The third round of April Social Security payments, capped at $5,181, will be issued on Wednesday, April 22 to retirees born on or after the 21st of the month. The first round went out on April 8 to those born on or before the 10th, and the second round was distributed on April 15 to those born between the 11th and 20th.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) staggers payments to manage the 70 million+ beneficiaries, including retirees, people with disabilities, and surviving family members. Payment dates for May 2026 have also been announced, with SSI recipients and those receiving both SSI and Social Security paid on May 1, followed by birth-date-based payments on May 13, 20, and 27.
The SSA oversees multiple programs, including retirement, survivor, disability, and income-based benefits. Retirement benefits require sufficient work credits, while survivor benefits support eligible family members after a worker's death. Disability programs include SSDI and SSI, with SSDI providing benefits to those who have worked and paid into the system.