Your January Social Security payments will begin arriving on Wednesday, January 14. Your second check will arrive on January 21, and your third check will arrive on January 28th.
Beneficiaries who began receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, or who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, should have already received their January Social Security payment on Friday, January 2, 2026, because January 3 (the typical payment day) falls on a weekend. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your January payment should have been issued on December 31, 2025, because January 1 (the typical payment day) is New Year's Day. The SSA adjusts payments to the previous business day when the standard due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
Another thing: Starting last month, you'll now need to have direct deposit set up with your bank account or use a Direct Express card, as the Social Security Agency enforces its new paperless policy. The change from paper checks to direct deposit follows President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order that ends the issuance of paper checks by the federal government. The deadline to comply was Tuesday, September 30.
If you haven't yet set up direct deposit, learn more about how to easily switch from a paper check to an electronic payment option by visiting Treasury's Go Direct® website or calling the Treasury's Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-800-333-1795.
Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026
The Social Security Administration (SSA) prepares payment schedules before distributing benefits, ensuring you receive your payments on time.
The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)is factored into your current payment. That means that starting this January, you should see a slight uptick in your monthly Social Security check. Benefits will increase by 2.8% in 2026, rising an average of $56 per month over 2025 levels. Married couples will see an average increase of $88. This is one of the smallest COLA increases since 2020.
Social Security Disability Insurance benefits
If you collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or retirement benefits, your benefit payment date is determined by your birthday.
If you get auxiliary benefits on someone else’s earnings record, spousal or survivor benefits, for example, your payment date is determined by that person’s birthday, not yours.
If your payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, you’ll receive your payment early, with payments issued on the weekday immediately prior to your expected payment date.
January Social Security payment dates
These are the dates you can expect your monthly payments for January 2026 (PDF):
- December 31, 2025 - SSI payments for January will be made on December 31 because January 1 is a national holiday.
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January 2 - You'll receive a Social Security payment on January 2 if:
- You live outside the U.S.
- You receive both SSI and Social Security benefits
- Your state pays your Medicare premiums
- You filed for Social Security benefits before 1997
- January 14 - You should receive your Social Security payment on the second Wednesday of the month if your birthday falls on any day from the first to the 10th of your birth month.
- January 21 - If your birthday falls on any day from the 11th to the 20th of your birth month, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the third Wednesday of the month.
- January 28 - You’ll get your Social Security payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month if your birthday falls after the 20th of your birth month.
- January 30 - SSI payments for February will be issued.
Your first check will be early
There is a separate payment date for SSI beneficiaries and for those who began claiming Social Security before May 1997. Typically, you will receive your check on the third of each month. Since January 3, 2026, is a Saturday, you'll get your check on January 2, 2026, instead. SSI beneficiaries will receive their first 2026 check even earlier, on December 31, 2025.
For a more detailed schedule, see Social Security Payment Schedule for 2026.
Medicare Part B premiums taking a bigger chunk out of your Social Security checks
If you're like most Social Security beneficiaries who have their Medicare Part B premiums deducted directly from their Social Security check each month, you may notice a bigger chunk taken out of your check. In 2025, the Part B premium was $185 per month. But the premium climbs to $202.90 in 2026. That's a $17.90 difference.
But don't panic just yet. Medicare has a hold harmless provision that ensures that any increase to your Medicare Part B premium never causes your Social Security benefit to decrease. At worst, you'll continue to receive the same benefit you got in 2025.
How to report a missing Social Security payment
If you don’t receive your electronic payments on the scheduled date, contact your bank or financial institution. Sometimes, the Social Security Administration experiences a delay in posting your payment.
If you still need help, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office.
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