Social Security payments worth up to $5,181 are going out this week: Here’s who gets paid September 23 and why most retirees won’t receive that much

Social Security payments are going out this week, with the next round scheduled for September 23, 2026. Here’s who is eligible for the payment, how the $5,181 maximum benefit works and why most retirees will receive less. Social Security benefits, paid mostly to older or retired Americans, are typically issued on Wednesdays.