Social Security is being paid out on Wednesday, October 28: who receives benefits?
Across the U.S., millions of Social Security recipients are to get their latest monthly benefits this week, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) rounds off the program’s payment schedule for October 2026.
Who gets Social Security on Wednesday, October 28?
Many of Social Security’s 71.6 million beneficiaries are issued their money on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month, with their allocated payment date determined by their birthday.
October 28 is the fourth Wednesday in the month, so Social Security is to be distributed to beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of any month.
October 2026’s complete three-Wednesdays cycle:
NB: If you receive Social Security based on someone else’s employment record, the SSA uses the other person’s date of birth.
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What other payment dates are there in October 2026?
This week’s is the last of four payment runs on this month’s Social Security schedule. At the start of October, the SSA paid two groups of beneficiaries who get their money outside of the three-Wednesdays cycle:
- Friday, October 2: Social Security paid to double beneficiaries and some long-term recipients
On Friday, October 2, this month’s Social Security was paid to individuals who have been receiving their benefits since before May 1997. Friday 2 was also October’s Social Security payment date for recipients who concurrently claim Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
A benefit for certain low-income people, SSI differs from Social Security as it is needs-based. Unlike Social Security, eligibility for SSI does not depend on claimant’s work history. Worth a monthly average of $735.86, SSI was paid out for October on Thursday 1.
How much are Social Security benefits?
- Retirement: $2,034.54
- Disability: $1,499.41
- Survivor: $1,636.31
Average monthly benefit, per SSA statistics.
Benefits set for COLA increase
In a bid to safeguard beneficiaries’ purchasing power, the SSA announced this month that it will raise Social Security and SSI payments by 3.6% in 2027.
Across all Social Security beneficiaries, this translates into an increase of around $70 on the current average payment, which stands at $1,943.15 per month.
How does the Social Security Administration pay benefits?
- Direct deposit
Social Security recipients can supply the SSA with their bank details using the online “my Social Security” tool.
- Direct Express
Money can be paid onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal disbursements. Sign up at 1-800-333-1795 or 1-800-772-1213, or at a Social Security office.
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