The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) already has the final payment for the month of November prepared according to its 2025 payment schedule. Those receiving retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and survivor benefits will receive a check on November 12.
These Social Security checks are processed in two ways: either through direct deposits into beneficiaries’ bank accounts or via Direct Express Cards. With the announcement of the new Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, beneficiaries will experience a 2.8% increase, but they will have to wait for the payments corresponding to January 2026 to see it reflected in their checks.
Social Security Payments for November 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) already has the final checks for November 2025 ready. They will be issued next Wednesday, the 12th, and the recipients are beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), survivors, and retirees. These benefits are distributed to 70 million Americans on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month.
The Wednesday assigned to each beneficiary depends on their birth date, as outlined in the Social Security payment schedule.The payments next Wednesday cover birthdays from the 1st to the 10th of the month.November Wednesday Payment Schedule:
- Born between the 1st and 10th of the month: November 12.
- Born between the 11th and 20th of the month: November 19.
- Born between the 21st and 31st of the month: November 26.
Which payments are not made on Wednesdays?
Not all Social Security benefits follow this rule. It only affects retirement, SSDI, or survivor beneficiaries, except for those who have been receiving the benefit since May 1997, who receive it on the 3rd of each month regardless of their birth date. Other social aids that are also issued in the first days of each month are:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Recipients of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program—a separate program for low-income individuals who are 65 or older or have a disability—are normally paid on the 1st of each month.However, since November started on a Saturday, this month’s SSI payments were issued one day early: Friday, October 31.
Dual Beneficiaries (SSI + Regular Social Security)
Around 2.5 million people in the U.S. receive both SSI and one of the SSA retirement, SSDI, or survivor benefits.These recipients were supposed to receive the first payment on the first day of each month, followed by the second on its scheduled date.
Therefore, the payment schedule for Non-Wednesday beneficiaries in November is:
- SSI Beneficiaries: Friday, Oct. 31
- Pre-May ’97 Social Security recipients: Mon., Nov. 3
- Dual beneficiaries: SSI on Oct. 31; Social Security on Nov. 3.
How much do SSA beneficiaries receive?
Depending on the type of aid and the characteristics of each person, the amount can vary, but the average amounts are as follows:
- Retirement: $2,008.31 per month on average, says the SSA. The maximum monthly retirement benefit in 2025 is $5,108.
- Disabled workers receive an average of $1,582.95.Survivor beneficiaries receive an average of $1,575.30 per month.
- SSI beneficiaries receive an average of $717.84 per month.
Looking ahead to 2026, these amounts will increase after the approval of the new Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) percentage, which will mean a 2.8% increase, but beneficiaries will not receive it until they get the first payment corresponding to 2026. This increase will translate into $56 more in their checks.
How does the SSA make its payments?
Following its initiative to remain completely paper-free, the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes almost all of its payments electronically. There are still exceptions for those who receive their benefits on paper, but the vast majority do so electronically, with the choice between two options:
- Direct Deposit. The benefits are deposited directly into a bank account previously provided to the agency. You can provide this information on the online portal “my Social Security”.
- Express Debit Card. They receive their benefits on the Direct Express card, a special debit card for federal payments to individuals without a bank account.
If you have any other doubts about payment days, check the official Payment Calendar of the SSA on its website.
