Social Security survivor benefit payment schedule confusion - 3rd vs 3rd Wednesday?

The payment schedule for survivor benefits is based on YOUR birth date, not your husband's. If you were born between the 11th and 20th of the month, you get paid on the 3rd Wednesday. That lines up with what you're seeing. The large deposit you received is probably retroactive benefits from when you applied. SSA often pays a lump sum for the months that have passed since your eligibility date, which can be up to 6 months before your application date in some cases. Regarding the overpayment - sometimes when they calculate retroactive benefits, they make adjustments. It could be that they initially calculated one amount, then adjusted it down, which resulted in the overpayment notation.

The previous commenter is incorrect. For survivor benefits, the payment date is determined by the birth date of the person receiving the benefits (you), not the deceased person. Here's how it works: • If your birth date is on the 1st-10th: You receive benefits on the 2nd Wednesday • If your birth date is on the 11th-20th: You receive benefits on the 3rd Wednesday • If your birth date is on the 21st-31st: You receive benefits on the 4th Wednesday The only exception is if you were already receiving spousal benefits on your husband's record before he passed away - then you would continue to receive payments on the same schedule as before. Regarding the overpayment notice - I would definitely contact SSA for clarification. It could be a system error, especially with a new claim, or it might relate to a benefit adjustment they made.

Congrats on getting approved! That first payment is always such a relief. I remember when mine came through after my wife passed. It took FOREVER.

I JUST went through this EXACT same situation!!! The payment schedules are SO confusing and nowhere on the SSA site does it explain this clearly! What happened to me was they paid me retroactive benefits going back to when I applied (4 months of payments all at once), but then they also noted an "overpayment" because they had to adjust something with my husband's earnings record. Did you get an actual letter about the overpayment or just see it noted online? If it's just online, WAIT for the letter before panicking. Mine showed up as an "overpayment" online for 3 weeks before I got the official letter explaining everything. BTW - your birthday determines your payment date NOW, but if you were getting benefits on your husband's record BEFORE he died (like spousal benefits) then you would keep the same payment date as before. That might be where your confusion is coming from.

If you're receiving survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse's work record, the payment date is determined by YOUR birth date, not his. Since you mentioned your birth date falls on the 15th, that's why you're receiving payment on the 3rd Wednesday. The large deposit is likely retroactive benefits calculated from your entitlement date (which could be the month of application or up to 6 months prior if you applied within 6 months of your husband's passing). Regarding the overpayment - this is fairly common with new claims, especially survivor benefits. It often happens when: 1. They pay you based on an initial calculation, then adjust it based on additional information 2. There was a month where benefits overlapped (for example, if your husband received a payment for the month he died) 3. There was a computational error that was later corrected You should receive a detailed letter in the mail explaining both the payment and any overpayment. If you don't receive this within 10 business days, or if the explanation doesn't make sense, you should contact SSA directly for clarification.

my husbands check comes on the second wednesdday and ive been waiting for mine for 4 months now!!!! did u have to keep calling them? this whole prosess is ridiculus. also watch out for the tax stuff they dont tell you about that survivor benefets are taxable!!

Another thing to check - make SURE they're paying you the right amount! When my husband died, they initially paid me based on HIS benefit amount, but then they realized I was entitled to MORE because my own work record gave me a higher benefit. So they recalculated and paid me the difference. But the way it showed up online was super confusing - looked like they paid me too much at first!

Is anyone else frustrated that they make this stuff so complicated? Like why can't they just have one payment date for everyone? Or at least explain things clearly?

One more thing to be aware of - if you're under Full Retirement Age (FRA) and working, make sure you understand the earnings test. If you earn above certain limits ($20,520 for 2025 if you're under FRA for the full year), they'll withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above the limit. This could potentially explain an adjustment if they received updated earnings information for you.