Good news about Social Security benefits – These are the millions of Americans who will receive checks of up to $5,108 this October 22

Millions of retirees, survivors, and disabled Americans are set to receive October payments—with some getting as much as $5,108.

Modified on:
October 20, 2025 9:03 am

Millions rely on Social Security monthly

Millions of Americans depend on their monthly Social Security payments to survive. The checks allow retirees, disabled workers, and families of workers who died on the job to cover basic expenses like food, rent, and medical care.

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Early in October, new payments are issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The process is smooth and ensures that all individuals get their benefits on time. Payments in this month are a source of relief for most families.

Who received the first payments in october?

The first to be paid this month were Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. They were paid on October 1. SSI supports nearly 7.4 million Americans with very low income and limited resources.

The second large group on October 3 were:

  • Retirees who started getting Social Security in 1997 or before
  • Those who get both SSI and Social Security
  • Survivors and spouses who are entitled to benefits

The SSA reminds all of us to wait at least three business days for the payment to be made—whether mailed or deposited directly—before considering that there’s a delay.

Payment schedule in the rest of october

If your check didn’t come early in the month, don’t panic. The SSA mails payments according to your birthday within the month:

  • October 8: 1st to 10th birthdays
  • October 15: 11th to 20th birthdays
  • October 22: 21st-31st birthdays

This process helps the SSA distribute over 74 million Americans’ payments monthly in an effective way.

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How much will you get?

What each person gets is based on their employment history, earnings, and at what age they started receiving payments. Here’s how that goes in 2025:

  • Average monthly retirement payment: about $2,006.69
  • Maximum at age 67: about $4,018 per month
  • Maximum at 62 years old (early retirement): around $2,831 per month
  • Maximum at 70 years old (late retirement): around $5,108 per month
  • Average SSI check: around $718.30

Individuals who waited until age 70 to begin benefits will receive the biggest checks this month—up to $5,108 on October 22.

COLA could mean bigger checks in 2026

And there’s more good news to follow. The SSA announces the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year every October. The yearly boost enables benefits to keep pace with inflation.

The COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)—the index that measures movement in the cost of goods and services like food and transportation.

Any increase announced this October will first be reflected in January 2026 payments to retirees, survivors, and disability benefits recipients, as well as to SSI beneficiaries.

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Why these payments matter

Social Security isn’t an entitlement programme—it’s a lifeline. For millions of older Americans, it’s the difference between security and struggle. The money pays the rent, purchases groceries, and pays for healthcare. For widows, children, and the disabled, it provides a sense of security and dignity.

As inflation is an everyday reality, this month’s payments—and the expected COLA boost—bring relief to many. For those receiving the highest benefit of $5,108, the October 22 payment is not just dollars—it’s relief.

In times of uncertain economies, Social Security is a lifeline of compassion for America’s most fragile citizens, delivering steady support when the need is greatest.

Read this later: Five agreements with payments of up to $10,150 that Americans can take advantage of before the end of 2025 – Check if you qualify…

Lawrence Udia
Lawrence Udiahttps://polifinus.com/author/lawrence-u/
I am a journalist specializing in delivering the latest news on politics, IRS updates, retail trends, SNAP payments, and Social Security. My role involves monitoring developments in these areas, analyzing their impact on everyday Americans, and ensuring readers are informed about significant changes that could affect their lives.

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