If you receive Social Security retirement benefits, your payment schedule is tied to your birth date. In August 2025, retirees born between the 1st and the 20th have already been paid this month. That means you won’t get another August check—your next payment will arrive on your regular September date.
Meanwhile, retirees born 21st–31st will receive their August payment on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) follows different rules: September’s SSI will arrive early on Friday, August 29 because September 1 is a federal Labor Day holiday.
How the Social Security birth-date schedule works
Most retirement (and many survivor and disability) beneficiaries are paid on Wednesdays, following three cycles based on birthdays:
- Birthdays 1st–10th: paid on the second Wednesday
- Birthdays 11th–20th: paid on the third Wednesday
- Birthdays 21st–31st: paid on the fourth Wednesday
Some people—such as those who also receive SSI, or who were first entitled long ago—may be paid on the 3rd of the month instead. If any regular pay date lands on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is made on the previous business day.
Knowing these simple rules helps you plan cash flow, avoid confusion, and quickly see why some months don’t include a second payment for certain birth-date groups.
Why retirees born 1st–20th will not see another August payment
This isn’t a delay or reduction. It’s simply how the staggered cycles work:
- You were paid earlier in the month (either Aug 13 for birthdays 1st–10th or Aug 20 for birthdays 11th–20th).
- The final August date (Aug 27) is reserved for birthdays 21st–31st.
- Your next month’s payment (September) will follow the same pattern (second or third Wednesday, depending on your birth date).
What to expect in September 2025
Here’s the expected cadence for September 2025:
- Mon, Sept 1: Labor Day (federal holiday; banks closed).
- Early month group: Those normally paid on the 3rd will receive payment on Wed, Sept 3.
- Second Wednesday: Wed, Sept 10 for birthdays 1st–10th.
- Third Wednesday: Wed, Sept 17 for birthdays 11th–20th.
- Fourth Wednesday: Wed, Sept 24 for birthdays 21st–31st.
- SSI: Already paid early on Fri, Aug 29 for September.
As always, if a date falls on a weekend/holiday, payment shifts to the prior business day.
Direct deposit, pay cards, and mailed checks- what to know
Most beneficiaries use direct deposit, which is the fastest and safest way to get Social Security or SSI. If you still receive a paper check, allow extra mailing time—especially around holidays or severe weather.
You can switch to direct deposit or a Treasury-recommended benefits card at any time through your my Social Security account or by contacting the SSA. Keeping your bank details and address up to date helps prevent delays.
Didn’t see your payment? Steps to take
- Wait three business days after your scheduled date. Banks sometimes post deposits later in the day, and mailed checks may be slowed by postal delays.
- Call your bank to check for pending or held deposits.
- Check your my Social Security account to confirm your payment method and benefit status.
- Contact Social Security if still missing after three business days: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local SSA office.
- If necessary, request a payment trace and verify your direct deposit information to avoid repeat issues.
Practical money tips for August–September
- Budget for one check per month. The staggered schedule can make some months feel “long” if your date falls early; plan for regular bills accordingly.
- Use alerts. Set bank notifications for incoming deposits so you know the moment your benefit arrives.
- Track holidays. Remember the holiday/weekend rule, especially for SSI payments that can shift into the prior month.
- Update info quickly. If you open a new bank account, update direct deposit right away to prevent a returned or delayed payment.
The August 2025 Social Security schedule follows the SSA’s standard birth-date cycles: Aug 13 for birthdays 1st–10th, Aug 20 for 11th–20th, and Aug 27 for 21st–31st.
That’s why retirees born 1st–20th won’t see another August payment—you’ve already been paid this month, and your next deposit arrives on your regular September date. SSI follows different timing, with September’s payment coming early on Aug 29 due to the Labor Day holiday.
FAQs
I’m born on the 8th and got paid on Aug 13. When will I get paid again?
You’re in the 1st–10th group (second Wednesday). Your next payment will come in September on the second Wednesday of the month. There is no second August deposit for your group.
Why did someone I know get paid on Aug 27 when I didn’t?
Aug 27, 2025 is the fourth Wednesday, reserved for birthdays 21st–31st. If your birthday is earlier in the month, your August payment came on Aug 13 or Aug 20, so you won’t receive another one in August.
When is September’s SSI payment?
SSI for September is paid early on Friday, Aug 29, 2025, because Sept 1 is Labor Day (a federal holiday). This early payment is normal and not an extra deposit.