MILLIONS of Americans will be hit by a missing Social Security payment in the coming weeks.
An upcoming calendar quirk will disrupt the federal program’s typical payment schedule, potentially sparking confusion among beneficiaries unaware of the oddity.
Millions of Americans may see a missing Social Security payment in the coming weeks[/caption]
July has officially arrived, and that means millions of Social Security recipients will soon see this month’s checks hit their bank accounts.
The SSA will send out the retirement benefits in three rounds according to retirees’ birthdays:
- Wednesday, July 9: Born between the 1st and 10th of the month
- Wednesday, July 16: Born between the 11th and 20th of the month
- Wednesday, July 23: Born between the 21st and 31st of the month
Unlike regular Social Security payments, Supplemental Security Income benefits are handed out to individuals with limited income and resources who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability.
This month’s round of SSI checks are being sent out to Americans today, July 1, as these payments are generally issued on the first day of the month.
WHEN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS ARE MADE
Social Security payments are issued on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month based on the recipient’s birthdate:
- Second Wednesday: For individuals born between the 1st and 10th of the month
- Third Wednesday: For those born between the 11th and 20th
- Fourth Wednesday: For those born between the 21st and 31st
Although July’s checks follow a normal schedule, some beneficiaries will see an odd payment when August rolls around.
SCHEDULE SWITCH-UP
Next month, SSI recipients will see two checks hit their bank accounts: one on Friday, August 1, and another on Friday, August 29.
This is because Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1.
When the first of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday, SSI payments are typically released on the preceding business day.
September’s payment will be moved up to the previous Friday as a result, meaning that there will technically be no SSI payments sent out in September.
“When the first day of the month falls on the weekend or a Federal holiday, you receive your SSI payment on the last business day before the first day of the month,” the SSA explained in a 2022 blog.
“That means you may get two SSI payments in the same month.
“We do this to avoid putting you at a financial disadvantage and make sure that you don’t have to wait beyond the first of the month to get your payment.
2025 Social Security Payment Schedule
Social Security payments are handed out on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of each month. Benefits will be paid out in 2025 on the following dates:
- January 8, 15, and 22
- February 12, 19, and 26
- March 12, 19, and 26
- April 9, 16, and 23
- May 14, 21, and 28
- June 11, 18, and 25
- July 9, 16, and 23
- August 13, 20, and 27
- September 10, 17, and 24
- October 8, 15, and 22
- November 12, 19, and 26
- December 10, 17, and 24
“It does not mean that you are receiving a duplicate payment in the previous month, so you do not need to contact us to report the second payment.”
CALENDAR CHAOS
The calendar oddity affecting September’s payment similarly impacted June’s SSI benefits, with Americans receiving two checks in May and none in June.
The first check was distributed on Thursday, May 1, while the second was received on Friday, May 30, because June 1 fell on a weekend.
The calendar quirk will also impact the SSI schedule in the coming months, with the following payment dates set:
- Wednesday, October 1
- Friday, October 31
- Monday, December 1
- Wednesday, December 31
Those who believe they are missing a Social Security or SSI payment should first contact their bank to check if they see any delayed payments.
If they do not see a delayed payment, then it is a good idea to either call the SSA’s customer service department at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local Social Security office.
As Americans brace for missing Social Security checks in September, some will see their benefits slashed in half in days as the SSA makes a major U-turn on a key payment policy.
Meanwhile, Social Security’s “golden age” law change is cutting payments by 30% – an expert warned don’t leave it “too late in the game.”
HOW TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
Here’s how to supplement your Social Security:
Given the uncertainty surrounding Social Security’s long-term future, it’s essential for workers to consider ways to supplement their retirement income.
Senior Citizens League executive director, Shannon Benton recommends starting early with savings and investing in retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs.
- 401(k) Plans
- A 401(k) is a retirement account offered through employers, where contributions are tax-deferred.
- Many employers also match employee contributions, typically between 2% and 4% of salary, making it a valuable tool for building retirement savings.
- Maxing out your 401(k) contributions, especially if your employer offers a match, should be a priority.
- IRAs
- An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) offers another avenue for retirement savings.
- Unlike a 401(k), an IRA isn’t tied to your employer, giving you more flexibility in your investment choices.
- Contributions to traditional IRAs are tax-deductible, and the funds grow tax-free until they are withdrawn, at which point they are taxed as income.
