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Question of the Week: Social Security Payday

Q: I generally receive my federal annuity payment from OPM around the first of each month. Will Social Security also pay benefits on that day? 

A: Although OPM typically makes monthly annuity payments on the first business day of the month (for the previous month earned), Social Security determines its monthly payment schedule based on the day of the month that you were born. So, even though Social Security payments aren’t received on the first business day of the month, the benefit payable is usually for the previous month earned.  

If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th of the month, you should expect to receive your Social Security monthly payment on the second Wednesday of the month. 

If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th of the month, you should expect to receive your Social Security monthly payment on the third Wednesday of the month. 

If your birthday is between the 21st and the end of the month, you should expect to receive your Social Security monthly payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month. 

If your payment date falls on a federal holiday, you should expect to receive your payment the weekday immediately prior.