Millions of Americans will enter 2026 with larger Social Security checks and a slightly adjusted payment calendar. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, affecting retirement, disability, survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This automatic increase begins with January payments, helping beneficiaries keep pace with rising inflation and living expenses.
The average retired worker will now receive approximately $2,070 per month, up from about $2,015 in 2025. Around 7.5 million SSI recipients began receiving higher payments as early as December 31 because the holiday schedule pushed January payments into the previous month.
Along with the increase, the SSA has released the full 2026 Social Security payment schedule, including several early deposits caused by weekends and federal holidays.
Table of Contents
Social Security COLA Increase for 2026
The 2.8% COLA applies across all Social Security benefit categories, including retirement and SSI.
Key benefit increases include:
• Full retirement age benefits: rise from $4,018 to $4,152 per month
• Maximum benefits at age 70: increase from $5,108 to $5,251 per month
• SSI individual benefits: increase from $967 to $994 per month
• SSI couple benefits: rise from $1,450 to $1,491 per month
These increases reflect a combination of inflation adjustments and higher lifetime earnings for some beneficiaries.
How the 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule Works
Monthly Social Security benefits are deposited based on a beneficiary’s birth date, following the same system used in previous years:
• Birth dates 1st–10th: Paid on the second Wednesday
• Birth dates 11th–20th: Paid on the third Wednesday
• Birth dates 21st–31st: Paid on the fourth Wednesday
In January 2026, payments will be issued on January 14, 21, and 28.
Exception:
In November 2026, individuals with birthdays between the 1st and 10th will receive payments on Tuesday, November 10, because November 11 is Veterans Day.
Full Social Security Payment Dates for 2026
January 2026
• Jan 2 – SSI
• Jan 14 – Birthdays 1–10
• Jan 21 – Birthdays 11–20
• Jan 28 – Birthdays 21–31
February 2026
• Jan 30 – SSI (early)
• Feb 11 – Birthdays 1–10
• Feb 18 – Birthdays 11–20
• Feb 25 – Birthdays 21–31
March 2026
• Feb 27 – SSI (early)
• Mar 11 – Birthdays 1–10
• Mar 18 – Birthdays 11–20
• Mar 25 – Birthdays 21–31
April 2026
• Apr 1 – SSI
• Apr 8 – Birthdays 1–10
• Apr 15 – Birthdays 11–20
• Apr 22 – Birthdays 21–31
May 2026
• May 1 – SSI
• May 13 – Birthdays 1–10
• May 20 – Birthdays 11–20
• May 27 – Birthdays 21–31
June 2026
• Jun 1 – SSI
• Jun 10 – Birthdays 1–10
• Jun 17 – Birthdays 11–20
• Jun 24 – Birthdays 21–31
July 2026
• Jul 1 – SSI
• Jul 8 – Birthdays 1–10
• Jul 15 – Birthdays 11–20
• Jul 22 – Birthdays 21–31
August 2026
• Jul 31 – SSI (early)
• Aug 12 – Birthdays 1–10
• Aug 19 – Birthdays 11–20
• Aug 26 – Birthdays 21–31
September 2026
• Sep 1 – SSI
• Sep 9 – Birthdays 1–10
• Sep 16 – Birthdays 11–20
• Sep 23 – Birthdays 21–31
October 2026
• Oct 1 – SSI
• Oct 14 – Birthdays 1–10
• Oct 21 – Birthdays 11–20
• Oct 28 – Birthdays 21–31
November 2026
• Oct 30 – SSI (early)
• Nov 10 – Birthdays 1–10 (adjusted for Veterans Day)
• Nov 18 – Birthdays 11–20
• Nov 25 – Birthdays 21–31
December 2026
• Dec 1 – SSI
• Dec 9 – Birthdays 1–10
• Dec 16 – Birthdays 11–20
• Dec 23 – Birthdays 21–31
• Dec 31 – SSI for January 2027 (early)
SSI Payments and Double-Payment Months in 2026
SSI payments typically arrive on the first of each month, but weekends and holidays often push payments earlier.
In 2026, early SSI deposits and months that appear to have “double payments” will occur in:
• February (Jan 30)
• March (Feb 27)
• August (Jul 31)
• November (Oct 30)
Additionally:
• July includes payments on July 1 and July 31
• October includes payments on October 1 and October 30
• December includes payments on December 1 and December 31
These are not extra payments just shifted deposit dates.
What These 2026 Changes Mean for Beneficiaries
Between a higher COLA and a predictable payment calendar, retirees and low-income Americans will experience modest but meaningful financial relief. While the increase may not completely offset rising costs for housing, healthcare, or groceries, it still provides nearly $700 more per year for the average retiree.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to review the 2026 schedule and plan budgets carefully, especially in months with early payments.
FAQs
Q: How much will Social Security benefits increase in 2026, and who qualifies?
A: Benefits rise by 2.8% for all Social Security and SSI recipients. The average retiree will receive about $56 more per month, and the increase applies automatically beginning January 2026.
Q: Will Social Security payment dates change in 2026?
A: Most payments still arrive on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday based on birth dates. Some dates shift earlier due to weekends or federal holidays.
