Social Security Payment Calendar 2026: When Beneficiaries Receive Monthly Checks

How the Social Security payment schedule works in 2026

The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays most retirement, survivors and disability beneficiaries on a monthly schedule based on your birth date. The system set in 1997 assigns payment Wednesdays by birth date ranges. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) uses a different rule, and some long-time beneficiaries follow an older schedule.

Basic rules you need to know

Keep these simple rules in mind to understand the Social Security payment calendar 2026.

Birth date 1–10: payments on the second Wednesday of each month.
Birth date 11–20: payments on the third Wednesday of each month.
Birth date 21–31: payments on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
SSI payments: normally the first of the month. If the 1st is a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, the payment arrives on the prior business day.
Some beneficiaries who started benefits before May 1997 are paid on the third of each month (or the prior business day when the 3rd is a weekend or holiday).

Social Security payment calendar 2026 — Monthly payment dates

Below are the specific payment dates in 2026 based on the SSA schedule. Use these to plan monthly budgets or confirm direct deposit timings.

2026 Dates for beneficiaries based on birth date

Born 1–10 (Second Wednesday)
- Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Sep 9, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9
Born 11–20 (Third Wednesday)
- Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 18, Apr 15, May 20, Jun 17, Jul 15, Aug 19, Sep 16, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16
Born 21–31 (Fourth Wednesday)
- Jan 28, Feb 25, Mar 25, Apr 22, May 27, Jun 24, Jul 22, Aug 26, Sep 23, Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23

SSI and older pre‑1997 schedule

SSI payments (usual rule)
- Payments are scheduled for the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, payment is made the previous business day. In 2026 those adjusted payments include Feb (paid Jan 30), Mar (paid Feb 27), Aug (paid Jul 31), and Nov (paid Oct 30). Other months pay on the 1st.
Pre‑May 1997 beneficiaries
- These beneficiaries are generally paid on the 3rd of each month. If the 3rd is a weekend or federal holiday, the payment arrives on the prior business day. Check your statements or My Social Security for your specific date.

Practical tips for recipients using the Social Security payment calendar 2026

Use these practical steps to avoid surprises and manage monthly cash flow.

Set up direct deposit if you haven’t already — SSA strongly recommends direct deposit for faster, secure delivery.
Check your My Social Security account for the exact date tied to your record. The SSA record is the final authority.
When payment dates fall near holidays, expect payments to arrive on the previous business day and plan automatic bill payments accordingly.
If you receive both SSI and Social Security, the payment dates may differ. Verify both schedules to avoid confusion.

Did You Know?

Social Security payment dates are set by federal rules. You can change how you receive benefits (for example, switch to direct deposit) by visiting SSA.gov or contacting your local SSA office. The My Social Security portal also shows future benefit dates tied to your claim.

Example case study: How the calendar affects a beneficiary

Mary, age 68, began receiving retirement benefits after 1997 and was born on June 12. That places her in the 11–20 group, so she gets benefits on the third Wednesday each month.

Using the Social Security payment calendar 2026, Mary expects her April payment on April 15. She schedules a mortgage payment for the 17th to allow a two‑day cushion for bank posting. When a November holiday falls close to the date, she checks My Social Security and confirms there is no change to her Wednesday payment.

What to do if your payment does not arrive

If a scheduled payment does not arrive on the expected date, follow these steps:

Check your bank account and any pending deposits.
Log in to your My Social Security account to confirm your payment date and banking information.
Contact your bank to ensure there was no processing delay.
If you still can’t locate the payment, contact the SSA at 1‑800‑772‑1213 (TTY 1‑800‑325‑0778) or visit your local office.

Using the Social Security payment calendar 2026 and these steps will help you plan and avoid late payment surprises. If your situation changes — for example, a move or change in banking — update your SSA record promptly to keep payments on schedule.