The Social Security Administration (SSA) delivers benefits to over 70 million beneficiaries in the United States every month. This month, more than 50 million retirees will receive their monthly Social Security check to cover daily living expenses and keep pace with inflation, which includes a 3.2% boost from the cost of living adjustment (COLA). The SSA defines Social Security payment dates annually based on a set of general regulations.
Your payment date is primarily determined by the program you are part of and the day you became eligible for benefits. The SSA manages diverse programs aimed at specific American segments, including retirement, disability benefit programs, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Participants in all programs that began before May 1997 will receive their payments on the third of the month.
For others, the schedule varies based on the beneficiary’s birth date. All recipients from the retirement, survivor, and disability insurance (RSDI) program born between the 11th and 20th of the month will start receiving Social Security benefits on Wednesday, August 21st. The SSA recommends waiting at least three postal days after this date before contacting your local SSA office if you have not received your payment.
The next round of Social Security payments for August is headed out soon. The day you receive your payment depends on your birthday and when you started receiving Social Security benefits. For people who have received Social Security since before May 1997, payments are made on the third day of each month.
If you receive both Social Security and SSI, Social Security payments will be on the third day of each month, and SSI payments will be on the first day.
August Social Security payment schedule
When the payment date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the payment date is adjusted.
If your check doesn’t arrive on the designated date, the Social Security Administration advises waiting three additional mailing days before reaching out. Some beneficiaries will receive two payments in August due to the way the days fall on the calendar. This situation affects those who receive SSI and is designed to ensure they receive their benefits on time.
Payments are scheduled for August 1 and August 30, with the latter constituting the September SSI payment. This early distribution occurs because September 1 falls on a weekend. Concerns about the future of Social Security are growing among seniors, people with disabilities, and all contributors to the system.
Analysts have warned of a potential funding crisis, with current estimates suggesting that the program could become insolvent by the mid-2030s, potentially resulting in reduced payments for seniors. Various policy changes have been proposed to address this problem, but suggestions such as raising the retirement age or reducing benefit amounts are largely unpopular with current and future beneficiaries. Although Social Security benefits are adjusted annually for inflation through the COLA, many seniors argue that these increases do not sufficiently cover the rising costs of health care, food, and housing.
A survey conducted earlier this year by the Senior Citizens’ League found that seniors are still experiencing price increases on nearly every household item. The National Council on Aging reports that approximately 25 million Americans over the age of 60 live at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. This sentiment reflects a widespread concern among seniors about the adequacy of Social Security benefits in the face of the rising cost of living.
