Larry, I think the answer you gave Jerry concentrated too much on his "after death payment" and didn't answer his (and my) question. My birthday is mid May so I understand I have to wait till the 3rd Wednesday in June to get my first direct deposit payment. At least that makes sense. You gotta earn a month to getta month. But why do I have to wait until the 3rd Wednesday in July to get the first payment?

Hi. I don't know which of my answers you're referring to, but if your birthday is in mid May then the only way that you'd have to wait until the 3rd Wednesday in July to be due your first payment is if mid May is your 62nd birthday. Social Security law requires you to be at least age 62 for a full month in order to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300201001). That law was established by Congress in 1981. So, if you reach age 62 in May, then your the earliest month that you could qualify for Social Security retirement benefits is June. And, since Social Security pays benefits a month behind, your first payment would then be scheduled for July.

Best, Jerry