SELECT Social Security recipients are set to miss payments in just weeks due to a calendar quirk.
The money is sent out on a monthly basis, but some rules sometimes limit that from happening.
Social Security recipients must remain aware of upcoming missed payments (stock image)[/caption]
Over 74 million Americans are getting benefits from a Social Security Administration (SSA) program this year.
About 7.4 million are getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI), according to the SSA’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot.
Average payouts for 2025 are $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple.
Supplemental Security Income assists those who are 65 or older, are blind, or have a disability, and who also have limited access to income or necessary resources.
Typically, individuals can’t earn more than $2,019 from work every month as an income cap for SSI.
Children with disabilities could also be eligible for the benefits for parents who apply for it.
Other qualifying criteria includes being a US citizen, national, or approved noncitizen, filling and completing an application, and several others.
More details and a way to estimate eligibility for benefits can be found on the SSA website.
PATTERN BROKEN
The millions who already get SSI know that payments go out on the first date of every month.
On July 1, that was the case, and August 1 will be the next time the funds get sent out.
Except, there’s another on August 29 and absolutely no SSI payments in the entire month of September.
SSI recipients shouldn’t worry, as the lack of September checks doesn’t mean they’re missing out on benefits.
The awkward August 29 distribution is made in replacement of what would be going out on September 1, but as it falls on the first Monday in the month this year, it’s Labor Day, a federal holiday.
Social Security benefit payments are only moved if the date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
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.
ONGOING TREND
This has already happened in several instances this year, and will again before December ends.
For example, there’s no SSI payment in November either.
Instead, there will be another double distribution on October 1 and October 31.
December also has SSI payments on the first and 31st, as January 1 is New Year’s Day.
SSI recipients can also expect the December 31 distribution to be worth more, as it will take into account the cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for 2026.
An expert recently told The US Sun that the current COLA estimate is hovering around 2.7%, but no final determination will be made until October.
More details can be found on the Schedule of Social Security Payments page on the SSA website.
All Social Security recipients must prepare for two major changes in the coming months.
By “mid-July,” a second “digital” adjustment is coming, and it permanently impacts online accounts.
Action is also required for a “paper” change, and missing the deadline could block benefits.
