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First 2026 Social Security Checks Arrive Jan. 14 With COLA Boost as Medicare Part B Premiums Increase

Payments follow a finalized 2026 calendar that shifts several SSI dates due to weekends and holidays.

Overview

  • Retirees born on the 1st–10th are paid Jan. 14, those born the 11th–20th on Jan. 21, and those born the 21st–31st on Jan. 28 under the birthdate-based schedule.
  • The 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment is now in effect, raising the average retirement benefit by about $56 per month for roughly 75 million beneficiaries.
  • The standard Medicare Part B premium has risen to $202.90 in 2026, a $17.90 (9.7%) increase that may reduce take-home gains, with about 8% paying higher income-related amounts under IRMAA.
  • SSI timing changes include February’s payment on Jan. 30, March’s on Feb. 27, August’s on July 31, November’s on Oct. 30, and January 2027’s on Dec. 31, creating months with no SSI deposit.
  • People who receive both SSI and Social Security or who started benefits before May 1997 follow a different timetable and received their January Social Security payment on Jan. 2.