Social Security Payment Dates for 2026 and 2027: Your Exact Day by Birthday, SSI Dates and Holiday Shifts
Most people get their Social Security payment on a Wednesday that depends on their birthday. Born on the 1st through 10th, you’re paid on the second Wednesday of the month. Born on the 11th through 20th, the third Wednesday. Born on the 21st through 31st, the fourth Wednesday. SSI is paid on the 1st of the month. And people who started benefits before May 1997, or who get both Social Security and SSI, are paid on the 3rd.
When a payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the money arrives on the business day before. Below is the full schedule from October 2026 through December 2027, with those shifts already applied.
I’m a researcher, not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. I worked out these dates from SSA’s payment rules and the federal holiday calendar. The 2027 dates match the official 2027 schedule as reported by Kiplinger, and SSA posts its own calendars on its payment schedule page.
How SSA decides your payment day
| If you… | You’re paid on… |
|---|---|
| Get SSI (alone or with Social Security) | The 1st, for SSI |
| Started Social Security before May 1997 | The 3rd |
| Get both Social Security and SSI | The 3rd, for Social Security |
| Were born on the 1st–10th | The second Wednesday |
| Were born on the 11th–20th | The third Wednesday |
| Were born on the 21st–31st | The fourth Wednesday |
On spousal or survivor benefits? Your payment date is based on the birthday of the worker whose record you’re paid on, not your own birthday.
The full schedule: October 2026 to December 2027
Each row is the benefit for that month. Remember that Social Security pays in arrears: the payment you get in October is your benefit for September. SSA labels its calendars by the month the money arrives, which is how the table below works too.
Remaining 2026 dates
| Month | SSI | 3rd-of-month group | Born 1st–10th | Born 11th–20th | Born 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 |
Watch November 2026. The second Wednesday is November 11, Veterans Day, so people born on the 1st through 10th are paid a day early, on Tuesday, November 10.
2027 dates
| Month | SSI | 3rd-of-month group | Born 1st–10th | Born 11th–20th | Born 21st–31st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 | Wed, Jan 13 | Wed, Jan 20 | Wed, Jan 27 |
| February | Mon, Feb 1 | Wed, Feb 3 | Wed, Feb 10 | Wed, Feb 17 | Wed, Feb 24 |
| March | Mon, Mar 1 | Wed, Mar 3 | Wed, Mar 10 | Wed, Mar 17 | Wed, Mar 24 |
| April | Thu, Apr 1 | Fri, Apr 2 | Wed, Apr 14 | Wed, Apr 21 | Wed, Apr 28 |
| May | Fri, Apr 30 | Mon, May 3 | Wed, May 12 | Wed, May 19 | Wed, May 26 |
| June | Tue, Jun 1 | Thu, Jun 3 | Wed, Jun 9 | Wed, Jun 16 | Wed, Jun 23 |
| July | Thu, Jul 1 | Fri, Jul 2 | Wed, Jul 14 | Wed, Jul 21 | Wed, Jul 28 |
| August | Fri, Jul 30 | Tue, Aug 3 | Wed, Aug 11 | Wed, Aug 18 | Wed, Aug 25 |
| September | Wed, Sep 1 | Fri, Sep 3 | Wed, Sep 8 | Wed, Sep 15 | Wed, Sep 22 |
| October | Fri, Oct 1 | Fri, Oct 1 | Wed, Oct 13 | Wed, Oct 20 | Wed, Oct 27 |
| November | Mon, Nov 1 | Wed, Nov 3 | Wed, Nov 10 | Wed, Nov 17 | Wed, Nov 24 |
| December | Wed, Dec 1 | Fri, Dec 3 | Wed, Dec 8 | Wed, Dec 15 | Wed, Dec 22 |
The “two payments in one month” months
A few times a year, SSI recipients see two payments in one calendar month and none the next. This isn’t extra money. It’s next month’s payment arriving early because the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday.
- October 2026: SSI on October 1, plus November’s SSI on Friday, October 30 (November 1 is a Sunday).
- December 2026: SSI on December 1, plus January 2027’s on Thursday, December 31 (New Year’s Day is a Friday). People paid on the 3rd also get their January payment on December 31, since January 3 is a Sunday and January 1 is a holiday.
- April 2027: May’s SSI arrives Friday, April 30.
- July 2027: August’s SSI arrives Friday, July 30.
Budget for these. If you spend the early payment, you’ll have a month with no SSI deposit. There’s also no SSI payment in January 2027, because it arrives December 31.
When the 2027 COLA shows up
The 2027 cost-of-living adjustment is 3.6%. SSA announced it on October 14, 2026 (SSA). It takes effect with benefits for December 2026, which are paid in January 2027. For SSI, the first higher payment arrives December 31, 2026.
For 2026, the COLA was 2.8%, and the average retired-worker benefit rose to $2,071 a month in January. For 2027, SSA estimates the average retired worker goes from $2,094 to $2,170 a month (SSA). My 2027 COLA guide has all the new amounts.
Your Part B premium for 2027 is usually deducted from your Social Security payment, so your net raise depends on the 2027 premium too. As of October 14, 2026, CMS hasn’t announced that premium.
What to do if your payment is late
- Check the calendar above. Make sure you’re looking at the right group, especially in holiday months or if you’re on a spouse’s record.
- Check with your bank. Deposits usually post the morning of the payment date, but some banks post later in the day.
- Wait three business days. SSA asks people to allow three additional days before reporting a missing payment.
- Then contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or check your payment history in your my Social Security account.
If your payment is smaller than expected, look for a notice about an overpayment deduction, a Medicare premium change or a garnishment. My guide to Social Security overpayments explains how withholding works and how to request a waiver.
Direct deposit and paper checks
The federal government began phasing out paper checks on September 30, 2025, under an executive order to move federal payments to electronic methods. Social Security now pays nearly everyone by direct deposit or a Direct Express debit card. People who can’t use electronic payments can ask about an exception.
To change your bank account, use your my Social Security account or call SSA. Be wary of anyone who contacts you asking to “verify” your direct deposit details. SSA won’t call, text or email asking for your bank information or threatening to stop your benefits.
Related payment questions
- Getting SSI? My guide to SSI payment amounts and eligibility covers the 2026 federal rate of $994.
- Still working while collecting? The earnings test can withhold whole monthly payments if you’re under full retirement age.
FAQ
What day is Social Security paid in November 2026?
November 10 (Tuesday) if you were born on the 1st through 10th, since November 11 is Veterans Day. It’s November 18 for birthdays on the 11th through 20th and November 25 for the 21st through 31st. SSI for November arrives October 30.
Why did I get two SSI payments this month?
Next month’s payment came early because the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday. You won’t get a payment next month.
When will I see the 2027 COLA?
In your January 2027 payment. The raise is 3.6%. For SSI, and for people paid on the 3rd, that’s December 31, 2026.
Which Wednesday am I paid on?
Your birthday decides it: the 1st–10th gets the second Wednesday, the 11th–20th the third Wednesday, and the 21st–31st the fourth Wednesday. On a spouse’s record, use the worker’s birthday.
Can I change my payment date?
Generally, no. Your payment date is set by the rules above. It changes only in specific situations, like when you start SSI.
Related guides
The $90 Medicare Part B Rebate: Who Gets It, When It Arrives, and What to Watch For
my Social Security Account in 2026: How to Sign In With Login.gov or ID.me, Fix Common Problems and Stay Safe
Living on Social Security Alone in 2026 and 2027: The Real Numbers and 7 Programs That Can Close the Gap
