Millions of Social Security payments arrive this week: What’s the average benefit amount?

Millions of Social Security payments are scheduled to arrive this week.

Social Security payments for retired workers and dependents are distributed on the second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month, based on recipient’s day of birth. Recipients born from the first – 10^th are paid on the second Wednesday of the month; people born 11^th – 20^th are paid on the third Wednesday; and people born 21^st – 31^st are paid on the fourth Wednesday.

In September, those dates are Wednesday, Sept. 9, 16 and 23^rd.

More than 70 million people receive benefits from Social Security. The vast majority of these – 56 million – are retired workers and their dependents. The average monthly benefit for retired workers is $2,084.

The Social Security Administration distributed roughly 7 million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on Sept. 1.

SSI payments average about $740 a month and go to about 7.4 million low-income seniors, people with disabilities and people who are blind.

You can see the full yearly payment schedule here.

No matter the date, most Social Security payments are made via direct deposit as the agency continues to phase out paper checks. Earlier this year, the agency said it was moving ahead with enforcing a 2025 Executive Order requiring all federal benefits to be paid electronically.

Less than 1% of all beneficiaries are still receiving paper checks.

“Paper checks are 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or returned undeliverable than electronic payments. Switching now ensures you receive your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income quickly and securely,” the agency said.

Cost is an issue as well. According to the Department of Treasury, the average cost to print a check has increased to $3.07 per check, approximately 20 times more expensive than automated payments.