Social Security is paid out on Wednesday, October 21: who benefits?
In the U.S. next week, certain Social Security recipients are to get their monthly payment for October 2026, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) continues the program’s payment schedule for this month.
Who gets Social Security on Wednesday, October 21?
Of the nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries in the U.S., many are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month, depending on their birthday.
October 21 is the third Wednesday in the month, so Social Security benefits are to be sent out to recipients born between the 11th and 20th of any month.
October 2026’s complete three-Wednesdays cycle:
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: Social Security paid on Wednesday, October 14
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: Social Security paid on Wednesday, October 21
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: Social Security paid on Wednesday, October 28
NB: If you get Social Security benefits based on someone else’s employment history, the SSA uses the other person’s date of birth.
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What other payment runs are there in October 2026?
October 21 is the third of four distribution dates on this month’s Social Security schedule. Early this month, the SSA completed a payment run for two groups of recipients who get their benefits outside the three-Wednesdays cycle:
- Friday, October 2: Social Security paid to dual beneficiaries and certain long-term recipients
On October 2, this month’s Social Security was issued to beneficiaries who began receiving their monthly payments before May 1997. Friday 2 was also October’s Social Security payment date for recipients who claim Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at the same time.
A benefit for certain low-income, low-resource individuals, SSI differs from Social Security as it is needs-based. Unlike Social Security, eligibility for SSI is not dependent on an applicant’s work record. Worth an average of $738.73 per month, SSI was paid for October on Thursday 1.
How much are Social Security benefits?
- Retirement: $2,033.27
- Disability: $1,498.94
- Survivor: $1,635.70
Average monthly benefit, according to the latest statistics published by the SSA.
2027 COLA announced: how much will it be?
In an attempt to maintain beneficiaries’ purchasing power in the face of inflation, the SSA is to increase monthly Social Security and SSI payments in 2027, in a measure known as the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
On October 14, the agency announced that it will enact a 3.6% COLA on Social Security and SSI payments, beginning with benefits issued for January.
Across all Social Security beneficiaries, this translates into a roughly $70 increase on the current monthly average payment of $1,941.76. For retired workers, who make up 77% of all Social Security recipients, the COLA for 2027 means an average benefits bump of about $75 per month.
How does the Social Security Admin pay benefits?
- Direct deposit
Social Security recipients can provide the SSA with their bank details on the online “my Social Security” tool.
- Direct Express
Money can be loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal disbursements. Sign up for Direct Express at 1-800-333-1795 or 1-800-772-1213, or at a Social Security office.
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