Social Security recipients face a longer wait for their benefits in January 2026: here’s why

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In January 2026, millions of Social Security recipients in the U.S. will endure a lengthier wait for their benefits than at almost any other point in the year.

Why the wait?

Of the 70 million Americans who claim retirement, disability or survivor benefits, most are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of each month; an individual’s designated Wednesday is decided by their date of birth.

The bad news for these Social Security recipients is that January begins on a Thursday, pushing each of the month’s Wednesdays back to their latest possible point. January 2026’s three payment Wednesdays will fall on the following dates:

Born on 1st-10th of month: Weds., Jan. 14
Born on 11th-20th of month: Weds., Jan. 21
Born on 21st-31st of month: Weds., Jan. 28

NB: If you claim benefits based on the work record of another person, such as a parent or a spouse, it is their date of birth that is used to decide your designated Wednesday.

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Will this long benefits wait happen again in 2026?

Yes, but only once. As the Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines in its published payment schedule, October is the only other month in 2026 when the second Wednesday will fall as late as the 14th.

Meanwhile, the second Wednesday will come at its earliest point – the eighth of the month – in April and July 2026.

Who is paid before the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday?

Two groups of Social Security beneficiaries won’t have to wait so long to pick up their opening benefits payment of 2026.

Some long-term recipients:

If you began claiming retirement, disability or survivor benefits before May 1997, you are to get your benefits on Friday, Jan. 2, regardless of your date of birth. You would normally be issued your money on Jan. 3, but as this date falls on a Saturday, the SSA has brought payment forward to the nearest working day.

Recipients who also get SSI:

Around 2.5 million people in the U.S. claim the SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on top of one of the agency’s retirement, disability or survivor benefits. They are to receive the latter on Jan. 2, having been paid the former on Dec. 31, 2025.

SSI is a scheme aimed at low-income Americans who are over-65 or have a disability; it differs from the SSA’s other benefits programs as it is purely needs-based. It does not depend on prior payment of Social Security taxes.

Social Security, SSI payments to go up

Beginning with January’s payments, SSA says its benefits recipients are to get a 2.8% pay rise in 2026. You can find out more about next year’s adjusted benefit amounts in this fact sheet shared by the agency.