In August 2025, two important Social Security payment dates are still pending. According to the schedule, beneficiaries with birthdays between the 11th and 20th of the month will receive their payments on August 20 (the third Wednesday).
Meanwhile, those born between the 21st and 31st will see their deposits on August 27 (the fourth Wednesday). These dates apply to those who requested payment after May 1997, when the Social Security payment system switched to a birthday-based allocation.
The first payment for August, for those with birthdays between the 1st and 10th, was already issued on August 13, the second Wednesday of the month.
Maximum Social Security Payment in August 2025
Thanks to a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the maximum Social Security payment for August 2025 is $5,108. This amount is reserved for a small percentage of beneficiaries—less than 5%—who had the maximum taxable income for 35 years and delayed their retirement until age 70.
However, the more typical payments are significantly lower. For disability (SSDI) recipients, the average is $1,580, while those receiving retirement benefits typically get around $1,976. For those retiring at their full age (between 66 and 67, depending on birth year), the maximum monthly payment is $4,018.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Payments
For SSI recipients, August sees a double payment: the first on August 1 for the month of August, and the second on August 29, adjusted for the Labor Day holiday in September. The maximum SSI benefit is $967 for an individual and up to $1,450 for a couple.
Projections for 2026 Social Security Benefit Increases
Looking ahead to 2026, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is expected to increase by approximately 2.7%, based on the latest estimates from the Senior Citizens League (TSCL). This figure has been revised upward from earlier projections, reflecting ongoing inflationary pressures.
If this 2.7% adjustment is realized, the average monthly retirement benefit could increase by $54.18, raising the typical monthly payment from $2,006.69 to around $2,060.87.
However, some forecasts are more conservative. MarketWatch projects a smaller increase of 2.2% to 2.3%, with energy price drops potentially moderating inflation in the second half of 2025. Earlier estimates from TSCL had suggested 2.3% to 2.4%, but these have since been adjusted downward.
