The Social Security payment calendar 2026 explains when beneficiaries receive their monthly checks. Below is a clear, practical guide to the payment rules, exact 2026 dates by beneficiary group, and steps to confirm your personal payment day.
How the Social Security payment calendar 2026 works
Since 1997, most Social Security retirement and disability benefits are paid on a schedule tied to the beneficiary’s birth date. The schedule uses the second, third or fourth Wednesday of each month.
There are three main groups:
- Birthdays on days 1–10: payments on the second Wednesday of each month.
- Birthdays on days 11–20: payments on the third Wednesday of each month.
- Birthdays on days 21–31: payments on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Monthly checks for beneficiaries enrolled before May 1997
People who began receiving benefits before May 1997 usually get payments on the third day of each month. If the third falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is processed on the preceding business day.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) timing
SSI follows a different rule: payments are generally issued on the first of the month. If the first is a weekend or federal holiday, SSA typically issues the payment on the preceding business day.
Social Security payment calendar 2026: Exact dates by group
Below are the 2026 payment dates organized by the common SSA scheduling rules. Use these to know when monthly checks should arrive via direct deposit or debit card.
Birthdays 1–10 (Second Wednesday of each month)
- January 2026: January 14
- February 2026: February 11
- March 2026: March 11
- April 2026: April 8
- May 2026: May 13
- June 2026: June 10
- July 2026: July 8
- August 2026: August 12
- September 2026: September 9
- October 2026: October 14
- November 2026: November 11
- December 2026: December 9
Birthdays 11–20 (Third Wednesday of each month)
- January 2026: January 21
- February 2026: February 18
- March 2026: March 18
- April 2026: April 15
- May 2026: May 20
- June 2026: June 17
- July 2026: July 15
- August 2026: August 19
- September 2026: September 16
- October 2026: October 21
- November 2026: November 18
- December 2026: December 16
Birthdays 21–31 (Fourth Wednesday of each month)
- January 2026: January 28
- February 2026: February 25
- March 2026: March 25
- April 2026: April 22
- May 2026: May 27
- June 2026: June 24
- July 2026: July 22
- August 2026: August 26
- September 2026: September 23
- October 2026: October 28
- November 2026: November 25
- December 2026: December 23
Pre-May 1997 beneficiaries (Third of each month, adjusted for weekends/holidays)
- January 2026: January 2 (3rd is Saturday; paid Friday Jan 2)
- February 2026: February 3
- March 2026: March 3
- April 2026: April 3
- May 2026: May 1 (3rd is Sunday; paid preceding business day)
- June 2026: June 3
- July 2026: July 3
- August 2026: August 3
- September 2026: September 3
- October 2026: October 2 (3rd is Saturday; paid Friday Oct 2)
- November 2026: November 3
- December 2026: December 3
SSI typical dates (First of month or prior business day)
- January payment: January 1, 2026
- February payment: January 30, 2026 (Feb 1 is Sunday)
- March payment: February 27, 2026 (Mar 1 is Sunday)
- April payment: April 1, 2026
- May payment: May 1, 2026
- June payment: June 1, 2026
- July payment: July 1, 2026
- August payment: July 31, 2026 (Aug 1 is Saturday)
- September payment: September 1, 2026
- October payment: October 1, 2026
- November payment: October 30, 2026 (Nov 1 is Sunday)
- December payment: December 1, 2026
How to check and confirm your own Social Security payment date
To confirm your exact payment date, sign in to your My Social Security account at the Social Security Administration website. The account shows your next payment date and method (direct deposit or SSA debit card).
If you do not have online access, call the SSA at the official number listed on their website or check your monthly benefit statement.
Small case study: Real-world example
Mary turned 68 and has a birth date of April 15. That places her in the 11–20 range, so she receives Social Security on the third Wednesday each month. In April 2026 her payment date is April 15, 2026. Her deposit arrives by direct deposit on that date, unless it falls on a banking holiday.
John began benefits in 1990, so he is on the pre-1997 schedule. His November 2026 payment follows the third-day rule and falls on November 3, 2026.
Tips and reminders
- Set up direct deposit to avoid mailed check delays.
- Check My Social Security for exact future payment dates and year-end totals for taxes.
- Account for weekends and federal holidays—payments often arrive on the preceding business day.
Use this Social Security payment calendar 2026 to plan your monthly budget, and confirm any date with SSA before making important financial decisions.