Social Security Payments Schedule
Social Security payments are distributed to millions of Americans each month. This week, recipients with birthdays between the 1st and 10th will receive their payments on Wednesday, September 9. These payments include retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) follows a separate schedule, usually paid at the beginning of each month.
For those still awaiting their September payment, here are the remaining dates:
- Wednesday, September 16: Payments for birthdays between the 11th and 20th.
- Wednesday, September 23: Payments for birthdays between the 21st and 31st.
Understanding Benefit Amounts
Retirement benefits vary based on a worker’s lifetime earnings and the age at which benefits begin. In 2026, the maximum monthly benefit is $4,152 for those retiring at full retirement age, which is 67 for individuals reaching 62 in 2026. The figure drops to $2,969 if benefits start at age 62 and increases to $5,181 if delayed until age 70. On average, retired workers received $2,085.98 per month as of July 2026.
In addition to retirees, other beneficiaries receive payments as follows:
- Average monthly benefit for all beneficiaries: $1,940.08
- Disabled workers: $1,635.27
- Non-disabled widows and widowers: $1,932.74
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2027
The Social Security Administration uses the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to compute the annual cost-of-living adjustment. This adjustment helps preserve beneficiaries’ purchasing power in light of inflation. The CPI-W is measured across July, August, and September, compared to the previous year.
Early projections indicate a COLA increase of 3.5 to 3.6 percent for 2027, surpassing the 2.8 percent increase applied in 2026. These estimates depend on forthcoming inflation statistics, with final numbers published by the BLS in mid-October. The updated COLA will apply to December 2026 benefits paid starting in January 2027.
Stay tuned as the Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to release August’s CPI data on September 11, which will clarify potential payment increments.