Social Security November 2026 Payments: The next big Social Security payment day is Tuesday, November 10, one day earlier than usual because Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, November 11. That change affects retirees, disabled workers and survivors with birthdays on the 1st through the 10th who started benefits after May 1997. Payments for birthdays on the 11th through the 20th land on Wednesday, November 18, and birthdays on the 21st through the 31st are paid Wednesday, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) arrived early, on Friday, October 30, because November 1 fell on a Sunday. Those on the older third of the month schedule were paid Tuesday, November 3. We’ll be updating this article monthly as dates, notices and Medicare figures change.
The bigger news is what is coming after Thanksgiving. The Social Security Administration announced on October 14 that benefits and SSI payments will rise 3.6 percent in 2027 for about 76 million people. CBS News reported that the average retirement benefit climbs about $75 a month, to roughly $2,170. SSI recipients see the higher amount first, on December 31, while Social Security checks rise with the January payments. Medicare has not finalized 2027 premiums in the sources reviewed, and that number will decide how much of the raise reaches your bank account. Below are the full dates, a calculator and the steps to take if a payment does not show up.
Social Security November 2026 Payments Key Facts
| Item | Latest information |
|---|---|
| Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries and those who receive both Social Security and SSI | Tuesday, November 3 |
| Birthdays on the 1st to 10th | Tuesday, November 10 (moved up from Veterans Day) |
| Birthdays on the 11th to 20th | Wednesday, November 18 |
| Birthdays on the 21st to 31st | Wednesday, November 25 |
| SSI for November | Friday, October 30 |
| 2027 cost of living adjustment | 3.6 percent, announced October 14, 2026 |
| People affected | About 76 million, including nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries and 7.3 million SSI recipients |
| Taxable maximum in 2027 | $192,300, up from $184,500 |
| Deadline to see your COLA notice online first | Create a my Social Security account by November 18 |
Social Security Payment Dates for November 2026
Most people who began collecting Social Security after May 1997 are paid on a Wednesday that depends on their birth date. The rule is simple. Birthdays on the 1st to 10th are paid on the second Wednesday, those on the 11th to 20th on the third Wednesday and those on the 21st to 31st on the fourth Wednesday.
| Who is paid | Date | Status as of November 5 |
|---|---|---|
| SSI recipients | Friday, October 30 | Paid |
| Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries, and people who receive both Social Security and SSI | Tuesday, November 3 | Paid |
| Birthdays on the 1st to 10th | Tuesday, November 10 | Upcoming |
| Birthdays on the 11th to 20th | Wednesday, November 18 | Upcoming |
| Birthdays on the 21st to 31st | Wednesday, November 25 | Upcoming |
Why the second Wednesday payment moved to Tuesday
The second Wednesday of November is the 11th, which is Veterans Day, a federal holiday. When a payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the agency issues it on the preceding business day. That is why people in the first birthday group are paid on Tuesday, November 10, according to the schedule published by FOX Television Stations and Kiplinger.
Why SSI came on October 30
SSI is paid on the first of the month. Because November 1 landed on a Sunday, payments went out on the last business day before, Friday, October 30. If you get SSI and your bank account shows no deposit for November, that is where to look first, since the money posted in October.
The Thanksgiving week payment
The fourth Wednesday payment on November 25 arrives the day before Thanksgiving on November 26, so nothing moves this month. If you share an account with a family member and plan holiday spending, the money should be in your account before the long weekend.
December 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule
December follows the usual pattern with no holiday shifts affecting the Wednesday groups.
| Who is paid | December date |
|---|---|
| SSI recipients | Tuesday, December 1 |
| Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries, and people who receive both Social Security and SSI | Thursday, December 3 |
| Birthdays on the 1st to 10th | Wednesday, December 9 |
| Birthdays on the 11th to 20th | Wednesday, December 16 |
| Birthdays on the 21st to 31st | Wednesday, December 23 |
SSI recipients will also get a second payment on December 31, which is the January payment moved up because January 1 is a holiday. That check carries the new 3.6 percent increase.
Social Security Payment and COLA Calculator
Social Security Payment and COLA Calculator
Find your November and December 2026 payment dates and estimate your 2027 benefit after the 3.6 percent COLA.
Estimate only. Uses the announced 3.6 percent COLA. The 2027 Part B premium used here is a projection from the Medicare Trustees Report until the official figure is announced. Taxes, other deductions and income related Medicare surcharges are not included. Your official notice shows your exact amount.
The 2027 Social Security COLA: What the 3.6 Percent Increase Means
The cost of living adjustment, known as COLA, raises benefits each year to keep pace with inflation. The 2027 increase is 3.6 percent, announced by the Social Security Administration on October 14, 2026. About 76 million people are affected, including nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries and about 7.3 million SSI recipients.
The agency said the average retirement benefit rises by about $75 a month beginning in January. CBS News put the average monthly retirement benefit at roughly $2,170 after the increase. Your own amount depends on your earnings history and the age you claimed, so use the calculator above or your notice for the exact figure.
The timing varies by program. SSI recipients see the larger payment on December 31, 2026. Social Security beneficiaries see it in the payments they receive in January. The agency said notices will be available in my Social Security accounts in late November, and mailed notices go out in December to people who are not signed up for digital notices.
How the raise compares
The COLA is above the 2.4 percent long run average that a financial planner cited to CBS News, which helps retirees, but advocates argue it does not make up for years of price increases. Nancy Altman of Social Security Works told CBS that “as important as the Social Security COLA is, it is not keeping up with prices.” Shannon Benton of The Senior Citizens League said COLAs “are designed to keep pace with inflation, not make up for years of falling behind.” Those are the views of advocacy groups, and the agency does not weigh in on them.
The taxable maximum rises to $192,300
Workers pay Social Security payroll tax on earnings up to a limit. In 2027 the limit goes to $192,300 from $184,500. Higher earners will pay tax on more of their wages, and their future benefits can reflect the higher earnings.
Medicare Part B Premium: How Much of the Raise Could You Lose?
Most retirees on Medicare have the Part B premium taken straight from their Social Security payment, so the amount that lands in the bank is smaller than the gross benefit. The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month with a $283 deductible.
Medicare has not announced the 2027 premium in the sources reviewed for this article. The agency usually publishes the numbers in the fall. The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report projects a premium of about $209.50 and a deductible near $292, which would be a $6.60 increase. Some outside projections run higher, with one estimate pushing past $215 a month. Until the official figure is out, treat any number as an estimate. The calculator lets you enter your own premium so you can see the effect.
A rule known as the hold harmless provision protects some people from a premium increase larger than their COLA. It does not apply to everyone, including new enrollees and higher income earners who pay income related surcharges, so check your own situation before assuming the full raise will arrive.
How to Check Your Payment and Set Up a my Social Security Account
You do not need to apply for a COLA, since it is applied automatically. What you can do is set up an online account to see your payment history, your COLA notice and your next payment date.
- Go to ssa.gov and choose my Social Security.
- Create an account with a secure sign in method and verify your identity.
- Sign up for digital notices in the account settings.
- Create the account by November 18 if you want to see your COLA notice before the mailed version arrives. The agency said account holders can view it up to three weeks earlier.
- Confirm that your direct deposit and mailing address are current.
If you receive payments by paper check, note that the federal government has been moving payments to electronic delivery. Ask the agency or your bank about direct deposit or the Direct Express card if you do not have a bank account.
What If Your Social Security Payment Is Late or Missing?
Most payments arrive on the scheduled day, but banks can take a day to post a deposit. Start by checking the schedule for your group, then your bank for a pending deposit.
If nothing is there, contact the agency at 800-772-1213 or visit a local field office. The agency says it will replace a payment that was due and not received. NewsNation’s guide lists common reasons for a delay: a new application that has not finished processing, a change of address or bank account, a benefit suspension after marriage, divorce or a stay in jail or prison, and agency processing delays.
For new applicants, the agency says a benefits letter should arrive within 10 business days of applying and show when payments start. The first payment often comes the month after the first eligible month, and there is no single processing time that fits every claim. Your my Social Security account shows claim status.
Quick checklist for a missing payment
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm which payment group you belong to and the date for this month |
| 2 | Check your bank for a pending deposit |
| 3 | Confirm your direct deposit details are correct in my Social Security |
| 4 | Call 800-772-1213 or visit a field office if no payment arrived |
| 5 | Keep records of the date and any reference number you are given |
Will a Government Shutdown Affect Social Security Payments?
Federal funding runs out on December 11 under the stopgap law in place, so shutdown talk is back. Social Security benefits are mandatory spending, which means checks generally keep going out during a lapse in appropriations. Some agency services, such as new field office work and certain customer service functions, can slow down. Lawmakers have time to act, and shutdown odds are uncertain. Read our guide on what happens now that Democrats control Congress for the dates and the political fight behind the deadline.
Who Gets Paid on Which Day?
The schedule can look confusing, so here is the logic in plain terms.
SSI follows the first of the month. If it lands on a weekend or holiday, the payment moves to the previous business day.
People who began Social Security before May 1997, and people who get both Social Security and SSI, are paid on the third of the month. If the third falls on a weekend or holiday, they are paid on the business day before.
Everyone else is paid on a Wednesday tied to their birth date. The dates are the second, third and fourth Wednesdays for birthdays on the 1st to 10th, the 11th to 20th and the 21st to 31st. The date is based on the birth date of the worker whose record the benefit comes from, which is why a spouse or survivor can be paid on a different day than expected.
Beware of Social Security Scams During COLA Season
Scammers time their calls and texts to COLA announcements. Typical lines say your benefit will be suspended, your Social Security number is compromised or you must pay a fee to receive your raise. The agency does not demand payment by gift card, cash or cryptocurrency, and it does not threaten arrest. The COLA is automatic and costs nothing.
If a message looks suspicious, do not click the link or call the number. Log in to your my Social Security account directly through ssa.gov, or call the agency’s published number. You can report scams to the Office of the Inspector General through the Social Security website.
CBS News reported that the trust funds are projected to run short in about six years, and that all recipients would face a cut of more than 20 percent in 2032 if lawmakers do not act. That is a projection, not a decision, and Congress has fixed funding gaps before. It does not change what you receive in November or the 3.6 percent raise coming in 2027. It does explain why benefit and tax changes are likely to remain part of the debate in the new Congress.
Official Resources for Social Security Payments
| Resource | Link | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Administration | https://www.ssa.gov | Benefit information and payment schedule |
| my Social Security account | https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount | Sign in, view COLA notice and payment history, update direct deposit |
| 2027 COLA information | https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/ | Official COLA announcement and details |
| Supplemental Security Income | https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/ | SSI eligibility and payment information |
| Medicare.gov | https://www.medicare.gov | Part B premium and coverage information |
| Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services | https://www.cms.gov | Official premium announcements |
| Report Social Security scams | https://www.ssa.gov/scam | Spot and report fraud |
| SSA National phone line | 800-772-1213 | Report a missing payment or ask about your benefit |
FAQs
When will I get my Social Security payment in November 2026?
It depends on your birth date. Birthdays on the 1st to 10th are paid November 10, the 11th to 20th on November 18, and the 21st to 31st on November 25. Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries were paid November 3 and SSI was paid October 30.
Why is my Social Security payment coming on November 10 instead of November 11?
The second Wednesday of November, the 11th, is Veterans Day. Payments due on a federal holiday are issued on the previous business day.
How much is the 2027 Social Security COLA?
It is 3.6 percent, announced October 14, 2026. The average retirement benefit goes up about $75 a month, according to the agency and CBS News.
When will the COLA start?
SSI recipients see the increase on December 31, 2026. Social Security recipients see it in the payments they get in January 2027.
When will I get my COLA notice?
Notices appear in my Social Security accounts in late November. People who are not signed up for digital notices get a mailed notice in December.
Is the Medicare Part B premium going up in 2027?
It is expected to, but the official number was not available in the sources reviewed. The Trustees Report projects about $209.50 a month, up from $202.90 in 2026.
Will Social Security payments stop if the government shuts down?
Benefits are mandatory spending, so checks generally continue. Some services could slow.
What should I do if my payment doesn’t arrive?
Check your bank, confirm your direct deposit details and call 800-772-1213 or visit a field office. The agency says it replaces payments that were due and not received.
Why are some Social Security payments paid on the third?
People who started benefits before May 1997 and people who get both Social Security and SSI are paid on the third of the month.
What day does SSI get paid?
On the first of the month, or the previous business day if the first falls on a weekend or holiday.
How many people get Social Security and SSI?
About 76 million people will see the 3.6 percent increase, including nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries and about 7.3 million SSI recipients.
How do I see my COLA notice online?
Create a my Social Security account and sign up for digital notices. The agency set November 18 as the date to do so to view the notice up to three weeks ahead of mail.
Can I get a Social Security payment early?
Payments follow the published schedule. A date moves earlier only when it falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
Conclusion
The practical points for November are short. Check your birth date, find your payment day and remember that the Veterans Day shift moves the earliest Wednesday group to November 10. After that, the 3.6 percent COLA is the news that matters, arriving on December 31 for SSI recipients and in January for Social Security checks. The final amount in your account depends on the Medicare Part B premium and on any taxes you owe, so set up your account, read your notice and keep an eye out for scams. We’ll be updating this guide monthly as official figures arrive.
