Retirees who will not receive Social Security benefits – Payments will begin on October 23

If you’re a retiree receiving Social Security benefits, your payment date can vary depending on certain factors, such as your birth date or when you started receiving benefits. Not all retirees will get their checks or direct deposits on the same day, so it’s important to know when to expect your payment. For some, the next Social Security check may not arrive until October 23rd, but it will be paid on time based on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) payment schedule.

Let’s break down how the payment system works and what you can expect this month.

Payment Schedule

Depending on your birth date, your Social Security check or direct deposit will arrive on one of three Wednesdays in October. Here’s the schedule:

Payment Date	Birth Date Range
October 9th	Born between the 1st–10th
October 16th	Born between the 11th–20th
October 23rd	Born between the 21st–31st

If your birthday falls between October 21st and 31st, your payment will be issued on October 23rd. Although this is later in the month, it’s on schedule as determined by the SSA.

However, not everyone follows this Wednesday-based schedule. If you started receiving benefits before May 1997, your next payment is due on November 1st, two days ahead of the usual schedule. Additionally, SSI recipients are not eligible for these October payments and will receive their next check on November 1st.

Who Qualifies

If your birth date falls between the 21st and 31st of any month and you started receiving benefits after May 1997, you qualify for the October 23rd payment. If you were born earlier in the month, your payment will be earlier as well:

• Born between 1st and 10th: Paid on October 9th.
• Born between 11th and 20th: Paid on October 16th.
• Born between 21st and 31st: Paid on October 23rd.

Those who qualify for SSI or started receiving benefits before May 1997 will not receive a payment on October 23rd, as their payment schedule follows different rules.

Amount

Your Social Security payment amount depends on various factors, including your age at the time of filing, your work history, and how much you contributed to the system. Here’s an overview of what you might expect based on when you claimed your benefits:

Filing Age	Maximum Monthly Payment
Age 70	$4,873
Age 62	$2,710
Full Retirement Age (67)	$3,822
Average Payment	$1,920

The highest payments are reserved for those who waited until age 70 to claim their benefits, as Social Security rewards patience with increased monthly checks. If you filed early, at age 62, your payment is reduced, but it may still be a crucial source of income.

Low Earners

For retirees who worked fewer years or had lower wages, Social Security payments may be smaller. If you worked for only 10 years, filed early at age 62, and had a low wage, you may receive a smaller check. The average Social Security payment is around $1,920, but many factors can affect your total.

Those with limited income and resources who recently began receiving Social Security retirement benefits may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If eligible, you could receive an additional monthly payment worth $575 on average. However, if you’re applying for SSI now, your first check won’t arrive until November 1st, as the application process can take some time.

Payment

Sometimes, Social Security payments are adjusted for weekends or holidays. For example, in September, SSI payments were made on August 31st because the 1st of September fell on a weekend. Similarly, the November 1st SSI payment will arrive a couple of days ahead of schedule.

If your payment doesn’t arrive on the expected date, the SSA recommends waiting at least three mailing days before contacting them, as delays could be caused by the bank processing time.

The Bottom Line

Social Security payments are a lifeline for millions of retirees, and knowing your payment schedule is key to managing your finances. If your birthday falls between October 21st and 31st, you’ll receive your next check on October 23rd.

Others will get their payments earlier in the month based on their birth date. If you qualify for SSI or started receiving benefits before May 1997, your next payment will arrive on November 1st.

For those waiting for higher payments or extra assistance, remember that the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announcement is expected on October 10th, which could increase your Social Security payments starting in January 2025.

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