In the coming days, certain recipients of Social Security benefits are to receive their latest monthly payment, in what is the U.S. Social Security Administration’s (SSA) first distribution date in March 2026.
On Tuesday, Mar. 3, the SSA is scheduled to send out money to two groups of Americans who claim retirement benefits, survivor pay or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Who’s receiving a Social Security payment on Tuesday, Mar. 3?
- Certain long-term Social Security beneficiaries
On Tuesday, March’s benefits are to be issued to some long-standing recipients of retirement, SSDI or survivor pay: specifically, those who signed up to any of these programs since before May 1997.
- Social Security beneficiaries who also get SSI
Mar. 3 is also the SSA’s distribution date for retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits paid to any Americans who combine of these programs with Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
A scheme for low-income, low-resource individuals who are over 65 or have a disability, SSI differs from retirement, SSDI and survivor benefits as it is a purely needs-based program. It does not depend on prior payment of Social Security taxes.
SSI benefits – which average $737.00 per person per month – were due to be paid out for March slightly ahead of schedule, on Friday, Feb. 27.
How much money do retirement, SSDI and survivor beneficiaries get each month?
According to the latest figures published by the SSA, these are the average monthly amounts for Social Security benefits:
- Retired workers: $2,074.53
- Disabled workers: $1,633.48
- Survivors: $1,622.32
When are other Social Security beneficiaries paid for March 2026?
Of the 70.6 million recipients of retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits, most will get their March payment on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in the month.
A beneficiary’s allotted Wednesday depends on the date of birth of the worker whose Social Security taxes have earned their benefits entitlement:
- Born on 1st to 10th of any month: Weds., Mar. 11
- Born on 11th to 20th of any month: Weds., Mar. 18
- Born on 21st to 31st of any month: Weds., Mar. 25
To learn more about the SSA’s benefits schedule for March 2026, check out this explainer. You’ll find the agency’s complete payment timeline for the year ahead in this calendar on the SSA website.
How does the Social Security Administration make benefits payments?
The SSA, which says it in “in most cases” no longer issues paper checks, provides beneficiaries with two ways of collecting their payments electronically:
By supplying the SSA with their bank details, recipients can have their money paid into their account by direct deposit. Beneficiaries of retirement, SSDI and survivor pay can update this information using the “my Social Security” online tool.
Beneficiaries can also have their payments loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal disbursements made to people without a bank account. You can sign up at 1-800-333-1795 or on the Direct Express website.
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