As the holiday season approaches, millions of Americans who rely on Social Security (SS) are receiving their last wave of monthly November payments and it’s arriving at a particularly significant moment.
On Wednesday, November 26, the final group of beneficiaries will get their deposits, just weeks before a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) raises monthly checks beginning January 2026. For roughly 70 million retirees, survivors, spouses and disabled individuals, this deposit often marks a critical source of income.
Social Security payments-Overview
| Article on | Social Security payments — final November wave arrives Wednesday for 70 million beneficiaries with direct deposit only ahead of 2026 COLA boost next month |
| Final November Payment | Arrives on the fourth Wednesday |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | Those born 21st–31st |
| Payment Method | Direct deposit only |
| 2026 COLA Increase | 2.8% raise starting January 2026 |
| COLA Coverage | Applies to retirement, SSI, disability, survivors |
Who Gets Paid This Week?
Each month, Social Security distributes benefits in a staggered schedule based on recipients’ birthdays. For November:
- Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th received payment on the second Wednesday.
- Those with birthdays between the 11th and 20th were paid on the third Wednesday.
- Finally, those born between the 21st and 31st are scheduled for payment on the fourth Wednesday, which this year is November 26.
Payment Methods
This November marks one of the first payment cycles since the complete phase-out of paper checks by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Now, all benefits must be delivered via direct deposit or Direct Express cards. The shift away from paper checks is designed to speed up delivery and reduce delays.
It also means recipients who have not yet switched to direct deposit (or a prepaid card) risk missing payments entirely. According to SSA guidance, if a deposit does not appear on November 26, beneficiaries should wait up to three business days; banks may have holiday-adjusted schedules before contacting SSA for a missing payment.
How Much Do Beneficiaries Get?
Social Security benefit amounts vary significantly depending on a retiree’s earnings history and the age at which they begin claiming benefits. As of August 2025:
- The average monthly benefit for a retired worker was about US$ 2,008.31.
- If someone claims benefits at the earliest allowed age (62), they could receive up to US$ 2,831/month. Waiting until full retirement age (67) raises that to about US$ 4,018/month.
What’s Next: 2026 COLA Boost and Its Implications
While the November payment is important on its own, all eyes are now on what happens next year. The SSA has confirmed a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, which will lift payments for nearly all Social Security beneficiaries. For the average retired worker, this translates to about an extra US$ 56 per month starting January 2026.
- Retirement benefits
- Spousal and survivor benefits
- Disability benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments
Extra Considerations: SSI, Pre-1997 Beneficiaries, and Payment Schedule Quirks
Not all Social Security recipients follow the birthday-based payment schedule. Two important exceptions:
- People who began receiving benefits before May 1997 receive their monthly Social Security check on the third day of each month, regardless of Wednesday scheduling.
- Those receiving SSI follow yet another calendar; they generally receive payments on the first of each month, unless that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
Why the November 26 Deposit and 2026 Increase Matter?
- Timing for the holidays: The final November payment often plays a key role in family budgeting for December gifts, travel, year-end bills. With the 2026 COLA bump on the horizon, many retirees may plan holiday spending with the expectation of slightly higher income next year.
- Automatic increase without paperwork: The upcoming 2.8% COLA means that for most beneficiaries, higher monthly checks in 2026 require no action. It’s a built-in adjustment to help counteract inflation.
- Transition to digital payments: The shift to direct deposit only reflects broader modernization at the SSA but also demands awareness. Beneficiaries must ensure their bank account or Direct Express card is correctly set up to avoid payment delays.
- Staggered schedule helps stability: By spreading payments over several weeks each month according to birth date (or fixed dates for older programs), the SSA smooths demand on payment systems and helps reduce the risk of bank or processing bottlenecks.
- COLA may not fully offset rising costs: While an extra ~US$ 56 per month helps, rising living and health care costs, especially medical expenses mean many beneficiaries may still struggle. Experts caution that in some cases, the effective gain (after deductions like health premiums) may be modest.
FAQs for Social Security Payments
On the fourth Wednesday of November.
People with birthdays from the 21st–31st.
No, direct deposit only.
Wait 3 business days, then contact SSA.
With January 2026 payments.