Retirees – Who Will Not Receive Social Security Payments Until October 23

If you rely on Social Security retirement benefits, you might be wondering when your check or direct deposit will arrive. Depending on your birthdate, your payment could fall on one of four different days in the month. While most payments arrive earlier, some retirees will not see their money until October 23rd, which is still on time and part of the regular payment schedule.

Payment Timing

Social Security payments are scheduled based on birthdates, and the dates are staggered to help with processing. Here’s how it breaks down:

• October 9: If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, your Social Security check or direct deposit will arrive on this date.
• October 16: If you were born between the 11th and 20th, expect your payment on this day.
• October 23: If you were born between the 21st and 31st, you will receive your Social Security payment on October 23rd.

So, if your birthdate lands in the latter part of the month, your payment will arrive a bit later, but it will be right on schedule.

Exceptions to the Schedule

Not everyone receives their Social Security benefits on a Wednesday. Two exceptions could impact your payment date:

1. Pre-May 1997 Beneficiaries: If you started receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, your payment schedule is different. Instead of getting paid on one of the staggered Wednesday dates, you will receive your payment on November 1st. This payment arrives two days ahead of the typical schedule to avoid delays.
2. SSI Recipients: If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to retirement benefits, you are not part of the Wednesday payment schedule. Instead, your next payment will also be on November 1st. SSI recipients are not eligible for the October 23rd payment.

Social Security Benefit

The amount you receive from Social Security varies greatly depending on factors like your age when you filed and how long you worked. Let’s break it down by age:

On average, retirees receive about $1,920 a month. However, this amount can vary. If you only worked for the minimum 10 years, filed early at 62, and had a low wage throughout your career, your check may be much smaller.

SSI and Low-Income

If your income is low, and you have limited resources, you may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This program is designed to help retirees who need extra financial support. The average SSI payment is around $575 per month. However, if you apply now, your first payment may not arrive until November 1st, since it typically takes time to process new applications.

Will You Qualify?

To determine if you’ll get your Social Security retirement payment on October 23rd, check your birthdate. If you were born between the 21st and the 31st of any month, you will qualify for the October 23 payment. If your birthday falls earlier in the month, you would have already received your benefit by October 9 or October 16.

Addressing when you’ll receive your Social Security benefit can reduce a lot of stress, especially if your payment date lands later in the month. If you’re eligible for SSI or receive benefits prior to May 1997, remember that your payment schedule may differ. The good news is, once you know your birthdate and the rules, it’s easy to track when your payment will arrive. For those qualifying for SSI, there’s always additional support if you meet the requirements.

If you’re still confused, don’t worry! The Social Security Administration offers an online portal that can help you track payment dates and benefit amounts.

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