This week, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is rolling out payments to millions of Americans, covering various types of benefits including retirement, spousal, survivor, disability, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These payments follow a structured schedule, usually based on the recipient’s birth date or the kind of benefit they receive. For July, the first payments will begin on the 1st, with more following throughout the month.
Many retirees are seeing bigger checks than ever before. As of May 2025, the average monthly benefit for a retired worker crossed the $2,000 mark for the first time. Meanwhile, those receiving SSI are averaging just over $700 monthly. The exact amount depends on factors like lifetime earnings and the age you start claiming benefits. If you delay until 70, the maximum retirement benefit can reach over $5,100 a month.
Looking ahead, beneficiaries should prepare for a modest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2026, estimated at 2.5%. While not as high as previous years, this adjustment is designed to help payments keep up with inflation. The official 2026 COLA announcement is expected in October. Until then, July’s detailed payment dates are already confirmed.
Social Security Payments Set for July 2025
The Social Security Administration is sending out payments this week to millions of Americans who depend on these benefits. This includes retirement, survivor, and spousal benefits, as well as disability payments. The timing of these payments is mostly based on the recipient’s birth date and whether they qualify for more than one type of benefit.
On July 1, those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—which helps people who are blind, disabled, and have limited income—will get their monthly payment. If someone is getting both SSI and other benefits like retirement or survivor payments and they started receiving them before May 1997, they will get their SSI on July 1 and their other benefits on July 3.
How Much Can You Expect to Receive?
The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker reached $2,002.39 in May 2025, marking the first time this figure has gone above $2,000. This increase reflects rising wages over time, since benefits are based on a worker’s top 35 earning years. The longer someone waits to start collecting—especially up to age 70—the higher their monthly payment will be, with the maximum benefit reaching $5,108.
For SSI recipients, the average monthly payment in May was $718.30, based on factors like income, assets, and living situation. These figures change slightly month to month, depending on new retirees and economic shifts.
What’s Coming in 2026: Expected COLA Increase
Every year, Social Security benefits are adjusted to keep up with inflation. This adjustment is known as the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). It uses data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) to decide how much benefits should rise.
In recent years, benefits saw a noticeable boost. In 2023, the COLA was a historic 8.7%, and in 2024, it was 3.2%. For 2026, experts estimate a more modest 2.5% increase, which matches the expected adjustment for 2025. The official COLA announcement for 2026 is scheduled to be made in October.
Payment Dates to Remember in July 2025
Here’s the full payment schedule for July 2025, based on your birth date:
- July 1 (Tuesday): SSI benefits
- July 3 (Thursday): Benefits for people receiving both SSI and Social Security (if benefits started before May 1997)
- July 9 (Wednesday): If your birthday is between the 1st and 10th
- July 16 (Wednesday): If your birthday is between the 11th and 20th
- July 23 (Wednesday): If your birthday is between the 21st and 31st
Make sure to check your payment method—whether it’s direct deposit or a mailed check—to confirm when your money arrives.
