Some Social Security recipients will get an extra check in November. Here’s what to know.

Social Security Recipients May Receive Extra Payments in November

Social Security recipients typically receive one payment each month, but some older Americans could receive an additional check in November due to the way the calendar falls in the last two months of the year. 

While the issue isn’t new — the Social Security Administration sets its annual payment schedule well in advance of the year — it could take some seniors by surprise next month if they weren’t aware of the unusual schedule. 

People who could receive an extra check in November are those who receive Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, a program for disabled adults and low-income seniors. Some of those SSI recipients also receive monthly Social Security benefits, the traditional retirement income that is available to people once they turn 62. 

Extra Payments for SSI Recipients in November

The SSI recipients will get an extra payment next month — and some may receive as many as three payments in November.

Here’s how that will work:

• SSI recipients will get their November payment on Friday, November 1.
• People who claimed Social Security before May 1997 or who get both Social Security and SSI payments will also get their Social Security payment on November 1 (usually people who receive both get their Social Security payment on the third of the month, but because November 3 falls on a Sunday, this payment will also land on November 1).
• SSI recipients will also receive a second payment on Friday, November 29. This reflects their December payment, but because December 1 falls on a Sunday, their payment for the last month of 2024 will land on November 29.

In other words, people who get SSI will receive two payments in November — on November 1 and November 29. If they also receive Social Security, they’ll also get that check on November 1, rather than November 3.

Regular Schedule for Other Social Security Recipients

Meanwhile, all other Social Security recipients will receive their payments according to the regular schedule, which provides benefits on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month, depending on a recipient’s birth date. 

The November dates for Social Security retirement payments are as follows:

• People born between the 1st to 10th of the month will get their Social Security check on November 13.
• Those born between the 11th to the 20th of the month will get their benefit check on November 20.
• People born between the 21st to 31st of the month will receive their payment on November 27.

Social Security COLA Increase in 2025

Meanwhile, Social Security recipients will get a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment with their 2025 payments, the agency announced last week. 

The typical beneficiary will see their monthly check increase by about $50, rising to to $1,976 per month. 

That higher payment will kick in with their January benefits:

• People born between the 1st and 10th of their birth month will get their first COLA increase on January 8. 
• Those born between the 11th to 20th of their birth month will receive the COLA bump on January 15.
• Recipients born between the 21st and 31st of their birth month will get the new COLA on January 22.

Meanwhile, people who started collecting Social Security before May 1997 or who receive both Social Security and SSI will get their new Social Security COLA on January 3. 

People receiving SSI will get their new 2025 COLA with their Dec. 31, 2024, payment. 

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Aimee Picchi

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the Social Security payment schedule and the additional checks that some older Americans will receive in November. This relates to SDG 1, as it addresses poverty reduction by providing financial support to low-income seniors and disabled adults through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. It also connects to SDG 3, as it concerns the well-being of older Americans who rely on Social Security benefits for their retirement income. Additionally, the article touches on SDG 10, as it highlights the potential inequalities in the payment schedule and the need to ensure fair and equal access to social security benefits.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

The targets identified are aligned with the SDGs mentioned above. SDG 1.3 focuses on implementing social protection systems, such as the SSI program, to provide financial support to vulnerable populations. SDG 3.8 aims to ensure universal health coverage, which includes access to essential health-care services for older Americans who rely on Social Security benefits. SDG 10.4 emphasizes the adoption of social protection policies to reduce inequalities, including those related to access to social security benefits.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Percentage of low-income seniors and disabled adults covered by social protection programs (SDG 1.3 indicator)
• Percentage of older Americans with access to essential health-care services through social security benefits (SDG 3.8 indicator)
• Level of income inequality among older Americans receiving social security benefits (SDG 10.4 indicator)

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but these indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. By tracking the percentage of low-income seniors and disabled adults covered by social protection programs, the effectiveness of the SSI program can be assessed (SDG 1.3). Similarly, monitoring the percentage of older Americans with access to essential health-care services through social security benefits can evaluate progress towards achieving universal health coverage (SDG 3.8). Lastly, measuring the level of income inequality among older Americans receiving social security benefits can provide insights into the impact of social protection policies on reducing inequalities (SDG 10.4).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com