Social Security Payment Schedule
Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS
The Social Security payment schedule depends on your birthday: born on the 1st–10th, you're paid on the second Wednesday of the month; 11th–20th, the third Wednesday; 21st–31st, the fourth Wednesday. SSI is paid on the 1st, and people who started benefits before May 1997 or get both SSI and Social Security are paid on the 3rd.
Below: every payment date for the rest of 2026 and all of 2027, with weekend and holiday shifts already applied.
Remaining 2026 payment dates
| Month | SSI | Before May 1997 / SSI + SS | Birthday 1st–10th | Birthday 11th–20th | Birthday 21st–31st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | Thu, Oct 1 | Fri, Oct 2 | Wed, Oct 14 | Wed, Oct 21 | Wed, Oct 28 |
| November 2026 | Fri, Oct 30 | Tue, Nov 3 | Tue, Nov 10 | Wed, Nov 18 | Wed, Nov 25 |
| December 2026 | Tue, Dec 1 | Thu, Dec 3 | Wed, Dec 9 | Wed, Dec 16 | Wed, Dec 23 |
November 2026: the second Wednesday is Veterans Day (November 11), so that group is paid on Tuesday, November 10. SSI for November arrives Friday, October 30, because November 1 is a Sunday.
2027 Social Security payment schedule
| Month | SSI | Before May 1997 / SSI + SS | Birthday 1st–10th | Birthday 11th–20th | Birthday 21st–31st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2027 | Thu, Dec 31 | Thu, Dec 31 | Wed, Jan 13 | Wed, Jan 20 | Wed, Jan 27 |
| February 2027 | Mon, Feb 1 | Wed, Feb 3 | Wed, Feb 10 | Wed, Feb 17 | Wed, Feb 24 |
| March 2027 | Mon, Mar 1 | Wed, Mar 3 | Wed, Mar 10 | Wed, Mar 17 | Wed, Mar 24 |
| April 2027 | Thu, Apr 1 | Fri, Apr 2 | Wed, Apr 14 | Wed, Apr 21 | Wed, Apr 28 |
| May 2027 | Fri, Apr 30 | Mon, May 3 | Wed, May 12 | Wed, May 19 | Wed, May 26 |
| June 2027 | Tue, Jun 1 | Thu, Jun 3 | Wed, Jun 9 | Wed, Jun 16 | Wed, Jun 23 |
| July 2027 | Thu, Jul 1 | Fri, Jul 2 | Wed, Jul 14 | Wed, Jul 21 | Wed, Jul 28 |
| August 2027 | Fri, Jul 30 | Tue, Aug 3 | Wed, Aug 11 | Wed, Aug 18 | Wed, Aug 25 |
| September 2027 | Wed, Sep 1 | Fri, Sep 3 | Wed, Sep 8 | Wed, Sep 15 | Wed, Sep 22 |
| October 2027 | Fri, Oct 1 | Fri, Oct 1 | Wed, Oct 13 | Wed, Oct 20 | Wed, Oct 27 |
| November 2027 | Mon, Nov 1 | Wed, Nov 3 | Wed, Nov 10 | Wed, Nov 17 | Wed, Nov 24 |
| December 2027 | Wed, Dec 1 | Fri, Dec 3 | Wed, Dec 8 | Wed, Dec 15 | Wed, Dec 22 |
When the 1st or 3rd falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSA pays on the previous business day — which is why some months have two SSI payments and others none (for example, January 2027's SSI arrives December 31, 2026). These are the same money, not an extra check. The January 2027 payments include the 2027 Social Security COLA.
Which birthday counts?
- Your own retirement or disability benefit: your birthday.
- Spouse, ex-spouse or child benefits: the birthday of the worker whose record you're paid on, not yours.
- Survivor benefits: the birthday of the worker who died.
Social Security pays a month behind
Each payment covers the previous month: the money you get in March is your February benefit. That's why, after a death, the payment received in the following month must be returned, and why your first check arrives the month after the first month you're entitled to (see how to apply for Social Security).
Payment didn't arrive?
- Wait three mail days (for a paper check) or check your bank later in the day — deposits sometimes post in the afternoon.
- Confirm your direct deposit details in your my Social Security account.
- Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (see the Social Security phone number guide) if it's still missing.
Frequently asked questions
What day is Social Security paid?
On a Wednesday set by your birthday: second Wednesday (1st–10th), third Wednesday (11th–20th) or fourth Wednesday (21st–31st). SSI is paid on the 1st, and older claims (before May 1997) on the 3rd.
Why did I get two SSI payments in one month?
When the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, SSI is paid on the previous business day. The early payment is next month's money, so the following month has no SSI payment.
Will the 2027 COLA be in my January payment?
Yes. January 2027 payments include the 2027 COLA. SSI recipients see it on December 31, 2026.
Is Social Security paid on holidays?
No. If a payment day is a federal holiday, SSA pays on the business day before. In November 2026, the second-Wednesday payment moves to Tuesday, November 10.
What payment date applies to spousal benefits?
The date is based on the birthday of the worker whose record you're paid on, not your own birthday.