If you receive benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), this week could be a pleasant surprise. Some beneficiaries are getting not just one, but two payments — and a few might even receive the highest retirement benefit possible. Here’s what’s happening and who’s getting the extra cash.
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Support
The SSA handles monthly payments for nearly 70 million Americans. These payments cover several types of benefits: retirement, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Disability. The system has been running since 1935 and is known for being extremely reliable, even during global crises.
While most people are familiar with retirement benefits, SSI and Disability are just as important. SSI helps those with little to no income or resources, while Disability is for individuals who can’t work due to physical or mental conditions. Each benefit has different eligibility rules, and some people even qualify for more than one.
Schedule
The SSA follows a pretty strict schedule when sending out payments. Retirement and Disability benefits usually land based on your birthdate, and SSI payments come on the first of every month. People who qualify for both SSI and retirement benefits typically receive their payment on the third of the month.
But sometimes, this schedule changes — and when it does, it can mean an extra payment.
Double
Here’s the big news. SSI-only recipients will get two payments this month. Why? Because the normal September payment date falls on Labor Day, a federal holiday. Since the SSA doesn’t issue payments on weekends or holidays, they move the money forward to the last working day before the holiday.
That means SSI beneficiaries will receive their September payment early — on Thursday, August 29. And because they already received their August payment at the beginning of the month, this results in a rare double-cash week. The October payment will still arrive on the regular schedule, so this is not a bonus but simply an early payout.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Group | Payment 1 | Payment 2 (Early) |
|---|---|---|
| SSI-only Recipients | August 1 | August 29 (for Sept) |
Maximum
Also happening this week is the final round of monthly retirement benefits. While the average retiree receives around $2,000, some will get as much as $5,108 — the maximum retirement benefit from SSA.
To qualify for this maximum, you need to meet a few key conditions:
- Work consistently for 35 years or more
- Earn the taxable maximum income for those years
- Delay claiming benefits until age 70
It’s all about timing. Claiming early, even at 62, can reduce your monthly payment. Waiting until 70 unlocks the highest possible benefit, but after that age, no extra increase is added.
Inflation
The SSA adjusts payments every year through the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which helps recipients keep up with inflation. The new COLA figure for next year will be announced in October, and many experts expect it to stay close to this year’s increase.
Even though you can’t change your payment once you start receiving benefits, COLA ensures your monthly amount doesn’t lose value over time. That’s one more reason the SSA remains a critical support system for millions.