Millions of Social Security beneficiaries are set to receive their September payments this week. Over 70 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits, whether they are for retirement, spousal, survivor, or disability purposes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) schedules payment dates based on beneficiaries’ birth dates, staggering the disbursements throughout each month.
This week, beneficiaries with birthdays falling between the 21st and 31st will receive their payments on Wednesday, September 23. For those who started receiving Social Security before May 1997, and beneficiaries receiving both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), payments generally occur at the beginning of the month instead of on their birthdays.
The SSA advises recipients who do not receive their payment on the expected date to allow three working days before contacting the agency.
Factors Influencing Social Security Payments
Several factors determine the amount of Social Security received. For retirees, who make up the majority of recipients, benefits are influenced by earnings history and the age benefits begin. A retiree who earned at or above the maximum Social Security tax limit throughout their career might see a maximum monthly retirement benefit of $2,969 if they start at age 62, $4,152 at full retirement age, and $5,181 if they begin at age 70, according to the SSA.
Most recipients do not get the maximum amount. The SSA’s latest data shows that in July 2026, the average retired worker received $2,085.98 per month, while the average payment across all beneficiaries, including retirees, survivors, and disability recipients, was $1,940.08.
Average and Maximum Payments by Type
- Retired worker: Average $2,085.98 per month; maximum $5,181 per month at age 70.
- Spousal benefit: Average $986.53 per month; maximum $2,076 per month.
- Survivor benefit: Average $1,634.61 per month; potential maximum $5,181 per month for a surviving spouse, depending on the deceased worker’s benefit.
- SSI: Average $736.54 per month; maximum federal payment $994 per month for an individual.
October Payment Dates
In October, another round of payments will occur on the following dates:
- SSI: October 1, 2026.
- Social Security for retired workers, spouses, and survivors who started before May 1997 or receive both Social Security and SSI: October 2, 2026.
- Social Security for those with birth dates from the 1st through the 10th: October 14, 2026.
- Birth dates from the 11th through the 20th: October 21, 2026.
- Birth dates from the 21st through the 31st: October 28, 2026.
Upcoming Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
October is important for Social Security beneficiaries as the SSA will announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which influences benefits in 2027. The COLA aims to prevent benefits from losing purchasing power due to inflation. Current estimates suggest benefits may increase by 3.4 to 3.6 percent, which is nearly a percentage point higher than the 2026 COLA of 2.8 percent. The new COLA will be announced on October 14.
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