Social Security payment schedule based on birthdate vs first of month - how does SS timing work?
I'm turning 67 next year and trying to get my finances in order before I retire. One thing that's confusing me is WHEN exactly Social Security deposits payments each month. My federal employee pension comes on the first of each month, but my brother-in-law says he gets his SS on the third Wednesday. My neighbor mentioned something about birthdays determining payment dates? Does anyone know the actual schedule? Do I get to choose when my payment arrives, or is it predetermined? Just trying to plan my bill payments accordingly.
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Owen Devar
Social Security retirement payments follow a specific schedule based on your birth date: - If you were born on the 1st-10th: paid on the second Wednesday - If you were born on the 11th-20th: paid on the third Wednesday - If you were born on the 21st-31st: paid on the fourth Wednesday However, if you started receiving benefits before May 1997 or if you're receiving both Social Security and SSI, you'll get paid on the 3rd of each month instead. The payment date is predetermined - you can't choose or change it.
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Brooklyn Knight
•Thank you! That makes sense why my brother-in-law gets his on the third Wednesday then. So I was born on the 26th, which means I'll get mine on the fourth Wednesday of each month? Is there any way to set up direct deposit to a different account than my checking account?
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Daniel Rivera
my mom gets hers on the 3rd of the month shes been on it for like 30 years. its different for older people i think
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Sophie Footman
•Yes! If you started getting benefits before May 1997, you get paid on the 3rd. My aunt is the same way. But most of us newer folks are on the Wednesday schedule based on birth dates. It's so confusing!!!
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Connor Rupert
I just started getting SS last year and IT DRIVES ME CRAZY that they don't just pay everyone on the same day!!! My mortgage is due on the 1st but I don't get paid until the 4th Wednesday (born on the 29th). I've had to adjust all my bill due dates and it's been a HUGE hassle. Why can't the government get anything right??
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Molly Hansen
•You can request to have your mortgage due date changed to better align with your Social Security payment schedule. Most banks and mortgage companies will accommodate this. I did this when I retired, and it made budgeting much easier. Just call your mortgage servicer and explain the situation.
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Brady Clean
Just to add to what everyone else said - if you get both SSI and regular Social Security retirement, you'll always get paid on the 1st for SSI and the 3rd for Social Security regardless of your birthday. That's how it works for my disabled son who gets both types of benefits.
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Brooklyn Knight
•Thanks for clarifying! I'll just be getting regular retirement benefits, so looks like the birth date schedule applies to me. Still useful info to know!
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Skylar Neal
You know those bank accounts that let you get paid up to 2 days early? They don't work with Social Security! I found that out the hard way. Government deposits follow their own weird timing rules. Just FYI if you were thinking of trying that route.
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Molly Hansen
•Actually, this depends on the financial institution. Some banks and credit unions do offer early access to government deposits, including Social Security. I get my SS payment 1-2 days before the official payment date through my credit union. It's worth asking your bank if they offer this feature.
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Connor Rupert
I spent TWO HOURS on hold with Social Security last month trying to ask about changing my payment date because it falls right after my rent is due. Never got through to anyone!!! Their phone system is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!
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Brady Clean
•Have you tried using Claimyr? I was having the same problem getting through to SS, but this service helped me skip the wait and got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. Worked really well when I needed to update my direct deposit info. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - saved me so much frustration!
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Owen Devar
Just to clarify since there seems to be some confusion: you cannot change your assigned payment date with Social Security. The date is determined solely by your birth date (or when you started receiving benefits if before May 1997). The only thing you can change is your direct deposit information - which account receives the funds. Many people find it easier to adjust their bill payment dates instead.
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Brooklyn Knight
•Thanks for the clarification! I'll contact my utility companies to see if I can adjust my due dates to align better with the fourth Wednesday schedule. Appreciate everyone's help!
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