Social Security update: Second round of direct payments worth up to $4,555 arrives Wednesday

Millions of retired seniors received the second round of November’s Social Security payments on Wednesday, worth up to $4,555 for people who retire at 70.

Retirees who were born between the 11th and 20th of their birth month received Wednesday’s payments, and people born on or after the 21st of any month will receive their monthly check next week, on Nov. 22. Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month already received their check last week.

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The Social Security Administration sends payments in three disbursements every month, on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays. But each recipient gets one check, and how much that check is worth depends on certain factors.

The maximum amount of each Social Security payment varies based on the age at which a person retires. For example, people who retire at 62, the youngest age to receive payments, can get up to $2,572 per month, while those retiring at 70 can receive up to $4,555 per month, according to the SSA. Those who retire at the full age of retirement, which is 67, can see a maximum check of up to $3,627 per month.

Beneficiaries can see a personalized estimate of what they can expect each month through the SSA’s calculator.

Regular retirement checks are different from other payments given out by the SSA, such as disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income. Those checks are distributed on a different schedule.

The long-term future of Social Security is still unclear due to the risk of insolvency as early as 2034. Analysts predict insolvency will occur unless action is taken by Congress to prevent it.

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In the meantime, monthly payments will rise by 3.2% next year as part of the program’s annual adjustments based on inflation, according to the SSA. The increase will be the same percentage for all payments sent out by the administration, including retirement and disability pay.

Any change that does take place for the program would not affect those who are already on Social Security.