With almost all of the December payments already sent, only one round of payments remains, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is preparing to begin its 2026 payment schedule, which includes increases in monthly amounts.
How much will Social Security and SSI benefits increase in 2026?
For retirees, who make up the majority of SSA beneficiaries, this will translate into an average monthly increase of $56.
When are Social Security and SSI benefits paid in January 2026?
The first beneficiaries to receive payments in 2026 will be SSI recipients, whose January money will be issued on December 31,
a day earlier than usual, as January 1 is a federal holiday.they are scheduled for January 30, as both February 1 and January 31 fall on a weekend.
Of the 70.4 million Americans who receive retirement, survivor or disability benefits, most will be paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of January, depending on their date of birth.
As the month begins on a Thursday, these three Wednesday pay dates fall on the latest possible days.
January 2026 payment dates
- Friday, January 2: Beneficiaries since before May 1997 / beneficiaries who also receive SSI
- Wednesday, January 14: Born from the 1st to the 10th of each month
- Wednesday, January 21: Born from the 11th to the 20th of each month
- Wednesday, January 28: Born from the 21st to the 31st of each month
January 2026 payment dates for SSI beneficiaries
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025: Payment for January 2026
- Friday, January 30, 2026: Payment for February 2026
How much is paid for retirement, survivors, disability and SSI?
According to the most recent figures shared by the SSA, retired workers receive an average of $2,013.32 per month.
Disabled workers receive an average of $1,588.52 per month
and survivors’ benefit recipients receive an average of $1,576.20 per month. SSI recipients receive an average of $717.90 per month.
SSA beneficiaries can choose between two electronic payment methods:
- Receive the money by direct deposit into your bank account.
- Have the SSA load the benefits onto the Direct Express card, a special debit card for federal payments.