If you’re planning your November budget, here’s the clear picture: regular Social Security retirement benefits won’t land on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Instead, payments follow the standard Wednesday schedule tied to your birthdate, plus a special date for long-time recipients.
Below is a practical, future-focused guide to the actual November 2025 payment dates and the amounts retirees typically receive—so you can plan with confidence.
Quick reality check: There’s no standard SSA payment on Nov 11
The Social Security Administration pays most retirement benefits on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month based on your birthdate.
For November 2025, those Wednesdays are Nov 12, Nov 19, and Nov 26. People who started benefits before May 1997 (or receive both SSI and Social Security) are paid on Nov 3.
How much will retirees receive in November 2025?
Your exact benefit depends on your lifetime earnings and claiming age, but these benchmarks help you plan:
- The estimated average retired-worker benefit for January 2025 (after the 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment) was $1,976.
- By August 2025, the average monthly check for retired workers was $2,008.31, reflecting routine month-to-month changes.
- The maximum benefit at full retirement age in 2025 is $4,018; if you wait until age 70, the maximum can reach about $5,108.
Tip: If you also receive SSI, note that because Nov 1, 2025 falls on a Saturday, SSI was paid early on Oct 31—so there’s no SSI deposit during November.
November 2025 Payment Dates (Retirement/Survivors/Disability)
| Beneficiary Group | Who This Applies To | November 2025 Deposit Date | What Most Retirees Typically Receive* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-May 1997 (or receive both SSI & SS) | Filed before May 1997 or dual SS+SSI | Mon, Nov 3 | ~$1,976–$2,008 avg. | Fixed “3rd of month” rule |
| Birthdays 1st–10th | Filed May 1997 or later | Wed, Nov 12 | ~$2,008 avg. retiree | “Second Wednesday” group |
| Birthdays 11th–20th | Filed May 1997 or later | Wed, Nov 19 | ~$2,008 avg. retiree | “Third Wednesday” group |
| Birthdays 21st–31st | Filed May 1997 or later | Wed, Nov 26 | ~$2,008 avg. retiree | “Fourth Wednesday” group |
| SSI (reference only) | Low-income aged/disabled | Paid Fri, Oct 31 | $967 federal base (2025) | No SSI in November |
* “Typical receive” uses average figures for 2025; individual payments vary by work history and claiming age.
Why your amount might differ
- Claiming age: Waiting past your full retirement age earns delayed retirement credits, raising your monthly check (up to the age-70 maximum mentioned above).
- Earnings history: Your benefits are based on your highest 35 years of indexed earnings.
- Withholdings & offsets: Medicare Part B premiums, tax withholding, or overpayment recovery can alter the net deposit you see. The SSA recommends allowing a few extra days if your payment isn’t in on the scheduled date.
Bottom line for the week of Nov 11
Even though November 11, 2025 is a Tuesday, regular Social Security retirement payments will land Wednesday, Nov 12 for people with birthdays on the 1st–10th.
Others will be paid on Nov 19 or Nov 26, and legacy/dual recipients on Nov 3.
The typical retiree can plan around an amount near the $2,000 mark, with higher checks for those with stronger earnings or who delayed claiming.
FAQs
Will the government shutdown delay my November 2025 Social Security check?
No. Payments continue on schedule even during a shutdown. Your November dates remain valid.
What if my money isn’t in my account on the expected Wednesday?
Allow three additional business days for processing issues. If still missing after that, contact the SSA.
Why didn’t I get an SSI payment in November?
Because Nov 1 falls on a Saturday, the SSI payment was made on Oct 31. That means there’s no SSI deposit in November, and your next SSI arrives Dec 1.
