Social Security payment schedule based on birthdate vs first of month - how does SS timing work?

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.

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

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??

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

One thing that might help with the payment timing is to set up a small emergency buffer in your checking account if possible. I learned this the hard way when I first retired - having even just $200-300 extra cushion made the transition to the Wednesday payment schedule much less stressful. Also, if you use online banking, most banks will let you schedule your bill payments to go out automatically a day or two after your SS deposit hits. Takes the guesswork out of timing everything perfectly. The first few months of retirement take some adjustment, but you'll get into a rhythm with the payment schedule pretty quickly!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I wanted to add that you can actually check your exact payment date in advance by creating a my Social Security account online at ssa.gov. Once you're signed up for benefits, it shows your specific payment schedule for the entire year. This was super helpful for me because I could plan out my budget months in advance and coordinate with my bank about automatic bill pay timing. Also, if there's ever a federal holiday that falls on your normal payment Wednesday, they typically pay the day before - but the online account will show you those adjusted dates too. The my Social Security portal is really underutilized but has tons of useful info once you get it set up!