When are Social Security payments in 2026? See full schedule.
- - When are Social Security payments in 2026? See full schedule.
Mike Snider, USA TODAYJanuary 1, 2026 at 8:03 AM
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When are Social Security payments in 2026? See full schedule.
With the arrival of the new year, Social Security payments will get a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
An increase of 2.8%, which averages out to $56 per month, kicks in on January payments to those who get Social Security, which is paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired, according to the Social Security Administration.
Also getting the 2.8% increase: those who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provides benefits with for those with a qualifying disability, have limited resources or are aged 65 or older.
Nearly 71 million Americans get Social Security, and 7.4 million get SSI, according to the SSA.
Social Security: Medicare premium increase reduces Social Security COLA for 2026
Social Security changes for 2026
The 2.8% COLA won't necessarily translate into a lot more money for beneficiaries. That's because an increase in Medicare premiums in 2026 will cut into the 2.8% raise.
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will increase to $202.90, an increase of $17.90 a month, according to the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services. Many beneficiaries have their Medicare premiums withdrawn from their Social Security checks, so that will directly cut into their COLA.
The maximum benefit Social Security pays is going up, also. In 2026, the maximum monthly benefit at full retirement age is rising from $4,018 to $4,152. Those who wait until age 70 to take Social Security may be eligible for the highest possible benefit, which in 2026 is $5,251.
Social Security payment schedule 2026
Social Security recipients who began getting benefits before May 1997 are paid on Jan. 3, while others are paid each month on a Wednesday. Payments are issued for beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the first and 10th days of the month on the second Wednesday of the month, according to the Social Security Administration’s calendar.
Those born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday of the month, and those born after the 20th of the month are paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month, according to the SSA calendar.
Here's the Social Security and SSI payment schedule for all of 2026.
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social Security payment schedule 2026. See the 12-month calendar.
Source: “AOL Money”
