Social Security payment October 14: Who gets a check next Wednesday, who waits until October 21 or 28 and what to know about 2027 COLA

Social Security payment October 14: Wednesday, October 14, could be an important date for Social Security beneficiaries with birthdays falling early in the month.

The Social Security Administration is scheduled to send the next round of October payments that day, but only one group of beneficiaries is included in the payment.

The date also comes as the SSA is expected to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.

Who Gets a Social Security Payment on October 14

The October payment schedule splits most Social Security beneficiaries into three groups based on their birthdays.

People born between the 1st and 10th of any month are scheduled to receive their Social Security payment on Wednesday, October 14.

The following groups have later payment dates:

Birthdays from the 11th through the 20th: October 21

Birthdays from the 21st through the 31st: October 28

When someone receives Social Security benefits based on another person's employment record, that person's birthday is used to determine the payment date.

October Social Security Payments Started Earlier

The October payment schedule actually began before the three Wednesday payments.

Social Security payments were sent on October 2 to people who had been receiving their monthly benefits since before May 1997, as well as beneficiaries who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.

SSI is a separate, needs-based program for certain low-income Americans. Eligibility for SSI does not depend on a claimant's work history.

The October SSI payment was issued on October 1, with the average payment standing at $736.54.

How Much Is the Average Social Security Payment

Social Security payments vary depending on the type of benefit a person receives.

SSA figures for August 2026 show average monthly payments of:

$2033.27 for retirement beneficiaries

$1498.94 for disability beneficiaries

$1635.70 for survivor beneficiaries

These figures represent averages so individual payments can be different.

2027 Social Security COLA Could Be Announced on October 14

October 14 has another important place on the Social Security calendar.

The SSA is expected to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on that date. The annual COLA determines how much Social Security and SSI payments will increase in January 2027.

The Senior Citizens League's latest forecast puts the expected 2027 increase at 3.5%. The official percentage is expected to be confirmed by the SSA on October 14.

How Social Security Payments Are Sent

Beneficiaries can receive Social Security payments through direct deposit or the Direct Express card program.

People using direct deposit can provide their bank information through the online “my Social Security” tool. Direct Express is available to beneficiaries who do not have a bank account.

The next major Social Security payment date is October 14, with beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th scheduled to receive their October payment that day.