The Social Security Administration (SSA) is in charge of providing financial protection for American citizens to support them throughout their life journeys. Besides managing about 64 million retirement, disability, survivor, and family payments, it also regularly communicates the updated Social Security payment dates for each year.
There are three core Social Security programs offered by the SSA, known as Retirement Insurance (RI), Survivors Insurance (SI), and Disability Insurance (DI). It’s important to acknowledge that the DI contains both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
By providing financial support during difficult life situations, these programs serve as a safety net for vulnerable communities, lowering income disparity and fostering social mobility. Payroll taxes are used to fund these programs, which offer retirement income, disability benefits, and survivor benefits, among other benefits.
Updated Social Security payment schedule for March 2024
While most Social Security payments follow a consistent schedule throughout the year, there is a slight change in payment dates for this coming month.
Regular Payment Schedule
- Second Wednesday of the month: Individuals born on the 1st to 10th of the month.
- Third Wednesday of the month: Individuals born on the 11th to 20th of the month.
- Fourth Wednesday of the month: Individuals born on the 21st to 31st of the month
March 2024 Exception
People who are born between March 21 and March 31 and who normally receive their payout on the fourth Wednesday will receive it one day early on Tuesday, March 27th, because March 2024 falls on the fifth Wednesday.
Therefore, the payment schedule for March 2024 is as follows:
- Wednesday, March 13th: Individuals born between the 1st and 10th.
- Wednesday, March 20th: Individuals born between the 11th and 20th.
- Tuesday, March 27th: Individuals born between the 21st and 31st.
To get detailed information regarding Social Security payment dates, check the Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2024.
Check your payment history
If you want to check your earnings history and learn more about your SS benefits, you can do that by accessing the Social Security Statement. This statement is available to view online on your “my Social Security account”.
Accessing your payment history online through your my Social Security account is the quickest and easiest way.
Steps to access the Social Security Statement
- Create an account or log in: If you haven’t already, do it here. Certain personal details are required, such as your mailing address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
- Navigate to “Benefits and Payment Details”: Once logged in, look for the section titled “Benefits and Payment Details” or something similar.
- View your payment history: This section should display your most recent payment history, including the amount received, date of payment, and payment method (direct deposit or check).
Remember that you can also call the SSA if you don’t feel comfortable doing it online. To reach the SSA by phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). Have your Social Security number and other identifying information ready to go.
Important things to know about your Social Security Benefits
- Social Security benefits are not planned to be your only source of retirement income. For financial security in retirement, you might require additional savings, investments, pensions, or retirement accounts.
- To be eligible for retirement benefits, you must have worked 40 credits over a minimum of 10 years. The amount of your benefit is determined by the 35 years of your highest earnings. Years without employment are counted as 0 if you have less than 35 years of earnings, which could lower your benefit amount.
- Cost of living adjustments (COLA) are used to adjust benefits to keep up with inflation
- Your spouse and kids can receive benefits if you receive retirement or disability payments.