The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a structured timetable to send monthly payments to more than 74 million beneficiaries across the United States. Understanding how this schedule works can help recipients better plan their finances throughout the year.
Most Social Security benefits are issued based on the beneficiary’s date of birth, while a smaller group follows a fixed monthly date. In addition, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) operates on a separate payment cycle.
How Social Security Payment Dates Are Determined
For the majority of beneficiaries, Social Security checks are deposited on a Wednesday, determined by birth date:
- Second Wednesday: Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
- Third Wednesday: Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
- Fourth Wednesday: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st
Individuals who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997 are an exception. Their payments are generally sent on the 3rd of each month, regardless of birth date.
SSI Payment Timing Rules
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) supports adults aged 65 and older, as well as people with disabilities who have limited income or resources. Unlike regular Social Security benefits, SSI payments are typically issued on the first day of each month.
If the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI payments are sent on the last business day of the previous month.
2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
In 2026, Social Security payments increased by 2.8% compared to 2025, reflecting the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) designed to offset inflation and rising living expenses.
Social Security & SSI Payment Dates for 2026
January 2026
- Jan 21 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Jan 28 – Birthdays 21st–31st
- Jan 30 – SSI payment for February
February 2026
- Feb 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Feb 11 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Feb 18 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Feb 25 – Birthdays 21st–31st
- Feb 27 – SSI payment for March
March 2026
- Mar 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Mar 11 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Mar 18 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Mar 25 – Birthdays 21st–31st
April 2026
- Apr 1 – SSI payment
- Apr 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Apr 8 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Apr 15 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Apr 22 – Birthdays 21st–31st
May 2026
- May 1 – SSI payment and pre-May 1997 beneficiaries
- May 13 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- May 20 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- May 27 – Birthdays 21st–31st
June 2026
- Jun 1 – SSI payment
- Jun 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Jun 10 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Jun 17 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Jun 24 – Birthdays 21st–31st
July 2026
- Jul 1 – SSI payment
- Jul 2 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Jul 8 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Jul 15 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Jul 22 – Birthdays 21st–31st
- Jul 31 – SSI payment for August
August 2026
- Aug 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Aug 12 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Aug 19 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Aug 26 – Birthdays 21st–31st
September 2026
- Sep 1 – SSI payment
- Sep 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Sep 9 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Sep 16 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Sep 23 – Birthdays 21st–31st
October 2026
- Oct 1 – SSI payment
- Oct 2 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Oct 14 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Oct 21 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Oct 28 – Birthdays 21st–31st
- Oct 30 – SSI payment for November
November 2026
- Nov 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Nov 10 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Nov 18 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Nov 25 – Birthdays 21st–31st
December 2026
- Dec 1 – SSI payment
- Dec 3 – Benefits started before May 1997
- Dec 9 – Birthdays 1st–10th
- Dec 16 – Birthdays 11th–20th
- Dec 23 – Birthdays 21st–31st
- Dec 31 – SSI payment for January 2027
The 2026 Social Security and SSI payment calendar follows a predictable structure based on birth dates, benefit start dates, and monthly timing rules. With a 2.8% COLA increase, beneficiaries can expect slightly higher payments throughout the year. Staying informed about exact deposit dates can help recipients manage budgets, avoid confusion, and plan expenses more effectively.
FAQs
Why do some SSI payments arrive before the month begins?
If the first day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, SSI is paid on the previous business day.
Who receives Social Security payments on the 3rd of each month?
People who started receiving benefits before May 1997 typically get paid on the 3rd.
Are SSI and Social Security payments issued together?
No, SSI follows a separate schedule and is paid independently from Social Security benefits.
Source: DanKaminisky
Source Link: https://dankaminsky.com/social-security-payment-dates-for-2026/