If your birthday is between the 1st and the 10th, you could get up to $5,181 from Social Security next week. This payment is for retirees who have chosen to delay retirement to maximize their benefits, and while not all beneficiaries will receive the maximum amount, many can get a significantly higher payment than the standard amount.
Social Security in the United States offers a series of payments to retirees and people with disabilities throughout the month. However, payments may vary depending on when beneficiaries have their birthdays and how they have planned their retirement. Those whose birthdays fall between the 1st and the 10th get their payment on the second Wednesday of each month, which in August is the 12th. For some, this payment will be the result of years of work and savings, and they will receive it as a single monthly deposit, directly into their bank account.
It is important to note that in 2026, the maximum retirement payment for those who choose to delay retirement is $5,181 per month. This is the maximum amount that can be received if you wait until age 70 to begin collection. While not all beneficiaries reach this amount, those who do are those with a good career and sufficient wages during their working years.
Who gets this payment on August 12?
August 12 is the payment date for retirees whose birthdays fall between the 1st and the 10th and who began receiving their benefits in May 1997 or later. Depending on how much they earned during their working life, they may be eligible for higher-than-standard payments, especially if they delayed their retirement.
The payment of $5,181 is only reached if the beneficiary has decided to delay their retirement until age 70, which increases the amount received each month. If a beneficiary begins collection earlier, the amount will be lower, but still significant.
If your birthday falls on one of these dates, it is important to check your account on my Social Security or contact the Social Security Administration to confirm the exact amount you will receive and ensure that all your information is correct.
Maximizing your Social Security payment
If you want to maximize your payment, there are three essential steps you can take:
- Delay collection until age 70: Each year you delay collecting your benefits past full retirement age, your payments increase by about 8% per year, which can result in a significantly higher amount over time.
- Work for 35 years: Social Security calculates benefits based on your earnings during the 35 highest-earning years of your career. The longer you work and the higher your average salary, the higher your benefit will be.
- Have a good salary during those years: The amount you get depends largely on your annual income. Those with higher salaries during their working careers benefit from higher payments.
By following these steps, you may be able to get a much higher amount than the standard payment, closer to the maximum of $5,181 per month. With these adjustments, you can take full advantage of the benefits that Social Security has to offer.
