This is a common question we get when we do a full Social Security Benefit session. “When will I receive my first check”. It’s important to understand that As of March 1, 2013, the Social Security Administration stopped mailing paper checks. There are two ways you can receive your benefits:
1. Direct deposit of your Social Security checks. This option puts them right into your bank account on the day they are paid.
You don’t have to worry about your check being lost or worry that funds will not get to the bank in time if you are out of town. Sign up or learn more at Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Direct Deposit.
2. Direct Express® Debit Card – If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your benefits will be paid to you via Direct Express® debit card option. This card will work anywhere that takes Debit Mastercard®. You can also use your Direct Express® debit card to get cash back at the grocery store or to purchase money orders at the post office.
Social Security checks are deposited on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on your day of birth. The Social Security check schedule works as follows:
If you were born on the:
1st–10th of the month: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
11th–20th of the month: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
21st–31st of the month: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
Exceptions to When Social Security Checks Arrive
For every rule, there are always exceptions. If you fall into one of the categories below, your check may arrive on an alternate schedule.
You started receiving benefits before 1997: Your Social Security check is paid on the third day of the month. You can request to change this according to the day of birth schedule above.
You are receiving both Social Security benefits and SSI payments: Expect your Social Security check to be deposited on the third day of the month.
Holiday exceptions: If the day your Social Security check is supposed to be deposited is a holiday, your check will be deposited the previous day.
If you have questions on how to Maximize your Social Security Benefits, contact us today. This is what we do! Helping thousands of people that look for ways to maximize their retirement and live a better life.
My last day worked was 5/29/18.
When should I get my first check
Rose Mary, it depends on when you apply and your birthday. If your birthday is the 1st-10th then it will be deposited on the 2nd wed of the month. 11th-20th 3rd wed and 21st-31st 4th wed of the month.
My full retirement age is 66. i would like to continue working at least part time until age 67. can i work and receive Social Security benefits at 66 yrs ?
Terry, You you can continue to work past your Full retirement age, just keep in mind two things. Each month you delay benefits will increase your SS income payment and between 66 and age 70 you can get an 8% increase each year – which would be 32% increase! Secondly depending on your income Social Security can tax your social security if you make over certain thresholds that are pretty low.
We would love to assist you with your retirement income planning, Faye
If I apply for social sicurity in January of 2018, when can I expect my social sicurity check?
I applied for my social security check in June. When should I expect my first check
Robin- We are a flat fee social security planning firm, you will need to contact Social Security directly at 800-772-1213, Good luck with your retirement! Faye
My full retirement age is on 12/1/19.
Will be 66. But i was told in PERSon that i wd get my 1st check on 1/2020. I went to SSA weeks later & I was told I cd start getting SS on Nov. 1 2019.
I contacted SSA wks later cuz i hadnt recvd my SS award letter. Thats when they said i wd get my 1st chk on 11/11/19.
I am so disgusted by all the inaccurate info, that i dont even know if i want the dam money anymore
Victoria, It can be hard to sometimes get the right information. In general you get your first payment the month after your birthday which would be in Jan, but if you requested early they can have it come early
If the birthday is between the 1st and the 10th of the month, you will receive your payment on the second Wednesday of the month after that birthday. If the birthday is between the 11th and the 20th, you will receive your payment on the third Wednesday of the following month.
Hopefully you get your check soon!
I will gladly take it if you don’t want it.
I just got approved Sept.24th for my SSI. when will I receive my 1st check?
Why did i have to wait 9 weeks for my first ssa check. I turned 62 on 9/4 and i had to wait until 11/13 to get my first check
Mary Jo, you will have to contact SSA directly for help. http://www.ssa.gov or 800-772-1213
Can you tell me what day my first SS payment will be deposited?
Janis, it depends on when you apply and when your birthday falls. If your birthday is the 1st-10th then it will be deposited on the 2nd wed of the month. 11th-20th 3rd wed and 21st-31st 4th wed of the month.
If I sign up for my so retirement benefits three mounts prier to my retirement date will I receive my deposit on the third Wednesday of Jan 2019 ?
It depends on what day your birthday falls on. If your birthday is the 1st-10th then it will be deposited on the 2nd wed of the month. 11th-20th 3rd wed and 21st-31st 4th wed of the month.
Born August 06/1954
What is my full retirement age?
65. DIDN’T CHANGE TIL 1955. I HAVE TO WORK TIL 66 AND 2 MONTHS.
Depending on your birth year will determine your full retirement age.
If you were born between 1943 and 1954 your full retirement age is 66
I turn 66 on October 16, I applied for SS in September. I told the administration that I wanted to receive my first payment in November, so I can get the full benefits. I just saw a deposit for $267.90 from Federal Benefit Credit 10/09, I don’t understand why.
Frances- You will need to check with them directly on this you can call 800-772-1213. We do not have access to your social security records.
If i applied for social security retirement 1 or 2 months after full retirement age will the first payment be retroactive?
Joe,
You can request up to a six month look back. But you may not want to, each month you delay your Social Security benefit will go up slightly. Happy retirement!
Social Security held back payments because I was working will I get those payments in the near future
Jerry, depending on your age and your income you may or may not get payments back. If you are under your full retirement age every $2 you make over $17,640 they take $1 of your benefit away. The income you earn does continue to vest you into Social Security.
Im disgusted in the whole ssi ssdi ss everything !! I have been screwed over the entire process when i filed for my disability i was eligible on my work record but i was denied it took 5 yrs for me to get approved so there went getting it on my work record had to take ssi and my disability issues where the same as when i first applied this seems so unfair to me and unamerican its like they try thier hardest. To make your life miserable im totally sickened by this and it continues on.
If I am retiring June 4 2019 when should I apply for my first Social security check
Darlene,
Your retirement date and Social Security date do not have to be the same. Depending on your health and other assets delaying your SS until age 70 can reap huge benefits.
If you want to make an informed decision I would recommend that you have us put a plan together for you.
Best,
Faye
I was approved for SSDI on 10/09/2018. When should I expect my first check? Thank you.
Darlene
It would shift depending on your birthdate. 1st – 10th is the 2nd wed, 11th – 20th 3rd Wed and 21-31st is 4th Wed of the month. If you have not received yet I would recommend calling Social Security Directly 800-772-1213
Thank you,
Faye
Born 10/9/52
Want full freight social security.
Applied Aug-Sept 2018.
When do I get my first check
I’m still working.
I live in Florida
William,
Since your birthday is on the 9th it should deposit on the 2nd Wed of each month. It should arrive 11/14. If not call Social Security directly 800-772-1213
Thanks, Faye
I have reached full retirement age….my two young children qualify for dependent benefits since I will begin to receive my social security retirement benefits. Question: ….Will their benefits come at the same as mine?
William,
If you applied for both at the same time there is a good chance that they may come at the same time. But if you applied for yours first then theirs after there could be a delay. If there is a delay you can request up to six months back pay.
Let us know if we can help further,
Faye
I am retiring on December 1st 2018, so my first check will come in January. I was born on the 21st of May so that will be January 23rd. Will my first check be for 1 months benefits or one month and 3 weeks benefits.
Scott,
Due to your birthday being on the 21st it should be deposited on the 4th Wed of each month. Unless you ask for up to a six month look back, typically it would be for 1 month of benefit.
If we can help further please let us know. Faye
when do I receive my check
It will depend on when you apply and other factors.
If you would like further help you can sign up for a plan and we would be happy to assist! Faye
My last date if employment is December 31. I told social security I will be retired beginning January 1st. I am 64 1/2 at that time. Will my 1st check be in January or will it be in February. My birthdate is April 29, so I know my check will come on the 4th Wednesday. Just wondering which month.
Kathy, it will depend on the Social Security employee that processes it. If you gave them at least a month notice it most likely would come at the end of Jan. Congrats on Retirement! SSBP
I turned 66 on 12/4/2018. I applied for SS retirement on Aug 30, 2018 to commence at the earliest date without penalty. My application was approved on Dec 5, 2018. Should I expect my first check on the 2nd Wed in Jan 2019 or the 2nd Wed in Feb 2019?
Thanks
David,
It would depend on how backed up there are at Social Security. If you applied ahead i would most likely expect the check to start in Jan. Congrats on retirement. SSBP
My birthday is Nov 25th and I will be 62 in 2019. I will not be working at all in 2019. I realize my first month of entitlement will be Dec 2019 and my first check will come in Jan for the month of Dec. Do I have this right?
I am now retired from both the military and sheriff’s dept. I plan on collecting social security as soon as I turn 62. My birthday is on the 6th of April. Will I collect my first check on the second week of April or would it be paid the following month? Thanks in advance.
Hello my name is Jamal Jackson and I was approved for disability 12/14/2018 and my birthday is April 16 1980. I am wondering when will I get my first check and what other paper work is coming with it
I will be 65 on Feb 18 2019. What date will I be eligible for Medicare?
I want to retire at 65. If I leave my job several weeks before my 65th birthday, will my benefits be based on age 64? Or does it work like Medicare – becoming effective the month I turn 65?
Is Dec 31 a holiday
I will turn age 62 on February 4th. I applied for benefits on November 23, 2018. When can I expect to receive my first payment?
I signed up for Medicare on-line at the SS website today. I chose not to apply for SS retirement at the same time/same application. Can I still decide later (in the next week or two) to also start my application for retirement? I will be 65 in April 2019 and understand it takes 3 months for the application to be processed.
I am 63 1/2 with an August 30th birthday. My last date of employment was 11/15/18. I applied online for early social security retirement benefits on 11/30/18. I requested benefits to start November 2018. Do you know if back pay benefits will be paid for November 2018 since I applied on the last day of November? Do you think I will receive my first check on the 4th Wednesday of January 2019? Will the government shut down delay my SS approval process? Prior to the shut down my SS online shows my application status of was “processing step 2 of 3”.
Thank you
I will turn 66 on September 13, 2019. I will still be working but want to start receiving my full SS benefits. When I apply June 13, 2019 (4 months prior to my 66th birthday) and want to start receiving the benefits when I turn 66( FTA),will the first check come the 3rd Wednesday of September.
Retiring sept 13 2019. When will I get my first check
Hu! I signed my social security app today letting them know I’m retiring 3/1. Have any idea when my first payment will be received? Hopefully later March last week since birthday date is 28th of a month? Or will it be delayed indefinitely because of shut down?
My wife wants to retire on her 62 birthday (march 30,3019) .She has only worked enough to collect a very small dollar amount. I understand she is eligible under my SS. How do we apply under my SS account ?
I applied for SS benefits on Nov. 16, 2018. The agent told me I would receive my direct deposit by Jan. 9, 2019. I have not heard anything from Social Security. When should I expect a response, or a deposit.
I am 64 years of age and applying for social security. If I ask for my benefits to begin in March, what month will I receive my first check? March or April?
My husband waited to age 70 to start Social Security. Does the first check not come till a month after his birthday?
I was approved for ssdi in December, I got my first check a week after approval, when can I expect the next one?
Grace, January 25, 2019 10:45
I turned 62 on 1/14/2019. I applied and was approved in November 2018. Should I expect my
first check the third Wed. in February?
My social security says I will be paid on the 3rd of the month. I have a child support garnishment. I am suppose to be paid on the 2nd wed of each month. when will I get paid?
Your deposit will depend on your birthday. With the Government shut down they have been backlogged. You will need to call them directly at 800-772-1213 to find out exactly. Good luck!
Benefits paid on Birth date on
Second Wednesday 1st – 10th
Third Wednesday 11th – 20th
Fourth Wednesday 21st – 31st
I turn 66 on August 22, 2019. That is my FRA. I want to receive benefits at my FRA. How do I specify when I want benefits to start? Aug or Sept?
Congrats on your almost retirement! Did you know delaying past your FRA until age 70 you would get an 8% increase annually to the maximum amount. Most likely they would start in Sept but it would depend on when you applied. You can apply online ssa.gov or call social security directly at 800-772-1213, If you would like us to assist you with retirement income planning we would be happy to help, Faye
first disabled may 17,2017. approved on march 29,2019… onset date was for august 1, 2017…. when can i receive my first payments and backpay.. or am i eligible for payments until then due to hardship
Kennethia, glad to hear your SSDI benefits were approved. Typically your benefits would go from your first appeal not the actual start date of the disability. Faye
I had to go back to work. I’m 69 years old, how will that effect my social security check and my taxes?
Natalie
As you continue to work and pay into Social Security this can potentially increase your future Social Security benefits! Depending on if your single or married and how much you make can have some taxes. Certain states also have taxes as well.
Best, Faye
I am 66 and have not worked since 2017. My husband is 67 and still working fulltime. We have not applied for Social Security. Should we make an appt or can we do it online or over the phone? We should have probably already applied.
Rita,
You can go to http://www.ssa.gov or call 800-772-1213 to apply for your benefits. If he is still working full time you may want to delay until his age 70. There can be taxes on his benefits depending on how much he is making.
Thanks, Faye
I turn 66 on December 23rd of this year and plan to file for my Social Security then. What month is the earliest I can file my application based on my December birthday and what would be the latest so that I do not miss a payment?
David, you can apply online http://www.ssa.gov up to three months before your birthday, I would try to not do less than 30 days out.
Thanks, Faye
Does Social security start from the day you apply or your approved date ?
Cindy, Once your application is approved based on your birthday it will be paid on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Wed of typically the following month. It would the date approved and noted by Social Security- Thanks, Faye
My benefits are scheduled to begin next Feb (2020). I am currently paying for 2018 taxes under the installment arrangement, and which won’t be fully paid until after Feb 2020. Will my SS benefit be reduced?
William, Your tax agreement is separate from your social security benefits so you should not be reduced. If you go out of terms of your installment agreement that may change. Congrats on retiring soon! Faye
I am 64 and planning on retiring on January 1st….when would be the best time to apply to receive a check in January? Plus just wondering is Social Security’s fiscal year January 1st to December 31st just like it is when a person is working?
Answers anyone?
What is your question? Faye
Audie,
I would recommend to have a Jan start date that you apply in Nov to ensure that the paperwork goes through in time.
The fiscal year changed to October 1 in 1977, before that it was a July 1 date.
Thanks, Faye
I’ve been waiting on social security disability to respond to when they will start issuing out my payments. I’m currently 27 years old, have been waiting since 2017 after my brain injury incident, I just recently went to another hearing after I got denied the first time, I’m not sure what they are doing now, it’s clear that I cant go to work, hold a job or even a memory after a few minutes, I’m just wondering, when should I be receiving at least an answer for me getting the check??? Because I’m struggling, homeless NOW, and I really really need this to kick in, if anybody could answer this accurately, would be appreciated, thank you.
Mr Gilly, we are sorry to hear that you were in a terrible accident we hope you get the help that you need physically and financially.
Unfortunately as you can tell the SSDI process can be long process.
Your best bet is working with a SSDI attorney that can help you navigate through this process.
https://nosscr.org/ may be a place to find help.
Good luck!
Faye Sykes
I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. I AM STILL WORKING AT AGE 70…WILL BE 71 IN OCTOBER. IS THERE A CUTOFF POINT WHERE MY EARNINGS ARE NOT TAXABLE BY SOCIAL SECURITY? I STARTED DRAWING AT THE AGE OF 62. I WAS NOT AWARE OR INFORMED THAT IF I WAITED UNTIL I WAS 70 TO START DRAWING MY SS I WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A 8% INCREASE.
ALSO, COULD YOU TELL ME WHY MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ARE CUT IN HALF BECAUSE I AM A RETIRED TEACHER. I HAVE WORKED 20 PLUS YEARS OUTSIDE OF TEACHING YET THOSE NON-TEACHING EARNINGS ARE CUT 50%. WHY IS THIS?
.
Judy, at age 70 your benefits max out so it is not worth delaying a minute longer! For the best tax information we would recommend speaking with a professional CPA or enrolled agent but in general if you make over a certain amount of earned income up to 85% of your Social Security income can be included to factor your taxes. At any age your Social Security can be taxable. Apx 40% of americans have their Social Security taxed.
We are trying to help as many people, CPA’s and Financial advisors get educated on the 8% and the almost 2,800 other regulations that oversee this. Social Security as a government entity legally can only answer questions they cannot give advice and that is what we do.
Most likely if you were a teacher and receive a pension while not paying in they have a WEP offset. Without understanding your full picture we cannot give you specific advice but here is a link to review. https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/wep.html
Thanks, Faye Sykes CEO
Hi. I applied to be my nephews represenative payee, and was approved on august 6th. His birthday is sept 14th. He will be recieving ss from my mother who passed away in May. Her birthday was june 22. I have called and asked when he would recieve his lump sum, because he hasn’t recieved benefits since july. They do not have a clear answer about when someone on survivors benefits would recieve their first check. Is their any information I can look into about this? Or perhaps you have any information concerning survivors benefits?
Thanks
Cody
It may take a couple of weeks to process. Here is a link but I think the best would be to recontact SS at 800-772-1213
https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/ifyou.html
We are very sorry for you and your families loss.
Best, Faye
I reached age 66 on October 3rd and applied for SSA to take effect that month. My award letter said I would receive my first payment on the second Wednesday of November, but the payment was credited to my bank account on November 1st. I do not understand why. Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Ed, Sometimes the first check comes early! I hope you enjoy retirement, Best,
I just applied for Social Security to begin when I turn 66 in February 2020. Will my first check be deposited in February or is it paid in arrears in March?
Bob,
You should receive a letter from Social Security with the start date, happy retirement!
I applied on for Social Security Disability on July 2019, because I am a 100% P &T veteran. I was approved for benefits: 11/16/2019. Will I receive my first check 30 or 60 days from approval?
Bernice,
It depends on when SSA processes your request, you should get a letter in the mail
say I will be 62 on Jan 15th, when will I get my first Soc Sec check? Will it be prorated?
Brian, you should receive a letter from Social Security with your approval. Happy Retirement!
Applied for social security benefits in August 2019, my birthday is november 21at will turn 62. When will I receive my first check
Dudley
Did you receive a letter from Social Security with your approval date?
Pension in December 2019. I should have received it on the 18th. It hasn’t arrived so far.
Jie, You will have to contact SSA directly 800-772-1213 for assistance
I applied in September with a January 1st retirement date
Will I receive my first check in January? I already know based on my birthday of March 29th that I will receive it in the fourth week
Thank you
Donna- It may be Jan or Feb depending how they process your claim. You should get a letter from SSA with this information.
I recently applied for SSI, it’s my second time applying. I am homeless and disabled (Autism). Recently my mother, who received my mail, said I got a letter from SSA requesting a phone interview, the only info I need is a bank account or checkbook where I’d like payments deposited, I was wondering does that mean I’ve been approved or is it just bad wording?
John, we are not the social security office but if they are asking for your checking that is usually a very good sign. I wish you much success and luck in your future!
Birthday is on Oct 31st, my letter says they were going to pay me November 1 for October and then after that on or about the third of each month. I received a payment November 1, Dec 1, Jan 1 ….other than being shorted one month, does it really matter when in the month you received your check?
Wendy, depending on what day of the month is your birthday is when you check comes. It usually starts the following month so this is normal. Happy retirement!
My wife will reach full retirement age in April of 2021. For personal reasons, she would prefer to start receiving checks as soon as possible in 2021 even though the check will be reduced for not waiting until full retirement age. She will continue working, but will take advantage of the $48,600 wage exception in 2021 so she will not lose any of the social security payments due to her wages as she would if she applied now in 2020.
My question is should she sign up for social security in December 2020 as she will not receive the check until January 2021. I know the check would be taxable in 2021 (the year she receives it) but I am unsure if it will count as a 2020 check with the wage exemption of $18,240 or a 2021 check when the wage exemption would be $48,600.
Brian- sorry for our delay! If she signed up in Dec 2020 there is a lag time until the first check. It would apply from when she actually received money in
Good luck!
I am 68 years old and still working full time. I had decided to wait until age 70 to start collecting my SS benefit. My birthday is January 29th. I may change my mind and start receiving one year earlier at age 69. And I will continue to work full time. If I were to apply on-line today or even tomorrow, is my benefit calculated now, or on my 69th birthday?
Dennis- Waiting until age 70 will give you the maximum benefits. It all depends on when you apply and your birthday. We can help you calculate this. https://socialsecuritybp.com/select-your-plan/
My birthday is Feb 1st and I turn 62. I applied for Social Security a few months back. I should get my first bank deposit March 10th?
You will need to contact Social Security directly to apply and to find out when your deposit will happen. Have you thought about delaying your benefits to get a much higher benefit later?
I turn 65 on july 29. I plan on applying for SS at the 3 month mark before my birthdate along with applying for medicre, roughly on April 30th or May 1st. When will I recieve my first check?
Frank, if you apply three months early, usually the first check comes the month after your birthday. BUT this can vary
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2021.pdf
HA! Finally found an answer to my question. I was born on the 9th but receive my direct deposit on the 3rd…haven’t been able to find out why. And here it says I receive it on the 3rd instead of when my birthday is…..is because I retired prior to 1997. Thank you so much! I looked everywhere and couldn’t find an answer.
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2021.pdf it depends on your birthdate here is the link for 2021
I find a lot of information on when I reach full/normal retirement age, but NOTHING on what month I’m first eligible to receive my full retirement benefit. Being born last week in March 1957, I believe I was eligible for a payment starting the first full month I was 62 (i.e. April, 2019) and that the check for April 2019 actually wouldn’t show up until the 4th Wed of May 2019. Since I was born in 1957 my FRA is at 66yrs 6mths, so if I want my full retirement benefit would my first month eligible for that amount be April 2023 (and then would I not get actual check until 4th Wed of May 2023) or would it be March 2023 (and check arrive 4th week of April 2013)? Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.
John,
There are many factors including when did you apply http://www.ssa.gov to do so. Social Security will let you know when the first check will come
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2021.pdf
Why was my ss check reduce not the amount I was told .I was told I would get it on the 2 Wednesday of the month got it on second of the month
Cathy
I am not sure on why it was different you would have to check with social security directly 800-722-1213. But they do deduct for Medicare from retires 65 and older
Just turned 64 on Monday june14th2021 when will be the best time to apply for social security wont to retire now due to health problems
Pearl
There are many factors that go into the best time, if you are still earning income or have other recourses its best to wait. IF you want a customized plan we can help.
I was just approved for SS and my birthday is Aug 14. On the SS website, it says that my first payment will be on October 20th. Everywhere I read, it states that I will be paid the following month after my birthday. Why am I starting in October instead of September?
Jan
It usually is the month following your birthday but it can vary on many factors. You would need to contact social security directly 800-772-1213 to find out
When I became eligible for social security, I “filed and suspended” and then applied for the “spousal benefit.” I turned 70 in August. My September check was still the spousal benefit amount. Do I need to do anything to switch over to my own benefits, or is there a lag time before Social Security makes the change for me? If there a lag time, how long should I wait before you would recommend reaching out to SSA.
You have to still contact Social Security to switch to your own benefit call them 800-772-1213, when you do call ask if they can do a “look back” to see if they can give you the extra money you missed out on. Good luck