The 3rd of every month vs the last Wednesday of every month

[SoCalDem]

My husband started collecting Social Security in January, and I was surprised to find out that they no longer send the money on the "3rd of the Month". My husband's "check" arrives at our bank on the last Wednesday of every month.

In months that have 5 Wednesdays, people who desperately need that money to live on, have to wait an extra week. We are lucky that it's not critical to our survival (he's still working too).

I know it's a "6 v half-dozen" issue, but somehow the 3rd of the month seems a kinder solution to getting the money out to retirees..

We have letter-carriers friends who used to always grumble about the 3rd of the month being their least-favorite day, so maybe the staggering of check-sending was a solution for the postal service.

Anyone else get their checks at "odd" times?

[Gaedel]

1. Spread out through the month.

My wife and i both get SS checks. We have them electronically deposited to the bank. Hers hit Feb 17th and mine hit Feb 24th. Military retirement always hits the bank statement on the 1st.

[SoCalDem]

2. On a date specific, or a day?

his specifically is the "last Wednesday" of the month.. That's what seemed odd to me:)

[POAS]

3. It is actually the fourth Wednesday

not the last one.

It depends on when in the month your birthday falls.

You can find a schedule at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/calendar.htm

It breaks down like this:

Birthday from 1st to 10th pays on 2nd Wednesday
Birthday from 11th to 20th pays on 3rd Wednesday
Birthday from 21st to 31st pays on 4th Wednesday

Those whose payments started before May 1997 still get checks on 3rd of the month.

SSI pays on the 1st of the month.

I'm in that 4th Wednesday group and it did feel like a rip off when I started getting it at the beginning of the year but I'm used to it now.

[SoCalDem]

4. Ahh you're right.. I read the letter they sent and it said the last Wednesday

of the upcoming month, which happened to be the 4th Wednesday..

but we must have misunderstood it..:)

Next year when I start collecting, I'll be in the first group..(9th of the month birthday) Yay me :)

Just Call me Emily :)

[POAS]

5. OK, never mind! n/t