Social Security payment dates in 2025 depend on your birth date
Social Security sends payments on a schedule based on the day of the month you were born, not on when you started receiving benefits. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th of any month, you receive payments on the second Wednesday of each month. If you were born on the 11th through the 20th, you receive payments on the third Wednesday. If you were born on the 21st through the 31st, you receive payments on the fourth Wednesday.
This three-wave system has been in place since 1997 and spreads payment processing across the month. The Social Security Administration uses it to manage the volume of payments going out each month. Your payment date stays the same every month unless you move to a different birth-date group, which happens only in rare circumstances when Social Security corrects a record error.
Payments arrive by direct deposit to your bank account, prepaid debit card, or paper check, depending on how you set up your account. If a scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, Social Security sends the payment on the business day before.
Key Takeaways
- Your payment date is determined by your birth date: the 1st–10th gets paid the second Wednesday, the 11th–20th gets paid the third Wednesday, and the 21st–31st gets paid the fourth Wednesday of each month.
- Payment dates remain the same throughout 2025 and do not change year to year unless Social Security corrects a record error.
- If your scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, you receive your payment on the business day before.
- You can view your exact payment date by logging into your my Social Security account online or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.
2025 payment dates by birth-date group
The table below shows every payment date in 2025 for each birth-date group. Find the row that matches when you were born, then look across to see when you receive your payment each month.
| Birth Date | Payment Schedule | 2025 Payment Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1st–10th of any month | Second Wednesday | January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10 |
| 11th–20th of any month | Third Wednesday | January 15, February 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17 |
| 21st–31st of any month | Fourth Wednesday | January 22, February 26, March 26, April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24, October 22, November 26, December 24 |
Mark these dates on your calendar or set up a reminder on your phone so you know when to expect your deposit. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to Social Security, your SSI payment arrives on the first of each month, on a separate schedule.
What happens if your payment date falls on a weekend or holiday
Social Security does not send payments on weekends or federal holidays. When a scheduled payment date lands on a Saturday or Sunday, you receive your payment on the Friday before. When a scheduled payment date lands on a federal holiday that falls on a weekday, you receive your payment on the business day before the holiday.
In 2025, this affects a small number of payment dates. For example, if the third Wednesday of a month falls on a day when the federal government is closed, Social Security advances your payment to the previous business day. Check the table above for the exact dates, which already account for these adjustments.
Your bank may take an additional one to two business days to process the deposit after Social Security sends it, so the money may not appear in your account on the exact date Social Security releases it. Contact your bank if a deposit does not arrive within two business days of the scheduled payment date.
How to confirm your payment date
The fastest way to find your exact payment date is to log into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Once you sign in, your payment date appears on your dashboard under "Payment Information." You do not need to call or visit an office.
If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can create one at ssa.gov/myaccount. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or U.S. mailing address on file. The account takes a few minutes to set up and gives you access to your payment history, earnings record, and other information.
You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your payment date. Have your Social Security number ready. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Wait times are shortest early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Changes to your payment date
Your payment date can change if you move to a different birth-date group, but this is rare. It happens only when Social Security discovers an error in your birth date on file and corrects it. When that occurs, Social Security notifies you by mail before your payment date changes.
If you change your payment method — for example, from direct deposit to a paper check — your payment date does not change. The date you receive your payment stays the same; only how it arrives changes. You can update your payment method through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
If you move to a new bank account or update your banking information, your payment date remains the same. Social Security will deposit your payment to your new account on the same date as always. Make sure to update your banking information with Social Security before your next scheduled payment so the deposit goes to the correct account.
What to do if you miss a payment or it arrives late
If your payment does not arrive on the scheduled date, wait two business days before taking action. Banks sometimes take longer to process deposits, especially if you use a smaller bank or credit union.
If two business days have passed and your payment has not arrived, log into your my Social Security account to confirm the payment was sent. Your account shows the date Social Security released your payment. If Social Security released the payment but your bank has not processed it, contact your bank directly — the delay is on their end.
If Social Security did not send your payment on the scheduled date, call 1-800-772-1213 to report the missing payment. Have your Social Security number and bank account information ready. A representative can investigate why the payment was not sent and help you resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my payment date to a different day of the month?
No. Your payment date is fixed based on your birth date and cannot be changed. Social Security uses this system to spread payments across the month. If you need your payment on a specific date for budgeting reasons, you can plan around your scheduled date or speak with your bank about setting up automatic transfers on the day your payment arrives.
What if I was born on the 31st but some months only have 30 days?
You are in the fourth Wednesday group (21st–31st birth dates). Your payment arrives on the fourth Wednesday of every month, regardless of how many days that month has. The payment date is based on the day of the week, not the day of the month.
Do I get paid twice if a holiday moves my payment date earlier?
No. Your payment is straightforward moved to the business day before the holiday. You receive one payment per month on your scheduled date, adjusted only when that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday. You do not receive an extra payment.
How do I switch from a paper check to direct deposit?
Log into your my Social Security account and select "Payment Information," then choose "Change Payment Method." You can also call 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to set up direct deposit. You will need your bank account number and routing number. Direct deposit is faster and more find than paper checks.
Will my payment date change if I turn 70 or reach full retirement age?
No. Your payment date is based on your birth date, not your age or retirement status. It stays the same throughout your life as a Social Security beneficiary, regardless of when you started receiving benefits or what age you reach.