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

Core Insights - The Social Security Administration has a structured schedule for distributing payments to over 74 million beneficiaries, primarily based on their birth dates [1][6] - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is distributed separately from Social Security benefits, typically on the first of each month, with adjustments made for holidays or weekends [2] Payment Schedule - Payments for Social Security benefits are made on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, while those who began receiving benefits before May 1997 receive payments on the third of each month [1][3] - In 2026, Social Security payments will increase by 2.8% due to inflation adjustments, impacting over 74 million beneficiaries [3][6] January 2026 Payment Breakdown - January 1 is a national holiday, so SSI payments for January will be made on December 31, 2025 [7] - Payment dates for Social Security benefits in January are as follows: - January 2: Benefits for those collecting since before May 1997 - January 14: Benefits for those born between the 1st and 10th - January 21: Benefits for those born between the 11th and 20th - January 28: Benefits for those born between the 21st and 31st - January 30: SSI payments for February [7] Monthly Payment Schedule Overview - The payment schedule continues similarly for the following months, with specific dates assigned for beneficiaries based on their birth dates and SSI payments issued at the beginning of each month [7][10][11]