Overview
- Payments for beneficiaries with birthdays on the 1st–10th were issued today, with the next waves set for Jan. 21 (11th–20th) and Jan. 28 (21st–31st), and some dual-eligible or pre-May 1997 recipients paid on Jan. 2.
- The average retired worker benefit rises to about $2,071 a month and a typical retired couple to roughly $3,208, affecting more than 70 million beneficiaries.
- Many recipients will see part of the increase offset by higher Medicare Part B premiums, which rise to $202.90 per month in 2026.
- Reports differ on 2026’s maximum monthly benefit, with some citing $5,251 for those claiming at age 70 and others $5,108, while the maximum at full retirement age is $4,152.
- New 2026 thresholds are in effect: the annual earnings limit is $24,480 for those under full retirement age and $65,160 in the year someone reaches it, and the taxable wage cap increases to $184,500; for missing payments, SSA advises waiting three business days, checking with your bank, and calling 1-800-772-1213 if needed.