Millions of Americans are expected to receive their Social Security payments this week.
Why it matters
Approximately 70 million people rely on the Social Security Administration (SSA) for monthly income, whether through retirement or disability benefits. Due to the size of the program, payments are distributed in stages throughout the month rather than on a single date.
What you need to know
On Wednesday, November 12, payments will be made to beneficiaries whose birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of any month. If a payment does not arrive when expected, the SSA advises waiting three business days before requesting assistance. Weekends and public holidays are not counted as business days.
If you don’t expect to get paid this week, your benefits will likely arrive on two other scheduled payment dates this month:
- Wednesday November 19: Benefits for people born between the 11th and 20th.
- Wednesday November 26: Benefits for those whose birthday is between the 21st and the 31st.
The amount of benefits varies depending on a person’s lifetime earnings and years of social security contributions. In July, the average monthly retirement payment was $2,006.69. The maximum benefit depends on retirement age: up to $2,831 for those who retire at age 62, $4,018 at age 67, and up to $5,108 for those who wait until age 70.
Upcoming social security increase
Starting in 2026, Social Security benefits from all SSA programs will be enhanced through the annual cost of living adjustment, commonly known as COLA. The SSA announced in October that all beneficiaries would see their benefits increase by 2.8 percent next year.
The SSA determines cost of living adjustments (COLAs) using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This index measures inflation based on the spending habits of young urban workers rather than retirees. Since 1975, COLAs have been calculated annually using CPI-W data from the third quarter (July through September) to ensure that benefits keep pace with the rising costs of essentials like housing, food, and health care.
“Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one of the ways we work to ensure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security,” SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said in a statement. “Cost-of-living adjustment is a critical part of how Social Security fulfills its mission.”
The 2026 COLA applies to all SSA programs, including retirement, spousal, survivor, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, with any increases reflected in payments beginning in January.
