Millions of Social Security beneficiaries rely on monthly benefits through retirement, survivor, and disability insurance (RSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. For November, beneficiaries should be aware of some key scheduling changes due to payment dates coinciding with weekends. When a payment date falls on a weekend, the Social Security Administration (SSA) typically moves it to the previous business day, ensuring beneficiaries receive their funds without delay. Here’s an overview of how these changes impact the November payment schedule and what beneficiaries can expect.
November Social Security Payment Schedule
The SSA uses a structured payment schedule, delivering funds on different days each month based on the type of Social Security program, the beneficiary’s date of birth, and when they started receiving benefits. Here’s how the typical monthly Social Security payment schedule works:
- First Day of the Month: SSI recipients generally receive payments on the first of each month.
- Third Day of the Month: Retirees, survivors, and disabled individuals who started receiving benefits before May 1997 get payments on the third day of each month.
- Second Wednesday of the Month: RSDI beneficiaries who started after May 1997 and were born between the 1st and 10th of any month receive payments on this date.
- Third Wednesday of the Month: RSDI beneficiaries who started after May 1997 and were born between the 11th and 20th of any month receive payments on this date.
- Fourth Wednesday of the Month: RSDI beneficiaries who started after May 1997 and were born between the 21st and 31st of any month receive payments on this date.
For November 2023, since the third day of the month fell on a weekend, the SSA moved these payments to November 1st. Additionally, December 1st will also fall on a weekend, prompting the SSA to send an extra SSI payment on November 29th to ensure December benefits are not delayed. Here’s a detailed look at the November 2023 Social Security payment schedule:
| Social Security Program | Scheduled Date | Payment Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSI and RSDI (prior to May 1997) | November 1, 2023 (Wednesday) | Regular payment for SSI and early RSDI beneficiaries |
| RSDI (birthdates 1st–10th) | November 13, 2023 (Wednesday) | First Wednesday payment for November |
| RSDI (birthdates 11th–20th) | November 20, 2023 (Wednesday) | Second Wednesday payment for November |
| RSDI (birthdates 21st–31st) | November 27, 2023 (Wednesday) | Third Wednesday payment for November |
| Additional SSI Payment | November 29, 2023 (Friday) | December SSI payment issued early due to weekend overlap |
Expected Benefit Amounts After 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
To help Social Security payments keep up with inflation, the SSA applies an annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The 2024 COLA is set at 3.2%, which means increased benefits across retirement, survivor, disability, and SSI programs. Here’s a breakdown of the average monthly payments, including the COLA adjustments for 2024:
Retirement Benefits with 3.2% COLA
| Beneficiary Group | Average Monthly Payment | New Monthly Payment | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Average | $1,900 | $1,948 | $48 |
| Age 62 | $2,710 | $2,778 | $68 |
| Age 67 | $3,822 | $3,918 | $96 |
| Age 70 | $4,873 | $4,995 | $122 |
Survivor Benefits with 3.2% COLA
| Beneficiary Group | Average Monthly Payment | New Monthly Payment | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Average | $1,505 | $1,543 | $38 |
| Individual | $1,773 | $1,817 | $44 |
| Two Children | $3,653 | $3,744 | $91 |
Disability Benefits with 3.2% COLA
| Beneficiary Group | Average Monthly Payment | New Monthly Payment | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Average | $1,537 | $1,575 | $38 |
| Blind Recipients | $2,590 | $2,655 | $65 |
| Maximum Payment | $3,822 | $3,918 | $96 |
SSI Benefits with 3.2% COLA
| Beneficiary Group | Average Monthly Payment | New Monthly Payment | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Average | $698 | $715 | $17 |
| Individuals | $943 | $967 | $24 |
| Couples | $1,415 | $1,450 | $35 |
| Essential Person | $472 | $484 | $12 |
What should I do if I don’t receive my payment on the scheduled date?
If your payment is delayed, contact your local SSA office or check the status through your online Social Security account. Most delays resolve within a few days.
Why are payments moved to an earlier date when a scheduled payment falls on a weekend?
The SSA ensures that beneficiaries receive their payments on time by moving payments scheduled for weekends or holidays to the prior business day.
Will there be any other changes to Social Security payments this year?
Beyond the November and December scheduling adjustments, no further changes are expected for 2023. The next COLA increase will be reflected in January 2024 payments.
