact us to report the second payment.”
If recipients don’t receive their payments by the expected date, they’re encouraged to wait three business days before contacting the SSA.
How much are the payments?
Social Security retirement benefits are based on the worker’s lifetime earnings, the age at which they filed and the year payments began. They qualify by accumulating 40 credits, usually after 10 years of work, per Blavity and Newsweek.
The amount for higher earners varies. For example, someone who receives the maximum taxable amount each year could receive $2,969 per month if they file at 62, $4,152 at full retirement age, or $5,181 at 70.
The majority of SSA recipients receive less than the maximum amount. In December, the monthly amount for an average retired worker was $2,071.30, per Blavity.