Retirement Social Security

The Complete 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule, Month by Month

A month-by-month breakdown of when Social Security checks arrive.

By David Maina

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Jan. 1, 2026

Social Security benefits follow a set payment schedule, but the exact date changes from person to person. In 2026, most retirees, survivors, and disability beneficiaries will receive their checks on a Wednesday tied to their birth date, while a smaller group follows a different rule.

Confusion usually comes from how those Wednesdays are assigned and what happens when a payment date falls on a weekend or holiday.

This guide explains the 2026 payment rules clearly, helping you plan ahead, avoid money mistakes, and know exactly when your monthly checks will arrive.

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How 2026 payment dates are determined

Since 1997, the Social Security Administration has paid most Social Security benefits on a Wednesday schedule tied to your birth date. In 2026, the rules work like this:

Born on the 1st–10th: Paid on the second Wednesday of each month
Born on the 11th–20th: Paid on the third Wednesday of each month
Born on the 21st–31st: Paid on the fourth Wednesday of each month

These rules apply across the board to Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability benefits, including payments to workers, spouses, divorced spouses, and surviving widows or widowers.

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Long-time beneficiaries and other scheduling exceptions

Not everyone follows the Wednesday payment schedule. A few long-standing rules can change when your check arrives.

For instance, if you first started receiving Social Security before May 1997, your payment date stays the same.

These long-time beneficiaries are paid on the 3rd of each month, not on a Wednesday. If the 3rd falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is sent on the preceding business day.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) follows its own schedule:

SSI is paid on the 1st of each month
If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is sent on the preceding business day

Because of this rule, SSI payments sometimes arrive at the end of the prior month. For example, if October 1 falls on a Sunday, the payment is made on Friday, September 29. Moreover, people who receive SSI in addition to Social Security will get their retirement benefit on the 3rd of the month.

2026 payment dates by month

Below is the month-by-month Social Security payment schedule for 2026.

January 2026

SS (born 1–10): Wed, Jan 14
SS (born 11–20): Wed, Jan 21
SS (born 21–31): Wed, Jan 28

February 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Feb 11
SS (11–20): Wed, Feb 18
SS (21–31): Wed, Feb 25

March 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Mar 11
SS (11–20): Wed, Mar 18
SS (21–31): Wed, Mar 25

April 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Apr 8
SS (11–20): Wed, Apr 15
SS (21–31): Wed, Apr 22

May 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, May 13
SS (11–20): Wed, May 20
SS (21–31): Wed, May 27

June 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Jun 10
SS (11–20): Wed, Jun 17
SS (21–31): Wed, Jun 24

July 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Jul 8
SS (11–20): Wed, Jul 15
SS (21–31): Wed, Jul 22

August 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Aug 12
SS (11–20): Wed, Aug 19
SS (21–31): Wed, Aug 26

September 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Sep 9
SS (11–20): Wed, Sep 16
SS (21–31): Wed, Sep 23

October 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Oct 14
SS (11–20): Wed, Oct 21
SS (21–31): Wed, Oct 28

November 2026

SS (1–10): Tue, Nov 10 (shifted)
SS (11–20): Wed, Nov 18
SS (21–31): Wed, Nov 25

December 2026

SS (1–10): Wed, Dec 6
SS (11–20): Wed, Dec 16
SS (21–31): Wed, Dec 23

Note that if you receive spousal or survivor benefits, your payment date is still based on your own birthdate, not your spouse's or parent's. Each beneficiary follows the same rule tied to their individual Social Security record.

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Bottom Line

To avoid surprises, log in to your my Social Security account on SSA.gov and confirm when your checks will arrive. While you're there, make sure your direct deposit information is up to date, as errors can delay payments or trigger a mailed check.

Once you know your payment dates, budgeting is simpler, and planning for retirement feels more manageable when your income shows up as expected.

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