Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Average $2,084 Social Security payment: who gets paid, 2027 outlook
Social Security is a government program that pays money to older people who have stopped working.
This week, millions of Americans will receive their monthly Social Security payment.
Which day they get paid depends on their birthday, so some people get paid on August 12, some on August 19, and some on August 26.
On average, a retired worker gets about $2,084 each month.
Next year, that amount might go up by almost four percent to help pay for the rising cost of things.
The official announcement will come in October.
But Social Security has a big problem: the money it holds may run out in late 2032.
If that happens, retired people might receive only about 78 percent of the money they were promised.
The rules-makers in Congress are talking about ways to fix this, including a new bill called the PROMISE Act.
They want to make sure Social Security has enough money for at least 50 more years.
Beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of the month receive their August Social Security payment on Wednesday, August 12.
The average monthly retirement benefit in June 2026 was $2,084.40.
The Senior Citizens League estimates a 3.9 percent COLA for 2027, higher than the 2.8 percent adjustment applied in 2026.
Social Security's retirement trust fund is projected to be depleted in late 2032, leaving revenue to cover only about 78 percent of scheduled benefits.
Congress is weighing the bipartisan PROMISE Act, which would task the Social Security Advisory Board with developing legislation to keep the program solvent for at least 50 years.
- Who
- Millions of American Social Security beneficiaries, including retired workers, plus Congress and the Senate Finance Committee weighing reform proposals.
- What
- August Social Security payments are being distributed, while a possible 3.9 percent 2027 cost-of-living adjustment and the program's projected funding shortfall are under watch.
- When
- Payments go out August 12, 19 and 26; the official 2027 COLA is announced in October; the trust fund is projected to be depleted in late 2032.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- Payments follow a birthday-based schedule, and the program faces a projected shortfall that could cut benefits by roughly 22 percent if Congress does not act.
Backers of the PROMISE Act process
Supporters of full congressional debate
How to secure Social Security's long-term finances
Backers of the PROMISE Act process
A structured, bipartisan approach such as the PROMISE Act can overcome years of political deadlock and produce legislation that keeps the program solvent for at least 50 years.
Supporters of full congressional debate
The proposed process could speed up major program changes without the normal level of congressional scrutiny; AARP insists any overhaul should go through a full and open congressional debate.
- Average monthly retirement benefit (June 2026)
- $2,084.40
- Next payment date
- Wednesday, August 12, for beneficiaries born 1st-10th
- Remaining August payment dates
- August 19 (born 11th-20th); August 26 (born 21st-31st)
- Estimated 2027 COLA
- 3.9 percent, per the Senior Citizens League; official figure in October
- 2026 COLA
- 2.8 percent
- Projected retirement trust fund depletion
- Late 2032
- Coverage of benefits after depletion
- About 78 percent (~22 percent reduction)
- Estimated annual loss for typical newly retired dual-income couple
- Nearly $17,000 from 2033 (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget)