This week, millions of Social Security beneficiaries will get their September payments. More than 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, such as retirement, spousal, survivor, or disability benefits. The majority of these recipients receive payments based on their birth date, with the Social Security Administration (SSA) distributing payments throughout the month.
On Wednesday, September 23, beneficiaries with birthdays between the 21st and 31st will receive their retirement, spousal, and survivor payments. However, there are exceptions. Those who started receiving Social Security before May 1997, and recipients of both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), typically receive payments at the start of each month, not on their birthdays. The SSA advises those who don’t receive payments on the expected date to wait three working days before contacting the agency.
Social Security Payment Amounts
The amount received from Social Security depends on several factors, such as the type of benefit claimed. For retirees making up most beneficiaries, the benefit amount depends on earnings history and the age at which benefits start.
Based on SSA data for 2026, retirees who earned the maximum amount subject to Social Security taxes could receive up to $2,969 monthly if benefits begin at age 62, $4,152 at full retirement age, and $5,181 if benefits start at age 70.
The average retired worker received $2,085.98 per month in July 2026, and overall Social Security beneficiaries, including retirees, survivors, and disability recipients, had an average payment of $1,940.08.
Payment Averages and Maximums
- 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; maximum potentially $5,181 per month for a surviving spouse, depending on the deceased worker’s benefit.
- SSI: Average $736.54/month; maximum federal payment $994 per month for an individual.
October Payment Dates
Next month, payments are scheduled for the following dates:
- SSI: October 1, 2026.
- Social Security for retired workers, spouses, and survivors receiving benefits before May 1997, or receiving both Social Security and SSI: October 2, 2026.
- Social Security for retirees, spouses, and survivors 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.
October is also significant for Social Security beneficiaries. The SSA will announce the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment increases benefits in 2027 to help maintain purchasing power despite inflation. Current estimates suggest an increase of 3.4 to 3.6 percent, higher than the 2.8 percent COLA in 2026. The COLA announcement will occur on October 14.