Social Security is being paid out on Wednesday, October 21: who gets benefits?
Next week, a specific group of Social Security recipients is to be issued its latest monthly benefits, as the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) continues the program’s payment schedule for October 2026.
Who receives Social Security on Wednesday, October 21?
Of the 71.5 million Social Security beneficiaries in the U.S., many get their money on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month, depending on their date of birth.
October 21 is the third Wednesday in the month, so Social Security is to be paid out to recipients born from the 11th to the 20th of any month.
October 2026’s complete three-Wednesdays cycle:
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: paid on Wednesday, October 14
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: paid on Wednesday, October 21
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: paid on Wednesday, October 28
NB: If you claim Social Security based on someone else’s work history, the SSA uses the other person’s date of birth.
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What other Social Security payment runs are there in October 2026?
October 21 is the third of four distribution dates on this month’s Social Security schedule. Just over two weeks ago, the SSA paid two groups of recipients who are issued their benefits outside of the three-Wednesdays cycle:
- Friday, October 2: Social Security paid to double beneficiaries and some long-term recipients
On Friday 2, October’s Social Security was paid to beneficiaries who started receiving their monthly payments before May 1997. October 2 was also this month’s Social Security payment date for recipients who concurrently claim Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
A benefit for certain low-income individuals, SSI differs from Social Security as it is needs-based. Unlike Social Security, eligibility for SSI does not depend on claimant’s employment record. Worth $735.86 per month on average, SSI was paid for October on Thursday 1.
How much are monthly Social Security benefits?
- Retirement: $2,034.54
- Disability: $1,499.41
- Survivor: $1,636.31
Average monthly benefit, per SSA statistics.
2027 COLA: how much is it and when is it applied?
In a bid to protect beneficiaries’ purchasing power, the SSA is to increase Social Security and SSI payments in 2027, in an annual measure known as the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
On October 14, the SSA announced that it will enact a 3.6% COLA on Social Security and SSI payments, beginning with benefits sent out for January.
Across all Social Security beneficiaries, this means an increase of around $70 on the current average payment, which is $1,943.15 per month. For retired workers, who account for more than three-quarters of all Social Security recipients, the 2027 COLA translates into an average benefits rise of about $75 a month.
How does the Social Security Administration make payments?
- Direct deposit
Social Security beneficiaries can supply the SSA with their bank details on the online “my Social Security” tool.
- Direct Express
Benefits can be paid onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal disbursements made to people without a bank account. Sign up at 1-800-333-1795 or 1-800-772-1213, or at a Social Security office.
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