Social Security benefits for November 2025: Check out this month’s full schedule of payments

The U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) is currently in the midst of sending out benefits checks for November – the penultimate month before the new, increased payments begin in 2026.

As is customary each month, November’s disbursements are going out to retirees, survivors, and recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Per the SSA’s official payment schedule:

• SSI benefits are distributed on the first day of each month.
• Social Security benefits for individuals who began receiving payments before May 1997 are sent on the third day of the month.
• For those who receive both SSI and regular Social Security, the former is paid on the first, and the latter on the third.

All other Social Security payments are issued on one of three Wednesdays in each month, based on the birth date of the worker who accrued the benefits entitlement:

• Second Weds.: Birthdays between the 1st and 10th
• Third Weds.: Birthdays between the 11th and 20th
• Fourth Weds.: Birthdays between the 21st and 31st

If a scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA brings it forward to the nearest working day. This, for example, was the case for SSI recipients this month, as November began on a Saturday.

Nov. 2025 Social Security payment schedule:

• Fri., Oct. 31: SSI recipients
• Mon., Nov. 3: Beneficiaries who started receiving payments before May 1997; dual beneficiaries
• Weds., Nov. 12: Birthdays between 1st and 10th
• Weds., Nov. 19: Birthdays between 11th and 20th
• Weds., Nov. 26: Birthdays between 21st and 31st

Average Social Security benefit in 2025

The exact amount paid to each recipient of retirement checks varies, as payments are calculated based on factors such as an individual’s earnings history, and the age at which they began claiming their benefits.

In its most recent update, the SSA said retired workers receive an average of $2,008.31. The highest amount available to a retiree in 2025 is $5,108.

Paper checks no longer an option

For years, Social Security and SSI benefits were available via both electronic payment and traditional paper checks. However, as of September 30, the SSA has officially discontinued paper checks. Beneficiaries who were still receiving physical checks must now switch to e-payment methods.

How much will benefits rise by in 2026?

Each year, the SSA implements a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), in an attempt to prevent beneficiaries’ spending power from being reduced by inflation. In October, the agency announced that it is to apply a 2.8% increase to benefits checks in 2026.

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