Twice in November, input without a catch—strange yet transparent—reveals how the system stays intact but leaves many puzzled.
At a Glance
- Some Americans will receive two Social Security payments in November due to a scheduling quirk.
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically sends out payments on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month, with SSI payments on the first of the month.
- Since December 1 falls on a Sunday, SSI recipients will receive two payments in November: one on November 1 and another on November 29.
- Approximately 7.4 million Americans collect SSI benefits.
Scheduling Quirk
The Social Security Administration plans its payments with precision, but even the most organized systems can encounter anomalies. This November, SSI recipients, about 7.4 million Americans, will see two payments in their accounts. This peculiarly timed disbursement is due to December 1 falling on a Sunday. Payments meant for December will instead hit accounts on November 29.
Despite delivering two checks in one month, it’s crucial that recipients understand this isn’t a bonus. It merely ensures the payments fall within the weekday schedule. While beneficial logistically, this change provides no extra financial gain over typical months.
Thanks to a quirk in the 2024 calendar, some 7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will receive an extra check. If you receive regular Social Security benefits, not SSI, you will be unaffected in November, according to the agency.
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Standard operational procedure at the SSA dispatches Social Security payments typically on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays, while SSI payments are sent on the first of the month. The timing adjustment this November is nothing more than an administrative quirk. Unfortunately, many will misinterpret this as a sign of inefficiency or think themselves shortchanged.
The confusion around these dates doesn’t overshadow what recipients can expect in the upcoming years. With a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.5% slated for 2025, beneficiaries can expect an average increase of about $50 a month. However, the increase is modest compared to the inflation-induced hikes of recent years.
Due to a calendar quirk, millions of Social Security recipients won't receive a benefit check this month. https://t.co/OPEPr5uOoo
— CBS Sunday Morning 🌞 (@CBSSunday) September 4, 2024
Inflation and Adjustments
The coming year’s adjustments attempt to balance relief against inflation stabilization. Though the latest story may appear bleak compared with prior inflation rates prompting an 8.7% boost in 2023, “This adjustment means older Americans will receive needed relief to help better afford essential items from groceries to gas,” said AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins.
