The Complete 2026 Social Security Payment Schedule, Month by Month
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:
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Born on the 1st–10th: Paid on the second Wednesday of each month
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Born on the 11th–20th: Paid on the third Wednesday of each month
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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:
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SSI is paid on the 1st of each month
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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
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SS (born 1–10): Wed, Jan 14
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SS (born 11–20): Wed, Jan 21
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SS (born 21–31): Wed, Jan 28
February 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Feb 11
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SS (11–20): Wed, Feb 18
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SS (21–31): Wed, Feb 25
March 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Mar 11
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SS (11–20): Wed, Mar 18
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SS (21–31): Wed, Mar 25
April 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Apr 8
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SS (11–20): Wed, Apr 15
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SS (21–31): Wed, Apr 22
May 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, May 13
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SS (11–20): Wed, May 20
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SS (21–31): Wed, May 27
June 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Jun 10
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SS (11–20): Wed, Jun 17
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SS (21–31): Wed, Jun 24
July 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Jul 8
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SS (11–20): Wed, Jul 15
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SS (21–31): Wed, Jul 22
August 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Aug 12
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SS (11–20): Wed, Aug 19
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SS (21–31): Wed, Aug 26
September 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Sep 9
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SS (11–20): Wed, Sep 16
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SS (21–31): Wed, Sep 23
October 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Oct 14
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SS (11–20): Wed, Oct 21
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SS (21–31): Wed, Oct 28
November 2026
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SS (1–10): Tue, Nov 10 (shifted)
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SS (11–20): Wed, Nov 18
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SS (21–31): Wed, Nov 25
December 2026
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SS (1–10): Wed, Dec 6
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SS (11–20): Wed, Dec 16
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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.
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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