Social Security payment schedule
Payments arrive on a Wednesday based on the day of the month you were born. Dates below are for the current and next three months.
Born 1–10: second Wednesday · Born 11–20: third Wednesday · Born 21–31: fourth Wednesday. Payments never move later — only earlier, when the date lands on a weekend or federal holiday.
Calendar logic checked 2026-11-07 against SSA payment rulesRetirement and survivor payments arrive on a Wednesday based on your birth day. If the date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves earlier.
November 2026
| If you were born | Payment date |
|---|---|
| Born 1–10 | Tue, Nov 10, 2026 |
| Born 11–20 | Wed, Nov 18, 2026 |
| Born 21–31 | Wed, Nov 25, 2026 |
| SSI recipients | Fri, Oct 30, 2026 |
December 2026
| If you were born | Payment date |
|---|---|
| Born 1–10 | Wed, Dec 9, 2026 |
| Born 11–20 | Wed, Dec 16, 2026 |
| Born 21–31 | Wed, Dec 23, 2026 |
| SSI recipients | Tue, Dec 1, 2026 |
January 2027
| If you were born | Payment date |
|---|---|
| Born 1–10 | Wed, Jan 13, 2027 |
| Born 11–20 | Wed, Jan 20, 2027 |
| Born 21–31 | Wed, Jan 27, 2027 |
| SSI recipients | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 |
February 2027
| If you were born | Payment date |
|---|---|
| Born 1–10 | Wed, Feb 10, 2027 |
| Born 11–20 | Wed, Feb 17, 2027 |
| Born 21–31 | Wed, Feb 24, 2027 |
| SSI recipients | Mon, Feb 1, 2027 |
The three rules behind every date
- Birth-day grouping. 1–10, 11–20, 21–31 map to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday.
- Holiday rule. If the Wednesday is a federal holiday, the payment comes the business day before. Weekends follow the same rule.
- Pre-1997 exception. People who started receiving before May 1997 are paid on the 3rd of the month instead, regardless of birth date.
Questions
What day is my Social Security payment this month?
It depends on your birth date: born 1–10, the second Wednesday; 11–20, the third Wednesday; 21–31, the fourth Wednesday. If that Wednesday is a federal holiday, the payment arrives the business day before.
Will I still get paid during a government shutdown?
Yes. SSA states that if there is a lapse in federal funding, benefit payments continue with no change in payment dates. Some field-office services may be limited.
Why do I see last year's dates when I search?
Search results and videos often reference the same month in a previous year. The weekday pattern shifts every year, so last year's date is usually wrong for this year. Always check the year, not just the month.
When does SSI arrive?
SSI is paid on the first of the month, moved earlier if the 1st is a weekend or federal holiday. In January 2027 the 1st is a holiday, so the payment is made on December 31, 2026.