On Wednesday, August 12, the first round of Social Security payments for this month will begin for all those who applied for benefits after May 1997. Although some retirees can receive up to $5,181 per month, that amount varies and depends on the beneficiaries' work history and contributions.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) distributes August payments primarily according to date of birth, except for SSI deposits or those retirees who claimed their benefits before May 1997. Therefore, knowing which group each person is in allows them to know when their next deposit will arrive.
Who will receive the Social Security payment on August 12?
Recipients born between the 1st and 10th of any month will receive their payment on Wednesday, August 12. This will be the first of three regular rounds of payments that the SSA will make during the month.
The August calendar was as follows:
If one person receives Social Security benefits based on the work history of another, as is the case for some spouses and survivors, the SSA takes into account the date of birth of the person whose work record generates the benefit.
On the other hand, people who began receiving Social Security before May 1997 receive their payments on other dates (the 3rd of each month). The same is true for those who jointly receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Who can receive up to $5,181 dollars?
The maximum retirement benefit in 2026 can reach $5,181 per month for a person who applies for benefits at age 70 and has met the necessary income requirements during their working life.
The age at which a person decides to retire has a significant impact on the amount they receive. In 2026, the maximum benefits are:
To reach the maximum, it is not enough to wait until age 70; the worker must also have earned income subject to the Social Security maximum limit for practically his entire working life.
Each person's benefit depends on factors such as their recorded income and the age at which they began collecting, so most retirees receive a smaller amount.
At what age can I apply for Social Security?
Workers can begin applying for retirement benefits at age 62. However, claiming them before full retirement age means receiving a reduced monthly payment.
Those who wait after reaching full age can increase their benefit through delayed retirement credits, until they turn 70. After that age, delaying the application no longer increases the payment.
Workers can view a personalized estimate of their benefits through my Social Security, the SSA's online tool.
How much does a retiree receive on average?
The maximum benefit of $5,181 is well above the payment the average retiree receives. According to SSA figures, the average monthly benefit for retired workers in 2026 is approximately $2,071. For workers receiving disability benefits, the average is about $1,630.
The individual payment may be more or less depending on work history and the age at which benefits were applied for.
How are payments received?
SSA delivers benefits primarily through direct deposit into a bank account. Recipients can also use the Direct Express card, intended to receive federal payments.
If you expect to receive your benefit on Wednesday, August 12, check your bank account or card on that date. It is also advisable to keep the financial data registered with the SSA up to date to avoid problems with future deposits.
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