In September 2025, many retirees will notice just one deposit from Social Security, not two. This is by design, not an error. The Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a strict payment schedule based on birthdates and enrollment dates. Here’s what to expect this month and why.
SSA Payment Schedule & Why No Second Deposit
| Category | Payment Date (September 2025) |
|---|---|
| Beneficiaries who began receiving before May 1997 | Wednesday, September 3 |
| Birthdays 1–10 | Wednesday, September 10 |
| Birthdays 11–20 | Wednesday, September 17 |
| Birthdays 21–31 | Wednesday, September 24 |
| SSI only recipients | No payment in September (paid early in August) |
Individuals who received Social Security prior to May 1997, or also receive SSI, are paid on September 3, and they do not get another payment later in the month.
Understanding the Schedule
The SSA staggers monthly Social Security payments into four distinct groups to manage flows efficiently. Grouping categories:
- Second Wednesday: birthdays 1–10
- Third Wednesday: birthdays 11–20
- Fourth Wednesday: birthdays 21–31
This avoids overwhelming the system and ensures smoother payment processing.
Originally, payments occurred only on the third day of each month until 1997, when the SSA spread them across multiple weeks.
Exceptions and Common Confusion
A few key groups follow unique payment schedules:
- Pre-May 1997 enrollees (and those on SSI) get their September check on September 3. That’s their only payment for September.
- SSI recipients usually expect payment on the 1st. However, because September 1, 2025, falls on Labor Day, their payment was moved up and made on August 29, resulting in no SSI deposit in September.
What This Means for You
If you were paid on September 3, that’s your only Social Security deposit for the month. Beneficiaries with later birthdate ranges will receive their benefit on their scheduled Wednesday and that’s it—some months do not offer two payouts.
To confirm or avoid confusion:
- Check your payment date using SSA’s official calendar.
- Review your bank statement for direct deposit confirmation.
- Contact SSA if your payment doesn’t arrive on your expected day.
FAQs
Because SSA distributes only one payment per month per recipient. Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries—and those receiving SSI—get their check early, so they won’t receive another in September.