The U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) has now kicked off its benefits-distribution schedule for the new year, although many recipients must wait until at least mid-January to get their latest payment.
This month’s benefits are the first to incorporate the SSA’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
Who has Social Security already paid for January 2026?
- Some long-term beneficiaries
On Jan. 2, payments were due to go out to beneficiaries who have been claiming any of the SSA’s retirement, disability and survivor benefits since before May 1997.
- Dual beneficiaries
Retirement, disability and survivor benefits were likewise scheduled to be paid on Jan. 2 to recipients who are also signed up to the SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) scheme.
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- SSI recipients
The first SSI benefits of 2026 actually went out slightly before the turn of the year. Because New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, program recipients were to get their January payments on Dec. 31, 2025.
As February begins on a Sunday, next month’s SSI pay is also slated to arrive early: on Jan. 30.
Which beneficiaries is Social Security yet to pay for January?
Of the just over 70 million people who receive retirement, survivor or disability benefits in the U.S., most will be paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in January – depending on their date of birth.
As the month began on a Thursday, this trio of Wednesday payment runs does not begin until Jan. 14 – the latest possible point.
Jan. 2026 payment dates – retirement, disability and survivor:
- Fri., Jan. 2: Pre-May ’97/dual recipients
- Weds., Jan. 14: If born 1st-10th of each month
- Weds., Jan. 21: If born 11th-20th of each month
- Weds., Jan. 28: If born 21st-31st of each month
Jan. 2026 payment dates – SSI:
- Weds., Dec. 31, 2025: Jan. 2026 payment
- Fri., Jan. 30, 2026: Feb. 2026 payment
You can take a look at the SSA’s full payment schedule for the year ahead in this online calendar shared by the agency.
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How much are SSA benefits going up by in 2026?
In October, the SSA revealed that recipients of its retirement, disability and survivor benefits, as well as beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) scheme, will get a 2.8% rise in their payments.
For retirees, who account for the vast majority of the SSA’s beneficiaries, this will mean an average monthly increase of $56, the agency says.
You can find out more about how the SSA’s 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will affect benefit amounts in this explainer published by the agency.
How much are retirement, survivor, disability and SSI benefits?
Per the most recent figures published by the SSA, retired workers were paid $2,013.32 a month on average as of November. Disabled workers got $1,588.52 a month on average, and beneficiaries of survivor pay received an average of $1,576.20 a month. SSI recipients were paid a monthly average of $717.90 a month.
However, the SSA revealed in October that recipients of its retirement, disability, survivor and SSI benefits are to get a 2.8% rise in their payments in 2026.
For retirees, who account for the vast majority of the SSA’s beneficiaries, this will mean an average monthly increase of $56, the agency says.
You can find out more about how the COLA 2026 will affect benefit amounts in this SSA explainer.
How does Social Security send out payments?
Benefits recipients have the choice of two electronic payment methods:
- Recipients can have their money transferred into their bank account by direct deposit
- The SSA can load their benefits onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal disbursements
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