Overview
- Retirees, disability beneficiaries, and survivors born on the 11th–20th of any month are slated to receive January’s second Social Security payment on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
- The first January wave was paid Jan. 14 to those born on the 1st–10th, and the third is scheduled for Jan. 28 for birthdays on the 21st–31st.
- For payments based on a spouse’s or parent’s work record, the pay date is determined by that family member’s birth date rather than the recipient’s.
- February’s Supplemental Security Income will be issued Friday, Jan. 30 because Feb. 1 falls on a Sunday, with maximums of $994 for individuals, $1,491 for couples, and $498 for essential caregivers.
- For 2026, the typical retiree benefit is about $2,071 per month, the earnings limit below full retirement age is $24,480, the taxable wage cap is $184,500, and maximum monthly checks can reach about $2,831 at age 62 and $5,108 at 70, while analysts warn full benefits could be at risk by 2034 without congressional action.