Knowing your exact payment date makes budgeting easier. Social Security follows a consistent schedule tied to your birthday if you started benefits after May 1997, with a few exceptions for people who began earlier or who also receive Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI).
Avoid retirement budgeting mistakes by knowing when you’ll get paid every month, how the exceptions work, and what can affect when the money actually shows up in your account.
Find Out: 14 benefits seniors are entitled to but often forget to claim
The standard schedule for people who claimed after May 1997
Social Security pays on Wednesdays based on your birth date. Birthdays between the 1st and 10th are paid on the second Wednesday. If you were born between the 11th and 20th, you’ll be paid on the third Wednesday, and for those born between the 21st and the 31st, payments are made on the fourth Wednesday.
Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.
Why do some people get paid on different dates?
For people who claimed before May 1997, their payments fall on the third of the month, as do payments for people who receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.
SSI is paid on the first of the month. But if that falls on a weekend or holiday, payment arrives the business day before. In 2026, that means January’s SSI payment will be processed on December 31, 2025.
2026 payment dates
Here are the payment dates for each month, for each birthday group, and for long-time beneficiaries, double claimants, and SSI recipients. If payments fall on a weekend or federal holiday, you’ll receive your payment on the business day before.
-
January: 2nd Wed Jan 14 | 3rd Wed Jan 21 | 4th Wed Jan 28 | 3rd-of-month group Fri Jan 2 (3rd is Saturday) | SSI Wed Dec 31, 2025 (Jan 1 is a holiday)
-
February: 2nd Wed Feb 11 | 3rd Wed Feb 18 | 4th Wed Feb 25 | 3rd-of-month Feb 3 | SSI Fri Jan 30
-
March: 2nd Wed Mar 11 | 3rd Wed Mar 18 | 4th Wed Mar 25 | 3rd-of-month Mar 3 | SSI Fri Feb 27 (Mar 1 is Sunday)
-
April: 2nd Wed Apr 8 | 3rd Wed Apr 15 | 4th Wed Apr 22 | 3rd-of-month Apr 3 | SSI Apr 1
-
May: 2nd Wed May 13 | 3rd Wed May 20 | 4th Wed May 27 | 3rd-of-month Fri May 1 (3rd is Sunday) | SSI May 1
-
June: 2nd Wed Jun 10 | 3rd Wed Jun 17 | 4th Wed Jun 24 | 3rd-of-month Jun 3 | SSI Jun 1
-
July: 2nd Wed Jul 8 | 3rd Wed Jul 15 | 4th Wed Jul 22 | 3rd-of-month Jul 3 | SSI Jul 1
-
August: 2nd Wed Aug 12 | 3rd Wed Aug 19 | 4th Wed Aug 26 | 3rd-of-month Aug 3 | SSI Fri Jul 31 (Aug 1 is Saturday)
-
September: 2nd Wed Sep 9 | 3rd Wed Sep 16 | 4th Wed Sep 23 | 3rd-of-month Sep 3 | SSI Sep 1
-
October: 2nd Wed Oct 14 | 3rd Wed Oct 21 | 4th Wed Oct 28 | 3rd-of-month Fri Oct 2 (3rd is Saturday) | SSI Oct 1
-
November: 2nd Wed, Tues Nov 10 (Weds 11 is Veterans Day) | 3rd Wed Nov 18 | 4th Wed Nov 25 | 3rd-of-month Nov 3 | SSI Fri Oct 30 (Nov 1 is Sunday)
-
December: 2nd Wed Dec 9 | 3rd Wed Dec 16 | 4th Wed Dec 23 | 3rd-of-month Dec 3 | SSI Dec 1
Getting your deposits
Federal law requires benefits to be paid electronically, either to your bank account by direct deposit or to a Direct Express debit card. Funds are available on your payment day. This avoids mail delays and cut-off times for check cashing.
If your deposit doesn’t appear on the expected date, first check with your bank or card issuer in case they’re posting late. If it’s still missing, contact Social Security and they can trace and, if necessary, replace the missing payment.
Bottom line
The 2026 schedule is predictable once you know which group you’re in. For everyone who filed after May 1997 and only receives Social Security benefits, their benefits are paid on Wednesdays determined by their birthday.
People who filed for Social Security benefits before May 1997 and those who receive both Social Security and SSI get their payments on the 3rd of the month. SSI is paid on the 1st. Payments to all recipients go out a day or two earlier when scheduled payment dates fall on federal holidays or weekends.
Checking your payment dates against your budget, bill due dates, and autopays lets you avoid any late fees or penalties, making sure you keep more of your senior benefits.
More from FinanceBuzz: