The third and final round of Social Security payments for March is hitting this week, right on schedule.
The timing comes as new questions are being raised about the program’s long-term future. A recent report from the Congressional Budget Office says Social Security’s main trust fund could run out by fiscal year 2032.
That’s sooner than expected. Just last summer, the program’s trustees projected the fund would last until 2033.
If the trust fund is depleted, payroll taxes alone wouldn’t be enough to cover full benefits. Unless Congress acts, that would mean automatic cuts to monthly checks.
Here’s what you need to know about this week’s Social Security payments.
Social Security cards on display.
More: Younger retirees depend mostly on Social Security. Is it enough to live on?
Who gets their Social Security payment this week?
Beneficiaries who were born between the 21st and final day of their birth month are set to receive their monthly Social Security benefit on Wednesday, March 25, according to the SSA’s payment calendar.
When are Social Security payments sent?
Social Security benefits – mainly paid to recipients who are older or retired – are typically paid on Wednesdays.
If a recipient’s birthdate is between the first and 10th of the month, they are usually issued payments on the second Wednesday of the payment month, according to the SSA’s calendar. Recipients born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born after the 20th are paid on the fourth Wednesday.
More: Taking Social Security in 2026? Your full retirement age matters
For those who received Social Security before May 1997, you can expect your payment on the third day of the month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday
Individuals who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can expect their Social Security payment on the third day of the month and their SSI payment on the first day of the month.
Full 2026 Social Security payment calendar
SSI payment schedule for the rest of 2026
Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks are typically issued payments on the first business day of the month. Since March 1, 2026, is a Sunday, payments for March were to go out on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
Here are the dates for SSI payments for 2026, according to the SSA calendar:
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (Check for April 2026)
Friday, May 1, 2026 (Check for May 2026)
Monday, June 1, 2026 (Check for June 2026)
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (Check for July 2026)
Friday, July 31, 2026 (Check for August 2026)
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 (Check for September 2026)
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 (Check for October 2026)
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 (Check for November 2026)
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026 (Check for December 2026)
Friday, Dec. 31, 2026 (Check for January 2027)
USA TODAY’s Mike Snider contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social Security checks to be sent March 25. See full payment schedule.
