Social Security Payment Dates for 2026: When Your Benefits Will Arrive

The Social Security Administration follows a general schedule for mailing out checks to its more than 74 million beneficiaries. Most beneficiaries are paid according to their birth date and typically receive their payments on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month. Those who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997 will typically receive their payments on the third of every month. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program that provides additional income for people with disabilities and adults aged 65 and older with limited or no income, is distributed separately from Social Security benefits on the first of every month. However, SSI payments may be distributed at the end of the preceding month if the first day of the month lands on a holiday or a weekend. Why This Matters to You If you get Social Security, you probably live on a fixed income. Knowing when to expect your benefits helps you plan your budget and pay your bills on time. Next year, Social Security payments will be 2.8% higher than in 2025, due to an adjustment for inflation . Here's a breakdown of when you can expect your benefits in 2026. January Dec. 31, 2025 - SSI payments for January will be made on Dec. 31 because Jan. 1 is a national holiday. Jan. 2 - Benefits will be paid to those who have been collecting since before May 1997. Jan. 14 - Benefits will be paid to those born between the first and the 10th of any month. Jan. 21 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 11th and the 20th of any month. Jan. 28 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 21st and the 31st of any month. Jan. 30 - SSI payments for February will be issued. February Feb. 3 - Benefits will be paid to those who have been collecting since before May 1997. Feb. 11 - Benefits will be paid to those born between the first and the 10th of any month. Feb. 18 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 11th and the 20th of any month. Feb. 25 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 21st and the 31st of any month. Feb. 27 - SSI payments for March will be issued. March March 3 - Benefits will be paid to those who have been collecting since before May 1997. March 11 - Benefits will be paid to those born between the first and the 10th of any month. March 18 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 11th and the 20th of any month. March 25 - Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 21st and the 31st of any month. April April 1 - SSI payments will be issued. April 3 - Benefits will be paid to those who have been collecting since before May 1997. April 8 - Benefits will be...

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