The Social Security Administration (SSA) is sending out payments of up to $5,108 this week to millions of beneficiaries. These funds serve as retirement, spousal, survivor, or disability benefits for more than 70 million Americans. Due to the large number of recipients, payments are distributed on different days throughout the month based on the beneficiary’s birth date and eligibility for additional payments such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
On June 25, benefits will be paid to claimants born between the 21st and 31st of any calendar month. The SSA recommends waiting three business days before contacting the agency if an expected payment does not arrive as scheduled. According to SSA data, the average Social Security payment in May was $2,002.39, marking the first time the average monthly payment has surpassed $2,000.
The average Social Security benefit amount changes monthly,” an SSA spokesperson said.
June’s Social Security payment schedule
Benefits are based on a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings, and as wages generally increase over time, the average benefit amount also tends to rise.
The amount a beneficiary receives can vary. Individuals who retire at age 62 can receive up to $2,831 per month, while those who wait until age 67—the full retirement age—can receive up to $4,018. Delaying retirement until age 70 increases the maximum benefit to $5,108.
SSI payments, which are made to blind and disabled Americans, averaged $718.30 for its 7.4 million recipients in May. Upcoming Social Security payment dates for July:
Tuesday, July 1: SSI payments
Thursday, July 3: Retirement benefits for individuals collecting checks since before May 1997 and retirees who also collect SSI benefits
Wednesday, July 9: Retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits for those born between the 1st and 10th of any month
Wednesday, July 16: Benefits for those born between the 11th and 20th
Wednesday, July 23: Benefits for those born between the 21st and 31st
The annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps benefit payments keep pace with inflation. Social Security recipients may see an increase in their payments beginning next year, according to new estimates from independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst Mary Johnson and the Senior Citizens League.
The SSA is set to announce the 2026 COLA in October officially.
