What you receive and how often

Social Security sends you a monthly payment by direct deposit to your bank account or, if you request it, by paper check mailed to your address. The amount depends on your age when you start taking benefits, your lifetime earnings record, and which type of benefit you are receiving — retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.

Payments arrive on the same day each month. Most people receive their payment between the 3rd and the 23rd, depending on their birth date. The Social Security Administration staggered payment dates so the system does not process all payments at once. You can check your specific payment date on your Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

The amount you receive changes once per year in October or November, when the Social Security Administration announces a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. This adjustment is meant to keep your purchasing power steady as prices rise. The COLA is the same percentage for all beneficiaries, though the dollar amount varies based on what you were already receiving.

Key Takeaways

  • Social Security deposits arrive monthly on a set date between the 3rd and 23rd, determined by your birth date.
  • Your payment amount is based on your age when you started benefits, your lifetime earnings, and the type of benefit you receive.
  • You can receive payments by direct deposit or paper check, and you choose which method when you first claim benefits.
  • Your payment increases once per year through a cost-of-living adjustment announced in October or November.
  • You can view your payment history and upcoming payment dates in your personal Social Security account online.

How your payment amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your benefit based on your Primary Insurance Amount, or PIA. This is the monthly payment you would receive if you claimed benefits at your full retirement age — the age when you are may have access to to 100 percent of your earned benefit. Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year.

Your PIA is computed from your 35 highest-earning years. Social Security looks at your entire work history, adjusts older earnings for inflation, and averages them. If you worked fewer than 35 years, zeros are included in the calculation, which lowers your average. The formula then converts that average into a monthly benefit using a bend-point formula that replaces a higher percentage of lower earnings than higher earnings.

If you claim before your full retirement age, your payment is reduced. If you claim after your full retirement age, your payment increases. For every month you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your benefit grows by roughly 0.67 percent per month, up to age 70. At 70, the growth stops, so there is no financial advantage to waiting longer.

When payments start and stop

Your first payment arrives in the month after you claim benefits, though the timing depends on when you file. If you file early in a month, your first payment may arrive that same month. If you file late in a month, it typically arrives the following month. Social Security processes claims in the order they are received, and processing can take several weeks.

Payments continue for as long as you are alive and meet the requirements of your benefit type. If you are receiving retirement benefits, there are no ongoing requirements — you straightforward receive your payment each month. If you are receiving disability benefits, Social Security may periodically review your medical condition to confirm you still cannot work. Survivor benefits continue as long as the beneficiary meets the age or status requirements.

If you die, your family members may be may have access to to survivor benefits based on your earnings record. Your payment stops the month you die, and your family should report your death to Social Security as soon as possible. Any payment received after your death must be returned.

Payment method options and changes

You must choose a payment method when you claim benefits. Direct deposit is the fastest and most find option — your payment goes straight into your bank account on your scheduled payment date. You can set up direct deposit to a checking account, savings account, or both. If you split your payment between two accounts, you decide how much goes to each.

If you do not have a bank account or prefer not to use direct deposit, you can receive a paper check by mail. Checks take longer to arrive and can be lost or stolen, so Social Security encourages direct deposit. Some people also use a Direct Express card, a prepaid debit card issued by the U.S. Treasury that receives your payment electronically but functions like a card.

You can change your payment method at any time through your Social Security account online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local Social Security office. Changes typically take one to two months to go into effect, so plan ahead if you are switching methods.

Taxes on your Social Security benefits

Depending on your total income, a portion of your Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax. Social Security uses a formula based on your combined income, which includes your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefits. If your combined income exceeds certain thresholds, up to 50 percent or 85 percent of your benefits become taxable.

The income thresholds are $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married couples filing jointly. These thresholds have not changed since 1984 and do not adjust for inflation. If your combined income is below these amounts, your benefits are not taxed. If it is above them, you may owe federal income tax on your benefits.

Some states also tax Social Security benefits, though most do not. Check your state's tax rules or consult a tax professional if you live in a state with income tax and your combined income is high. You can have federal income tax withheld from your Social Security payment if you expect to owe taxes, which prevents a large bill at tax time.

Reporting changes that affect your payment

You must report certain life changes to Social Security because they can affect your benefits. If you return to work and earn above a certain amount, your benefits may be reduced if you have not yet reached full retirement age. In 2024, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above $23,400. The earnings limit is higher in the year you reach full retirement age.

You must also report if you move out of the United States, become incarcerated, or if a family member receiving benefits on your record dies. Changes in marital status, such as marriage or divorce, can affect your benefits and those of your family members. Report changes through your online account, by phone, or in person at a local office.

Social Security sends you a statement each year showing your payment history and upcoming payments. Review this statement for accuracy. If you notice an error, contact Social Security right away so it can be corrected before it affects your benefits.

Understanding your payment statement and records

You can view your complete payment history and upcoming payment dates by logging into your Social Security account at ssa.gov. The account shows every payment you have received, the date it was sent, and the amount. If a payment is missing or incorrect, you can use this record to report the problem to Social Security.

Social Security also mails a benefit statement once per year, usually in December. This statement shows your current monthly benefit amount, your lifetime earnings record, and estimates of what your family members might receive if you die. Review the earnings record on this statement to make sure it is accurate, because errors in your work history can lower your benefit.

If you disagree with your payment amount or believe an error has been made, you can file a request for reconsideration with Social Security. You have 60 days from the date you receive a notice about your benefit to request reconsideration. Social Security will review your case and send you a new decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What day of the month will I get my payment?

Your payment date depends on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st through the 10th, you receive your payment on the second Wednesday of the month. If born on the 11th through the 20th, you get it on the third Wednesday. If born on the 21st through the 31st, you get it on the fourth Wednesday. You can confirm your exact date by logging into your Social Security account or calling 1-800-772-1213.

Can I change my payment method after I start receiving benefits?

Yes. You can switch between direct deposit, paper check, and Direct Express card at any time through your online Social Security account, by phone, or in person. Changes take one to two months to take effect, so request the change well before you need it.

What happens to my Social Security if I move to another country?

You can receive Social Security benefits while living outside the United States, but rules vary by country. Some countries have agreements with the U.S. that allow payments to continue. Others do not. You must report your move to Social Security before you leave. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local office to learn the rules for your destination country.

Will my payment increase if I delay claiming past age 70?

No. Your benefit stops growing at age 70. If you wait past 70 to claim, your monthly payment will be the same as it would have been at 70. There is no financial advantage to delaying past age 70, though you can still claim at any age.

How do I report an error in my payment amount?

Contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213, through your online account, or by visiting a local office. Have your Social Security number and recent payment statements ready. Social Security will review your case and send you a written decision. If you disagree with the decision, you can request reconsideration within 60 days.