Millions of Americans rely on Social Security for a steady monthly income, but not all beneficiaries will receive their payments this week.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), only those born between the first and tenth of any month are scheduled to receive benefits on Wednesday, August 13.
Others will receive payments later in August, based on their birth dates.
August 2025 Social Security payment schedule
The SSA staggers payments throughout the month for retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits:
August 13 – Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
August 20 – Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
August 27 – Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients follow a separate calendar. Due to the Labor Day holiday, the September SSI payment will be received early on Friday, August 29.
Why some checks may be reduced
Some retirees may receive smaller deposits this month as the SSA begins withholding 50% of benefits from those who were overpaid and have not begun repayment.
A report from the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General discovered $13.6 billion in overpayments between 2020 and 2023. The majority occurred when beneficiaries failed to report changes in income or medical conditions that would affect their eligibility.
How benefit amounts are set
The SSA calculates retirement benefits using a worker’s highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. The age at which benefits are claimed is also a significant factor:
Age 62: Maximum $2,831 per month
Full retirement age (67): Maximum $4,018 per month
Age 70: Maximum $5,108 per month
The average monthly benefit as of June 2025 is $2,005.05, which equates to approximately $24,000 per year before taxes.
Benefits set to rise in 2026
The Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increases payments on an annual basis. The Senior Citizens League anticipates a 2.6% increase in 2026, which is slightly higher than the 2.5% adjustment implemented in January 2025. The official figure will be announced in October.
For the time being, retirees should check their payment date and keep an eye out for any notices from the SSA, particularly if overpayment recovery will affect their monthly amount.
