Excitement is building this week as the final Social Security payment wave for November arrives on Wednesday, November 26! If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any month, prepare to see that direct deposit pop up in your bank account or on your Direct Express card. This payment cycle is the last for November before the big 2026 change. More than 70 million Americans rely on Social Security every month, and many plan their holiday budgets around these deposits. No more paper checks! Since early 2025, all Social Security payments are sent only through direct deposit. "Anyone who didn’t switch by the Sept. 30 compliance deadline now receives payments only through a bank account or Direct Express card," says the Social Security Administration (SSA). This switch sped up payments but also means you must keep an eye on your account. The SSA uses a smart staggered schedule to avoid system overload. Payments for those born from the 1st to 10th arrived on the second Wednesday, 11th to 20th on the third Wednesday, and now the 21st to 31st group is paid on the fourth Wednesday—which is Nov 26 this month. Some exceptions exist for people who started benefits before May 1997 or who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), who get paid on the third day of the month. Speaking of SSI, those beneficiaries have their own calendar: payments come on the first day of the month unless it’s a weekend or holiday. The next SSI payments are December 1, 2025, then December 31, 2025 (which covers January 2026), followed by January 30 and February 27, 2026. If you get both SSI and Social Security, expect two separate deposits! Wondering how much money you might get? It depends on your earnings and when you start your benefits. Start as early as age 62 and you could get up to $2,831 a month, but wait till full retirement age at 67 and the max rises to $4,018. Hold out until age 70 and the top benefits shoot up to $5,108 monthly! On average, retirees got $2,008.31 as of August 2025 — many count on this to cover rent, food, medicines, and bills. Here’s the big news: Get ready for a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in January 2026! That means the average retiree will see about $56 extra every month, automatically added—no forms needed. The COLA helps keep your benefits in step with rising living costs, easing the pinch of inflation. This week’s payment is more than just routine; it’s a vital lifeline for millions as the holiday season gears up and the permanent COLA boost inches closer. So check your bank on Wednesday, November 26, and if your payment doesn’t show up right away, wait three business days before contacting the SSA. After all, even a single rupee counts when life is on the line!