The Social Security Administration follows a strict payment schedule every month. This is to ensure that beneficiaries can plan and budget for the month with a consistent payment date for their benefits. Most people know that individuals who receive benefits from the SSA are paid out on a Wednesday during the month, depending on their birthdate. However, yesterday, beneficiaries did not receive payments due to how the payment calendar is organized.
SSA has never missed a payment
Since its inception over eight years ago, the SSA can proudly say that they have never missed a payment for beneficiaries. Through recessions and even war periods, the SSA has always been consistent on delivering the benefits its beneficiaries are owed. This consistency has made Social Security a cornerstone and essential pillar of social welfare for seniors, disabled individuals, and others who are economically vulnerable.
This year, nearly 70 million people receive benefits from the SSA, with the overwhelming majority of this population being made up of seniors. SSA also supports workers who are no longer able to work due to a disability as well as individuals with little to no income through the Supplementary Security Income (SSI) program. SSA benefits also support survivors whose spouse has passed away.
What to do if you did not receive a payment yesterday
SSA follows a strict payment schedule calendar. Payments are made on a Wednesday of each month, with certain beneficiaries getting their benefits earlier due to the type of benefits they receive. The following payment dates have been scheduled for this month for beneficiaries to receive their retirement and disability benefits:
- Wednesday, April 9: Birth dates between the first and 10th of the month.
- Wednesday, April 16: Birth dates between the 11th and the 20th of the month.
- Wednesday, April 23: Birth dates between the 21st and the 31st of the month
However, if you claimed your Social Security benefits before May 1997, or if you receive both Social Security retirement and SSI benefits, you would have received your benefits on May 3. Additionally, if you receive SSI benefits, these payments would have been paid out on May 1. Beneficiaries who receive SSI can also expect to receive their June payment on May 30, as June 1 falls on a Sunday this year.
Due to the Social Security payment schedule, which has been set for the year, if you thought you were meant to receive your benefits yesterday, double-check when you can expect to receive your payments, as no payments had been scheduled by the SS for May 7.
Changes for the SSA this year
This year, beneficiaries are awaiting confirmation from the federal government about anticipated changes to the program. Currently, the fund is expected to be insolvent come early 2031. To address this, experts have cautioned that the federal government must act now and make changes to increase the longevity of the fund. The two prevailing solutions are either to raise taxes on Social Security or to reduce retirees’ benefits now. Regarding the former, President Donald Trump promised during his 2024 presidential campaign that he would do no such thing:
“As president, I will not cut one penny from Social Security or Medicare.” said President Trump during a June 2024 campaign rally.
President Trump also promised during his campaign that he would not raise the Social Security taxes for workers. Both of these promises have been followed through on by the Trump administration since Trump took up the presidency for the second time. While it remains unclear how the administration plans to address the insolvency problem, changes SSA has made are reducing its workforce by 7,000 employees and reportedly saving a total of $800 million in unnecessary spending based on the recommendations of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
