Social Security Payments For January 2026: Here's When to Expect Yours

Core Insights - The Social Security Administration distributes benefits to nearly 74 million individuals each month, with payment schedules primarily based on beneficiaries' birth dates [1][6] - For those who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997, payments are typically issued on the 3rd of each month [1][6] Payment Schedule - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for January will be made on December 31, 2025, due to the New Year's Day holiday [3][7] - Payments for January will be distributed as follows: - January 2: Benefits for those collecting since before May 1997 [7] - January 14: Benefits for individuals born between the 1st and 10th of any month [7] - January 21: Benefits for individuals with birthdays between the 11th and 20th of any month [7] - January 28: Benefits for individuals with birthdays between the 21st and 31st of any month [7] - January 30: SSI payments for February will be issued [7] Importance of Payment Timing - Knowing the payment schedule is crucial for Social Security beneficiaries, as they rely on fixed incomes to manage their budgets and financial obligations [2]